Featured Article
[sponsored by Ikon Pass]
The Ikon Pass will get you out on the slopes whether you’re into the bowls or riding the bunny hill.
The wide variety of terrain offered at the 26 destinations on the Ikon Pass makes it a one stop shop for families looking for a little bit of everything when it comes to greens, blues, and blacks.
Top 10 Ikon Pass Destinations With The Best Terrain For Both Kids and Parents
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East Coast:
Stratton, VT
Stratton Mountain, nestled in between the mountains of southern Vermont, celebrates a legacy of creating traditions and carrying on the mountain spirit from generation to generation. It’s terrain mimics the family environment of the resort’s Village, as it offers 41% novice terrain, 31% intermediate, and 28% advanced/expert. Whether you’re enjoying laughs on the lift or a night out in the Village, Stratton can accommodate your whole family.
Killington Resort, VT
Killington, located near Killington, VT, prides itself on having the longest season of lift-served skiing and riding in New England, as well as the largest vertical drop. Since the mountain is open for nearly two-thirds of the year that means whenever you find time to take off work, Killington will most likely be open. With 212 trails, spanning Killington Resort and Pico Mountain, the “Beast of the East” most definitely has a wide enough terrain variety for the entire family.
Sunday River, ME
Adventure and exploration are central to the culture at Sunday River, in Newry, ME. With 135 trails that span eight interconnected peaks, each area of the mountain offers a different type of terrain. Whether you want to seek out some steep stuff at White Cap or your kids want to hit the corduroy on Spruce Peak, you can make the whole family happy at Sunday River.
Sugarbush Resort, VT
As one of the largest ski areas in New England, Sugarbush offers access to two mountains, three terrain parks, 16 lifts, 30 wooded acres, and the Slide Brook Basin. Lincoln Peak, one of the 6 peaks at Sugarbush, lets both parents and kids enjoy the quintessential Vermont experience as it’s the home of some of the mountain’s classic New England trails and the ski and ride school programs.
West Coast:
Deer Valley Resort, UT
If you want a lux and lax family ski vacation look no farther than Deer Valley Resort, in Park City, UT. Deer Valley is consistently ranked #1 in guest services by the readers of SKI Magazine, making your resort experience the utmost priority. Deer Valley’s 6 mountains offer up a wide range of terrain and 101 trails. In line with Deer Valley’s attention to the fine details, their grooming does not disappoint. Parents and kids will enjoy cutting into some of the best groomed snow in North America.
Steamboat, CO
Steamboat Resort is the epitome of a classic ski town, located in northwest Colorado. However, Steamboat is not only your classic ski town, it is also a family town. Steamboat has 165 trails offering 14% beginner terrain, 42% intermediate and 44% advanced, which gives each member of your family the opportunity to enjoy the mountain’s famous “Champagne Powder”.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY
Jackson Hole is the perfect mountain destination for family fun in the Tetons. With 2,500 acres of some of the best skiing and riding in North America, Jackson Hole offers terrain for all levels. Whether you want to try your odds on Corbet’s Couloir or take the family for a spin through the newly opened blue terrain off the Casper and Teton lifts you’ll sure to have a blast and make lifelong memories.
Terrain Park:
Big Bear Mountain Resort, CA
Big Bear Mountain Resort is Southern California’s must-shred destination for family-friendly skiing and riding. Located in the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear Mountain Resort includes Snow Summit and Bear Mountain. Both mountains offer a wide-range of beginner areas, while Bear Mountain’s terrain parks were ranked #3 by Transworld Snowboarding in their 2018 park poll.
Loon Mountain, NH
Nestled in cozy Lincoln, NH, Loon Mountain is great for families who need a variety of terrain. Loon offers up 60% intermediate terrain, 20% novice, and 20% expert. And if you happen to have a few park rats in your family, then don’t forget to tell them that Loon has six terrain parks for all abilities and is home to the only Superpipe in New Hampshire.
Mammoth Mountain, CA
Mammoth Mountain is the ultimate pilgrimage site for park rat families. Unbound, Mammoth’s terrain park, was ranked #1 by Transworld Snowboarding in their 2018 park poll, and was home to the 2018 U.S. Grand Prix of Snowboarding and Freeskiing. But if the terrain park is more your kid’s speed there’s no need to worry because Mammoth is home to some of the best powder skiing in North America.
