Visit any ski resort and you're bound to find children as young as 3 years old snowplowing down the slopes along with veteran skiers pushing 85. Skiing bridges the generation gap. Mountains with a multitude of trails offer exercise for every level of skill and vigor. Plus, the shorter endurance and attention span of children frequently match the dwindling energy and stamina of their grandparents. These are all good reasons why a ski vacation provides an excellent opportunity for the generations to travel together.
Some ski resorts are more suitable for grandparents and grandchildren skiing together. Here are a few:
Copper Mountain, Colorado
 Photo courtesy of Copper Mountain |
George Daly and his grandson, Tyler, love Copper Mountain. George likes the fact that the resort offers a senior citizen discount. Seven-year-old Tyler, who is just learning to ski, enjoys the totally separate learning area in Union Creek.
On a crowded trail back east at Killington, Vt., Tyler was hit by an aggressive snowboarder. The easy, separated terrain at Union Creek is helping him regain his confidence. "I like it here because nobody goes too fast!" he says. George, an accomplished skier, intends to keep skiing well into his 80s. The easy terrain at Union Creek "suits him just fine."
Carol Martin and her 11-year-old granddaughter, Kelly, are also fans of Copper Mountain, but for reasons different from George and Tyler. Kelly and Carol enjoy the advanced intermediate terrain at Copper Mountain's East Village. They also love saving money on lunch by taking advantage of the $3.99 pasta special at Grand Hall in East Village. "It's the best food I've ever had at a ski resort!" says Kelly.
At Center Village at Copper, Carol taught Kelly how to ride the Poma lift (an individual platter attached to a cable) on Hallelujah Ridge. Later, Kelly called her mom and told her that she learned how to ride the kind of lift that Grandma used to ride in the "olden days."
Breckenridge, Colorado
 Photo courtesy of Breckenridge Ski Resort. Photo by Kelly Fitzpatrick. |
While lining up at the Silverthorne lift at Breckenridge Ski Resort, Peter and Cindy Wilson enjoy playing with Ripperoo, the big brown dog — a costumed mascot — who skis the mountain, greeting children. Doug and Iris, Cindy and Peter's grandparents, are avid skiers. "With that Ripperoo character," say Cindy and Peter, "we still get to do the Disney kind of thing, but we don't have to go to Disney."
Silverthorne is a long, easy Green Circle trail which is perfect for beginning skiers. Kids who are more confident on skis can earn a gift package if they complete the Peak Adventure series, two to three days of challenges across the mountain terrain.
Not even the happiest family wants to spend every minute together. Adults can dine at their leisure, confident the kids are enjoying pizza, magic shows, treasure hunts, and mini golf through the Kids Night Out program.
Since Breckenridge and Copper are both located in Summit County, Colo., you can visit both on the same ski trip. While grandparents and grandkids enjoy the kid-friendly separated terrain and slightly less crowded slopes of Copper, many prefer to stay in Breckenridge for the multitude of off-slope activities that you can't find at Copper.
Smugglers' Notch, Vermont
 Photo courtesy of Smugglers' Notch Resort |
Smugglers' Notch, affectionately known as Smuggs, is considered the ski area for families. For eight years, readers of
Ski Magazine voted it number one for family programs in North America.
When Smugglers' Notch opened in the 1960s, many families brought their children there to learn to ski. When those parents turned into grandparents, they continued the tradition. As a result, on any given day at Smuggs, you are likely to see a number of grandparents gleefully sliding down the mountain with their grandkids in tow.
The Little Rascals on Snow program gets kids as young as 2-and-a-half used to ski equipment and sliding. All-day Discovery Dynamos programs start at age 3 for skiers out of diapers, age 4 for snowboarders. Younger kids will enjoy visits from the resort mascots, Billy Bob Bear and Mogul Mouse. On Morse Mountain, children can improve their skills at Sir Henry's Learning and Fun Park. And, scouts may earn mountain sports merit badges in accredited programs.
Generations can bond around bonfires and hot chocolate, or compete in the family ski races. Après ski entertainment is provided in the afternoon. There's even homework help for kids who have to keep up on their schoolwork.
And, the fun doesn't stop at night. Grandparents and grandchildren can take night snowboarding lessons together, trek through the woods on snowshoes before sharing hot apple cider, grab a microphone for karaoke, or paint pottery. Fireworks end each week with a bang.
Unlike the stark accommodations in many ski resorts, the condos at Smugglers' Notch are extremely family-friendly. They feature full kitchens, as well as washer/dryers — a must for anyone traveling with kids. Many have fireplaces, and most have a television in every bedroom. But if you visit Smuggs, you and your grandchildren will probably be too busy to turn on the TV.
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