Smugglers' Notch
Affectionately called "Smuggs" by the locals, this mountain has an award-winning children's ski school program. Kids as young as 2 1/2 can learn to ski, and 4-year-old kids can learn snowboarding. If you are able to get to the resort for five consecutive weekends, you can participate in special mommy & me or daddy & me programs, which teach parents to teach their 3- to 5-year-old kids to ski. Smuggs also has a childcare program called Treasures, which boasts a huge fish tank and features a variety of activities to occupy infants and toddlers while Mom and Dad go skiing.
Smugglers' Notch Ski Resort
4323 Vermont Route 108 S.
Smugglers' Notch, VT 05464-9537
(800) 419-4615
www.smuggs.com
Okemo Mountain Resort
Convenience is the name of the game at this popular family resort. Parents have access to an all-day basket rental in the base area, which can be used for a change of dry clothes and other necessities. Day care for non-skiing kids is available at the Jackson Gore Penguin Playground Center, and junior skiers have The Zone, which is a kids'-only warmup area.
Okemo Mountain Resort
77 Okemo Ridge Road
Ludlow, VT 05149
www.okemo.com
Stowe Mountain Resort
This is the perfect ski resort if you have non-skiers in your family. The town of Stowe has a fairy-tale ambience, with an endless variety of quaint shops and restaurants, as well as a number of world-class spas. The Trapp Family Lodge, of Sound of Music fame, is located in Stowe, and kids often get a kick out of visiting this resort and learning more about the Von Trapp story. Since the idea of family often extends to the family pet, many families appreciate the fact that Stowe has more pet-friendly lodging than most Vermont towns.
Stowe Mountain Resort
5781 Mountain Rd
Stowe, VT 05672-4890
(800) 253-4754
www.stowe.com/winter.php
Article Written By Lisa Mercer
In 1999, Lisa Mercer’s fitness, travel and skiing expertise inspired a writing career. Her books include "Open Your Heart with Winter Fitness" and "101 Women's Fitness Tips." Her articles have appeared in "Aspen Magazine," "HerSports," "32 Degrees," "Pregnancy Magazine" and "Wired." Mercer has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the City College of New York.
