Planning a family ski vacation this winter? We’ve ranked 100 of the US’ favourite ski resorts on a series of family-friendly factors to help you choose where to hit the slopes.
Whilst some families love nothing more than heading away on a relaxing beach vacation, others prefer to head for the snow and slopes and go skiing.
And one thing that’s for sure is that there’s no shortage of awesome resorts in the US, many of which are perfect for the whole family to enjoy, however experienced they are.
But where should you head to if you’re looking for a family-friendly ski resort that is as enjoyable for the kids as it is the adults?
We’ve taken a deep-dive into the data to reveal the best ski resorts in the US for families, analysing the 100 highest rates resorts across the country on a range of family-friendly factors, from the total length of ‘easy’ runs, the cost of a lift pass for a family of four, the availability of people movers and more.
Read on to discover the best ski resorts for families during the 21/22 season.
The Most Family-Friendly Ski Resorts in the US
We set out to analyze the 100 highest rated ski resorts in the US (as ranked by SkiResort.info) on factors that make for a fun family experience.
The factors that we analysed were as follows:
- SkiResort.info test report score
- Total length of ‘easy’ runs
- Lift capacity per hour
- Number of Sunkid moving carpets / people movers
- The cost of an adult lift pass (peak season)
- The cost of a child lift pass (peak season)
- The total cost of lift passes for 2 adults and 2 children (peak season)
Ultimately, we wanted to reveal the US’ top-rated resorts that have a substantial length of ‘easy’ runs that are perfect for kids and beginners, are able to handle a significant capacity on the lifts to prevent lengthy queues, have available people movers or Sunkid moving carpets to make it easier for little ones and have affordable lift passes available.
The 25 Best Ski Resorts for Families in the US
We’re pleased to reveal the best ski resorts for families in the US as:
| Rank | Resort | State | Index Score |
| 1 | Vail | Colorado | 6.4 |
| 2 | Park City | Utah | 6.3 |
| 3 | Breckenridge | Colorado | 6.1 |
| 4 | Keystone | Colorado | 6.0 |
| 5 | Big Sky Resort | Montana | 5.9 |
| 6 | Sunday River | Maine | 5.8 |
| 7= | Stratton | Vermont | 5.7 |
| 7= | Mammoth Mountain | California | 5.7 |
| 9 | Beaver Creek | Colorado | 5.6 |
| 10 | Angel Fire | New Mexico | 5.5 |
| 11= | Brian Head | Utah | 5.3 |
| 11= | Arapahoe Basin | Colorado | 5.3 |
| 13 | Heavenly | California | 5.2 |
| 14= | Powder Mountain | Utah | 5.1 |
| 14= | Wolf Creek | Colorado | 5.1 |
| 14= | Windham Mountain | New York | 5.1 |
| 14= | Okemo | Vermont | 5.1 |
| 18= | Alta | Utah | 5.0 |
| 18= | Mt. Baker | Washington | 5.0 |
| 18= | Palisades Tahoe | California | 5.0 |
| 21= | Northstar California Resort | California | 4.9 |
| 21= | Crested Butte | Colorado | 4.9 |
| 21= | Schweitzer Mountain Resort | Idaho | 4.9 |
| 21= | Whitefish Mountain Resort | Montana | 4.9 |
| 25= | Killington | Vermont | 4.8 |
| 25= | Bridger Bowl – Bozeman | Montana | 4.8 |
| 25= | Telluride | Colorado | 4.8 |
| 25= | Bogus Basin | Idaho | 4.8 |
| 25= | Bretton Woods | New Hampshire | 4.8 |
| 25= | Wenatchee – Mission Ridge | Washington | 4.8 |
1. Vail, Colorado
With a 4.6/5 star test report score, 57km of ‘easy’ runs, an hourly lift capacity of 63,658 and 7 people movers, Vail in Colorado takes the #1 spot as the best ski resort for families in the US and as one of the best family ski resorts in Colorado.
