The beautiful scenery and fresh snow that is plentiful in Utah from December through early April make it a perfect destination this time of year. This “Greatest Snow on Earth” is the driest snow in North America, with an average moisture content of just 4%, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. While there are many resort options, there are some standouts that cater better to families with children, so it’s an amazing vacation for the whole group. Take a look at our top picks in Utah Family Ski Vacation Destinations.
Montage Deer Valley
Located at 8,300 feet on top of Empire Pass, this multi-generational ski resort offers skiing for various levels and experiences (blue, green and black diamond runs for families with a variety of skill levels).  So this is truly a ski-in/ski-out resort at Deer Valley. It’s been rated the #1 ski destination in North America for 4 years in a row by the readers of SKI Magazine. You can enjoy all kinds of winter activities on the surrounding 200 acres of peaks and terrains, including mountain and cross-country skiing, snow cat and helo-skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and good old sleigh rides. There is a very personal approach to family vacations here, says Dan Howard, Director of Public Relations at Montage Deer Valley. “A Montage Ski Valet team member sits with each individual family (no cattle herding here) and tunes/tightens all the kids equipment, warms the boots and waxes the skis and carries the equipment directly to the slope so it is truly ‘click and go’ from the doors of the property. We even book individual or group ski instruction through the Deer Valley ski school right in Compass Sports [ski shop] from the newly-dedicated Deer Valley desk which issues lift tickets and arranges to have their instructors come to meet our guests at the doors of the shop.” The resort features some amazing architectural details (just take a look at that lobby!) and an original art collection throughout the resort.
Kids under 5 ski free and there are plenty of options for skiing and snowshoeing instruction. If you are traveling with kids 5-12, there is a tremendous program at Montage Deer Valley, called Paintbox. Reflective of the resort’s focus on the arts, it’s an arts and crafts activity center that also incorporates outdoor activities. Kids can sign up for a full day (9am-4pm) at $90 per day or half day (morning or afternoon) at $60, and all programs include lunch. There are some exciting activities for kids participating in the Paintbox program at Montage Deer Valley – rock art, science experiments, Olympics medal and flag making, treasure map making and snow art, just to name a few. If you are looking to have a night on the town, Paintbox also offers a Friday and Saturday evening program (6-10pm) with dinner, activity and movie. Babysitting services are easy to find with a quick call to the concierge. Dan says the resort likes to refer visitors to parkcitysitters.com that most parents use at the resort.
As to things to do on the property, Montage Deer Valley presents three distinctive dining venues. APEX, a mountain American grill inspired by farm-to-table ingredients sourced in Utah and the West, will probably be your kids’ favorite. The Alpine Pool Deck offers a vibrant Apres ski scene. VISTA LOUNGE features bistro fare and handcrafted cocktails in an authentic great room setting. DALY’S PUB & REC is a gourmet gastro put in a fun environment featuring favorite pastimes including billiards, English darts, a Wii Lounge, nostalgic game arcade and four-lane regulation bowling alley. The Spa at Montage is gorgeous – a 35,000 square foot alpine oasis with mosaic tiled indoor swimming pool and wellness center. At nearby Utah Olympic Park, visitors can watch top athletes train in Nordic jumping, bobsled, luge and skeleton.
Brian Head Ski Resort
If you are looking for Utah’s famous powder this winter but would like to avoid the big crowds and big costs for your family, check out Brian Head Ski Resort in Southern Utah. Located in the beautiful red rock country north of Cedar City, the resort has a lot to offer for both skilled and new skiers with a variety of terrain for different levels. This is the highest ski resort in Utah, so there is plenty of snowfall throughout the season. Overall, there are 650 acres served by eight lifts reaching 65 runs, 40% beginner, 40% intermediate and 20% advanced, as well as three terrain parks, and all are open to both skiing and snowboarding. Nordic skiers will appreciate the terrain with some of the best in the country for ungroomed trails. And there are other popular winter activities – snowboarding lessons, snowshoeing and tubing. The Giant Steps and Navajo Mountain, the two ski mountains at the resort, are connected with two new chair lifts and a skier bridge over the highway. The skier bridge allows easy access to both mountains, making it hassle free for parents to drop their kids at ski school or the licensed day care and then head to the blue and black runs on Giant Steps Mountain without the need to drive from one to the other.
