Are you planning to take the family skiing in New York? New York is a big state with a lot of different ski resorts and ski areas. Some are full service ski resorts with ski in/ski out accommodations and amazing apres ski scenes. While some are ski areas are perfect for a ski day trip. We asked local New Yorkers for their recommendations on where to go skiing with the family. Here are the best family ski resorts in New York.
Methodology: We asked local New Yorkers to give us their recommendations on where to go skiing with the family. This is not a sponsored post. We hope you find this information valuable. After all, the best recommendations are unbiased recommendations from locals!
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Family Ski Resorts in New York- Day Trip
If you are looking for a day trip skiing with the family, then you will want to go to a ski area that is within an hour drive so you can maximize your time skiing. Try Mount Peter and Thunder Ridge Ski areas, both are family friendly ski areas that are within an hour drive from NYC and the surrounding New York suburbs.
Mount Peter Ski Area
Mount Peter is a family friendly ski area located in Warwick, NY. Just one hour from New York City. It’s a small ski area with 3 chair lifts and a magic carpet. They are known for their FREE beginner ski and snowboard lessons and family friendly skiing. Anyone over 6 years old can join in their free beginners ski and snowboard lessons. They also have ski school for kids 6 years and up. And one on one beginners program for kids 3-5 years old. There is tubing at Mount Peter on their 600 foot multi-lane tubing run with a carpet lift to take you back up.
Mount Peter Ski Area is located at 51 Old Mt. Peter Road Warwick, New York 10990.
Thunder Ridge Ski Area
Thunder Ridge Ski Area is another family friendly ski area located in Patterson, New York. Just 60 minutes north of NYC! You can even ride the Metro-North train to the Patterson train station, they will pick you up with the free shuttle. Thunder Ridge has 22 trails, 3 chairlifts and 4 magic carpets. They have trails for beginners and trails challenging enough for advanced skiers. It is a small ski area but you can spend the whole day there and take your breaks at the slopeside lodge with cafeteria and pub. Night skiing is also available.
Discounted Lift Tickets from Liftopia: Thunder Ridge (NY) Single Day Ticket from $14 (save 30%)
Thunder Ridge Ski Area is located at 137 Birch Hill Rd. Patterson, New York 12563
Family Ski Resorts in New York- Good for a Long Weekend
Greek Peak
Greek Peak is a ski resort located in 2000 NYS Rt. 392
Cortland, NY 13045
Greek Peak is a family friendly ski resort located in Cortland, NY approximately 3.5 hour drive from NYC. It’s ideal to spend the weekend or a long weekend at Greek Peak. You will want to spend your days skiing at Greek Peak- over 50 trails and 8 ski lifts. There is night skiing and tubing on site as well. For non-skiers in your group, there is also snowshoeing and cross country skiing at Greek Peak. The ski school and private lessons accepts children as young as 3 years old. For first time skiers and anyone who needs a refresher, they have a learn to ski and ride package that is very reasonably priced that includes equipment rentals. When you need a break from skiing, Greek Peak has an indoor waterpark that is connected to Hope Lake Lodge.
Discounted Ski Lift Tickets to Greek Peak: You can save and get discounted lift tickets to Greek Peak from lift ticket discount sites.Greek Peak (NY) Lift Tickets from $44 (save 30%)
Family Friendly Hotels near Greek Peak Ski Resort
Hope Lake Lodge
Hope Lake Lodge is an ideal place to stay for your ski trip to Greek Peak. Hope Lake Lodge is conveniently located across the street from Greek Peak. There is an outdoor pool and an indoor waterpark attached to Hope Lake Lodge. The accommodations at Hope Lake Lodge are condo-style units with kitchen so it’s perfect for families. There are many different room configurations, some rooms have bunk beds and some have lofts. Hope Lake Lodge is a family friendly hotel with a Children’s Activity Center offering guests a supervised play space. Guests can enjoy daily activities including evening programs with dinners. Note: Some amenities are closed due to the Pandemic.
Fairfield by Marriott Inn and Suites Cortland
Another hotel near Greek Peak that is a perfect place for your weekend ski trip is Fairfield by Marriott Inn and Suites Cortland. The Fairfield by Marriott Inn and Suites in Cortland is a newly renovated hotel that is only a 15 minute drive to Greek Peak. The rooms are spacious with pull out sofas, equipped with a microwave and mini-fridge. And you can’t beat the free breakfast!