2. Park City, Utah
One of the best family ski resorts in Utah, Park City takes the second spot in our ranking of the most family-friendly ski resorts in the US, with a 3.9/5 star test report score, 27km of ‘easy’ runs, an hourly lift capacity of 78,210 and a cost of just $276 for lift passes for 2 adults and 2 kids.
3. Breckenridge, Colorado
The second of Colorado’s ski resorts in the top spots, Breckenridge takes the #3 rank, with a 4.3/5 star test report score, 28km of ‘easy’ runs and 10 people movers available.
The Ski Resorts with the Longest Length of ‘Easy’ Runs
Perhaps one of the most important considerations for families looking to hit the slopes with kids is the availability of ‘easy’ runs that are perfect for beginners who want to ski away from those who are more experienced. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, some resorts have a much longer length of beginner runs than others.
Here are the 10 ski resorts in the US with the longest length of easy runs:
Rank | Resort | State | Length of ‘Easy’ Runs (km) |
| 1 | Stratton | Vermont | 60 |
| 2 | Vail | Colorado | 57 |
| 3 | Big Sky Resort | Montana | 55 |
| 4= | Angel Fire | New Mexico | 40 |
| 4= | Arapahoe Basin | Colorado | 40 |
| 6 | Bald Mountain – Sun Valley | Idaho | 35 |
| 7 | Crested Butte | Colorado | 31 |
| 8= | Copper Mountain | Colorado | 30 |
| 8= | Powder Mountain | Utah | 30 |
| 10= | Alta | Utah | 29 |
| 10= | Beaver Creek | Colorado | 29 |
The Ski Resorts with the Most Affordable Lift Passes for a Family of 4
Lift passes can be expensive, especially when buying for the whole family, and we wanted to reveal which resorts offer the most affordable options when buying for two adults and two kids:
| Rank | Resort | State | Adults Lift Pass | Kids Lift Pass | 2 Adults + 2 Kids |
| 1 | Great Divide | Montana | $48 | $20 | $136 |
| 2 | Discovery Ski Area | Montana | $49 | $26 | $150 |
| 3 | Lost Trail Powder Mountain | Montana | $46 | $36 | $164 |
| 4 | Bridger Bowl – Bozeman | Montana | $63 | $25 | $176 |
| 5 | Bogus Basin | Idaho | $64 | $25 | $178 |
| 6 | Brundage Mountain | Idaho | $70 | $26 | $192 |
| 7 | Mt. Hood Skibowl | Oregon | $59 | $38 | $194 |
| 8 | Mt. Baker | Washington | $69 | $29 | $195 |
| 9 | Brian Head | Utah | $59 | $43 | $204 |
| 10 | Dodge Ridge | California | $78 | $28 | $212 |
| 11 | Silver Mountain | Idaho | $62 | $47 | $218 |
| 12 | 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort | Washington | $62 | $49 | $222 |
| 13 | Windham Mountain | New York | $98 | $15 | $226 |
| 14= | Donner Ski Ranch | California | $79 | $39 | $236 |
| 14= | Powderhorn | Colorado | $79 | $39 | $236 |
| 14= | White Pass | Washington | $69 | $49 | $236 |
| 17 | Red Lodge Mountain | Montana | $84 | $35 | $238 |
| 18 | Loveland | Colorado | $85 | $35 | $240 |
| 19 | Wolf Creek | Colorado | $80 | $41 | $242 |
| 20 | Apache | New Mexico | $74 | $54 | $256 |
| 21 | Wenatchee – Mission Ridge | Washington | $74 | $54 | $256 |
| 22 | Whitefish Mountain Resort | Montana | $85 | $43 | $256 |
| 23 | Alyeska Resort – Girdwood | Alaska | $89 | $45 | $268 |
| 24 | Cannon Mountain | New Hampshire | $79 | $57 | $272 |
| 25 | Angel Fire | New Mexico | $79 | $59 | $276 |
The Ski Resorts with the Most Expensive Lift Passes for a Family of 4
Cost isn’t always the deciding factor on which resort to head to, however, but looking at 100 of the US’ most popular resorts, we see a difference in the cost of family lift passes of $672.
