Kids Ski free
Free kids lift ticket with lesson
| Package Details | Ages | Lessons with free kids lift ticket | Skill Level | Blackout Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book A Group Lesson | 4 - 14 | Beginner / Intermediate Advanced / Expert | None |
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7 Tips to Create the Best Family Ski Trip
1. View our Deals and Packages
Kids ski free - Free kids lift ticket with the purchase of a kids lesson.
Kids rent free- Free kids rentals with a 3-day adult rental. Bundle with add-on lift ticket for even more savings!
Flex lift tickets- Save on lift tickets for 2, 3, or 4-day trips.
Best Value of the Season- Save on lodging and score a $100 dining credit. Pair this deal with any other offering to save on lodging, lift and rentals. 2. Book Early
Booking your accommodations early helps you to have the best options available for your family’s needs. Slopeside lodging minimizes travel time and maximizes convenience for family members of all ages, which makes everyone a little happier. (The mountain views from your room aren’t half bad, either.)
3. Consider what Winter Park offers Setting your family up for success means looking at family-friendly amenities when choosing your destination. Skiing and snowboarding lessons for children, a variety of beginner-friendly slopes, and crowd-pleasing food favorites are always a win. Consider also that destinations with a range of activities beyond skiing, such as tubing, ice skating, or snowshoeing, will be more inclusive of adventurers of every age and skill level. (Spoiler: we’ve got all of this happening at Winter Park!)
4. Gear can make-or-break a trip Make sure everyone in the family has the best ski gear for their size and ability. Adding rentals to your trip means you don’t have to travel with any additional gear—and if to be fixed or tuned during your stay, or our boots are fitting weird, you can easily have it taken care of right on-site. Plus, when you rent from Winter Park, you’ll have a free space to stash your gear at the end of the day, and essential items like helmets and poles are included, so you know you’ll be good to go when you arrive.
5. Sign up for lessons Whether it’s your 1st time skiing or your 1,001st time skiing, taking a lesson is a great way to navigate the mountain with more confidence! Private or group lessons from our Ski + Ride Instructors are a great way for kids to build their skills, while also giving adults the opportunity to try something new or brush up on what they already know.
6. Plan non-skiing activities We know it’s called a “ski trip”, but the reality is that not everyone may want to ski all day. That’s why planning non-skiing activities can keep everyone entertained, all while trying new things together. Take the family tubing down our snow tube hill (during the day or after dark!), spend the afternoon snowshoeing, hop inside a snow cat for a tour of the mountain at sunset—you’re bound to encounter all kinds of adventures here at Winter Park!
7. Don't forget to admire the view We’ve often heard that the best part of family ski trips doesn’t have anything to do with skiing at all. A family ski trip is the prime opportunity to create lasting memories during those in-between moments, so take breaks throughout the day to find your favorite hot chocolate on the mountain, snap some group selfies in front of Parry Peak, and soak in some live music at Mountaintop Après. You’ll be thankful for the time on and off the slopes when you return home.
The Ultimate Winter Kid-Friendly Guide to Winter Park Resort
Lodging
You might think your kids won’t care about the hotel situation, but trust us — they’ll love having mountain views, easy snow access, and a hot tub! These spots check all three boxes:
1. The Vintage: slopeside, dog-friendly, *and* you get to ride the Cabriolet into the Village
2. Zephyr Mountain Lodge: close to the Gondola, in the heart of the Village
3. Fraser Crossing Founders Pointe: beautiful views of the resort and skating pond
Rentals
When you rent gear at the resort, there’s no need to lug your skis and snowboards back to the room for the night — overnight gear storage is included! Plus, you can do free equipment swaps as needed.
- Zero Creek Gear House is by far the most convenient gear rental house on the mountain. Come check it out in the heart of the Village.
- Prebooking is the best way to save – helmets and poles are included in every rental!
- The red wagons around the Village are available to help you cart around all your gear + the kiddos.
Skiing + Riding
It’s a good idea to start with a lesson, and our award-winning Ski + Ride School pairs kids 4 and up with expert instructors who meet them where they’re at. You can tailor your lesson choice to the preferences of your child, with half or full-day options and group or private instruction. Things to know:
- Kids ski free! That’s right, put your kiddo in a lesson and we’ll throw in the lift ticket at no extra cost.
- Rentals are not included in your lesson. Set your family up for success by booking in advance and showing up at least 30 minutes early to get fitted for rental gear.
- Make sure to apply some sunscreen before the lesson begins. Even in the winter, sunburns can happen!
- Kids in any lesson will get plenty of snacks, water, and bathroom breaks throughout the day. In full-day lessons, lunches are included in full-day lessons.
- Generally, kids tend to do better at Ski + Ride School when the parents aren’t around. Take the day to carve your own turns or head over to Sundog Taproom for a pint while the little ones learn. Trust us, they’ve got this!
After the lesson, here are our favorite kid-friendly places to start off at:
- Gemini Express: The Gemini Express is on the Winter Park side of the mountain, right near the base, and is an excellent way to access beginner terrain like Discovery Park.
- Galloping Goose: On the Mary Jane side of the mountain, the Galloping Goose is great for young skiers and riders looking for some practice laps and doesn't require a lift ticket.
Activities
Tubing: Day or night, snow tubing is the perfect way to have a little fun after the ski boots come off. We recommend prebooking both daytime Tubing (available every day of the week) and GlowNight Tubing (running Thursday-Saturday nights all winter) as spaces can fill up quickly!
Mountaintop Après: Looking for fun after the lifts close? Enjoy live family-friendly music, stunning views, and drinks at Sunspot Mountaintop Lodge every Thursday-Saturday night. Take a free ride up the Gondola after 4pm and let your littles grab some hot cocoa and a cookie.
Snowcat and S’Mores Tour: If you have s’mores aficionados in your family, the Snowcat and S’Mores Tour is a great way to mix adventure with comfort. Climb inside a heated snowcat cab to learn about the mountain while you take in sunset views, then settle in around the fire at Lunch Rock for some hot cocoa and s’mores.
Nature Snowshoe Tour: Recommended for children six and over, this beautiful walk through the on-resort snowshoe trails is perfect for kids who will appreciate adding some variety to your mountain getaway.
Parry’s Parade: This dog is going to take YOU for a walk! Every Saturday starting at 2:45 PM, meet Parry and friends at Sorensen Park and parade through the base. All are welcome to enjoy this free, festive afternoon parade. High fives, dance moves, and good vibes abound.
What To Eat
There’s plenty of delicious food at the resort, but these tried-and-true menu staples are sure to please even the pickiest eaters:
- Chicken Tenders at Bradley’s
- Pizza at Lunch Rock
- Loaded Tots at Sundog
- Burgers at Snoasis
- Fresh Waffles from the Waffle Cabin (3 locations around the base and mountain)
Other Resources
Part of having fun is having your essentials covered. Here are a few good places to know for those just-in-case moments.
On-Resort Essentials
Looking for some essentials without leaving the resort? Trail’s End Mercantile, located in the heart of the Village, is a convenient stop for snacks, staple foods, basic medication, and essential supplies. (You’ll also find some pretty great souvenirs inside!)
Groceries + Pharmacies
The closest grocery stores are Safeway in the town of Fraser and City Market in the town of Granby, both of which contain pharmacies.
Urgent Care
We are fortunate to have expert urgent care right at the resort base (Denver Health Winter Park Medical Center). While we hope no one ever needs to pay a visit, the convenient location can be a bonus for parents and families.
