Best Family Ski Resorts in North America 2017

This post may contain compensated links. Please refer to my disclaimer here for more information.

What are the best family ski resorts in North America? If you’re planning family ski vacations this winter, this is the post you need to read. I thought I would poll my fellow family travel bloggers on what they considered the best family ski resort in the US or Canada.

Finding the best family friendly ski resorts will make your well-deserved family ski vacation the greatest one possible!

The US and Canada have some of the top ski resorts in the world. I’ve broken down the list into West, East and Canada so that it’s easier for you to choose the best ski resorts for families in North America.

>>>Get my free printable ski trip packing list! Just click here to download it.<<<<

What You'll Find in This Post

Best Ski Resorts in US for Families 2017 (Western US)

Park City, Utah

Of course, I rate Park City as one of the best ski resorts for families in the US! Park City is one of the best ski resorts in Utah and, now that it’s joined to Canyons, Park City Mountain Resort is the biggest ski resort in the USA (by area). There is so much to love about Park City. It has a small town feel with tonnes of big city amenities, particularly for family ski vacations. The town itself is adorable. Taking the free trolley up and down Main Street is a fun activity for kids. The ski resort at Park City is easy to access, there’s even a lift from Main Street as well as free buses that circuit the greater Park City area. Outside of their family friendly ski school, there are lots of fun activities on offer for kids. Spend an afternoon tubing at Gorgoza Park, visit the local library to read & play in the warmth or head down to Salt Lake City to enjoy the Children’s Museum, Hogle Zoo or Natural History Museum.

Keystone, Colorado

Keystone, CO is great for families with kids for all ages because it has a stellar ski school for the kids, great daycare center for babies and non-skiiing kids, and plenty of places for parents to reconnect. Food options abound, so everyone in the family will be happy and full by the end of each day. Lodging options range from hotel rooms to massive condos that can fit large families. Activities off the slopes are great for bringing the family back together each day via snow tubing, ice skating, parades, fondue parties and fireworks. Keystone’s kid programming, Kidtopia,offers painting, scavenger hunts, snowball fights, family movie nights and ice cream parties. With so much to do, and so many great activities for the whole family, you really can’t make any more excuses not to take the kids to the mountain this winter. – Keryn from Walking On Travels

Beaver Creek, Colorado

Upscale Beaver Creek Resort in the Colorado Rockies is great for families for so many reasons. Ski school for young children is extra appealing, with a small “magic carpet” ride on a bunny slope right at the base of the mountain, plus a “Buckaroo Express” gondola that sized just for kiddos, once they’re ready to head up the hill. Activities off the ski slopes include a gentle tubing hill, ice skating, and family programming, such as parades, storytime and even a weekly mini carnival. Plus, there’s always free, warm chocolate chip cookies every day at 3pm at the mountain base! – Kara from The Vacation Gals

Brian Head Resort, Utah

Brian Head Resort has been our annual ski trip destination for years. Boasting “The Greatest Snow on Earth” (averaging over 360 inches of snow annually) and Utah’s highest base elevation, it’s also a family-friendly resort with many amenities and surrounding attractions. My kids learned to ski and snowboard through their renowned Kids Camp that offer various packages including lift tickets, equipment rentals and lunch in age specific programs. The prices are lower and they’re not as crowded as other major resorts. We also love that it offers night skiing. Bonfires and smores on weekend evenings near the slopes are also fun activities. There are plenty of activities beyond the slopes for the kids. Snow tubing is available in two parks including night tubing. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are available at the adjacent Cedar Breaks National Monument. The backdrop of the colorful red rocks is quite stunning. We love its location being a few hours drive from Las Vegas and Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. – Mary from The World is a Book

Winter Park, Colorado

The little details, like complimentary red wagons to haul kids and their gear through the village, are the first clue that Winter Park, CO is designed with skiing families in mind. Winter Park is particularly ideal for first time skiing families. The compact size of the village makes it easy to navigate, not to mention Winter Park boasts the most “easy” terrain of all the Colorado resorts. Proximity to Denver-Winter Park is the closest ski resort to the airport-is another reason to choose this as a ski destination. Non-skiers need not worry; there are plenty of non-skiing activities, including snowcat tours to the top of the mountain and snowtubing to keep everyone occupied. – Jessica from Suitcases & Sippycups

Big Sky, Montana

Why Big Sky Resort is good for families: There are obvious reasons to adore skiing at Big Sky Resort for families like the fact that kids 10 years old and younger ski free or the free Kids Club apres ski activities so that parents can relax after a day on the slopes. But Big Sky Resort won our family over with expansive trails (and short lift lines), delicious village dining and activities to exceed everyone’s needs and wants.- Elena from Live Do Grow

Best Ski Resorts in US for Families 2017 (Eastern US)

