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The 6 Best Ski Resorts for Toddlers in North America

Originally posted on Powder | By Izzy Lidsky | Last updated Feb 17, 2025 5:12 AM ET

There might not be anything cuter than little kids on skis with their tiny little boots and 1.5 DINS and bobblehead helmets. Not to mention, you can't be a lifelong skier if you don't start young! But if your toddlers aren't quite ready to hit the slopes yet, many resorts have great options for childcare and activities for younger kids. Expansive childcare facilities, outdoor playgrounds, tiny-human-specific ski lessons, and a Candy Cabin are just some of the many ways ski resorts have worked to provide options to the tiniest guests.

Whether your kids are ready for ski school or it'll take more years of convincing to get them out, these resorts have a host of options so you can ski and or participate in non-ski activities with the whole family.

1. Steamboat, CO

Steamboat has great options for kiddos both on and off the slopes. The Steamboat Child Care Center had a preschool for kids as young as 8 weeks old to 7 years old. For kids getting out on the mountain if a guardian buys five or more days of lift tickets, kids under 12 ski for free. Steamboat also has an excellent snow sports school with lessons for kids of all ages. Whenever the whole family is done skiing for the day, there are plenty of kid-friendly activities in Steamboat Springs, like Old Town Hot Springs' waterslides.

2. Whistler Blackcomb, BC

Whistler is known for its world-class skiing and a massive amount of terrain, but it's also a super family-friendly ski destination. The resort has two slope-side play areas for kids: Magic Castle at the Blackcomb base and Tree Fort on the Whistler side. Both play areas are free and a great place to run around with future shredders while staying slope-side. Whistler's expansive mountain village also has plenty of family-friendly activities, such as ice skating and tubing.

3. Keystone, CO

Keystone has both off and on-slope options for young kids visiting the mountain. Their ski school offers lessons specifically for children, and for those not ready to hit the slopes, Keystone also has ice skating, tubing, and scenic sleigh rides. Keystone's crowning jewel of kid-friendly entertainment is their giant, 160,000-square-foot snow fort on Dercum Mountain, equipped with ice sculptures and slides for hours of fun.

4. Beaver Creek, CO

Beaver Creek offers childcare for kids ages 2–6 in their Small World Play School. A separate toddler and preschool room offers age-appropriate toys, crafts, activities, snacks, and nap times for kids of different ages. For kids ready to hit the slopes, perhaps best of all is Beaver Creek's Candy Cabin, which sits at the top of the beginner run Primrose and has a wide selection of candy and chocolate for a sweet treat while on the mountain.

5. Aspen, CO

Aspen's four mountains have many options for tots on and off the slopes. Snowmass is home to the Treehouse Adventure Center which offers childcare for kids 8 weeks to four years old. 2,300 square feet of Colorado-themed playrooms help keep kids busy if they're not ready to hit the slopes yet. Buttermilk also has one of the best ski schools for younger, first-time skiers. Group ski lessons for kids ages 2–6 mean you can get your kids on the slopes early on great beginner terrain.

6. Smuggler's Notch, VT

This well-loved Vermont resort has a host of different options for little ones so you can enjoy the slopes. Notably, the Treasures Child Care Center has a wonderland for infants and toddlers, many age-appropriate toys, tiny child-sized amenities, and giant fish tanks in every room.

The center has 5,400 square feet of indoor space with an outdoor playground of more than 4,000 square feet. Smuggler's Notch has age-specific childcare programs for kids ages 6 weeks to 3 years and even an app to keep you updated on your child's day—high quality and high tech. Smuggler's Notch's ski school also has programs for kids as young as 3 years old at its award-winning Snow Sport University.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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