Best Ski Resorts in Vermont for Families

Vermont is an East Coast destination for anyone looking for a fun, family-friendly vacation. In a state peppered with options, how is a family to choose the best resort for their trip? We’ve put together a list of the best mountains for families to help guide you.

Our Top Choices for Family-Friendly Ski Resorts in Vermont

Fall in Vermont is all about hiking. This state is truly a four-season destination, and skiing is the main driver of winter tourism here. Every ski resort has its own personality, and here we’ve laid out our favorites when traveling with the whole family.

Smugglers' Notch

At the top of the list is Smugglers’ Notch, a community-focused resort that prides itself on its children's programs. Smuggs (as the locals affectionately call the resort) offers childrens ski and snowboard lessons, full- and partial- day childcare, and babysitting. Their high-quality (or should we say… top Notch?) childcare programs are one of the reasons families come back to Smuggs year after year. Their award winning snow sports programs give parents access to GPS tracking so families can see the progress of their children in real time!

Another family highlight is the Fun Zone 2.0, a 26,000 square foot indoor playground. The complex has endless activities, including arcade games, laser tag, and a climbing wall!

Smuggs has a great ski-on, ski-off village with restaurants, shops, and evening entertainment. It’s also the only mountain in Vermont with a Ben and Jerry’s on property, because great ice cream isn’t just a summer treat!

Bolton Valley Resort

A quick half hour drive south of Burlington, Bolton is an ideal winter destination for families wanting a well-rounded vacation. Full of old-school charm, it’s no wonder why Bolton is a favorite amongst locals. Families can downhill ski together or rent cross country gear and explore the 100-kilometer nordic trail network on property. Bolton’s night skiing is a great perk for those looking to get the most out of their passes!

If you’re looking to take a break from skiing and riding, head to the indoor pool, ice rink, or skate and bike park!

Stowe Mountain Resort

If you and your family want to experience quintessential Vermont, Stowe is the mountain for you. As a Vail-owned resort, Stowe has the resources to support a robust winter sports school and a childcare center that is open to visitors and locals alike. 

Stowe Resort has a whopping 18 dining options to choose from, not including the many local eateries in town. There are dozens of shops and off-mountain experiences to choose from, including sleigh rides, events at the performing arts center, and scenic gondola rides. Stowe truly has something for everyone and caters to ski bums and luxury après-ski seekers alike. 

Sugarbush

Located in the breathtaking Mad River Valley, Sugarbush prides itself on being friendly, fun, and full of adventure. In addition to traditional lessons and their adorable Sugarbush Day School childcare program, kids can also enroll in ski and ride camps to improve their skills and meet other shredders! 

Looking for some off-snow adventure? Take your family to the resort climbing wall, take a guided snowshoe tour, or book a sunset ride in one of the resort’s grooming machines! 

Killington Resort

The biggest ski resort in Vermont, Killington offers skiing and riding across six spectacular mountains. Through partnerships with Burton Snowboards and Woodward action sports company, kids will experience top-quality lessons featuring innovative teaching techniques. If your kids want to learn how to master terrain parks, Killington is a great place to learn because of its dedicated beginner parks and knowledgeable teachers! 

Killington has a renowned après-ski scene with live music options almost every night of the week. Other popular family activities include the tubing park, snowshoeing, and snowmobile tours (they even have child-sized machines!). 

Honorable Mention: Cochran's Ski Area

While Cochran’s doesn’t attract the same out-of-state audience as others on this list, it deserves mention for its family-focused mission! This wonderful, family-owned ski area partners with local elementary schools to teach skiing at low or no cost to Vermonters. In fact, Cochran’s has been operating as a nonprofit since 1988; its purpose: to reduce cost barriers to winter sports. Though Cochran’s doesn’t have on-property activities in the same way as our other choices, its location in Richmond gives skiers and riders the opportunity to explore a quaint, community-oriented town with local restaurants and shops.

Once you've had a chance to check them out, you might love these Vermont Mountains so much you want to live near one of them - and we can help with that! Check out all of the beautiful mountainside homes that are currently for sale!

This blog is sponsored by Capital City Bins.