Are you looking for your next family ski vacation hotspot, away from the crowds and lift lines, full of family fun, and most importantly, hassle-free? Head off-the-beaten-path this winter and experience some of Scout’s best value family-friendly ski resorts that are sure to make this your most memorable family ski vacation yet.

CANADA

Marmot Basin
Tucked away in the stunning Jasper National Park, Marmot Basin is a fantastic and affordable option for families in Canada. Smaller than other resorts in Alberta, Marmot boasts a great variety of terrain, a relaxed and friendly mountain atmosphere, plus virtually no lift lines! The resort facilities are catered specifically to families, with numerous day lodges and a superb ski school featuring popular Marmot’s Kids Camps and programs that combine childcare and on-hill instruction for the littlest of skiers. There is no on-mountain accommodation, however, the town of Jasper is only 20 minutes by resort shuttle. The wide range of hotels and lodges in town combined with some of the lowest priced lift tickets in Canada (including Kids Ski Free deals) makes Marmot Basin such good value for more independent families.

Panorama
Compact and un-crowded, Panorama is perfect for families. Located a few hours from Calgary, it's a bit of a hike but once you’re there, everything you need for your perfect ski vacation is all within walking distance. Most of the condo-style accommodation best suited to families is located at the base of the resort, right alongside the ski rentals, lesson meeting points, cafes and restaurants. Convenient! The ski school is well organised, with great programs tailored to each age and ability level, plus the designated Discovery Zone is a fantastic spot for families with first-timers. Alongside great skiing, Panorama also boasts a wonderful variety of non-snow activities to keep the kids entertained, including ice-skating, plus Canada’s largest slopeside hot pools where kids can enjoy a collection of waterslides and splash pools (while adults can unwind in the soothing hot tubs). Best of all, Panorama is exceptional value for money, with fantastic Early Bird Offers and Kids Ski Free deals that make the family ski vacation even more affordable.

JAPAN

Madarao
Travelling to Japan for the first time can sometimes be a tricky one for families, however, resorts like Madarao, located just under 2 hours from Tokyo, make it a breeze. Madarao is a perfect choice for families with young kids and beginners, with plenty of green runs, and a world-class ski school with English-speaking instructors. The resort area is compact and easy to get around, and unlike many other purpose-built resorts, there is a wonderful friendly Japanese charm about the place. The main hotel boasts fantastic facilities and amenities for families, including a convenience store, onsen, and childcare facilities, plus its slopeside location means you’re close to ski rentals, lesson meeting locations, and the ever-popular Kids Snow Park (with tubing and sledding). Crowds are non-existent, and with fewer Western tourists than other resorts, means you’ll have a true Japanese ski experience. Madarao is an easy, fuss-free, and incredibly affordable option for families in Japan.

Furano
One of Scout’s top picks for families in Japan as it has everything you desire for a family ski vacation…firstly, kids ski free! Secondly, there’s a good selection of self-catered apartments within walking distance of the chairlifts. Plus there is a wonderful ski school with great group lesson options for kids and English-speaking instructors. The resort boasts plenty of other things to do other than skiing, including snow rafting, snow mobiling, and dog sledding, part of the Snow Night Fantasy village at the New Furano Prince Hotel. Lastly, the resort itself has a good mix of Western influences and comforts alongside traditional Japanese culture, so families can experience a true Japan ski vacation with ease.

UNITED STATES

Big Sky
One of the USA’s best-kept secrets, Big Sky in Montana is an excellent choice for families seeking a new ski destination. It’s authentic and charming, and has remained an uncrowded (and somewhat secretive) locals spot to ski. Big Sky is, as you can imagine, big, but being a purpose-built resort it caters wonderfully to families, and the varied terrain options are fun to explore and surprisingly easy to get around. Endless hotel and condo options are available to suit any budget, and most are located around the main pedestrian-friendly Mountain Village, so you’re close to everything you’ll need for your ski vacation. One big drawcard for families to Big Sky is the vast variety of extra activities on offer – on and off the snow. From zip-lining, bungee trampolines, a climbing wall, and a giant swing, to snowmobiling and ice-climbing in nearby Yellowstone National Park. A family ski vacation to Big Sky is more than just about the incredible snow!

Crested Butte
Crested Butte is heaven for families seeking a perfect Colorado ski vacation. Its seemingly isolated location (albeit easy to get to) means no crowds, no lift lines, and a world-class resort that’s bursting with friendly and laid-back mountain vibes. 

The compact village area has an impressive range of facilities for families, including rentals, overnight storage, excellent CB Ski & Ride School, retail shops, and restaurants all in the one location. 

Located slopeside are budget to mid-range condo options for families, and their proximity to the base area makes it the perfect spot for kids to hit the slopes for the first time, remaining close to amenities for when they get cold hands or need a mid-morning snack. Families can’t go past the Adventure Park, with a range of bungee trampolines, rock climbing, mini golf, and tubing, to keep the kids entertained on a down-day, and the historic town of Crested Butte (barely 6 minutes via the resort shuttle) is the perfect spot for families to experience an authentic Colorado ski town on a budget.

EUROPE

Les Gets - Situated in the French Alps and just 90 minutes from Geneva, Les Gets is a perfect resort for families. The small and charming village has some great value accommodation, most of which is within easy walking distance of the ski slopes (if not slopeside).As part of the massive Portes du Soleil ski area there is plenty of skiing for all standards, but the area around Les Gets is wonderful for beginners and intermediates. There are some fun activities for kids to do after skiing, including an ice rink, a merry-go-round and the interesting musical instrument museum. While there isn't a ton of self-contained accommodation, the hotels provide wonderful meals and with a full-board package (breakfast and dinner included) the stress of where to eat each night is eliminated.

Cervinia - On Italy's northern border with Switzerland lies the small village of Cervinia. With its quaint and small cobble-stone lined main street, Cervinia is compact and easy to get around. All the hotels are just a stone's throw from the slopes and best of all, they're pretty good value - particularly when you include a half-board package. The slopes of Cervinia are perfect for beginners and intermediates and the first-timers slope is located right next to some restaurants with outdoor patio seating. This means Mum and Dad can relax and sip on some Italian wine while the little tackers tear up the slopes. Cervinia is connected with Zermatt ski resort meaning the terrain is endless and you get to experience two countries with the one trip!

Need some more help on deciding where to go? Check out our Resort Finder to help you choose the best ski resort to suit your family's needs or contact us at Scout.