If you’re looking for a family-friendly property with a wide range of winter activities enjoyed in a spectacular snowy wonderland, you’ll have many options in the U.S. and Canada. Whether you just want to build a snowman and enjoy a cozy space for sipping hot cocoa while the flakes fall outside or enjoy a more active-filled vacation with skiing, boarding, and other snow sports, you’ll find value options, luxury resorts and everything in between. Among these resorts, from the dramatic peaks of the Rockies to the Canadian Alps, you’re sure to find the perfect pick.
The Arrabelle at Vail Square - Vail, Colorado
One of the best ski resorts in Colorado, The Arrabelle at Vail Square has a European feel, reflecting the romantic ambiance of the Alps. Its architecture has influences from Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Prague, while the spacious suites include separate living room areas with fireplaces and flat-screen TVs with DVD players. All have marble bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and grocery delivery service, personal butlers, and ski valets are all included too. After a day on the slopes or taking part in any of the many outdoor activities, head to the rooftop pool or whirlpool to relax while enjoying a jaw-dropping view of the Rockies. That same view can be enjoyed with a decadent spa treatment too.
Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa - Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole offers appeal for just about every age and type of traveler. In the winter, its renowned slopes call many to embrace winter’s snow, but there’s plenty for those who aren’t into skiing or boarding too. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice skating, and winter hikes are all possible, while the abundant wildlife stands out against the blanket of white, making it easier to spot bison, elk, deer, antelope, big horn sheep, moose, and more. A stay at Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa will put you in the heart of it all, with alpine luxury and western flair in accommodations that include multi-bedroom suites with stone gas fireplaces, kitchenettes, whirlpool tubs, and epic views. There’s a spa and a rooftop hot tub for relaxing while enjoying the vista too. It’s easy to see why it’s considered one of the top ski-in/ski-out resorts in the United States.
Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa - Whistler, British Columbia
The Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa sits at the foot of Whistler’s dramatic peaks, providing an ideal spot for a winter retreat with easy access to the Whistler Blackcomb Mountain lift for skiing and boarding. Guided snowmobile tours and zip-line rides are possible too. After a day of fun, come back and enjoy the spa, known for its unique Javanese-inspired treatments. There’s a heated pool available year-round while the Cinnamon Bear Bar hosts a fabulous apres-ski scene, with favorites like the short rib poutine. The range of room types includes everything from standard guest rooms to one-, two- and three-bedroom suites with full kitchens. Many come with mountain views, and some feature large soaking tubs and fireplaces too.
Bel Air Tremblant Resorts & Residences - Mont Tremblant, Quebec Canada
It’s hard to call Bel Air Tremblant Resorts & Residences a “glamping” destination as this property is filled with luxuries. Accommodation is in luxury domes, unique cottages, and modern chalets that are spread across 542 acres. Guests enjoy a wellness retreat with opportunities to take part in winter activities like cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snowmobiling while Mont Tremblant, often named the top ski resort in eastern North America is close by. Access to the 9,000-square-foot Clubhouse is included, with a bistro, spa, fitness center, yoga room, theater, teen room, and a game room. There’s also an outdoor pool and Jacuzzi along with a mini-animal farm that includes alpacas, goats, bunnies, horses, chickens, piglets, and more.
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa - Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
A full-service resort where you’ll never get bored, the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa offers a wide range of activities year-round, with winter bringing the opportunity to ski, snowboard, ice skate, and more. Plus, there are indoor pools, hot tubs, a fitness center, a spa and salon, and multiple award-winning restaurants and cafes. You can enjoy it all right here without ever having to leave the property. Accommodations include everything from rooms and suites to country villa cabins with full kitchens ranging from studio-size to three-bedroom layouts.
Waldorf Astoria Park City - Park City, Utah
The largest ski resort in the U.S., Waldorf Astoria Park City is tucked among the Wasatch Mountains, offering private ski gondolas and slopeside access to Park City Mountain. At this popular ski resort in Park City, you’ll feel as if you’re in the Austrian Alps without having to carry your passport. After a day of play, you can warm up in a private Jacuzzi, swim in one of the heated pools at peak-side, or cozy up to the fireplace in your room. Suites have kitchenettes and balconies, while higher-level options come with up to three bedrooms, full kitchens, and whirlpool tubs. If you want to take the relaxation up a notch, head to the 16,000-square-foot mountainside spa. There’s a fine dining restaurant and a fitness center too.