Whiteface Mountain
Whiteface Mountain at 5021 Route 86 Wilmington, NY
Whiteface Mountain is a family friendly ski resort in Lake Placid, NY. It is a 5 hour drive from NYC and 4 hours and 45 minutes from Boston.
It’s a great ski resort because there advanced trails that will challenge the advanced skier but there also easy trails for beginners. In fact, Whiteface Mountain is home to the greatest vertical drop east of the Rockies and its also home to the longest single intermediate run in the Northeast. There are 90 trails encompassing three peaks on the Adirondacks.
Whiteface Mountain also have an excellent kids program. They accept kids as young as 4 years old for their ski school. The ski school at Whiteface Mountain is nut free which is perfect for children with nut-allergy! When you need a break from the slopes, there are a lot of activities near Whiteface Mountain such as bobsledding, Nordic skiing or strolling through the lakeside Olympic village.
Discounted Lift Tickets to Whiteface Mountain: You can save and get discounted lift tickets to Whiteface Mountain from lift ticket discount sites. Check out Whiteface (NY) Single Day Lift Tickets from $38 (save 34%)
Family Friendly Hotels near Whiteface Mountain
Whiteface Lodge
If you are looking for a luxurious Adirondack mountain resort that is also family friendly then you will like Whiteface Lodge. It’s the perfect family resort near Whiteface Mountain- the hotel rooms at Whiteface Lodge are spacious suites equipped with kitchens plus there are a lot of family friendly activities to entertain both adults and children.
Your family can enjoy the indoor and outdoor pools (open year round), hot tubs, game room, bowling alley, fitness center and movie theater at Whiteface Lodge. There is also an outdoor ice skating rink. During the evening, the outdoor campfire is available for families to make S’mores. There is also a spa at Whiteface Lodge- you can enjoy a massage while your kids are having fun at the complimentary kids club. Whiteface Lodge is truly a family resort. The best part about staying at Whiteface Lodge is you will really feel like you got away.
Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa
Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa is another family friendly resort that is near Whiteface Mountain. Located on beautiful Lake Placid, it is also within close proximity to the Olympic Center and downtown Lake Placid. You will enjoying staying at the spacious rooms with mountain or lake views. There are even family rooms perfect for vacations with kids.
As a guest of Mirror Lake Inn Resort, you are steps away from family friendly activities on Mirror Lake. Ice skate or play hockey (nets are set-up) on the private outdoor ice rinks maintained by the resort. Snowshoe and cross country ski on Mirror Lake. Get complimentary snowshoe rentals from Mirror Lake Inn resort. Kids and adults will enjoy dog sledding on Mirror Lake. If you are craving for a high speed adventure, go sledding down the Lake Placid Toboggan Chute! If you are looking for a more laid back day, enjoy the spa and indoor pool at the Mirror Lake Inn Resort.
Gore Mountain
Gore Mountain at 793 Peaceful Valley Road, North Creek, NY
Gore Mountain is another family friendly ski resort in New York state that is perfect for a weekend getaway. Located in New York’s Southern Adirondacks region, Gore Mountain is an easy 4 hour drive from New York City and also a 4 hour drive from Boston. There is something for everyone whether you are new to skiing or a pro skier. At Gore Mountain there are 7 mountain areas, 110 trails and 14 lifts!
Gore Mountain has good children’s program they take kids as young as 4 years old. There are also lessons for kids ages 13 years old and up. The good thing about Gore Mountain is the lessons are reasonably priced. It’s very affordable especially if you have several children.
Check Liftopia for Discount Lift tickets to Gore Mountain: Gore Mountain (NY) Lift Ticket from $33.99
Family Friendly Hotels near Gore Mountain
The Alpine Lodge
The Alpine Lodge is a family friendly boutique hotel located at the foothills of Gore Mountain. It’s the first “Smart Hotel” in the Adirondacks. All rooms are equipped with state of the art, voice activated technology. The hotel has good WIFI service so you don’t have to worry about being off line! In fact, their Smart TVs give you access to all streaming apps so you won’t have to miss your favorite shows. It’s an easy 5 minute drive to Gore Mountain from The Alpine Lodge.
