So you’ve decided that you family’s best spring break trip will be sunny slopes and snow-capped mountains. Late winter and spring skiing usually offers the best combination of comfortable ski weather and a reliable base of snow. However, since the wrong resort can ruin the trip, you’ll need to do a little last-minute research to ensure the location matches your family’s preferences.
We emphasize the last-minute part because with the volatile combination of spring skiing, young learners and so many family spring break options, you’ll want the latest forecast before you commit your hard-earned vacation dollars to a far-off destination.
The experts at FamilySkiHub.com have shared their tips for selecting the right mountain resort during spring break, Easter or before the last of the snow melts.
1. Make Sure Getting There is Easy
Many great destinations have a fatal flaw – it takes an eternity to get there. Trust us – nothing is worse for a family with three kids under 10 than spending all their time traveling. Stick with resorts that have jet service nearby, or are within driving distance.
2. Make Sure You Like the Crowd
A ski resort takes on a personality of its own during spring break. You have your pure family resorts with lots of ski classes and tots, the college crowd which can be decidedly more aggressive (and up late partying), and the hard core crowd where challenging skiing is the main event, period. Figure out which you want to go to and ask around, or check out resort reviews online.
3. Can You Sleep in their Lodging?
For most families, lodging options can make or break the trip. We suggest two strategies when finding the right lodging: Get enough space, and stay away from the college kids. On the space front, having adequate bedding, being able to find a quiet spot, and ensuring you can cook meals in will not only create comfort but can save money. As for college kids — nothing against them, many of us were them once — but steer away from the places where you may have neighbors who party until 3am. Ensuring you’re not in a condo development that says it can sleep up to, say, 10 in a unit is one way of screening. Asking the lodging owner about how they handle noise complaints is another good diligence step.
4. Study Up for Ski School
The quality of a ski school is a big deal to families who hope to entertain their kids. Check to see about rates, instructor quality, and class sizes and duration. Many ski areas have ski schools that offer more than just lessons — they will occupy your child for the hours between when the lesson is done and you’re ready to stop skiing.
5. Plan for Non-Ski Activities
Just because a family member doesn’t feel like skiing all day doesn’t make them the party pooper. Pick a location with shops, walking, a museum, or something other than skiing, and then embrace it. Skiing can be the focus of the vacation but doesn’t have to be the obsession.
Let us know where your clan settles and enjoy the powder!
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