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Vermont is an East Coast skiers paradise. It’s where everyone flocks to get their winter wonderland fill before returning to the day-to-day. And is it any wonder? The Green Mountain State is packed full of ski hills large and small that are perfect for escaping city life for a bit. Here, were sharing the best Vermont ski resorts for kids so you can plan the perfect Vermont family ski trip.
It seems that nearly every town with a decent mountain in Vermont has some sort of ski lift, so there are plenty of kid friendly Vermont ski resorts. At ski resorts in Vermont, there’s a little something for everyone from beginners to experts, so there’s something for everyone who want to hit the slopes. All of the ski resorts we’re sharing below offer ski and snowboard lessons so whether it’s your first time skiing or you want to just brush up on your skills, you can find exactly what you’re looking for when you ski Vermont!
And for those weary parents who want a day of kid-free skiing, there’s almost always a daycare program in all major Vermont ski resorts. Sound relaxing and just about right for you? Great! Let’s take a look through the best kid-friendly resorts in Vermont so that you can pick one for your next east coast family skiing trip!
Killington Resort
Location: Killington Rd, Killington, Vermont
Adult Ticket Price: $37 – $115
Child Ticket Price: $39 – $89
Full-Day Ski Lesson for Kids: (Ages 4-6) | $175 (Ages 7-15) | $110
Best Budget Accommodation:
The Mountain Inn
Killington is easily the most popular and biggest ski resort in Vermont. It’s known as “The Beast of the East,” it offers a variety of terrain suitable for all skill levels. Skiing at Killington with kids can be an amazing experience.
Within Killington’s nearly 2,000 skiable acres lies a whopping 6 mountains kitted out with 155 trails and 28 ski lifts. There really is something for everyone who’s skiing at Killington.
If you’re skiing with a beginner, you’ll want to spend most of your time at the Ramshead and Snowshed learning areas. As your skills improve, head over to the Progression Parks. Killington has a series of Progression Parks so that even kids and beginners can try out jumps and features that are on their level.
If you’ve got a daredevil in the family, they’ll absolutely LOVE the Woodward Skills Park. Here they can get individualized instruction on Park technique and skills so that they can hit all of the big features just like their favorite athletes, but with supervision and help.
On your non-ski days, you’ll find no shortage of activities to do. Consider snow tubing (at the Clubhouse on East Mountain Road), riding the mountain coaster, going on a snowmobiling tour (at the Adventure Center), or going on a scenic gondola ride (perfect for the day before your first ski lesson). Killington has plenty of kid-friendly dining options as well. Popular spots include Preston’s (in the Grand Resort Hotel) and the Wobbly Barn Steakhouse, which, besides its main offerings, has kid-friendly meals.
Since one size doesn’t fit all families, Killington Resort offers accommodations to suit everyone. Read all about the best ski-in ski-out properties at Killington. Since Killington does get a lot more skier traffic than most other Vermont ski resorts, this is one place where we highly recommend staying right on the mountain to avoid as much traffic congestion as possible.
Killington is an IKON pass resort, so if you’re an IKON member, this si included with your pass.
Stowe Mountain Resort
Location: Mountain Rd, Stowe, Vermont
Adult Ticket Price: (Ages 13+) | $112
Child Ticket Price: (Ages 5-12) | $59
Full-Day Ski Lesson for Kids: TBA
Best Stowe Accommodation:
The Lodge at Spruce Peak
Stowe Mountain Resort is one of the most iconic ski destinations in the Northeastern United States. Located in Vermont, it’s renowned for its challenging terrain, historic village atmosphere, and beautiful mountain vistas.
Stowe Mountain Resort is divided into two main mountains: Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak.
- Mount Mansfield: This is Vermont’s highest peak and where you’ll find the majority of Stowe’s challenging runs. The “Front Four” (Starr, Goat, National, and Liftline) are particularly famous for their steepness and difficulty.
- Spruce Peak: Offers a more moderate terrain, ideal for intermediates and families.
Better yet, the resort parking lot is located adjacent to Spruce Peak, so you’ll never have to walk or travel far before hitting the slopes, which makes things so much easier when you’re skiing with kids. If your kids are excited to get their lessons started, the resort’s Ski & Ride School is also situated in Spruce Peak.
Okemo Mountain Resort
Location: Okemo Ridge Rd, Ludlow, Vermont
Adult Ticket Price: (Ages 13+) | $112
Child Ticket Price: (Ages 5-12) | $59
Full-Day Ski Lesson for Kids: TBA
Best Accommodation at Okemo Resort:
Jackson Gore Village
Situated in Ludlow town, the family-run Okemo resort understands a thing or two about what visiting families are looking for. Okemo Mountain Resort is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, excellent grooming, and vast terrain variety. Located in Ludlow, Vermont, Okemo has been a favorite destination for skiers and riders in the Northeast for decades.
But if you want family-friendly, just think of its six-seater heated lift that keeps whole brood toasty as they climb towards the top of the mountain. With our own big family, we are HUGE FANS of 6-pack chairlifts, so this is one of our favorite features.
