Travel Tips: Ski Planning Tips

Ski season is just around the corner!  Here are some great planning trips.

Book ski lessons early

Considering the impact that lessons can have on your vacation.  We recommend booking as soon as you decide on a resort. Let us help you decide on group vs. private lessons for just the children or the entire family.  When booking early, you’ll have a greater chance of landing a top instructor and more flexibility in terms of private vs. group lessons and half vs. full day.

Consider the terrain beyond the bunny slopes

The availability of beginner and easy-intermediate terrain outside the ski school slopes can make a world of difference in how enjoyable it is to ski as a family. Once your children get the hang of linking turns, the right resort can offer a whole day of terrain that doesn’t make parents feel ‘stuck’ on one slope. Deer Valley, for example, gives skiers a ‘green’ way down on five of its six mountains, and Park City Mountain has a number of long green and easy blue runs ideal for novices. And since learning to ski is as much about navigating the mountain and maneuvering in traffic as it is about reaching the bottom, choosing a resort that lets your children explore more terrain will help them become better overall skier

Don’t ignore the weather

Even the most enthusiastic children can sour on skiing if their memories are linked to icy fingers and wind-burned faces. Preparing your children for the cold can mean the difference between ‘triumphant’ and ‘miserable’ when they think of their ski experience. Think in layers, starting with long underwear and good mittens. If you can have some flexibility in planning your ski vacation, consider going (or returning) when the weather becomes more comfortable, but above all, listen to your children. A few more hot cocoa brakes early on can mean more enjoyable skiing throughout the day (and in the future).

As the children get older, give them freedom

As your children become confident on the mountain, it’s inevitable that they’ll want to take off on their own. One of the easiest ways to balance freedom with family logistics is staying slope-side. When you don’t have to worry about packing up the car to beat the crowds or rounding up the family at last chair, you can enjoy your vacation even if you and your children (or spouse) have different ski styles. You’ll thank yourself when you’re ready to score first tracks, and your teenager is still hitting the snooze button.

Plan an off-mountain day or two.

Taking a day off to rest tired legs and regroup as a family is one of the best ways to prevent on-mountain meltdowns before they happen. Spend a day tubing at Gorgoza Park, touring the Utah Olympic Park, or simply lounging in the theater or game room of your ski home. We can help you plan the perfect activity for your family.