Planning the perfect family Utah ski vacation

Taking your family on a Utah ski vacation is probably one of the best places to consider, if you want a place that is very family friendly. Utah has long attracted ski and snowboard buffs, but it wasn't until after the 2002 winter Olympics that people saw on a grand scale just how awesome the snow really is in the mountains of Utah. This is why the US winter Olympic team trains here.

Due to the surge in family vacation getaways, considering a Utah ski vacation with your family is now a viable option. Many of the Utah ski resorts are kid friendly and have programs for children to stay occupied as mom and dad hit the slopes. There are several resorts that come recommended and have been rated as "best" when it comes to families. All the ratings have been done by family magazines, family websites, and travel magazines.

The Canyons, located in Park City, offers a bunch of different options for families that want to take advantage of their Utah ski vacation. Deals and offers change with each season, so you may want to click here for an up to date offer on the seasonal deals. However, The Canyons offers a Little Adventure Children's Center that has a fully licensed daycare and indoor/outdoor activities to keep the little ones busy while you are hitting the slopes. They have also been know to offer ski packages where children under 12 get free lift tickets, 50% savings on rentals and the same on group ski clinics-as long as mom and dad buy regular tickets. This can be a great deal if your children fit in this age category. The catch is that the package usually must be done in the off peak days so generally Monday through Thursday. If your children are older and need a little instruction, you can put them in a Teen Clinic, where they will get 5 hours of instruction.

At the Brian Head Resort, you will find that they proudly tout their designation by the Family Travel Forum as a "Top 10 Family Getaway." They rightly deserve this proclamation because they also have a fully licensed day care that plans out activities for your children, keeping them busy the whole time you are gone. This Kid's Camp, is located at the Navajo Lodge Learning center and is for all ages, however if they want to ski they must be 3-12 years old and if they want to snowboard, they must be 7-12. The cost includes the lift ticket, rentals, and instruction with no discout if you bring your kids own gear. If you are dropping off an infant or toddler, you are asked to bring along diapers, wipes and formula. They also offer Tiny Tracks for children 3-5, but this is for skiing only. The Mountain Explorers program is for 6-12 and is an excellent program for first-timers or for children that want to get better. Private training is also available for all children ages. If you plan to check your child in for a full day, you must register your child between 9 and 10:15 a.m. For more information you can click here.

Deer Valley Resort offers a recent multi-million dollar expansion that doubled the children's center to over 2400 sq. ft. If you plan to do your Utah ski vacation in Deer Valley, you can rest assured that your kids may be in one of the best day cares offered at ski resorts. They were the first to offer a day care in Park City and pride themselves on small supervisor/child ratios, giving your child the personal attention they deserve. A special service they offer is a pager so you can feel "connected" to your child. For more information you can click here and get answers to any questions.

Perhaps the best Utah ski vacation site is Brighton Resort. This resort has been named the "Best Family Resort," "Best Family Friendly Terrain," and "Best Family Value" for several years. They offer great prices and depending on the season, will allow children 10 or under to ski free. Usually adult lift tickets are priced low as well. We recommend this destination as a perfect place if budget is a concern on your Utah ski vacation. Brighton also offers expert instructor lessons that are designed to fit your skill level, along with a lesson package that includes your equipment and day pass. Unfortunately, their website is not very good, but for more information, you can click here.

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The last place we recommend for your Utah ski vacation is Solitude. This resort They have a family friendly terrain that was designed for people of all ages. The terrain is "mild", so if you are an aggressive skier, this may not be the place. However, for beginners or young children, this may be the best place for learning. This resort is probably best known for their holiday transformation, making it an excellent family vacation getaway for Christmas. You can get more information at their excellent website here.