10 TIPS FROM LOCALS FOR THE BEST FAMILY SKI VACATION EVER

Want to do a family ski vacation like a local?
 
Learn from the pros, who also happen to have kids. Read below for 10 keys to unlocking the perfect vacation, especially while you're in Whistler.

 

1. BOOK EARLY AND KIDS SKI & RENT FOR FREE

This may be the most important tip on the entire list. Book your trip to Whistler Blackcomb before Nov. 15, and children 12 and under will stay for free, as well as ski or ride for free with every adult lift ticket purchased for three or more days. Kids will also receive free ski or snowboard rentals with every adult rental booked for three or more days.

Looking for a change of scenery? Kids also ski free in Keystone, Colorado, when two or more nights are booked directly through the resort (no blackout dates, no restrictions). And regardless of which resort you visit, remember to always buy lift tickets online ahead of time for the best savings.

2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT ACCOMMODATION FOR YOUR VACATION STYLE

Depending on the age of your kids as well as your crew’s interests, one of Whistler’s accommodation zones will surely be the perfect fit. 
 
Creekside and Upper Village have wonderful options for families who prefer a quieter scene, big outdoor pool complexes and condo options with kitchens; while the Village is a buzzing hub of activity that older kids adore. To take a closer look, check out Where to Stay in Whistler.

 

3. BOOK LESSONS FOR YOUR KIDS CLOSE TO YOUR HOTEL

Did you know Whistler Blackcomb offers Adventure Camps that run for three or five days, with the same instructor for the entire camp? Book Whistler Kids (for village accommodation), Blackcomb Kids (Upper Village accommodation) or Creekside Kids (Creekside accommodation) for painless drop-off and pick-up each day. Do yourself an even bigger favor by staying ski-in/ski-out, in order to get everyone on and off the mountain as quick as possible.

For first-class convenience outside of Whistler, check out the Lodge at Vail in Colorado, where you’ll have to walk but 50 feet to meet your instructor and hop on Gondola One at the beginning of each day. At the end of the day ... two words: hot tub.

4. SKI LIKE AN OLYMPIAN

Whistler’s ratio of “normal people” to Winter Olympians is out of this world; there is a very real chance of running into past, present and future Olympian and Paralympians in the lift line on any given day. 
 
There are a total of 13 Olympic and 5 Paralympic ski and snowboard athletes from the Sea to Sky Corridor alone who competed in the 2010 Winter Games! 
 
If you want to guarantee skiing or riding with one of these athletes book your family (must have similar skiing ability) into the Ski Or Ride With An Olympian package through Whistler Blackcomb’s Snow School.
 
“I love that Whistler draws the world’s best instructors and coaches thanks to its unparalleled superiority. I may be slightly biased, I’ll be the first to admit it… but I will always stand behind my claim that no other ski resort compares, all around.” –Ashleigh McIvor DeMerit, Skicross World Champion & Olympic Gold Medalist

To hang with the pros in a different setting, head to Breckenridge, Colorado, where you can watch some of the world’s best, throwing down in the terrain parks and superpipe on a daily basis. Better yet, hop on Chair 5 and you may even share a ride up the mountain with one of them.

5. DISCOVER MAGICAL PLAYGROUNDS IN THE FOREST, BUILT JUST FOR KIDS

There is literally nothing cooler to kids then zipping along a tight forest trail and happening upon a Magic Castle (Blackcomb) or Treefort (Whistler), built just for them.
 
“Having them tucked away in the forest just adds to the mystery and fun. It's even kind of cool for the parents.” –Mike Douglas, Godfather of Freesking and Dad.

 For two equally awesome, kid-tastic adventures outside of Whistler Blackcomb, check out the World’s Largest Snow Fort atop Keystone Mountain in Colorado: a dragon-themed castle complete with tunnels and lookouts, or venture over to Beaver Creek, Colorado to experience the 200-acre family learning center, Red Buffalo Park. In Red Buffalo Park, at a towering 11,440 feet, kiddos can cruise along 13 scenic trails while discovering multiple snow sculptures and taking in some of the most breathtaking views in all of the Rocky Mountains.

6. FUEL UP AND FILL UP TO MAKE IT FROM FIRST TO LAST CHAIR

Find nutritious and filling combo meals on-mountain with kid sized portions of regular menu items and healthy snacks. 
 
These “Family Certified” meals make lunch a breeze for even the fussiest eaters.

