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Vermont is an east coast skiing paradise. It’s where everyone flocks to get their winter wonderland fill before returning to the day-to-day. And is it any wonder? The Green Mountain State naturally has many emerald-green slopes to zip down alongside equally thrilling powder snow-covered peaks. This undulating terrain, paired with its clear weather, makes for perfect skiing conditions!
And better yet, kid-friendly ski resorts in Vermont are plentiful. At ski resorts in Vermont, there’s a little something for everyone, there’s always activities, slopes, coaching, and other fun things geared towards the little ones. This includes Vermont skiing or snowboarding lessons for any kid who wants to get their first look at skiing (for kids even as young as 3!)
And for those weary parents who want a day of kid free skiing, there’s almost always a daycare program in all major Vermont ski resorts. Sound relaxing and just about right for you? Great!
Let’s take a look through the best kid-friendly resorts in Vermont so that you can pick one for your next east coast family skiing trip!
Killington Resort
Location: Killington Rd, Killington, Vermont
Adult Ticket Price: $37 – $115
Child Ticket Price: $39 – $89
Full-Day Ski Lesson for Kids: (Ages 4-6) | $175 (Ages 7-15) | $110
Within Killington’s 600 miles lies a whopping 6 mountains kitted out with 155 trails and 22 ski lifts. For convenience, each trail and slope is divided into three sections based on level of expertise – easy, intermediate, and difficult. Among these slopes is Juggernaut, the longest ski run on the East Coast, a beginner’s trail checking in at 6 miles. So, worry not, even your family’s littles skier can feel like a pro!
Visitors are treated to a vast range of winter activities, including snowshoeing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, and even family sleigh rides!
Since one size doesn’t fit all families, Killington resort offers accommodation to suit everyone. Killington Grand Resort Hotel offers a vast range of rooms, studios, and suites with gorgeous mountain views and top-notch amenities. There are also private condos and homes on offer mountainside with full kitchens, fireplaces, and spacious rooms.
Mad River Glen
Location: Schuss Pass, Waitsfield, Vermont
Adult Ticket Price: $92
Child Ticket Price: (Ages 6-15) | $74
Full-Day Ski Lesson for Kids: (Ages 4-12) Without Lift Ticket | $119 With Lift Ticket | $159
When a ski resort has a motto of “Ski It If You Can,” you know it’s going to be a carefree fun place with a hardcore edge. And that’s Mad River Glenn in a nutshell.
Homely, peaceful, rustic, and almost harkening back to ye’ olden’ days of skiing, Mad River Glen moves at whatever pace wish it to move at. With varied slopes to give all skill sets something to get their skis into, you’ll not be left feeling bored or unchallenged. Moreover, despite its reputation as a more sleepy skiing retreat, Mad River Glen still regularly attracts pros and experts alike who enjoy the carefully-groomed and adventurous slopes – something for the kids to gawp at!
For the little ones who may be too young to get out onto the slopes yet, there’s the on-resort Cricket Club Daycare. And worry not! This daycare center is right beside one of the resort’s most frequently used lifts, so, easy-access for worried parents. Concerning the older kids, there’s skiing classes that will professionally instruct children up to the age of 12.
Smuggler’s Notch
Location: Jeffersonville, Vermont
Adult Ticket Price: $84
Child Ticket Price (Ages 6-18) $63 | (Ages 5 and under) | Free
Full-Day Ski Lesson for Kids: (Ages 5 – Adult) | $109
At first glance, you might be tempted to think that Smuggler’s Notch is just like any other ski resort for kids – split them into two age groups, and that’s that! You’ll find on closer inspection that kids are sorted into many peer/activity groups according to small increments of age at Smuggler’s Notch.
So, if you’ve got several kids, this might be the right resort for you! Your kids will enjoy fun activities and lessons that are specifically tailored to their age group. Better yet, they’ll be only surrounded by like-minded and similarly skilled kids, making everything run a lot smoother!
However, something that’ll be music to every parent’s ears is the on-resort kids’ night out program. What’s that? It’s an evening daycare where kids are treated to pizza dinners and drinks, arts and crafts, movies, and a $5 Arcade Card and Laser Tag participation at the FunZone 2.0. This means that parents can enjoy their own night out and take a much-needed breather, Phew! And an evening stay at the daycare won’t break the bank at $55 per night.
Stowe Mountain Resort
Location: Mountain Rd, Stowe, Vermont
Adult Ticket Price: (Ages 13+) | $112
Child Ticket Price: (Ages 5-12) | $59
Full-Day Ski Lesson for Kids: TBA
At Spruce Mountain Resort, it’s understood that convenience is a vital aspect of kid-friendliness! If you opt to center your stay in Spruce Peak as opposed to the bottom of the more advanced Mount Mansfield, then you’ll be within a few minutes’ walk of everything to meet your skiing and general need!
Better yet, the resort parking lot is located adjacent to Spruce Peak, so you’ll never have to walk or travel far before hitting the slopes!
If your kids are excited to get their lessons started, the resort’s Ski & Ride School is also situated in Spruce Peak.
Jay Peak
Location: Jay Peak Rd, Jay, Vermont
Adult Ticket Price: $92
Child Ticket Price: Junior (Ages 6-18) | $72
Half-Day Ski Lesson for Kids: Ages (4-6) | $125 Ages (7-12) | $90
Jay Peak is a Vermont ski resort with off mountain activities that are just as amazing as the skiing.
