Skiing with kids

Family ski days, made easier

Little kids have a great day when lines are short, it isn't bitter cold or windy, and the drive is easy. SkiWhen checks all of that for every mountain, every day.

What makes a ๐Ÿ‘ good day for kids

  • Not packed. Short lift lines and easier parking. Quiet or busy days qualify; packed days don't.
  • 15ยฐF or warmer at mid-mountain, from the weather forecast.
  • Light wind: under 20 mph, gusts under 35 mph.
  • No rain during ski hours, and no big storm (8"+) making the drive hard.

You'll see it on every mountain's 7-day forecast. On the home page, turn on Skiing with kids (tap "Change" next to your area) and "Your best day" only picks good kid days. Set your home city too, and it favors shorter drives.

Childcare, lessons and more

Checked on each resort's own website or its state tourism office. We add more mountains every week. Policies change each season, so confirm before you go.

New Hampshire

Loon Mountain

  • Group lessons from age 4 (ages 4-13), based at the Children's Center
  • Kids 5 and under get a complimentary lift ticket at a resort ticket window ($5 GO Card charge)
Not open yet this week

Bretton Woods

  • Kids lessons from age 4 (must be able to use the restroom on their own)
  • tubing
  • snowshoeing
  • canopy tour
  • sleigh rides
  • gondola rides
  • climbing wall
Not open yet this week

Cannon

  • Ski and snowboard lessons from age 3 (kids programs ages 3-14)
  • Kids 5 and under ski free (on peak days with an adult ticket purchase)
Not open yet this week

Waterville Valley

  • Full-service childcare on the first floor of the Base Lodge; advance online reservations required, no walk-ins (10-day childcare bundle is for ages 2-3)
  • Kids Kamp day ski school for ages 4-12
  • Kids 5 and under ski free any day (Tyke Ticket; child must be present to get it)
  • tubing
  • snowshoeing
  • nordic skiing
  • fat biking
  • indoor ice arena
  • arcade
Not open yet this week

Cranmore

  • Kids lessons from age 3 (IWanna Ski or Snowboard, ages 3-5); KidsRule group lessons ages 4-14
  • No free tickets; Tot ticket (5 and under) $29, reduced child price ages 6-12
  • tubing
  • night tubing
  • mountain coaster
  • zip ride
  • giant swing
Not open yet this week

Attitash

  • Child group lessons from age 3 (Child Ages 3-6 and 7-14); kids must be potty trained
Not open yet this week

Wildcat

  • Kitten Club childcare, ages 18 months to 6 years, in the base lodge (2026-27 details not yet posted)
  • Kids lessons from age 3 (Tiger Tykes ages 3-5; Child group lessons ages 3-6 and 7-14); must be potty trained
Not open yet this week

Mount Sunapee

  • Kids lessons from age 3 (Child Age 3, Ages 4-6, Ages 7-14); must be potty trained
Not open yet this week

Gunstock

  • Childcare + 1-hour ski lesson combo for 3-year-olds at the Children's Center
  • From age 3 (lesson + childcare combo); group lessons ages 4-14
  • tubing
  • snowshoeing
  • night skiing
Not open yet this week

Ragged Mountain

  • Private lessons for ages 5 and under (1:1 only); Adventure Camp group program ages 6-12
  • Ages 5 and under ski free (one-time $5 processing fee, or $29 for the season)
Not open yet this week

Maine

New York

Quebec

Ontario

Washington

Oregon

Idaho

British Columbia

Whistler Blackcomb

  • Teddy Bear Daycare for ages 2.5 to 5, Sea to Sky residents only (no drop-in)
  • Kids group lessons from age 3
  • tubing
Not open yet this week

Cypress Mountain

  • Kinder Camp for ages 4 to 6
  • tubing (over age 6)
  • snowshoe trails
  • cross-country skiing
Not open yet this week

Revelstoke

  • Mountain Childcare, licensed on-mountain care for ages 18 months to 6 years, open 7 days a week in winter
  • Kids lessons, camps and programs for ages 3 to 15
  • Lift tickets free for kids 5 and under
  • snowshoeing
  • Nordic skiing
Not open yet this week

Big White

  • Tot Town Daycare for ages 18 months to 5 years
  • Kids group lessons for ages 4 to 12 (ages 4 to 5 ski only)
  • Lift tickets free for kids 5 and under
  • tubing
  • ice skating
  • snowshoe tours
  • night skiing
Not open yet this week

Sun Peaks

  • Sundance Kids Centre full-day childminding for ages 3 to 5
  • Sun Tots lessons for ages 3 to 5; kids group lessons for skiers 6 to 12 and snowboarders 8 to 12
  • tubing
  • ice skating
  • snowshoeing
  • horse-drawn sleigh rides
  • Kids Adventure Zones
Not open yet this week

RED Mountain

  • Kinderski private lessons for ages 3 to 5; kids group lessons for ages 6 to 12
Not open yet this week

Grouse Mountain

  • Ski Wee lessons for ages 3 to 6
  • Tubing
  • Sliding zone
  • Ice skating
  • Snowshoeing
  • Sleigh rides
Not open yet this week

Mt. Seymour

  • Kids lessons for ages 3 and up (Tot lessons ages 3 to 6)
  • Tubing
  • Tobogganing
  • Snowshoeing
Not open yet this week

Mount Washington Alpine

  • Bears Den Daycare for ages 18 months to 5 years
  • Kids group lessons from age 4 (private lessons from age 2)
  • Tubing
  • Snowshoeing
  • Nordic skiing
  • Fat biking
Not open yet this week

Kicking Horse

  • On-site daycare for ages 18 months to under 6 years
  • Kids private lessons for ages 3 to 12; kids group lessons for ages 6 to 12
  • Lift tickets free for kids 5 and under
  • tubing
Not open yet this week

Fernie

  • Griz Kids Centre: licensed childcare with ski lessons for ages 3 to 5
  • Griz Kids lessons for ages 3 to 5; kids group lessons for ages 6 to 12
  • Lift tickets free for kids 5 and under
  • snowshoe trails
  • guided snowshoe tours
Not open yet this week

Panorama

  • Wee Wascals daycare in the upper village for ages 18 months to 5 years
  • PanoTots group lessons for ages 4 to 5; PanoKids lessons for ages 6 to 12
  • Lift tickets free for kids 5 and under. Kids 12 and under ski and rent free with a paying adult on the midweek Kids Ski Free lodging package.
  • snowshoeing
  • Nordic trails
  • hot pools
Not open yet this week

Alberta

Montana

Wyoming

Alaska

Tips for a good first day

  • Book kids lessons online ahead of time. Weekend lessons often sell out.
  • Get there early on weekends: the first hour has the shortest lines and the best parking.
  • Plan a half day for little ones and stop while it's still fun.
  • Check the drive card and pack chains or traction tires if the pass calls for them.

Our family-safe promise

  • No ads that aren't right for families, ever.
  • We never collect information about children. Kid milestones in Season Wrapped stay on your phone.
  • Names in group polls are filtered so the whole crew can use them.
  • Every fact about a mountain comes from the resort or an official source, with the date we checked it.