Gather up the kids and head to the hills during the school breaks this coming winter. No need to head to warmer climes - winter can be snowy, yet mild, and perfect for a family vacation with plenty of activities such as cross-country (xc) skiing and snowshoeing.
According to the experts, who regularly update XCSkiResorts.com, the nation's top cross-country ski resorts are exceedingly family-friendly with lots to enjoy together both on the snow and off. What families want and need is exactly what a cross-country ski vacation delivers: multi-generational participation, quality time and shared memories.
These cross-country ski resorts have special touches such as talent shows, child-friendly classes and family style meals to help your cross-country ski vacation become the perfect memorable getaway with your loved ones.
At these resorts, families can find the perfect combination of carefree atmosphere and picture-perfect views together with beautiful lodging, family dining, and expertly groomed trails. and learn how they can enjoy the winter outdoors together. The following are top suggestions from the site:
Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont - One of the most famous family resorts where the hills come alive with the "Sound of Music." In the Green Mountains of Vermont, Trapp Family Lodge is a paradise for families with a fitness center, an indoor pool and the Mountain Kids Club provides playtime, craft time and movies for kids.
Vista Verde Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado - Here's the best of both worlds with backcountry-guided cross-country skiing in addition to groomed trails. They have programs to engage kids and teens, sleigh rides, cooking classes and evening entertainment.
Palmquist's "The Farm" in Brantwood, Wisconsin - As the name implies, this cross-country ski center is a farm that offers kid-friendly animals such as rabbits, horses, cats and dogs. There are tubes and sleds to use on sliding hills and an ice skating pond, plus horse-drawn sleigh rides and kids rental ski equipment.
Maplelag Resort in Callaway, Minnesota - Run by a 3-generation extended family, this resort has families coming back year after year. They serve family style meals, and host a talent/variety show, which is a big hit for families whose performances feature everything from jugglers and family skits, to jokes, musical instruments and German beer drinking songs. The show is followed by the Saturday Night Dance, which offers an eclectic collection of music for dancers of all ages.
Montecito-Sequoia Lodge in Kings Canyon National Park, California - Visit giant trees in Sequoia National Park and Monument. There is a daylong program for children, which has a break for the family to join together during lunch. The kids build igloos, go tubing and cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on nature hikes to see and learn about animal tracks. At night there is a dance, karaoke and bingo.
Lone Mountain Ranch in Big Sky, Montana - There are programs for outdoor youth adventures that include animal tracking, snowshoeing, tubing, snow kickball, obstacle Olympics, finger painting, scavenger hunts and ice cream socials. Parents will love the cuisine, massage and cross-country skiing on picturesque trails.
Lapland Lake Ski & Vacation Center in Northville, New York - Weekends feature nightly bonfires and the kids love to play Napa Kikku, which is a Finnish game on ice with a sled and a pole. Kicksleds, tubing, ice-skating and parents use pulk sleds to pull the kids along the cross-country ski trails.
