8 strategies for a successful multigenerational ski vacation

Think Disney World is pricey? Wait until you try skiing with the whole family.

Without careful planning, single-day ski lift tickets can reach up to $209 each—nearly double the cost of Disney World tickets. Plus, skiing requires much more gear and clothing than a day at Space Mountain. Since ski season is primarily peak season due to its short duration, finding off-season deals on lodging or activities is quite a challenge.

However, there's a good reason families invest time and money into planning these trips—nothing compares to the thrill of gliding down a mountain.

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Skiing offers a fantastic multigenerational family vacation opportunity that you can enjoy with your kids, cousins, parents, and more. However, before you get too excited about Grandma and the little ones hitting the slopes, consider these tips for a successful multigenerational ski trip.

Get ready for price surprises

Baby boomers likely embraced their love for skiing as young adults in the 1970s and 1980s, when lift ticket prices were considerably lower than today. There was even a significant outcry when Aspen lift tickets soared to $35 in 1987. Last season, a single-day lift ticket at Aspen exceeded $150, while Vail could cost a staggering $209 if you didn’t plan ahead.

No matter how you adjust for economics, lift ticket prices have risen far beyond inflation rates. If the older generation in your group hasn’t noticed the recent spikes in ticket prices, be prepared to assist them in adjusting. Skiing, once considered affordable, has shifted from single-day lift tickets to multimountain season passes, which may seem excessive for one trip. However, options like the Epic Day Passes are more reasonable than you might think, starting at $112 for a single-day ticket.

To maximize your multigenerational ski trip, consider choosing mountains that offer strong kids-ski-free programs and discounts for seniors.

Search for discounts for children and seniors

Believe it or not, even the most renowned mountains have discounts available for the youngest and oldest members of your family.

For instance, Aspen Snowmass has traditionally allowed kids aged 6 and under to ski for free (which is older than many other mountains allow), and senior tickets (for skiers 65 and older) are priced lower than at many major resorts: approximately $106 on peak days and $258 for a package allowing you to ski three out of ten days (just $86 per day).

Depending on the ages of your family members, you might find even better deals. Many resorts actually provide free or discounted skiing for seniors, as well as places that offer complimentary skiing for kids.

For instance, Loveland has a season pass for just $99 available to seniors aged 70 and older. At Angel Fire, both seniors 75 and up and kids 6 and under can ski for free.

Have a super senior in your group? Telluride gives a complimentary Palmyra Pass to skiers who are 80 years old or older. Just eight more years, Grandpa Points! Typically, skiers aged 5 and under ski for only $25 all year at Telluride.

Think about smaller mountains

If discounts on lift tickets for seniors and kids aren’t enough to make the big mountain resorts fit your budget, opting for a smaller mountain could make your multigenerational ski trip more economical. Smaller resorts usually offer lower lift ticket prices, and you'll find that everything from parking to lunch and equipment rentals is typically more affordable.

Last year, we took a multi-family ski trip to a smaller resort in Maryland and had a wonderfully relaxed experience. My senior skiing parents also highly recommend Brian Head in Utah. There, kids and seniors can ski for about $30 on weekdays, with half-day rates at just $25 (weekends and holidays are slightly more). Plus, kids 10 and under can score free season passes at Brian Head.

While it may not be a tiny mountain—boasting eight lifts and 71 runs—Brian Head is certainly not as expansive as other well-known ski resorts. You’ll also find half-day ski school options at Brian Head and similar-sized mountains, which are often unavailable at larger resorts.

Snow tubing at some of the major resorts in Colorado can be a total blast, but it might set you back $39 for just one hour, and you'll need to book well in advance for peak dates. In contrast, at smaller mountains, tubing can cost as little as $20 for unlimited time. In other words, smaller mountains may be easier on the wallet and more manageable for a multigenerational ski trip.

Consider taking a day off

Back in college, my friends and I would drive all night from Texas to Colorado or New Mexico, skiing all day, every day we were there. Being adventurous 20-somethings, we could pull that off—staying up late and doing it all over again the next day.

However, during a multigenerational ski trip with little ones, grandparents, and weary parents, don’t expect everyone to ski from dawn until dusk. Instead, take advantage of nearby activities like sledding, tubing, ice skating, or sleigh ride dinners—maybe even just relax together at the lodge for a day. After a few days on the slopes, everyone will likely be ready for a bit of downtime.

Have your skis delivered right to you

Alright, this might not be the most budget-friendly suggestion, but it's definitely practical, especially in a world where social distancing is important. Consider utilizing ski equipment delivery services to avoid crowded rental lines and enjoy the convenience.

