Mountain Magic: Skiing for Families
by Candyce H. Stapen
The best way to enjoy winter is to head for
the hills. Pick the right ski resort and everyone in the family
from never-evers to double-black-diamond daredevils, cross-country
striders to knuckle-draggers (snowboarders) enjoys mountains of
fun. Those who prefer staying off the slopes and out of the snow
can savor panoramic views by riding the lifts and get pampering
massages at the spa. The following three ski areas offer families
plenty of possibilities.
Park City Mountain Resort
Park City, Utah
Utah's snow-a dry, light "champagne" powder-has been dubbed by some
as the greatest on earth. The ample supply and the challenging slopes
drew the 2002 Winter Olympics to Utah. Remember the "flying tomato,"
the red-headed, 2006 Torino gold medal snowboarder Shaun White?
He trains at Park City Mountain Resort's Eagle Superpipe, whose
awesome 22-foot-high walls helped the resort win the "terrain park
of the year" from Transworld Snowboarder. Your kids can twist, jump
and get funky at this facility and three others at Park City.
The resort, a convenient 45-minute drive from Salt Lake City, is
big with 3,300 skiable acres. That gives you lots of options. Because
of the mountain's layout, families can ride many lifts together,
and then peel off to tackle bump runs, black diamonds or mellow
terrain and still meet up again at the base. Supervised children's
programs provide kids three-and-a-half to five years old two 75-minute
ski lessons per day as well as lunch and indoor play. Skiers ages
six through 13 perfect techniques in group lessons. Never-evers
learn skiing (ages six to 13) or snowboarding (ages seven to 13)
at the Children's Experience where the ratio is never more than
one instructor to five students.
Park City is also Utah's only real ski town. The once rough and
tumble mining camp where claim jumpers and shoot-outs were as common
as the silver deposits that drew hordes of prospectors in the 1870s
now offers restaurants, cafes and a range of accommodations from
inns to hotels and condominiums. Purchase a Silver Passport, available
through many lodgings, and you get access to the town's other two
nearby ski resorts: Deer Valley and the Canyons. These tickets must
be purchased at least 14 days in advance of your visit and are not
valid from December 26, 2006 through January 1, 2007 (www.parkcityinfo.com).
Smugglers' Notch
Smugglers' Notch, Vermont
Kids are the specialty at Smugglers' Notch, one
of the most family-friendly ski areas in the Northeast. The resort,
celebrating 50 years this coming season, combines an easily negotiated
ski village with three mountains plus multiple day and evening programs
for kids and adults, all at good prices. The more than 310 acres
of trails and topography include four terrain parks with rails,
fun boxes, spines, rolls, and tabletops for beginners to experts,
not to mention a Superpipe.
What really sets Smugglers apart are its kid-classes and après-ski
family activities. Treasures cares for infants six weeks to three
years. Little Rascals On Snow offers lessons for tots two-and-a-half-
to three-and-a-half years old. At Discovery Dynamos Ski Camp, ages
three to five hit the slopes and four- to six-year-olds choose either
skiing or snowboarding. Older kids can go Alpine or become knuckle-draggers
(snowboarders) at Adventure Rangers, for ages six to ten, Notch
Squad, for ages 11 to 15, and Explorers for 16- to 17-year-olds.
Smugglers' Notch solves that "But what do we do with the kids in
the evening?" problem with family karaoke, dog-sledding, arts and
crafts classes, snowshoe night tours, and an indoor FunZone with
mini-golf, basketball, giant slide, and a climbing wall. The comprehensive
Club Smugglers' Advantage package bundles condominium lodging with
ski/snowboard camp for kids (www.smuggs.com).
Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain
Lake Placid, New York
Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain, site of the
1932 and 1980 Olympic winter games, offers first-rate skiing and
snowboarding plus unique, heart-pounding adventures. The mountain
features novice to adrenaline runs-not to mention the East's largest
vertical drop at 3,430 feet-four terrain parks as well as a nursery
for ages one to six years, Play 'n Ski or Snowboard lessons for
ages four to six years and skiing and riding groups for seven- to
12-year-olds (Whiteface Mountain, 518-946-2223; www.whiteface.com).
Off the slopes at the Verizon Sports Complex, zoom down the 1980
Olympic bobsled track with a professional driver or go solo around
16 gut-wrenching curves on the Luge Rocket. For calmer fun, snowshoe
or cross-country ski through the woods. At the Lake Placid Olympic
Center glide around the skating oval where Eric Heiden pushed on
to win five gold medals. At the Olympic Ski Jumping complex, ride
the elevator or chairlift to the observation deck of the 120 meter
jump for a sky-high perspective on this daredevil sport (Olympic
Regional Development Authority, 518-523-1655; www.orda.org).
The Whiteface Lodge, an all-suite condominium hotel, offers upmarket
accommodations in the log and stone style of the Adirondack camps.
Each unit comes with a kitchenette, fireplace, and balcony (800-903-4045;
www.thewhitefacelodge.com).
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Great Places, Great Deals
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TURKS & CAICOS, Providenciales: The top-rated
Grace Bay Club situated beachfront on Grace Bay,
one of the Caribbean's best stretches of sand,
now offers villas (condominiums) for families
as well as Kids' Town, an eco-activity program
for children. The hotel section of the resort
remains adults only. A three-night package at
the villas for guests staying four days and three
nights includes lodging in an oceanfront suite,
airport transfers, daily continental breakfast
and one dinner for two in the gourmet restaurant
for $1,200 per couple. (Limited availability;
children are extra.) Available through December
19, 2006 (800-946-5757; www.gracebayclub.com).
ST. LUCIA, Vieux Fort: The all-inclusive,
Coconut Bay Resort & Spa, is an even better deal
through December 15. Book three nights and the
fourth night is free. A family of four can stay
four nights for $900 and that includes food, lodging
and a kids' program for ages three to 12. In addition,
you can put your kids in an adjacent room for
$450, fifty percent off the original daily rate.
Bookings must be made by October 31, 2006 (866-978-6226;
www.cbayresort.com).
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*****
– Candyce H. Stapen is the author of
27 books, including National Geographic Guide to Caribbean Family
Vacations.
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