Holiday Mountain, located in New York, is a popular area for skiing. Even though the highest elevation is only 1300 feet, and the vertical drop is only 400 feet, this area is a popular place for the younger crowd, and it is definitely a great place to learn how to ski.

There are eight lifts, including three chair lifts and five surface lifts. There are 15 trails for beginners, intermediate skiers, and expert skiers. While skiing and snowboarding are the main attractions, there is much more here as well, including bumper cars, an arcade, and a mechanical bull. There is always something to do at Holiday Mountain Ski Resort.

The best place to stay when visiting Holiday Mountain Ski Resort is the Villa Roma Resort Hotel, which is located in the Sullivan County Catskills. Villa Roma was named as one of America’s 50 Best Family Resorts by Better Homes & Garden Magazine, and with the amazing amount of fun activities, it is easy to see why. The resort features a rail park for snowboarders, birthday packages, snow tubing, and of course skiing.

For the ultimate family ski vacation, you must visit Frost Fire Mountain in North Dakota. Located near Walhalla, the resort features three lifts,  including two chair lifts and one surface lift, 25 acres, and ten trails for beginners, intermediates and experts. The top elevation is 1346 feet, with a vertical drop of 345 feet.

Although this is not a large ski resort, it is a great deal of fun, and perfect for family ski vacations. This is the perfect place to bring kids to learn how to ski. Both ski and snowboard lessons are available at reasonable rates. There is a rental shop and ski maintenance area on the grounds, and many motel accommodations in the area to choose from. There is a separate terrain park for snowboarders as well.

There are many restaurants to choose from, and you can also visit the areas antique shops when you aren’t busy enjoying the slopes. There are many historical sites to see in the area as well, as Walhalla is the second oldest town in the state of  North Dakota.

If you are in or near Washington State, you should definitely check out Crystal Mountain. With an elevation of 7004 feet and a vertical drop of 3102 feet, Crystal Mountain actually sits below Mount Rainier, which has a top elevation of 14,408 feet. Between the months of November and April, several feet of fresh powder falls on Crystal Mountain, due to the cold Cascade storms common to the area.

This is rough terrain, and there is little offered to beginners as far as the ease of the trails go. But lessons are available, as well as rentals for ski’s and
other equipment. At Crystal Mountain, there are more than 2300 acres and fifty trails, making this the largest ski area in the state of Washington. There are ten lifts available: 2 high speed six passenger lifts, 2 high speed quads, 2 triple chairs, 3 double chairs, and 1 children’s surface lift.

The season runs from the middle of November to the middle of April, when the most snow fall is experienced. There are several places to choose for
lodging, meals, and nightly entertainment, but the biggest attraction is the skiing, of course.

The Crystal Mountain Express Buss service runs on weekends from the middle of December to the middle of March. You will be picked up from your lodge and dropped off at the base plaza – where you can begin a full day of fun on the slopes. After a day of skiing, you should definitely head over to East Peak Massage & Fitness to take advantage of the hot tub, sauna, showers, and even the game room. Massages are also available, with a reservation.

If your kids aren’t quite ready for the black diamond trails – but you are – you can register them in the Kid’s Club. The Kid’s Club is open from 8am to 4pm each day for children aged four to eleven years old. The kid’s aged 4 – 11 will be supervised while they ski on a ‘kid appropriate’ slope, and snowboarding is also available for children aged 7 – 11 years old. Your child will have fun, while being supervised and taught. The cost of the care includes a four hour lesson, a lift ticket, lunch, and supervision. Rental
equipment is available for the kids for an additional fee.

Everyone has fun at Crystal Mountain. It is a great place for a family vacation, but again, the slopes are more for intermediate skiers and expert skiers – although beginners will have fun as well. Just use good sense, and avoid trails that you don’t feel like your ready for.

Featuring more than 2500 acres of ski area and 75 trails, Durango mountain Ski Resort has much to offer skiers of all levels. The resort claims that there are approximately two people per acre on their slopes during operation hours. The crowds are small, and lift lines do not exist.

Located in Colorado, the top elevation is 10822 feet with a 2030 vertical drop. There are eleven lifts, including nine chair lifts and two surface lifts. You can find lodging at the resort, or in the town of Durango, which is nearby. If you stay at the resort, make sure that you actually visit the town while you are there. While the town is small, there is much to see and do.

Rentals are available for both ski and snowboarding equipment, and private and group lessons are also available at the Durango Mountain Resort. There are plenty of activities and events both at the resort and
in Durango to keep everyone in your family happy. When it comes to family ski vacations, this is one you don’t want to miss!

If you are looking for a great place to go for your family ski vacation, Fun Valley, Iowa is the place to go. This resort caters to families and beginner level skiers, but it is also great for intermediate and expert skiers as well. There is something to suit all levels at Fun Valley.

The top elevation at Fun Valley is 1201 feet, with a vertical drop of 200 feet. There are six lifts, including three chair lifts and three surface lifts. The new learning center is something to see – and experience if you are a beginner. Tubers and snowboarders are welcome, and there is an excellent terrain park available. Rental equipment, including tubes and boards,
is available.

Fun Valley offers outstanding group rates for groups of ten or more.  Birthday packages are also outstanding for kids twelve and under. Every
Wednesday and Thursday night, the resort offers a student night, with greatly reduced rates. Buddy Pass Friday’s are also popular – bring your friends and you will all save on lift tickets. Coca-Cola sponsors Sprite
Saturday’s at Fun Valley, where you can participate in three activities for one flat affordable fee. Sundays are Family Four Pack Day.