Break out the swimming suits if you’re planning on visiting Jay Peak! Yes, that’s right, believe it or not, Jay Peak Skiing resort has an all-year-round indoor waterpark for some splish, splashin’ fun. It’s also worthwhile bringing along any ice skates you might have to throw some shapes on the resort’s centerpiece ice rink. And that’s all before I’ve even mentioned the many varied and undulation slopes/trails to put your skills to the test!
Think your kids will enjoy Jay Peak after hearing all that? Of course, they will! Better yet, there’s many off-slope and out of the rink activities that are tailored-made for kids. From Summer Camp to Ski & Ride School, Jay Peak has it all. Not to mention daycare and nursery (JayCare) for the younger ones, so that parents can take a breather in the resort spa or enjoy some of the fine-dining options. Oh, and daycare is free for guests staying on-resort. Does it get any better than that?
Bolton Valley Resort
Location: Bolton Valley Access Rd, Richmond, Vermont
Adult Ticket Price: Time-dependant: $70/$80/$85
Child Ticket Price: Time-dependant: $55/$65/$70
Full-Day Ski Lesson for Kids: TBA
Ever dreamed of visiting a winter wonderland where 300 inches of snow falls annually, and you can even go night skiing? Now’s your chance. Bolton has a packed collection of trails, slopes, and runs to put any skill set to the test. And with 60 of them in total, you’ll have plenty of space for practice!
Bolton Valley’s slopeside inn offers 60 rooms of all types for guests. From a cozy studio to a luxury suite – it’s all here. And for more family-friendly spacious accommodation, there’s a pick of condos that can host up to 4 people at a time.
So, be ready to hop right onto the slopes with these conveniently close-to-action accommodation options!
After a day full of mountaintop fun, there’s sure to be hunger pangs kicking in. Bolton Valley has something to satiate all appetites. From flatbread pizzas to pub fare at the James Moore Tavern. If Italian food is the go-to for your kids, then they’ll have their fill at the local kid-friendly Italian bistro.
The Bolton Valley Deli & Grocery also supplies just enough nibbles to keep the little ones ticking over.
Mount Snow Resort
Location: Mount Snow Road, West Dover, Vermont
Adult Ticket Price: (Age 13+) | $133
Child Ticket Price: (Ages 5-12) | $69
Full-Day Ski Lesson for Kids: TBA
An ideal mix of fine dining, thrilling skiing, and wholesome entertainment – any family will feel right and home at the Mount Snow Resort. Spreading across 600 picturesque acres are 80 trails and 20 lifts to use as you wish. However, it must be noted, most of these trails are geared towards intermediate or advanced skiers, but there still are some easier slopes to suit beginners. Of course, there are also skiing lessons on offer to help kids feel more at ease on the trickier slopes. Navigating the slopes is also no issue as they are color-coded according to difficulty.
But with so much off-slope entertainment to be indulged in, why would any kid want to be on the slopes for too long? There’s tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and the extremely (understandably) popular dog sledding!
Additionally, suitable accommodation isn’t hard to come by in the area; there are several ski-in/ski-out hotels such as the Grand Summit at Mount Snow’s base. The budget-friendly Snow Lake Lodge is situated on the lake and offers free shuttle service to and from the slopes – perfect for traveling with kids!
Okemo Mountain Resort
Location: Okemo Ridge Rd, Ludlow, Vermont
Adult Ticket Price: (Ages 13+) | $112
Child Ticket Price: (Ages 5-12) | $59
Full-Day Ski Lesson for Kids: TBA
Situated in Ludlow town, the family-run Okemo resort understands a thing or two about what visiting families are looking for. Not to mention that it’s popular with the locals due to its miles of playful terrain paired with goosebump-inducing slopes to tear town.
But if you want family-friendly, just think of its six-seater heated lift that keeps whole broods toasty as they climb towards the slope tops. Speaking of slopes, Okemo has a convenient color-coded slope system that allows families to know where they should ski/board according to their skill level. And like most Resorts, there’s a daycare on-site.
They’ve even recently added a hi-tech half pipe experience for boarders and freestyle skiers that should delight the older kids! However, it’s perhaps not the on-slope experience as much as the off-slope experience that makes Okemo the perfect winter family getaway. Ziplining, roller coaster, tubing, swimming, snowmobiling, or snowcat excursions are all on the menu. Not to mention exploring the nearby town of Ludlow with its many shopping and dining options.
Offering a wide variety of lodgings from on-mountain condos to slopeside lodgings, there’s no shortage of place for families to stay. You can choose from standard lodgings, suites, and studios that host 1 to 4 people. Most family visitors opt to stay at Jackson Gore Inn due to their many and spacious rooms.
Okemo puts forward some tempting ski & stay deals such as kids 12 and under always stay free and 6 and under ski free (provided they’re holidaying with an adult.) Consider staying at Okemo’s deluxe slopeside condos or the Jackson Gore Inn. Both are ski in ski out locations with heated pool privileges.
Vermont may seem like a way away from the rest of the US but that’s what makes it the perfect remote getaway to recharge and reconnect with the whole family. So, keep some of the above kid-friendly resorts above in mind when you’re picking your perfect snow destination this year, and as always, make sure to check the local guidelines to ensure you comply with current travel regulations!