Snowbird deserves its reputation as a skier's mountain. Lots of steeps, lots of snow and not a lot of coddling.
But if your family includes a combination of very young kids and skiers who love the tough stuff, Snowbird could be a better fit than you might have thought.
The key is the Cliff. The Cliff Lodge is ski in, ski out. It has a huge heated outdoor pool and an elaborate breakfast buffet. It is also directly adjacent to Chickadee, Snowbird's beginner, beginner slope. And when we say adjacent, we mean you can sit in the lobby and watch your little ones run ever-increasingly competent laps up and down Chickadee. And those laps will improve quickly because the level of instruction at Snowbird's Mountain School is excellent. This makes sense, 'cause even the children's ski instructors come to Snowbird for the skiing, not the party.
Snowbird is also ideal for families with non-skiers because Snowbird's child care is in the Cliff, so you need not bundle your cherub to deliver her to their competant care. Non-skier programs are available for kids 6 weeks to 12 years.
Last but not least, Snowbird gets an incredible amount of snow and remains open longer than most others -- this year, their ski school is scheduled to remain open until April 30, and chances are, the resort will stay open even after that. Remember what we said about spring skiing? This could be the place.
The Vardy family has skied Snowbird for nine years with extended family including kids from 6 weeks to 16 years. Why? "The convenience can't be beat and the ski school is incredible," explains mom Susan. "And we've pushed the limit by going as late as the third week in April. The snow has never, ever failed us."
As with all resorts, be sure to look for current great deals, but keep in mind that at Snowbird, kids 6 and under ski free always and kids 12 and under ski free with a Snowbird lodging package.
