Most everybody loves snow—but in any given family, different people love snow in different ways. Some ski, some board, some just want to chuck snowballs and go sledding. How can you plan a ski-centric family vacation that makes everyone happy? Check out California snow country, where mountain resorts put a huge focus on pleasing different generations. “The emphasis at California ski resorts is fun for the whole family—even the non-skiers—and they’ve spent millions to make it a reality,” says Michael Reitzell, President of the California Ski Industry Association.
These days, that family member who doesn’t ski can easily spend a full day snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or tubing. For that in-law who’s not a fan of snow in general (there’s always one), there’s ice-skating, yoga, and even candle-making workshops. And for the rest of the clan, all of whom are fired up to hit the slopes? Even the runs aim to please everyone: extra-wide groomers for gramps, with nearby terrain parks for rubber-boned kids and backcountry Snowcat adventures for the family’s adrenaline junkies.
Here’s a look at some of California’s premier resorts, and how they put families first—no matter how many generations you have in tow.
1. Runs for all ages and abilities
California ski resorts make great crowd-pleasers, catering to all levels of skiers. “Although we’re known for our legendary black diamond chutes and back bowls,” says Liesl Hepburn of Lake Tahoe region’s Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows), “sixty-five percent of our skiable terrain is designed for beginner and intermediate skiers.” Other resorts—including Mammoth Mountain east of Yosemite and Big Bear Mountain Resort in the San Bernardino Range—have terrain parks that run parallel to groomers, so family members with different interests and abilities can still spend the day together.
2. Après for everybody
It’s one thing to keep the slopes in good shape every day—but the best California ski resorts also keep everyone entertained after the lifts close. “You just can’t beat the multigenerational après-ski scene at Heavenly,” says Marcie Bradley of Vail Resorts, parent company of Heavenly Resort, on Lake Tahoe’s southeast side. “For adults there’s South Lake’s famous nightlife, plus the après events at Tamarack Lodge, where you’ll always find happy hour drink specials and, depending on the night, a live band or a DJ to keep the party going.”
3. Family-style dining and lodging
When you’ve got lots of different ages in your family, coordinating meal times and tastes on vacation can be a challenge. One resort that excels at simplifying mealtime for families is Northstar California ski resort, long regarded as a leading multigenerational resort. “At Northstar everything is designed with families in mind,” says Cassandra Walker, spokesperson for the resort. That includes family-friendly condos (with kitchens) adjacent to The Village, and a centrally located gathering place where parents can relax at fireside lounges while watching their kids ice-skate. Another dining option is Bourbon Pub, Chef Michael Mina's take on an American pub, which serves upscale takes on comfort food and a wide range of beers from around the world.
4. One giant playground for kids
Not every kid is ready to ski—but pretty much every kid wants to play in the snow, and California’s alpine resorts make it easy to frolic. “There are a ton of great kids’ options at Mammoth,” says Lauren Burke of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, “such as Woolly’s Tube Park and Snow Play. It’s the perfect place for families with both skiers and non-skiers.”
5. Family ticket packages
Ticket packages were almost unheard of just a few years ago, but California ski resorts now offer a variety of ticket options and season passes geared toward families. One family-friendly resort, Lake Tahoe’s low-key Homewood, offers both family passes (two adults, two kids) and multigenerational passes covering parents, kids, and seniors. “You can’t get more multigenerational-friendly than that,” says Kirstin Guinn, spokesperson for Homewood Mountain Resort.
6. Snow play for grown-ups, too
Lots of families have at least one adult who would rather not ski or snowboard. That’s why most California resorts also cater to non-skiers in the family, so they don’t have to spend a week just sitting in the lodge. After all, off-the-slopes winter activities can be pretty awesome, too. “I call it JOMO—the Joy of Missing Out,” says Kevin ‘Coop’ Cooper, spokesperson for Kirkwood Mountain Resort, south of Lake Tahoe. For Coop, it means “the joy of being far away from the ski lifts, in your own element, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing at our Cross Country & Snowshoe Center. Once you get out there, you’re in a completely different zone than the rest of your group on the slopes. That’s what makes Kirkwood such a special place.”
7. One lift, five generations
“Meet you at the bottom, mom,” isn’t a phrase you hear often at ski resorts, but in California it’s becoming commonplace. “One of my favorite things about Sierra is the Grandview Express quad,” says Thea Hardy, communications manager at Sierra-at-Tahoe, just south of the lake. “Grandpa, mom, uncle, and daughter can all ride up on the chairlift together, take separate runs that suit their individual skill levels, meet safely at the bottom, then do it again—all day long.” And that’s the stuff of happy memories for all.
