December 15, 2005

Slippery Slopes

Tips on Skiing with Kids

Behold, the family ski trip: deep snow, long flights, and even longer lift lines. Here are a few essential tips that are all but guaranteed to make your next adventure a delight (and not a disaster).

Have Strategy, Will Travel
Pick airports that aren’t as affected by winter weather (like Salt Lake City, Reno, Eagle-Vail, and Burlington) and those serviced by multiple carriers. New deals and cheaper fares hit airline websites on Tuesdays at midnight; surf for last-minute deals at ski.com and moguls.com. For airport ease, fly early to avoid delays and rent equipment at your destination or FedEx gear ahead of time.

Gear Up, Gear Down
Get soggy mittens or frozen toes and you’re done before you’ve even started. Come prepared: long underwear, goggles, hand warmers, sunscreen, lip balm, and chocolate for instant energy.

Reserved Judgments
Book at resorts that cater to kids and parents with varied terrain and accommodations: Beaver Creek and Snowmass in Colorado, Squaw Valley in California, Park City and Snowbird in Utah, Stowe and Smugglers’ Notch in Vermont. The best activities: The Silver Tree in Snowmass Village offers snowcat rides — with supper — at dusk (970-925-1220). Park Hyatt in Beaver Creek has bedtime stories, snowshoes, and hot cookies après ski school. Take a Mom (or Dad) & Me lesson from a ski-in-ski-out condo at Smugglers’ or discover the wilds via dog sled. Want it all in a foreign language? Megeve in France and Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Italian Alps both offer ambience, ski instruction, and great food.

Time to Re-luxe
At Deer Valley, someone else deals with kiddie ski boots and tantrums. The Stein Eriksen Lodge has marshmallow-roasting for kids and luxurious spa treatments for parents. Four Seasons Whistler has three- and four-bedroom residences, plus a ski concierge to handle the gear. At The Little Nell in Aspen, they’ll warm junior’s boots. Call Scott Dunn about Euro skiing: He’ll set you up at the Chalet Aurea in Courchevel 1850 (that’s the altitude, in meters), which sleeps ten and comes with a pool, nanny, butler, and chef.

Here’s to a trip that’s all altitude, no attitude.