We’ve all seen the viral videos of vibrant toddlers sharing hilarious commentaries as they cruise effortlessly down the ski slopes! They seriously make you want to shop for funky dinosaur or unicorn ski outfits and book a vacation to the nearest winter resort – but the harsh reality is that a day of skiing and snowboarding with kids is not always that cute and funny!
A ski trip to the mountains is a wonderful way to bond but family ski trips come in all shapes, sizes, and skill levels! Finding a family-friendly resort that caters to you and all the kids, packing piles of puffy winter clothing, negotiating bulky ski gear, managing multiple ski lessons, and simply keeping their little fingers and toes warm and dry can be overwhelming.
Before you hit the slopes, it’s essential to be prepared for your family ski trip to run a little smoother and create positive happy memories for your kids that will last a lifetime. Our team at Big Sky Vacation Rentals has the “Biggest Skiing in America” as our backyard and we have put together our top tips for skiing with kids, starting with picking a family-friendly ski resort like Big Sky Resort, Montana.
1. Pick a Family-Friendly Ski Resort
Not all ski resorts are equal and choosing the right ski resort for your family vacation can be a daunting process. For many parents, the right resort comes down to one major factor – finding a family-friendly, fun, and safe environment for the kids to learn and develop a love of skiing for life!
Big Sky Resort is super family-friendly with uncrowded slopes, lots of easy green runs, fun beginner terrain parks, excellent childcare facilities, and one of the finest ski schools in America! Big Sky encompasses 5,850 acres of terrain with 23% dedicated to beginners and 25% intermediate terrain when they’re ready to rip the blues. The biggest bonus at Big Sky Resort – kids ages 6 and under ski for only $4!
Off the slopes, Big Sky abounds in unique winter experiences, family-friendly restaurants and apres ski in the resort areas and Big Sky Town Center, and has regular ski shuttles making it fun (and easy!) to get around town with the kids. Come play in Big Sky this winter!
2. Invest in Ski Lessons
For the best ski experience, leave the teaching process to the professionals, and you’ll be skiing together as a family in no time, without the fuss and fights! Kids ski school is 100% worth the investment to instill independence, build confidence on the mountain, learn good skills and habits, and keep the fun factor of skiing and snowboarding high.
Big Sky Resort offers skiing and snowboarding lessons at Mountain Village and the Madison base area with options for one-on-one private instruction, family private lessons, group lessons for kids from ages 2 and up, teen mountain experiences, and special adaptive programs for all to share in the skiing experience.
3. Dress in layers
The fun factor of skiing will disappear fast if the kids get cold! We suggest three layers – a lightweight, moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating mid-layer, and a 100% waterproof and windproof outer layer to protect them from the elements.
Invest in good gloves or mittens (and stuff hand warmers in their pockets!), merino wool socks (with a dry pair on standby!), and a neck gaiter or balaclava. The weather on the mountain can change quickly, so it’s important to check the forecast daily and dress accordingly.
4. Plan Ahead for Rentals
If you’re an avid winter sports family with all the equipment, take the hassle out of traveling with our trusted shipping services through Ship Skis. Alternatively, you’ll find all the ski and snowboard gear (and baby gear!) you need for your vacation locally here in Big Sky, MT.
High-quality ski gear can make a big difference in your kids’ experience on the mountain. They grow so fast so unless you’re taking a ski trip multiple times a year, renting your skis, snowboards, boots, poles, and helmets is the best way to go – and you can always switch out if they’re whining about comfort!
Ski Butlers offer top-notch equipment and hassle-free delivery directly to your doorstep (with a 15% discount for Big Sky Vacation Rentals guests!), and Big Sky Sports Rentals has local rental locations in Mountain Village and Madison Base with online booking options and rental delivery to your Big Sky vacation rental.
5. Stick together
Even if you don’t all ski at the same level, you can ride the mountain together! Don’t push them too hard or get them on terrain beyond their ability! At the pace kids advance, they’ll be beating you on the Big Sky Resort black diamonds in no time!
“Exactly one day in your life your kid will ski as good as you do. The next day, he’ll ski better than you” Ski Legend, Warren Miller
Explore the best of Big Sky while they have fun at ski school, then stick together – let them show you what they learned, ski the runs they’re confident on, and allow them to advance at their own pace.
6. Pack Your Patience & Take It Slow
Don’t sweat the small stuff, don’t pick fights, and don’t expect them to last all day! As soon as it stops being fun, take a break! Remember the goal is to create a positive experience and get them to love family ski vacations for life.
Skiing can be tiring, especially for little kids, so make sure to take frequent breaks, give your kids a chance to rest and refuel, warm up around the fire, and enjoy the family-friendly vibe that Big Sky Resort delivers so well! This is where staying slopeside at Big Sky Resort is a huge plus!
7. Make it fun!
Take rest days from skiing and allow for chill time exploring all that Big Sky has to offer off the slopes. Spend a day shopping, sledding and ice-skating in Big Sky Town Center, go snowmobiling or snowshoeing through the canyons, swim in natural hot springs, dog-sled or sleigh-ride through the forests, or delight the kids with a bucket-list winter tour of Yellowstone National Park.
8. Stay Slopeside / Ski In ski OUT
Where you stay on your Big Sky family vacation can make or break the entire mountain experience. Whether your family ski trip calls for a cozy mountain cabin or luxurious lodge for a big family reunion, you’ll find a tempting selection of slopeside vacation rentals with ski-in, ski-out access to the lifts and slopes in our collection of Big Sky Vacation Rentals.
The perks of a private slopeside home for a ski vacation with kids are endless! You benefit from a beautiful home away from home with space for the kids to play, private bedrooms, modern kitchens to cook your own meals, and the bonus of popping home between ski runs or for a midday nap! End your day of skiing with the kids snuggled around the fireplace, stargazing from the hot tub, and enjoying the peace of mind that the morning missions of getting the kids to ski school or on the slopes are effortless!
Download our Big Sky Vacation Guide and have all the resources for an amazing vacation in one place – at your fingertips! A kid-friendly ski vacation is only a click away at Big Sky Resort, MT.
