Choosing the right ski resort for your family vacation can be a painstaking process and for many parents it comes down to one thing – finding a fun and safe learning environment for the kids to play on the mountain!
Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon is home to two of the top powder destinations in the USA, the skier-only Alta Ski Area and Snowbird Ski Resort, a powder haven for both skiers and snowboarders. These top-rated Utah ski resorts receive an annual average of over 500 inches of ultra-light snow with perfect conditions for little ones to learn to shred the slopes, a wide variety of terrain and designated family areas, and world-class ski schools, child-care and fun kid’s programs within easy reach.
For a no fuss family ski vacation, kids ski school is a must and worth the investment! Skiing with a qualified instructor (and peers their own age) instills independence, takes their skills and confidence to the next level, and builds the basics for a lifelong sport that brings a lifetime of enjoyment – and family ski vacation memories!
It’s a fact, kids have more fun making new friends and learning in ski school than skiing with their parents! Mom and Dad get quality time to ski together, your kids learn to ski on The Greatest Snow on Earth, and within no time you’ll be skiing together as a family.
Kids Ski Lessons & Programs At Alta Ski Resort
The Alta Ski Area is one of the top resorts in the US for advanced and expert skiers, but it’s equally as family-friendly with 15% beginner terrain and 30% intermediate. Alf Engen discovered the small Little Cottonwood Canyon mining town of Alta in the 1930s and to this day remains an Alta legend, iconic figure in Utah ski history and the “Father of Powder Skiing” His legend lives on at the award-winning Alf Engen Ski School with top-rated, professionally certified ski instructors passing his perfect powder techniques on to the next generation of skiers.
Alf Engen Ski School
The Alf Engen Ski School is one of the top ski schools for kids in North America with ski lessons and programs for all skill levels ages 3 to 17, split by age group and ability for maximum results and enjoyment! The kids have a blast with fun, qualified instructors who know the mountain and conditions – many who took their first ski runs on the slopes of Alta!
The ski school is located in Albion Basin, the perfect place for kids to learn to ski, and with a transfer tow between the two base areas you can drop your kids at ski school and ski to advanced terrain with ease.
Kids Private Lessons: Ages 3 & Up – Starting at $250Kids as young as 3 years can head out with an experienced instructor on a private ski adventure tailored to their unique skills and abilities. Additional skiers are discounted so this is a fun way for the whole family to spend a day with a private ski instructor at Alta Ski Area.
First-Time Ski Adventures: Ages 4-12 – Starting at $85
This first-time ski program offers a great introduction to the foundations of skiing on Alta’s easiest green slopes. Choose from half day or full day ski adventures for your kids to build the freedom and confidence to advance to the next level – kids will be happy to say farewell to the snow plow and ski pizza slice!
Intermediate Ski Adventures: Ages 4-12 – Starting at $85
The intermediate ski program takes advanced beginners and intermediates to the green and blue terrain of Alta Ski Area and is a great ski program for kids to stretch and challenge their abilities, build confidence in different terrain, master parallel turns, and have fun with an instructor that knows the best ski spots on Alta! Half day and all day adventures available.
Advanced Mountain Explorers: Ages 4-Teen – Starting at $99
Alta Ski Area is world-famous for its advanced and expert terrain and your kids are in safe hands as they receive world-class ski instruction on the off trail blues and black terrain of Alta with an experienced mountain guide and ski instructor. Afternoon and all-day Advanced Mountain Explorer sessions available.
Teen Camp: Ages 13-17 – Starting at $99
Teen Camp is a seasonal full-day camp available on select holiday dates for advanced teen skiers to explore Alta’s challenging terrain and learn from the best. The camp is currently available during Winter Break and Presidents’ Weekend.
The Alta Children’s Center
The Alta Children’s Center is a state licensed childcare facility conveniently located next to the Alta ski school, just steps from the ski lifts. The center offers a full-service infant program (6 weeks to 24 months) with a safe and well-stocked infant room and nursery away from the older kids.
The childcare program caters for children 2 years and up with half day and full day packages for your kids to play, learn and engage in a fun, safe and welcoming space. They’ll even coordinate your kids’ ski lessons and programs and get them safely to ski school! Pricing starts at $90 per child and rates are discounted for IKON/Mountain Collective pass holders.
Kids Ski & Snowboard Lessons At Snowbird Resort
If you’re spending your family vacation with the next generation of snowboard shredders, Snowbird Resort has plenty of gentle green groomers and slow ski areas, a magic carpet for first timers, a terrain park geared for beginners, and ski school locations at both Snowbird Resort base areas.
Snowbird Mountain School
The Snowbird Mountain School offers ski and snowboarding lessons for kids of all ages and abilities from two central locations, the Snowbird Center at the base of the iconic Snowbird Tram and Creekside Day Lodge in Gad Valley.
Private Lessons: Ages 3 & Up – Starting at $550
You can book a private, one on one lesson for skiers and snowboarders as young as 3 at Snowbird Resort or add a rider and let your kids learn together. These lessons cater for all abilities, and they’ll have the time of their life discovering new adventures and skills with a professional (and fun!) instructor.
Kids Group Camps: Ages 3-6 – Starting at $285
Snowbird’s kids camps are popular as the little ones get to learn new skills, have loads of outdoor play, and make new friends. The Chickadee Camp is a full day camp for skiers ages 3-4 (as long as they are out of diapers!) with an hour of instruction included, the Kinderbirds Program is for ages 5-6 and all skill levels, however kids must be ready to spend a full day on the slopes!
Youth Lessons: Ages 7-15 – Starting at $200
These youth and teen programs are geared for slightly older kids who will be grouped by age and ability and head out to explore the diverse terrain of Snowbird Resort, learn mountain skills and safety awareness, and end their vacation at a higher skill level than it began.
Camp Snowbird at Cliff Lodge
Superior Child Care is a professionally run daycare center located at the Cliff Lodge & Spa, walking distance to Snowbird’s pedestrian village and base area. The center caters for ages 6 weeks to 12 years with a quiet Babyland area for infants, an interactive Playland for toddlers and age appropriate fun for older kids. The team will coordinate your ski programs and lessons with the ski school.
Please note: All rates are valid for the 2021/2022 winter season and are subject to change. Advance reservations and payment in full is required to guarantee your space. Lift pass requirements are dependent on the ski lesson package.
Kid-Friendly Vacation Rentals Near Alta & Snowbird
Whether your family ski vacation calls for an intimate ski chalet or majestic mountain cabin for a big family reunion, Alta Chalets have a selection of family-friendly vacation rentals with ski-in/ski-out access to Alta & Snowbird, easy access to the lifts, ski schools and local restaurants, and luxury amenities that complete the ultimate ski vacation experience – cozy fireplaces, bubbling hot tubs, kids bunk and games rooms, mountain views for miles, privacy and space for the whole family to hang out together.
Take an aerial journey of Alta & Snowbird with us to find the ultimate Alta Chalet for your family to create lifelong memories!
