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Sensational Skiing
Planning Your Family's Vacation
By Megan Kopp
Now that you've read a bit and narrowed down possible locations, the next step is to consider lodging options carefully. "Ski-in, ski-out accommodation is close to a must," says Melissa O'Brien, communications manager for Park City Mountain Resort in Utah. "If you can avoid 'schlepping' gear from one location to another, on top of getting everyone dressed and out the door, the whole family will be happier."
Thomke says that staying on-hill "gives the feeling that you're in a community. There is a sense of cohesiveness that adds to the holiday." She thinks it's wonderful that parents can allow older children to join newfound friends at a nearby skating rink or tubing hill without having to pack up a car or worry about their whereabouts.
Condo-style accommodations are common across the majority of ski resort areas that offer on-hill lodging. Having the option of self-catering with a full kitchen is high on the priority list of many families on ski vacations. "It's worth the extra cost if you can have a fireplace too," Johnstone says. "It's part of the romance of a ski vacation, and part of making the great memories – nothing smells as nice as a fire in the fireplace after a day on the slopes."
Back out on the slopes you'll need to check out the ski schools. "Smaller children usually can't handle a full day of skiing," O'Brien says. "There should be a mix of instruction, fun, activities indoors and hot chocolate breaks ... perhaps even time for a nap." Park City Mountain Resort offers ski instruction for children as young as 3 1/2 years old and Smugglers' starts them at age 3, but what is the right age to introduce your child to skiing?
"It really depends on the maturity and physical development of the child – some have been on skis since age 2," O'Brien says. Most ski resorts have set ages for their schools, and if you're plannin on lessons for the younger set you'd best confirm ahead of time, advises Thomke. If your children are younger than ski school age, you'll want to make certain the availability of daycare and what ages are accepted (some will take infants from 6 weeks of age, yet others won't accept children younger than 18 months).