They’ve even recently added a terrain park with a half pipe experience for boarders and freestyle skiers that your adrenaline lovers will have a blast on. We love that Okemo has excellent snowmaking there so that even on bad snow years, you can still get some good fresh tracks in.
If you’re looking for off the slope activities, there is no shortage at Okemo. Ziplining, roller coaster, tubing, swimming, snowmobiling, or snowcat excursions are all on the menu. Not to mention exploring the nearby town of Ludlow with its many shopping and dining options.
Offering a wide variety of lodgings from on-mountain condos to slopeside lodgings, there’s no shortage of place for families to stay. You can choose from standard lodgings, suites, and studios that host 1 to 4 people. Most family visitors opt to stay at Jackson Gore Inn due to their many and spacious rooms.
Okemo puts forward some tempting ski & stay deals such as kids 12 and under always stay free and 6 and under ski free (provided they’re holidaying with an adult.) Consider staying at Okemo’s deluxe slopeside condos or the Jackson Gore Inn. Both are ski in ski out locations with heated pool privileges.
Mad River Glen – Skier Only, No Snowboards
Location: Schuss Pass, Waitsfield, Vermont
Adult Ticket Price: $92
Child Ticket Price: (Ages 6-15) | $74
Full-Day Ski Lesson for Kids: (Ages 4-12) Without Lift Ticket | $119 With Lift Ticket | $159
Best Budget Accommodations:
Mad River Lodge
When a ski resort has a motto of “Ski It If You Can,” you know it’s going to be a carefree fun place with a bit of a hardcore edge. Mad River Glen is committed to preserving classic New England Skiing and they’re doing a fantastic job.
Homely, peaceful, rustic, and almost harkening back to ye’ olden’ days of skiing, Mad River Glen moves at whatever pace wish it to move at. With varied slopes to give all skill sets something to get their skis into, you’ll not be left feeling bored or unchallenged. Mad River Glen has over 45 trails, with a roughly even breakdown between beginner, intermediate, and advanced runs. That said, the mountain is best known for its challenging terrain. This is perfect if you are an advanced skier and want some good variety, but are just teaching your kids so you can have plenty of terrain or you to enjoy, but also enough good beginner terrain for the kids to learn on.
For the little ones who may be too young to get out onto the slopes yet, there’s the on-resort Cricket Club Daycare. And worry not! This daycare center is right beside one of the resort’s most frequently used lifts, so, easy-access for worried parents. If you’ve got kids who are a little bit older, we love that Mad Rivers ski school takes kids up to age 12 before sending them to more advanced classes.
Mad River Glen is one of the few ski resorts in the United States that is a skiers only resort. If you’re looking for somewhere to snowboard, you’ll need to go somewhere else. This can be a bit of a controversial subject, but one that’s important to note.
Smuggler’s Notch
Location: Jeffersonville, Vermont
Adult Ticket Price: $84
Child Ticket Price (Ages 6-18) $63 | (Ages 5 and under) | Free
Full-Day Ski Lesson for Kids: (Ages 5 – Adult) | $109
Best Budget Accommodation:
Bluebird Cady Hill Lodge
Smugglers’ Notch is one of the premier ski destinations in Vermont, USA. Known for its challenging terrain and family-friendly atmosphere, it’s a favorite for both locals and visitors alike. If you’re talking to locals, Smugglers’ Notch is commonly referred to as “Smuggs,”. It’s located near Jeffersonville, in the Green Mountains of Vermont.
Smuggs is comprised of three main mountains: Madonna Mountain, Sterling Mountain, and Morse Mountain. Each mountain offers a mix of terrain suitable for all levels, from beginner to expert.
- Madonna Mountain: The highest peak with the most challenging terrain. Offers some of the steepest trails in the East.
- Sterling Mountain: A mix of intermediate and expert runs. The backcountry-like experience of the “Birthday Bowls” is found here.
- Morse Mountain: More beginner and family-friendly terrain.
We love that Smugglers Notch really is an all-encompassing destination, with a great village at the base of the mountain, so choosing a ski sin ski out stay is a really great option here that will simplify your family ski trip.
At first glance, you might be tempted to think that Smuggler’s Notch is just like any other ski resort for kids – split them into two age groups, and that’s that! You’ll find on closer inspection that kids are sorted into many peer/activity groups according to small increments of age at Smuggler’s Notch.
Something that’ll be music to every parent’s ears is the on-resort kids’ night out program. What’s that? It’s an evening daycare where kids are treated to pizza dinners and drinks, arts and crafts, movies, and a $5 Arcade Card and Laser Tag participation at the FunZone 2.0. This means that parents can enjoy their own night out and take a much-needed breather, Phew! And an evening stay at the daycare won’t break the bank at $55 per night.