Smuggler’s Notch, Vermont

You’ll never experience a dull moment at Smugglers’ Notch Resort in northern Vermont. There’s skiing, of course, but there’s also snowshoeing, tubing, skating, airboarding, zip lining, health & wellness classes, art classes, food classes, bonfires, fireworks, spa treatments, cat tours, snowmobiling, broomball, teen events, and more. And they make your stay super easy with inclusive packages, an easy shuttle bus system, well-managed activities, and a wonderful, helpful staff. My top pick in the East for families! – Shannon from 100 Routes Across America

Sunday River Ski Resort, Maine

We love Sunday River because you get the advantage of the facilities of a big mountain but not nearly the crowds you find at some other Northeast ski resorts. Since we are beginner skiers, we love that they offer a beginner lift ticket, with access to quite a few green and blue trails at a cheaper price than a full mountain access pass. My daughter has had a great learning experience with their ski school, and they also have multiple mountains with trails for all levels, including terrain parks. Sunday River offers movie nights, special family programs, family dinners, and the best noodle soup I’ve ever had! – Tamara from We 3 Travel

Massanutten, Virginia

Massanutten is a great ski mountain for families because it has a nice mix of beginner and intermediate slopes. This is important because you want to have a bit of variety on the trails but also stick to a difficulty level you know your children can ski safely. They can practice their skills and improve their skiing with just enough challenge in the terrain to help them do so. The lift attendants are always very helpful and understand that everyone has to learn how to get on and off the lifts. They are quick to slow the lift down if needed and offer tips to help your children. One of the best parts of Massanutten is that you rarely have to wait in long lines at the lifts which means you can do a lot more skiing. The lifts use a conveyor belt lift loading system which makes it very easy for beginners to learn how to get on the lift. – Gina from Vacation Maybe

Suicide Six, Vermont

Don’t let the name fool you! Suicide Six is one of the most family friendly ski resorts in Vermont. This small mountain has just 23 trails, 2 chairlifts and a J Bar. It boasts 30% beginner and 40% novice slopes. In my mind I had always assumed that Suicide Six was meant for advanced skiers and riders only because the name was just so imposing. I was wrong. Upon arrival I discovered a small, local mountain filled with lots of families of all ages. Drop off was simple with a nice long ramp. It made it almost effortless to carry our gear onto the slopes. The lodge is small and manageable, with no chance of loosing sight of your kids. My family loved to take runs on the Easy Mile. Although we can all ski intermediate and advanced trails, this nice long run was in pristine condition, not too steep and relatively empty. If you are looking for more intermediate or advanced trails, you will find them at the top of the same double chair. I would recommend a trip to Suicide Six for any family, but especially for those with young kids who are ready to move off the bunny slope and take their first ski vacation. Stay at the nearby Woodstock Inn and you’ve got yourself the makings for a great ski trip! – Dana from All Mountain Mamas

Best Family Ski Resorts in Canada 2017

Whistler, British Columbia

Whistler is one of our favorite destinations. It’s within a 2 hour drive from Vancouver making it an easy getaway with the kids. It also helps that it’s extremely family friendly. The village is a great place to explore and shop, it’s also very stroller friendly. The village is loaded with restaurants who cater to kids, and almost every hotel has a heated outdoor pool that can be used year round. Plus, over the past couple of years, it’s become a destination year-round. So no matter when you visit, there’s always something to do to keep the kids busy. Last summer we spent a weekend at the Four Seasons with our youngest, and even with a baby we found there was a lot to do and Whistler proved to be the best destination for our very first trip as a family of four. – Nicole from Travelling Canucks

Kicking Horse, British Columbia

With perfect bowls and challenging chutes, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is a powder lover’s paradise. In recent years, the mountain, which was already well known to advanced skiiers, has made a concerted effort to attract more families.This has included the addition of more blue and green terrain, a lovely childcare facility, a learn-to-ski area, an ice skating rink, a tube park and more. From the first-timer to the back-side boarder, there is something at Kicking Horse for everyone! – Tara from Pint Size Pilot

Sun Peaks, British Columbia

The second biggest ski resort in Canada can be found in the interior of beautiful British Columbia. Sun Peaks Ski Resort offers Okanagan charm, dry, champagne powder, and great amenities for skiing families. The three mountains of Sun Peaks feature a wide variety of ski runs, from beginner greens to wide glades, and steep double-blacks. An experienced ski and board school offers lessons for toddlers to adults, in half or full day (or week) sessions. Families can choose from fully-appointed ski-in, ski-out condos or hotels within the pedestrian-friendly village of the resort. The main shopping village has a European air, complete with ski and gear vendors, candy shops, great restaurants, and even a small but ever-so-convenient grocery store. – Claudia from The Travelling Mom

What do you think are the best ski resorts for kids?

Have we missed your favourite family friendly ski resort of our list? This list was compiled by asking some of the top family travel blogs for their opinion on the best family ski resorts in the US and Canada. I’d be happy to add your favourite family ski vacation spot! Just leave me a comment below with your recommendation of the best ski resorts for kids.

>>>>Get my list of the best ski goggles for kids here!<<<<