Mohonk Mountain House - New Paltz, New York
Nestled in the Catskills at the edge of Lake Mohonk, Mohonk Mountain House is a luxurious Upstate New York resort set within a castle-like building that’s a National Historic Landmark. It offers many fun winter activities, including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, winter hiking, and ice skating along with an indoor pool to warm up in afterward. On many weekends during the season a variety of entertainment options like live music and tastings. Workshops like the “art of chocolate” are hosted too. Accommodation is in rooms, suites, and cottages that come with kitchens. All feature period decor with various features like fireplaces and balconies with picturesque views, while on-site dining is focused on the Hudson Valley’s local bounty.
Trapp Family Lodge - Stowe, Vermont
An Austrian-inspired resort, the Trapp Family Lodge has been owned and operated by the Von Trapp family, the same family featured in “The Sound of Music,” for decades. It sits on 2,500 in an area that’s about as close as you can get to the Alps on the U.S. east coast as you’ll get There are 40 miles of groomed trails for cross-country skiing, opportunities for sleigh rides through pristine powder and even brewery tours for adults with a brewery right on-site. There’s also a heated outdoor pool and hot tub, a climbing wall, a fitness center, and three farm-to-table eateries. Rooms are Bavarian-style and include shared or private balconies with mountain views, whirlpool tubs, and flat-screen cable TVs. The suites also have wood-burning stoves or fireplaces, and multi-bedroom villas with kitchens are available too.
C Lazy U Ranch - Granby, Colorado
Located in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, the C Lazy U Ranch is an ideal winter resort for families, with horseback riding available year-round. Your accommodation, meals, and activities, with winter options like cross-country and alpine skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, and sleigh rides, are all included in the rates. There are programs designed for the kids and a spa where parents can relax while enjoying decadent treatments. Dining is seriously upscale with menus that feature items like aged western beef and Rocky Mountain Trout. Cabins are rustic-chic with amenities like mini-fridges, iPad docking stations, and complimentary snacks. There are upgrades available with whirlpool tubs and fireplaces too.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - Alberta, Canada
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is a dream. This iconic Canadian Rockies hotel overlooks the turquoise waters of Lake Louise, which becomes one of the most scenic skating rinks in the world during the winter. Guests can wake up to stunning snowy wonderland views before gliding around on the ice or skiing the 460 acres of terrain at West Bowl. Snowshoeing tours and Johnston Canyon ice walks are possible too, while the lavish spa offers pampering treatments like body scrubs to enjoy afterward. There’s also top-notch dining, including Walliser Stube, known for its traditional cheese fondue.
Marriott’s Timber Lodge - South Lake Tahoe, California
A top spot for families who want to enjoy South Lake Tahoe’s world-famous skiing and boarding, from Marriott’s Timber Lodge, you’ll have easy access to the gondola for a scenic ride to the runs while enjoying the quintessential ski lodge feel of the property when you return. There’s also a soothing hot tub that feels amazing after a day on the slopes, an outdoor pool, a fire pit for gatherings under the stars, and a vibrant Asian-style bar and grill. Parents who want to enjoy alone time will appreciate the kids’ club too. Rooms include kitchenettes and dining areas along with separate living and sleeping areas making it more comfortable for groups to stretch out.
Suncadia Resort - Cle Elum, Washington
Suncadia offers a wealth of wintertime activities, including snow tubing, ice skating, and cross-country skiing. If you’re here for the holidays, Thanksgiving weekend kicks off Winterfest with a tree-lighting ceremony. It’s a month-long celebration with cookie-decorating classes for the kids, Jack Frost storytimes, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and more. The property also includes an indoor pool with water slides, a spa, multiple restaurants, and a winery. Accommodations range from studio to three-bedroom units with balconies, fireplaces, flat-screen TVs, and laundry facilities. Some have full kitchens with stainless steel appliances.
Omni Homestead Resort – Hot Springs, Virginia
The Omni Homestead Resort has long been popular with families and it even offers mini-snowmobiles sized for kids from six to 12. There’s an outdoor rink for ice skating and the Penguin Slide Tubing Park has a conveyor belt to get up the hill quickly. Plus, there are hot springs pools, an indoor pool and water park, a fitness center, and nightly movies. When it comes to dining you’ll find everything from casual to upscale, while rooms include flat-screen TVs and coffeemakers, with upgrade options like fireplaces, separate living rooms, and private porches.
Sunriver Resort - Bend, Oregon
Sunriver Resort is renowned for its abundant, dry powdery snow, located just 20 minutes from Mount Bachelor with a shuttle that will take you to the slopes for epic skiing and snowboarding. At the resort itself, there’s a covered ice skating rink and guests can also embark on a Victorian-style horse-drawn sleigh ride through a snowy meadow. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are ideal right on the property, while the Cove Aquatic Center offers indoor pools and water slides. After dark, enjoy some of the best stargazing from the observatory at the nature center. Accommodations include a mix of lodge rooms, condos, cabins, and spacious townhouses.