For some of the best on-mountain eats known to man (or child, of course), head up to the Overlook Restaurant on Peak 9 in Breckenridge, Colorado. Your only concern will be which is better, the food or the view? Trick question, both.

And for world-class dining as well as aprés at the end of an action-packed day, make a reservation at The Farm in Park City, Utah, where Executive Chef Steven Musolf whips up some of the finest, most distinctive American dishes in the country–all of which feature ingredients sourced from local farms (fittingly). 

7. FIND YOUR FAVORITE RUNS ON THE MOUNTAIN

The beauty of choosing the biggest and the best resort in North America means your family has the biggest and the best terrain to explore. Don’t forget to look for specially designed Family Zones on the mountain.

Big fan of the big? Then you’ll love number two and three in skiable acres just behind Whistler Blackcomb, with Park City Mountain Resort and Vail Ski Resort. If you’re looking for bottomless snow, head to McConkey’s Bowl in Park City, and if you’re looking for endless terrain, head to world-renowned Blue Sky Basin in Vail.

For additional Family Zones, be sure to check out Riperoo’s Forest in Keystone or Breckenridge, Colorado and Chaos Canyon in Vail, for five-star family fun, not to mention the other various Family Zones scattered around each mountain.

8. DON'T FORGET TO APRÈS

Whistler is known for their après scene and families aren’t left out in the cold. The three slopeside bars of the Kokanee Après series, Dusty’s Bar & BBQ (Creekside), Merlin’s Bar & Grill (Blackcomb) and the GLC (Village), are kid friendly until late and usually have live music for some ski boot stomping good times.

For a few more legendary options around the continent, check out Unbuckle in Heavenly, California, TBar in Breckenridge, Colorado and the Red Lion in Vail, Colorado. Each provides endless fun and entertainment, whether you’re out with a group or flying solo and making new friends at aprés. Just be sure get there earlier in the day (around 2 p.m.) if you want to secure a good spot.

9. EXPLORE WHISTLER'S NIGHTLIFE FOR ALL AGES

As mentioned above, Whistler’s nightlife rocks for kids too. Whistler Blackcomb’s Coca-Cola Tube Park is open into the evening, and features seven lanes of snow tubing–starting with a gently sloping kids’ lane and moving up to faster, longer lanes.

The free Fire and Ice Show takes place at 6:30 p.m. every Sunday evening, where families can be dazzled by fireworks as well as skiers and snowboarders getting huge air through a ring of fire.

For good old Canadian fun, the Family Après event (4-6 p.m.) takes place on Mondays and Wednesdays in the heart of the village, at Whistler Olympic Plaza, throughout the winter. Be ready for snowman building, tobogganing, mini hockey and hot chocolates all around.

“My childhood memories from growing up in Whistler recall it to be a magical existence with endless possibilities and opportunities for fun, healthy, active living.” – Ashleigh McIvor DeMerit, Skicross World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist

To keep the fun going just "a little south” of Whistler, head down to Heavenly, California for a family skate date in the heart of the village. In addition to the incredible ice skating rink, there is fine boutique shopping, restaurants, a movie theater and even casinos within walking distance, so the fun never has to stop (literally).
 

10. ALWAYS (ALWAYS!) MAKE IT FUN!!

From using french fries as bribery for completing a few last runs, or hitting up the Treefort every second lap, the key to a successful family ski vacation is to keep the good times rolling. Although Whistler Blackcomb is enormous, there is always a cozy little hut around the corner. Huts are ideal for a break and a mug of hot chocolate, to lift spirits and get that often-needed sugar boost while on the mountain.

“My Mom says that’s the key to raising good little skiers: keep it positive! If your kid wants to go in for hot chocolate, go in for hot chocolate!” – Ashleigh McIvor DeMerit, Skicross World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist

If you’re in Beaver Creek, Colorado, satisfy your sweet tooth by stopping by the Candy Cabin for classics such as Swedish Fish, Sour Worms, Warheads, Nerds, Jelly Belly’s, Root Beer Barrels and M&M’S–or try some delicious, locally produced artisan chocolates. To top things off, get to the base of the mountain by 3 p.m. (any day), when chefs hand out warm, freshly baked cookies as a part of the mountain's famous Cookie Time tradition. There is no such thing as making it too fun, but Beaver Creek is certainly testing (and tasting) the limits.

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