There is a lot done to make families happy here, starting with a very comfortable price for the lift ticket (the same in the last 3 years) – $45 for adults (compared to $80-$100 at other resorts). Plus, there are packages for the family. Since The Family Travel Forum honored Brian Head Resort in 2002 with a Top 10 award as one of the best places for a family getaway, the resort has greatly expanded and enhanced its family offerings and ski/snowboard lessons. First of all, there is a full service ski school program. As at many other resorts, kids under 5 can ski for free with a ticketed adult. The skiing school is excellent and offers programs for kids as young as 3 years old. The Wii Ski program for 3-year olds is all about introducing kids to the elements of skiing – stopping and turning. This program, which runs on Saturdays and during holiday periods, includes 2 hours of lessons, equipment rental and a full day care. The next level up – Tiny Tracks for 4-5 year olds is focused on improving the skiing basics. Mountain Explorers for 6- to 12-year-olds of any ability level that want to explore the mountain with a professional ski instructor who will challenge, motivate, and inspire children to love skiing. Kid Boarders for 7- to 12-year-olds of any ability level desiring to learn the fundamentals of safe riding. All three programs (for 4-12 year olds) include four hours of lessons, a full-day lift ticket, full-day equipment rental, and lunch. All programs cost $95 and you have to register in advance (866-930-1010 for reservations). In addition to the skiing school, there is a licensed day care center at Navajo Lodge Learning Center for children from 6 weeks to 3 year old at $13/hour with 2 hour minimum, open 9-4pm. The same center (Navajo Lodge) is also where you will find great breakfast every morning.
Families can find some savings with discounted packages available at participating hotels or lodges as listed at scenicsouthernutah.com. Savings are also found in Brian Head’s partnership with the Starving Student Card, which allows cardholders to receive 50% off of two adult lift tickets and equipment rentals for two people -or one person for two days, skiers or snowboarders and excluding holidays. The cards can be purchased at the Dixie State College Book Store and the Southern Utah University Book Store – you do not have to be a student to purchase the card for $30.00. As to things to do, look nearby to Cedar City (30 miles south of the resort) for great restaurants and other entertainment, such as the Shakespearean festival in February.
Canyons Resort
Another large resort in Utah, Canyons is actually the third largest resort in America with a total 4000 skiable acres. The resort has a number of lodging options to fit families with a variety of budgets (check out Ski, Dream and Dine package with free lift tickets and more: lodging packages). A unique feature at Canyons is a bubble chairlift with a heated seat – a beautiful idea! The orange Bubble Express warms the seat up to 55 degrees and protects you from the elements, making it a very nice ride up. If you think a warm lift is comfortable, check out their Ski Beach. You can sit in sun chairs and enjoy the afternoon sun with your kids as you watch people ski down the mountain. The resort offers a public magic carpet for beginner skiers, so parents can take young kids up for a few runs to get comfortable on skis (kids 6 and under ski free). You can grab a snack at the nearby Red Tail Grill. There are tons of dining options at Canyons, from simple burgers to more upscale cuisine. One thing you should defiitely not miss is the Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides and Dinner. You can go on a scenic 30-minute horse drawn sleigh ride through Willow Draw complete with a beverage at Red Tail Grill in the Grand Summit Hotel. After the ride you will have the option of a 4-course gourmet dinner at The Cabin Restaurant. The rides start as early as 5.30pm and the cost is $29 for the ride alone (kids on the lap are free) or $79/adult and $49/child with dinner. This is an experience not to be missed!