While there are many companies offering similar services, I've personally relied on Ski Butlers for five years and have had nothing but positive experiences. On our multigenerational ski trips to Breckenridge and Mammoth, we've had equipment delivered directly to our home rental in Breckenridge, Colorado, and a hotel in Mammoth, California. This way, we could welcome our friends and family as they arrived, without the hassle of running around town to gather gear with tired preschoolers in tow.

If you decide to rent from Ski Butlers, be sure to search online for discount codes: some years, I've managed to find 20% discount codes with a little digging. This can help lower the cost, even if just a bit.

Regardless of whether you choose Ski Butlers or a local rental shop, the main aim of a family ski trip is to simplify the logistics.

Even for a solo ski trip during a pandemic, planning ahead is essential, but a big family adventure will demand thorough preparation. Purchase your lift tickets online in advance, book your on-mountain dates if required, secure ski school lessons, make dinner reservations, and arrange your non-ski activities well ahead of time.

When multiple generations are involved, you can’t simply improvise a ski trip, even in a typical year. It becomes even more challenging during peak season when many things around the mountain can sell out—let alone attempting a multigenerational ski trip during peak dates amidst a global health crisis.

Arrange private family ski lessons

If it’s been a while since anyone in your group has hit the slopes, consider starting your family ski trip with a private family lesson. This is always a wise choice, but it offers even more clear benefits during a pandemic. While a private lesson is an investment, it might not be as costly as you think, especially if several people were planning to take lessons anyway.

At Breckenridge, for instance, ski school for kids typically ranges from $235 to $259 per child, per day during peak holiday times. Enrolling three little cousins in a half-day private lesson costs about the same as sending them all to a full-day group lesson, which is really more than they could handle at that age anyway.

This approach isn’t just for kids either. At many resorts, you can arrange a private lesson for a group of adults or a combination of adults and kids. At Mammoth, we scheduled a full-day family private lesson, using the first half of the day for the little ones and the second half for the older cousins and adults.

Naturally, the lesson will be most effective if the skiers and riders are at similar ability levels. However, you won’t have to worry about dropping kids off for group ski school and picking them up later. Plus, during a private lesson, you’re more likely to bypass the lift lines, which can be a significant advantage at busy resorts during the holidays.

Keep in mind that this year, the youngest skiers might only be able to participate in short private lessons or half-day group lessons, as many mountains are not offering indoor-heavy programs for toddlers and preschoolers.

Choose a meeting point and time at the mountain

When skiing with a large group at a major resort, it's likely that someone will get separated from the rest.

Mobile phones can be unreliable in the mountains, and even when they do work, cold temperatures can drain batteries rapidly. If your aim is to ski together, it’s wise to discuss your route on the slopes rather than just following one another blindly. Set some designated meeting points, even if the first one is just for lunch.

Instead of having no plan, saying, "Let’s gather at 11 a.m. at Blue Moose Pizza at Lionshead in Vail for the $5 lunch deal," creates a much better structure. Trust me, we’ve had instances where we ‘lost’ adults on our family ski trips for hours!

Consider renting a spacious house.

For accommodations, renting a spacious ski lodge is usually the best choice for multigenerational ski trips. When two or three families join in, the cost per person for a well-equipped rental home can be more economical than reserving multiple hotel rooms.

Beyond the cost savings, you’ll also have access to a proper kitchen and a communal space for everyone to relax in the evenings. While skiing is undoubtedly the main event of a ski trip, enjoying après-ski activities together at the end of a long day on the slopes comes in a close second.

Additionally, there are significant benefits to reserving a vacation rental during a pandemic, which can be crucial for families focused on safety and reassurance this ski season. If this sounds appealing, consider using points for your vacation rental, and check out how renting a large mountain home can help you save money during your stay.

In summary

While a family beach vacation might be simpler and less expensive than a multigenerational ski adventure, there’s something uniquely rewarding about sharing the mountain experience as a family — and then all of you dragging yourselves, tired and happy, to the après-ski hot tub in the evening to relive the day’s excitement.

There’s no better way to share a passion for fresh powder, stunning mountain views, or the sound of snow crunching beneath your skis than by bringing your whole family together to create these memories.

Organizing a large family ski trip that accommodates everyone from toddlers to grandparents requires careful planning, but the rewards are definitely worth the effort — and we’re here to assist you in arranging every aspect of your multigenerational ski getaway.