Here are the 25 most expensive lift passes for families in the US:
Rank | Resort | State | Adults Lift Pass | Kids Lift Pass | 2 Adults + 2 Kids |
| 1 | Vail | Colorado | $239 | $165 | $808 |
| 2 | Deer Valley | Utah | $249 | $154 | $806 |
| 3 | Beaver Creek | Colorado | $218 | $150 | $736 |
| 4= | Alpine Meadows | California | $209 | $146 | $710 |
| 4= | Palisades Tahoe | California | $209 | $146 | $710 |
| 6= | Aspen Highlands | Colorado | $199 | $139 | $676 |
| 6= | Aspen Mountain | Colorado | $199 | $139 | $676 |
| 6= | Buttermilk Mountain | Colorado | $199 | $139 | $676 |
| 6= | Snowmass | Colorado | $199 | $139 | $676 |
| 6= | Steamboat | Colorado | $199 | $139 | $676 |
| 11 | Breckenridge | Colorado | $199 | $129 | $656 |
| 12 | Copper Mountain | Colorado | $189 | $129 | $636 |
| 13 | Big Sky Resort | Montana | $194 | $117 | $622 |
| 14 | Mammoth Mountain | California | $209 | $84 | $586 |
| 15 | Killington | Vermont | $165 | $127 | $584 |
| 16 | Jackson Hole | Wyoming | $182 | $109 | $582 |
| 17 | Winter Park | Colorado | $164 | $119 | $566 |
| 18 | Keystone | Colorado | $176 | $102 | $556 |
| 19 | Stowe | Vermont | $149 | $127 | $552 |
| 20 | Northstar California Resort | California | $170 | $100 | $540 |
| 21 | Mt. Bachelor | Oregon | $169 | $99 | $536 |
| 22 | Telluride | Colorado | $169 | $96 | $530 |
| 23 | Heavenly | California | $164 | $90 | $508 |
| 24 | Bald Mountain – Sun Valley | Idaho | $165 | $84 | $498 |
| 25 | Snowbird | Utah | $165 | $83 | $496 |
Why not also check out our guides to:
- 19 Of The Best Family-Friendly Ski Resorts In The US
- 17 Of The Best New York Family Ski Resorts
- 8 Of The Best Family Ski Resorts In Quebec
- 16 Of The Best Ski Resorts On The East Coast For Families
- 8 Of The Best Family Ski Resorts In Michigan
- 9 Of The Best New Mexico Ski Resorts For Families
- 7 Of The Best Family Ski Resorts In West Virginia
- 13 Of The Best Family-Friendly Ski Resorts In Pennsylvania
- 11 Of The Best Vermont Ski Resorts For Families
- 14 Of The Best Family Ski Resorts In New England
Methodology
To rank the most family-friendly ski resorts in the US, we first took the 100 highest rated on SkiResort.info’s list.
For each resort, we then analyzed the following factors:
- SkiResort.info test report score
- Total length of ‘easy’ runs
- Lift capacity per hour
- Number of Sunkid moving carpets / people movers
- The cost of an adult lift pass (peak season)
- The cost of a child lift pass (peak season)
- The total cost of lift passes for 2 adults and 2 children (peak season)
All of the above information was taken from each resort’s listing on SkiResort.info.
We then created a weighted index to calculate an index score for each resort and reveal an overall ranking.
The raw data can be seen here.
More about our TFVG Author
A seasoned traveller, Dad, and avid sports tourist, James foundered The Family Vacation Guide to share his expert vacation experiences- especially when it comes to being a travelling family man.
Featured in Travel articles such as Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy and SFGate, you know you're reading some of the best vacation tips online.
- James Brockbankhttps://www.thefamilyvacationguide.com/author/james/
- James Brockbankhttps://www.thefamilyvacationguide.com/author/james/
- James Brockbankhttps://www.thefamilyvacationguide.com/author/james/
- James Brockbankhttps://www.thefamilyvacationguide.com/author/james/