Canyons offers both private and group skiing lessons for kids 2-14. Canyon Cubs for 2-3 year olds offers a full day of childcare with a 1 hour skiing lesson where kids can learn a few skiing basics on the gentle learning hill on the Ski Beach and enjoy the magic carpet lift. In addition to skiing, the day includes lunch, sledding and indoor play. Canyon Cats is a skiing only full day for preschoolers 4-6 year old. Classes are small (1 instructor per 3 students) and include skiing basics and new skills, a lift and practicing on the Ski Beach. Canyon Carvers program is designed for 7-14 year olds – both skiing and snowboarding classes available, with larger student groups and more advanced skiing areas. You will get better savings by signing up for a week’s worth of activities (assuming you are staying a week). Finally, if you are just looking for daycare while you are hitting the slopes, Little Adventures Children’s Center offers babysitting for kids 6 weeks to 6 years old 8.30 to 4.30 pm 7 days a week with full and half day options. New this year, there is a Parents Night Out – you can drop off the kids (4-12) for a dinner, movie and activities while you enjoy a night out (6-10pm on Fridays and Saturdays).
There are interesting events happening in January-March (the bulk of the skiing season here), with the biggest draw being the US Snowboarding Grand Prix in February. Kids will love the Torch Light Parade happening each Saturday from 6-7pm on the Ski Beach. Anyone 7 and older can participate on the skis and make it there early (the first 40 guests will participate). Reserve your spot by calling 435.615.3349. Another fun free event is the March Saturday Spring Concert Series with live concerts at 3pm from early to mid-March.
Sundance Resort
Now famous for its annual Sundance festival (this year Jan 20-30 in Park City), this resort was truly born in 1969 when Robert Redford bought the old Timphaven resort from a family of Swedish immigrants. Since then it’s grown into a tremendous art scene and still a very intimate skiing destination. It’s a smaller resort (41 runs on 450 acres), so everyone in the family can ski at their own level and then everyone  returns to the base of the mountain at the same location. Listed in the Top 10 of Conde Nast Traveler’s 2009 Top 50 Best Ski Hotels in the U.S. and Canada, this is a great value for families to relax in the comfort of Sundance’s rustic yet elegant surroundings. I was informed of the new lodging special running throughout this winter 2011 season, called Stay and Ski Free. When you book your stay at  Sundance, you’ll receive 2 free lift passes per day to ski and weekday rates starting at $269. Promotion runs through the season, which ends on April 3rd, 2011. Obviously, skiing is the main activity here but cross country and snowshoeing are fun alternative activities for the entire family. Not to be missed is an absolutely gorgeous experience of Night Owling – a snowshoe excursion to Mt. Timpanogos at 6.30pm – watching the beautiful vistas and learning about wildlife in the winter time.
Kids can experience the snow at any age – there is free skiing for children under 6 and free cross-country skiing for children under 10. Little ones can start skiing lessons here at 3 years old in both cross country and snowshoeing. The Wild Bunch group offers both group and private lessons for 4 and 5-year olds, up to two in class for $95. Call 801.223.4140 to register. Older kids can try both ski and snowboard lessons ($70 and $115 respectively) in the morning or afternoon sessions. Since Sundance is such an art-focused community, there is a great array of art classes for kids (and adults too). Children can try their hand in pottery, beading and print making, and adults can even learn jewelry making.
Marriott’s MountainSide at Park City
One of the biggest differentiators of Marriott Vacation Club Resort is the amount of room you get here and it is no exception at Marriott’s MountainSide at Park City. The one- and two-bedroom villas allow plenty of room for the whole family and the fully equipped kitchen allows you to eat meals without ever leaving your home away from home. Another plus is the washer/dryers in each villa – very helpful during snow season! The main draw of the resort, though, is the spectacular Wasatch Mountains and the nearby Park City with is Sundance Festival. This is the ski-in/ski-out resort with access to the Park City Mountain Resort PayDay Ski Lift.
The resort does not provide babysitting or ski school, however there are babysitting services located in Park City which are even willing to come to guests’ rooms, and ski school instruction is available through Park City Mountain Resort. Still, there are fun activities for kids at the resort almost daily – from cookie decorating to movie night, family snowshoeing to kiddie art and craft classes, story time to finger painting, karaoke night to cartoons.
