Tips and Tricks on Planning the Perfect Family Ski Vacation

Some of my MOST vivid memories from growing up are from ski vacations.  Scheming and laughing as my sister and I eluded my parents in the trees or trying to ride Stowe’s T-bar with my younger and MUCH shorter brother (if you have ever tried this, you know exactly what I am talking about). Family ski vacations were, and are, the best. However, I sure didn’t at the time appreciate how much work actually went into heaving all the kids into the station wagon with gear, clothing, food and homework to make the 5-hour drive north to the land of snowy magic. Fortunately, the travel industry and by extension the ski industry has come a long way.  With a little forethought, a ski vacation can be really smooth.

If the kids are already skiers and excited for the trip- YAY! This certainly makes packing and gear checking much easier.  If they are less enthused or have never been, spending some time on prep is worth it.  Try on the clothing- do all the layers fit smoothly? No bunching? Is there a favorite toy that simply must come? I know a parent that actually had a snowsuit made for her son’s favorite stuffed puppy. Maybe extreme but that stuffed puppy made it happen.

One of the cleverest things that a parent can do is to ship as much luggage possible ahead of time, especially if you are flying to Jackson. Ship clothes, toiletries, toys or books directly to the hotel or property management company.  Jackson Hole Resort Lodging will have it waiting for you at check in if not in your room or condo.  Imagine a travel day with just carry-on; imagine sailing through the airport past the luggage carousal directly to your rental car.

First night in town? If you are in a condo or house and planning on cooking, consider having one of the local concierge services do a shop for you.  A fridge full of coffee fixins’, breakfast food and maybe even your favorite micro-brew is a beautiful thing.  You may even decide to have a local catering service deliver a big tray of lasagna, a salad and bread to get you seamlessly through dinner. Mountains of Groceries will shop for you, deliver it and even bring you a prepared meal for the first night in town.

Carrying gear for yourself and your children can be rough. Consider renting through one of the rental delivery services.  These services come right to YOU- they will fit you for boots, skis and poles.  JHMR’s Mountain Direct will not only bring you top of the line gear for the entire family, they will bring you top of the line clothing as well. Right to your doorstep. A fantastic Plan B on delivery is to get your rental gear the day you arrive (the day before you start skiing). Sorting out rentals the morning you are trying to ski or ride for the first time- not recommended!

As you can see, a few well placed phone calls or online orders can really make your transition from vacation mania to vacation magic, well, simple.  I’m sure that no amount of preparation can completely mitigate the, um, “adventures” of traveling with children. On the other hand- nothing can prepare you for the unmitigated joy of skiing with your kids. And knowing that your heat and eat dinner is already at home….