8 essential tips for planning an exciting family ski trip as a beginner

I didn't have the experience of annual ski vacations like some others. Growing up in South Florida, our family holidays were usually spent in warm places—like a few nights at Disney, visits to nearby beach towns, or trips to Colombia to see family.

Now, as a husband and father, I felt the urge to experience my very first ski trip—this time with my family.

We just got back from a weeklong family ski adventure in Colorado, filled with new experiences and valuable lessons learned.

Here’s what I discovered from our first family ski trip.

Bundle up warmly

This may seem like common sense, but there's cold, and then there's cold.

If you’re not accustomed to true cold weather regularly, this tip is essential for you.

From layering appropriate waterproof outerwear to putting on ski boots and ensuring you have suitable gloves and hoods, it's crucial to equip yourself with the right gear before your first skiing adventure.

As a family from South Florida, we faced challenges even before donning our skis or attending lessons, struggling to layer up in multiple clothing pieces while putting on all our ski gear. Especially when you're a beginner, ensure your outer layer is waterproof to handle inevitable falls in the snow, and invest in some wool ski socks and thermal underwear to retain body heat.

On the second day of skiing, I tried to show off my courage by wearing just three layers (a long-sleeve shirt, a warm fleece, and a ski jacket). Consequently, I spent the entire morning up on the mountain trying (and failing) to keep warm, which negatively affected my skiing progress and overall enjoyment.

Ski lessons for beginners are essential

I had no illusions about easily mastering skiing, even though I usually pick up sports fairly quickly. And I was right about that.

Skiing is a completely different experience, and I quickly realized that attending ski school is essential before hitting the slopes for the first time, even if you're usually a fast learner. Once we arrived at Keystone Resort for our initial lesson, we faced awkward tumbles and the look of frustration on my family's faces—including my own. All of this unfolded within the first hour of our lesson.

By the time we had our next ski school session in Vail a few days later, we had grasped the basics and could glide smoothly down the beginner slopes. So, not only are lessons necessary, but it's also important to understand that the first day or two might not be where the real enjoyment lies.

Plan your ski vacation budget wisely

For many families, an annual ski trip in winter is the highlight of the season.

In addition to airfare and accommodation—major expenses for any ski trip that can be mitigated with smart use of travel rewards from the best travel credit cards—a ski vacation involves other significant costs, including ski lessons, gear rentals, lift tickets, and more.

While private lessons are invaluable for laying the foundation of skiing skills, their cost can be quite steep, especially for just one or two people. Naturally, the more individuals you have in your group sharing the lesson, the lower the cost per person.

There are more economical group lessons available for up to six students, which can greatly aid your learning at a fraction of the cost of private lessons, particularly if only one or two in your group need instruction.

When considering lift ticket costs, think about whether a multi-mountain pass, like the Epic Pass, is suitable for you or if purchasing individual mountain lift tickets is more advantageous. Epic Pass holders receive Epic Mountain Rewards, providing discounts on ski trip essentials like on-mountain dining, lodging, group ski lessons, equipment rentals, and more at Vail Resorts' 34 North American locations.

Since we were visiting the popular areas of Keystone, Vail, and Beaver Creek early in the ski season (when snowfall tends to be lighter), I began searching for hotel options well ahead of time and easily found reasonably priced hotels, also booking free hotel night rewards.

If you have flexibility with your ski vacation dates and can make reservations in advance, you’re likely to find the best deals and save money on your trip. When planning your family ski getaway, remember to budget for flights, accommodations, ski gear, and lift tickets as early as possible, which will help you estimate the total cost of your trip more accurately.

Look for ski-in/ski-out accommodations

Hauling ski gear from your hotel room to the rental car and then to the ski resort is hardly enjoyable.

While most resorts in Keystone, Vail, and Beaver Creek provide red wagons to assist families in transporting equipment from the parking lot to the mountain base, the most convenient and hassle-free way to ski is to choose a resort with ski-in/ski-out access.

I purposefully selected two hotels that are great for earning points and conveniently situated near ski resorts — Hyatt Place Keystone and Park Hyatt Beaver Creek. However, both still required a short drive to access the actual slopes during our trip. The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek typically offers true ski-in, ski-out access for guests, but due to a heatwave, Beaver Creek experienced limited snowfall, leading to a delayed opening for the resort.

Although Vail boasted better skiing conditions, I had no reservations about staying at the wonderful Park Hyatt Beaver Creek and driving into Vail for this trip.

Next time I visit, I’ll prioritize researching hotels with convenient ski access for guests and monitor snowfall to ensure a smoother skiing experience, as it truly makes a significant difference.

Avoid relying on snowmaking

The Vail Resorts and its nearby properties boast impressive snowmaking technology, utilizing snow cannons that inject water and pressurized air to create fluffy white snow for skiers and snowboarders.

However, if the weather doesn’t cooperate, it’s unrealistic to expect these snowmakers to produce enough snow to kick off the ski season promptly. Thus, when you choose to go is just as crucial—if not more so—than where you stay. For optimal planning, February and March generally yield the most snowfall in Colorado, so arrange your trip accordingly to avoid relying solely on artificial snow.

Manage your expectations

If you’re heading to high-altitude ski mountains, keep in mind that altitude adjustment can affect your skiing ability, so it’s important to manage your expectations.

Upon our arrival in Keystone, my family quickly found it challenging to catch our breath—even before we hit the slopes. With a base elevation of 9,280 feet at Keystone and coming from Miami, which is just above sea level, our bodies needed time to acclimate to the altitude.

Fortunately, most hotels in Colorado's high-altitude ski towns provide humidifiers to assist guests with their breathing. It’s wise to lower your expectations on your first day on the slopes and allow yourself and your family some time to adjust to the elevation.

A rental car is a must

Whether you’re shuttling ski gear between your hotel and the mountain or simply enjoying ski-in/ski-out access at your resort, having a rental car is likely essential for getting around.

While you could easily enjoy everything your hotel offers, why miss out on the magic of a winter wonderland? The drive from Denver to ski towns like Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail, and Beaver Creek presents stunning views of snow-covered mountains. Plus, on non-ski days, you can take a short drive to explore other ski towns, indulging in shopping, dining, and strolling through the charming streets of Vail Village and beyond.

There are numerous activities beyond skiing

Although Colorado is famous for its remarkable ski resorts, many families visiting might not want to ski or snowboard every day. In fact, I recommend planning some "down days" to explore other activities.

In Colorado, there are numerous winter activities beyond skiing. On our non-skiing days, we enjoyed ice skating at Beaver Creek village, experienced the winter wonderland of the Magic of Lights in Vail, judged a chocolate chip cookie contest, and explored quaint ski towns, all while indulging in a fun afternoon of sledding.

The key takeaway

I'm thrilled that we finally embarked on our first family ski vacation. It was a brand-new adventure that truly made the effort worthwhile.

We discovered numerous ways to bond with our children during ski vacations, whether it was struggling to stay upright on our skis or sharing s'mores by the fire pit. While ski trips can be expensive and require thoughtful planning to enhance the experience, it might just be one of the most unforgettable family vacations we've had so far.