From Diapers to Black Diamonds
Photography: Courtesy of Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain Resort and Bob Bossi
Nothing can put a damper on a ski day more than an unhappy kid. Thankfully, Park City’s three ski resorts strive to make skiing a family-friendly experience. From on-site childcare to on-mountain ski and snowboard instruction, there are a variety of programs available to meet every family’s interest and budget.
The Canyons Resort’s Perfect Kids Ski School offers ski clinics for children ages 2-12 years old. The Canyons Cubs program provides youngsters (ages 2-3) with a one-hour private ski lesson, lift tickets and equipment, plus all-day daycare and lunch in the Little Adventures Children’s Center, the Resort’s on-site licensed daycare facility located in the Grand Summit Hotel. The Little Adventures Children’s Center also provides full- and half-day childcare and fun activities for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years, including scenic gondola rides and sledding. Older kids (ages 7-12) can participate in the Canyons Cravers – full-day ski and snowboard clinics that include lunch, equipment rentals (if needed) and supervised indoor activities. Perfect Turn Teen Clinics are also available during holiday periods for kids ages 13-17, who want to explore the mountain, sans mom and dad, while also perfecting their skills. For additional information and reservations, call the Little Adventures Children’s Center, 435.615.8036, or the Perfect Turn Ski School, 435.615.3449, or log on to www.thecanyons.com.
At Deer Valley Resort, Bucky, Quincy and Ruby — the resort’s mascots — welcome children daily. For non-skiing children (ages 2 months to 12 years) Deer Valley’s Children’s Center, located in the Snow Park Lodge, hosts fun activities including storytelling, arts and crafts and an indoor playground. The state-licensed facility provides full- and half-day childcare with lunch. Deer Valley’s Children’s Ski programs offer group and private lessons for children ages 3-12. The Adventure and Reindeer Club programs (ages 5-12) include full-day instruction coupled with fun on-mountain themed activities like races and scavenger hunts. The Bambi and Fawn Clubs (ages 3-4) combine ski instruction with indoor and outdoor play. Teens (ages 13-18) can enjoy a day on the mountain with Teen Escape — a full day of instruction and mountain exploration offered during holiday weeks. For more information or reservations, call 435.645.6648 or visit www.deervalley.com.
Park City Mountain Resort’s Kids Mountain School offers programs for the beginner, “never-ever” youth skier to advanced skiers and riders. Through PCMR’s Learn to Ski/Ride VIP clinic, first-timers (ages 6-13) are introduced to skiing or riding during a six-hour semi-private lesson where success is guaranteed! Beginner-level ski classes include the full-day Little Groomers (ages 3-5) and Bombardiers (ages 6-13) programs, while beginner snowboarding instruction is offered through the Free Riders class (ages 7-13). Additional advanced ski and snowboard instruction is available for kids ages 6-13. Ski lessons can also become a family affair with PCMR’s Mom, Dad and the Kids private clinic. During this two-hour, private family session, instructors will help parents learn how to help their kids have a great time skiing, while also improving the child’s skiing ability. Helpful hints are also provided to ensure that the entire family enjoys the remainder of the day at Park City. For information and reservations, call 800.227.2754 or visit www.parkcitymountain.com.
Your comments may be edited for brevity and foul language.