Finding the Perfect Family-Friendly Ski Resortby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 21 Dec 2007 11:35 PM If you have ever gone skiing with kids under the age of 12 then you know not all ski resorts are created equally. Ski vacations that cater to families with children are a multi-million dollar business, but the problem is some resorts that offer kid-friendly enticements don't always deliver on the razzle-dazzle. So, what exactly should you expect from a resort that claims it specializes in family skiing? Take a look: Safety First. If it comes down to whether a resort has a multi-million dollar indoor rec area or the resort boasts a superior safety program you can bet I would pick the latter. Look for a resort that supports the Lids on Kids national safety program. No child should be hitting the slopes without a helmet. Also, before enrolling your kids in ski school, ask some key questions: Are the instructors trained in CPR and other lifesaving measures? And what kind of communication system is in place should an emergency occur? Check the Staff. I'm not suggesting you run individual background checks on your child's ski instructor. Rather, I would recommend inquiring about the staff-to-skier ratio. If one instructor is taking 10 kids out on his own during a lesson, that's not a good sign. Ski experts say a comfortable staff-to-skier ratio for 3- to 6-year-olds is one instructor per 3 kids. Pricing. Once you know your children are in good hands it's a good idea to see if the resort offers family-friendly pricing. Most ski resorts that cater to families offer package deals, which include kids' lessons, free equipment, helmet rental, pizza parties, and admission to special ski events and activities. Some even often discounts on daycare. Also, look for resorts offering "kids ski free" specials. Childcare Options. I mentioned discounts on daycare in my last tip. Any parent who is taking a ski vacation with a child under the age of 3 realizes the importance of quality daycare. Ideally, you want to book a reservation at a resort where the kids are divided by age into different rooms with a low staff-to-child ratio. Some resorts even offer one-way viewing windows for parents, and ski-in/ski-out convenience. Other resorts offer supervised "Kids' Night Out," programs where children get dinner and participate in activities so mom and dad can enjoy a kid-free night out. Related Articles: Ski Season Off to A Snowy Start Winter Adventure Travel Packages---Colorado Winter Adventure Travel Packages---Vermont A Family Ski Vacation--Already? Tips For Your Family Ski Vacation Canada---Not Just A Winter Destination Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments mrsjmarine (28) 22 Dec 2007 07:37 PMGo to WV! Not only is it beautiful...there is a great ski resort! Community Tags family ski resorts, family ski trip, family travel, ski Discuss this article
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