Jay Peak
Location: Jay Peak Rd, Jay, Vermont
Adult Ticket Price: $92
Child Ticket Price: Junior (Ages 6-18) | $72
Half-Day Ski Lesson for Kids: Ages (4-6) | $125 Ages (7-12) | $90
Best Jay Peak Accommodations:
Jay Peak Resort Lodge
Jay Peak is one of the northernmost ski resorts in Vermont, and it’s renowned for its abundant snowfall, varied terrain, and unique ambiance.
Jay Peak is located in Jay, Vermont, near the Canadian border. Its proximity to the border and its northerly location often result in significant snowfall, making it a favorite among powder hounds. Often referred to by locals as the “Jay Cloud,” the resort receives an average of over 350 inches (about 890 cm) of snow each season, which is more than any other resort in the Eastern US. This is attributed to lake-effect snow and other meteorological phenomena unique to the area.
The mountain boasts a wide variety of terrain suitable for all skill levels, from wide beginner slopes to challenging glades and chutes. The lower sections of the mountain have gentle slopes ideal for beginners. As you get higher up on the mountain, there are lots of wide open blue runs that are perfect for working on your skills. If you’re an expert, Jay Peak is known for its glades (tree skiing). The “Face Chutes” and areas like “Valhalla” and “Kitz Woods” are popular among advanced skiers and snowboarders.
Break out the swimming suits if you’re planning on visiting Jay Peak! Yes, that’s right, believe it or not, Jay Peak Skiing resort has an all-year-round indoor waterpark for some splish, splashin’ fun. It’s also worthwhile bringing along any ice skates you might have to throw some shapes on the resort’s centerpiece ice rink. And that’s all before I’ve even mentioned the many varied and undulation slopes/trails to put your skills to the test!
Think your kids will enjoy Jay Peak after hearing all that? Of course, they will! Better yet, there’s many off-slope and out of the rink activities that are tailored-made for kids. From Summer Camp to Ski & Ride School, Jay Peak has it all. Not to mention daycare and nursery (JayCare) for the younger ones, so that parents can take a breather in the resort spa or enjoy some of the fine-dining options. Oh, and daycare is free for guests staying on-resort. Does it get any better than that?
Bolton Valley Resort
Location: Bolton Valley Access Rd, Richmond, Vermont
Adult Ticket Price: Time-dependant: $70/$80/$85
Child Ticket Price: Time-dependant: $55/$65/$70
Full-Day Ski Lesson for Kids: TBA
Best Accommodations at Bolton Valley:
The Inn at Bolton Valley
Bolton Valley is a hidden gem in Vermont’s skiing scene, and is one of the best Vermont ski resorts for beginners. Nestled in the Green Mountains, it offers a unique mix of terrain, night skiing, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Bolton has a packed collection of trails, slopes, and runs to put any skill set to the test.
And with nearly 70 runs of them in total, you’ll have plenty of space for practice! The diverse trail map includes groomers, glades, and even a terrain park for freestyle enthusiasts.
Bolton Valley’s slopeside inn offers 60 rooms of all types for guests. From a cozy studio to a luxury suite – it’s all here. And for more family-friendly spacious accommodation, there’s a pick of condos that can host up to 4 people at a time.
After a day full of mountaintop fun, there’s sure to be hunger pangs kicking in. Bolton Valley has something to satiate all appetites. From flatbread pizzas to pub fare at the James Moore Tavern. If Italian food is the go-to for your kids, then they’ll have their fill at the local kid-friendly Italian bistro.
Beyond downhill skiing and snowboarding, Bolton offers a robust Nordic and backcountry program, making it a favorite spot for cross-country skiers and those looking to explore Vermont’s backcountry terrain. Snowshoeing and skinning are also popular activities.
Mount Snow Resort
Location: Mount Snow Road, West Dover, Vermont
Adult Ticket Price: (Age 13+) | $133
Child Ticket Price: (Ages 5-12) | $69
Full-Day Ski Lesson for Kids: TBA
Best Accommodation at Mount Snow:
Mount Snow Grand Summit Resort
Best Budget Lodging Near Mount Snow:
Mountaineer Inn
An ideal mix of fine dining, thrilling skiing, and wholesome entertainment – any family will feel right and home at the Mount Snow Resort. Mount Snow is one of the premier ski resorts in Southern Vermont and is known for its accessible location, great terrain, and modern amenities.
Spreading across 600 picturesque acres are 80 trails and 20 lifts to use as you wish. However, it must be noted, that most of these trails are geared towards intermediate or advanced skiers, but there still are some easier slopes to suit beginners. Of course, there are also ski lessons on offer to help kids feel more at ease on more difficult terrain.
For your nonski days, there is plenty to do right at the resort. There’s tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and the extremely (understandably) popular dog sledding!
Additionally, suitable accommodation isn’t hard to come by in the area; there are several ski-in/ski-out hotels such as the Grand Summit at Mount Snow’s base. The budget-friendly Snow Lake Lodge is situated on the lake and offers free shuttle service to and from the slopes – perfect for traveling with kids!