We continue with the countdown…
7. THE CANYONS, Park City, Utah
The American Skiing Company is sending SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer to a number of ski resorts this season. The Canyons plans a Nickelodeon Family Winter Fest March 19-23, 2007. Kids under 14 can ski free during the Fest. During the week, family activities, music, and special events will delight even the most hard-to-please child.
Here and at Sunday River, the staff is creating miniature terrain gardens for kids (and kids who never grew up), complete with SpongeBob cutouts and a “secret passageway” that brings a little adventure to the slopes.
Daycare will take tender loving care of your children, ages 6 weeks to 6 years. 2 and 3-year olds are treated to a private ski lesson.
While at The Canyons, you can go for a hot air balloon ride, go snowmobiling, or schuss down a bobsled run that was used in the 2002 Winter Olympics – a ride you will never forget!
6. DEER VALLEY, UTAH 36 mi from the Salt Lake City airport
Great food and premier service spoils Deer Valley guests. A variety of lodging, many restaurants, and shopping, plus five peaks of skiing gives you a ski experience not to be forgotten. (Snowboards are not yet allowed here.)
Let them take care of your children from ages 2 months to 12 years. They won’t be bored, as Deer Valley provides age-appropriate activities as well as ski lessons for kids. The ski instructors are trained in specific techniques for teaching kids.
Their Terrain Park has virtually everything and is not to be missed. Also, skiers can race each other on a NASTAR racecourse. You can even win a Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze medal!
What intrigues me is something I have seen nowhere else. They have an armband personal GPS system that keeps track of how many runs you have skied, how many vertical feet you traveled, number of calories burned, and more. Guests turn in the armband when they are finished for the day, and Deer Valley will give you a printout showing all of your runs in order of when you skied them and all of the other statistics it collected on you during the day.
Also available are snowmobiling on 7,000 acres of open land, sleigh rides, tubing, and hot air ballooning. Adults will enjoy the spa, massage, and health club.
Special note: Deer Valley is giving 15% – 25% off on lodging on selected dates. Also, you can get a Silver Passport which will let you ski at Park City Mountain Resort, The Canyons resort, and of course, Deer Valley.
5. SUNDAY RIVER – Bethel, Maine
Imagine the broad smile your child would have if they could spend the day with SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer. It can happen at Sunday River ski resort.
February 25 to March 1 is Nickelodeon Winter Week. SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer will make special appearances. The resort offers an exclusive line of SpongeBob and Dora skis and snowboards to rent or purchase.
During Winter Week there are games, parades, fireworks, family festival night, movies, arts & crafts and much more. I’ll bet your children will even willingly clean their rooms if you promise to take them to this event.
Ski schools are for ages 3 and up. Day care is available for children 6 weeks to 6 years. There are even special private ski lessons in day care for three-year olds. Check out their online game site for children called Snow Monsters.
Other activities include snow tubing, ice-skating, bonfires, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. The Big Adventure Center in Bethel offers laser tag, a climbing wall, an arcade, and mini-bowling.
Sunday River is also the home of Maine Handicapped Skiing, which teaches both adults and children with physical disabilities the fine arts of skiing and snowboarding. Special equipment provided.
Still to come: More Family Ski Resorts Top Ten