Top 10 Family-Friendly Resorts in the West
You can never guarantee the perfect ski day for your littles, but you can sway the odds in your favor by heading to one of these resorts.
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Smart ski parents know that you don’t show up to an unfamiliar ski area or resort on a whim with the littles in tow and expect to have stress-free ski day. When you’re trying to get your kiddos to love skiing as much as you do, you can’t afford to rock up to ski resorts that aren’t well equipped for families. It’s a recipe for disaster, believe us. While you can never guarantee the perfect ski day with little shredders, you sway the odds in your favor by doing some basic research ahead of time to make sure the ski resort you pick has reasonable terrain for little beginners, is accessible, has a great and affordable ski school, and amenities that will entertain the littles when they run out of steam on the slopes.
Resort Guide 2023: Top 50 Resorts in North America
According to readers, the following 10 resorts in the West know what it takes to make families feel welcome, safe, and comfortable, and ranked them highest in the Family Friendly category of the 2023 SKI Reader Resort Survey.
Top 10 Family-Friendly Resorts in the West
No. 10: Snowbasin Resort, Utah
Score: 8.33
Other Strengths: Challenge, Terrain Variety
Weaknesses: Nightlife, Après
What Readers Say
“All around five stars. The employees at all levels and in all categories treat you like family no matter the day or conditions—they’re always friendly and helpful!”
“Great terrain. Excellent lift and dinning facilities. Varied terrain and lift access spread crowds quickly. New middle bowl chair has greatly enhanced the flow for separating advanced and expert skiers from family ski zones.”
“It is a world class resort that has kept the small, local resort feel. We tailgate with the whole family every Saturday. With kids, grandkids, etc., there are 22 of us. Great family memories.”
No. 9: Winter Park, Colo.
Score: 8.38
Other Strengths: Challenge, Terrain Variety
Weaknesses: Dining, Nightlife
What Readers Say
“Family friendly resort. Variety of green, blue, and black runs. I learned to ski at WP in the ’70s. Family trips with many memories.”
“Friendly people, good snow, and good bumps.”
“Great mountain with many terrain options. Excellent value for the price. Location couldn’t be better with either 1:45 min drive from DIA or the option of the Ski Train (exclusive to WP).”
No. 8: Beaver Creek, Colo.
Score: 8.49
Other Strengths: Grooming, Overall Satisfaction
Weaknesses: Nightlife, Value
What Readers Say
“Beaver Creek is THE BEST FAMILY RESORT on the planet, PERIOD.”
“First time visiting this year. We were able to take the skier’s shuttle from town up to the mountain so that made it super convenient and the family could go at different times. Definitely plan to come back!!!! The cookies are a bonus.”
“It’s the ultimate family resort, no matter what age your kids are… from toddlers to young adults in their 20s or 30s.”
No. 7: Whitefish Mountain, Mont.
Score: 8.49
Other Strengths: Value, Overall Satisfaction
Weaknesses: Access, Dining
What Readers Say
“Went there as a kid with the family, skied there in college with my girlfriend turned wife. Now I take our family there. North side is where it’s at!”
“Friendly hill with fantastic character.”
“Huge value. Great terrain, limited lift lines, friendly locals. Very authentic. When the weather is good, the views match or beat anything. Place isn’t crowded so a few days after a great storm, you can still find stashes of powder.”
No. 6: Keystone Resort, Colo.
Score: 8.51
Other Strengths: Access, Terrain Variety
Weaknesses: Après, Nightlife
What Readers Say
“Good housing to walk to lifts. Easy to get to from Denver. Family friendly for large groups.”
“Keystone is my go-to for balance. With great terrain, great value, and friendly people, I will keep coming back.”
“Lots of ski run options across the three peaks. Very family friendly but the lift lines can get long for Outback peak.”
No. 5: Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Idaho
Score: 8.52
Other Strengths: Challenge, Overall Satisfaction
Weaknesses: Dining, Lodging
What Readers Say
“Schweitzer is the place to ski for great snow, varied and challenging terrain, high speed lifts and short lift lines during holiday weeks. It’s like having your own private ski resort. The on-mountain dining is good and the resort vibe is friendly, laid back and efficient. Christmas week 2021 was an outstanding, memorable experience we will never forget.”
“Very underrated. Non-corporate and friendly ambience. Very RV friendly.”
“We were there for fresh snow, so the expert areas took it easy on us. But this was by a wide margin the best tree skiing I’ve ever encountered! Schweitzer is also a 30-minute drive outside Sand Point, Idaho. All the restaurants and nightlife are there, so there’s basically no après scene at the resort itself. But if you prefer to ski, eat, sleep, repeat, I can’t recommend Schweitzer highly enough!”
No. 4: Copper Mountain, Colo.
Score: 8.66
Other Strengths: Terrain Variety, Challenge
Weaknesses: Dining, Nightlife
What Readers Say
“A great family resort, love the different areas for different skill levels. It can get crowded on some of the lifts, and they need more on-slope dining or break areas on the upper mountain.”
“Copper is a great family mountain. Varied terrain from steeps and blacks to greens for all skill levels.”
“Even though I don’t have kids, it’s clear that Copper Mountain is family-friendly. From tubing to the coaster and all levels of terrain, it’s easy for a family to have a great day at Copper.”
No. 3: Steamboat Resort, Colo.
Score: 8.75
Other Strengths: Local Flavor, Terrain Variety
Weaknesses: Value, Lifts
What Readers Say
“Great family resort. My wife and I hosted our two daughters and their families slopeside at Chateau Chamonix. Base area is a little congested but we hear changes are in the works.”
“Great family resort. Great terrain variety and excellent grooming. Ski school is top notch.”
“It’s an incredible family friendly resort. Their ski school is second to none.”
“Ranking due to two visits this year. Great mountain with lots to do. Come alone or bring your family, young and old alike.”
No. 2: Sun Valley, Idaho
Score: 8.9
Other Strengths: Lifts, Guest Service
Weaknesses: Value, Access
What Readers Say
“Always loved SV and would recommend it to anyone. Special place, beautiful mountain, well maintained, and family-friendly.”
“Good snow coverage with snowmaking, high speed lifts, vertical drop, proximity to home. Great family trip, recommend to others that don’t mind paying a little more to get a lot more out of it.”
“My only suggestion is when skiing with family of mixed beginner, intermediate, and advanced skills, the marketing department needs to better communicate that Bald Mountain is mostly intermediate/advanced. The website points out that even beginners can ski from the summit at Bald Mountain, but there are actually very few options. So it’s a challenge when the family wants to ski together.”
“No better resort for family skiing. Outstanding snow grooming. Great lodges and food. No lift lines. Very helpful guest services. Great ski school staff. Air travel is getting better each year.”
No. 1: Deer Valley Resort, Utah
Score: 9.05
Other Strengths: Guest Service, Access
Weaknesses: Value, Challenge
What Readers Say
“A great resort for the family but it lacks expert terrain.”
“Best overall for family, best customer/guest service in the country, as well as the food. Best snowmaking and grooming, friendliest and most attentive staff.”
“Customer service, instructors, food, and facilities are top notch. They have it all except no snowboarders. Family oriented.”
“Deer Valley is the best destination ski resort in the country. With a world class ski school, fine lodging and dining, and great accessibility from an international airport, there is no better place for your family to have your best ski vacation possible.”