Fort William Henry Hotel
Fort William Henry Hotel is a family friendly hotel near Gore Mountain. It is located in Lake George with breathtaking views of the lake. Fort William Henry Hotel is a big resort with many lodging options for families. Splurge on one of the newly renovated luxury rooms in The Grand Hotel or save in one of the budget-friendly rooms. Either way, you and your family can enjoy all the hotel amenities- an indoor pool, olympic sized outdoor pool and 3 restaurants. It’s also located at the heart of the Village of Lake George so you are close to everything!
Other Family Friendly Ski Resorts near New York
Family Friendly Vermont Ski Resorts
Below is a list of family friendly ski resorts in Vermont. These are the most popular Vermont ski resorts that families go to year after year. To make it easier for you, we have accommodation recommendations for Bromley Mountain, Killington, Jay Peak, Stratton Mountain, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smuggler’s Notch and Stowe. Some of these Vermont ski resort accommodations are ski in/ski out, some are condo style and some are hotel room units.
| Vermont Ski Resorts | Hotels near Ski Resorts |
|---|---|
| Bromley Mountain | The Lodge at Bromley is a family friendly ski in/ski out hotel on Bromley Mountain. |
| Killington | Killington Grand Hotel is a family friendly accommodation on Killington. |
| Jay Peak | Jay Peak Resort is a family friendly ski in/ski out resort with water park on Jay Peak. |
| Stratton Mountain | Long Trail House and The Black Bear Lodge are family friendly accommodations just steps away from Stratton Mountain ski lifts. Vantage Point Villas is also another family friendly accommodation on Stratton Mountain. |
| Mount Snow | Mount Snow Grand Summit Resort is a family friendly ski in/ski out accommodation on Mount Snow. The Lodge at Mount Snow is another accommodation option on Mount Snow. |
| Okemo Mountain | Jackson Gore Village is a family friendly ski in/ski out accommodation on Okemo Mountain. |
| Smuggler’s Notch | Smuggler’s Notch Resort and Wyndham Smuggler’s Notch are family friendly ski/ski out resorts with condo-style accommodation on Smuggler’s Notch. |
| Stowe Mountain | The Lodge at Spruce Peak are family friendly ski in/ski out resorts on Stowe. Trapp Family Lodge is another family friendly resort near Stowe Mountain. |
Family Friendly Massachusetts Ski Resorts
Below are popular family friendly ski resorts in Massachusetts. These are ski resorts that families go to year after year. Check out our Complete Guide to Jiminy Peak.
| Massachusetts Ski Resorts | Hotels near Ski Resorts |
|---|---|
| Jiminy Peak | Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort and Wyndham Bentley Brook are family friendly, ski in/ski out condo-style accommodations on Jiminy Peak. Vacation Village Berkshires are condo-style accommodations near Jiminy Peak. |
| Ski Butternut | Fairfield Inn and Suites is a family friendly hotel near Butternut. |
Family Friendly Pennsylvania Ski Resorts
Below you will find our favorite family friendly ski resort in Pennsylvania.
| Pennsylvania Ski Resort | Hotels near Pennsylvania Ski Resort |
|---|---|
| Camelback Mountain | Camelback Lodge is a family friendly ski in/ski out resort with an indoor waterpark on Camelback Mountain. |
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- Check out our ski trip packing shortcuts: What to Pack for a Family Weekend Ski Trip: The Ultimate Packing Guide
- Are you thinking of skiing out West? Check out our article: Where are the Best Places to Ski in Colorado?
- Do you need a good laugh? Do you know we have a column that takes a lighter look at suburban life? Sam takes us through her love hate relationship with skiing. Seriously, Sam? Mountain Mama
- Want to know the best places to ski within driving distance from NYC? Top 5 Family Ski Destinations near NYC
- Are you thinking of skiing in Mont Tremblant? Here is everything you need to know to plan a family vacation to Mont Tremblant: Why I Love Mont Tremblant
- Check out our tips on How to Find the Perfect Ski Resort
- We also have a Ski Resort Finder with user-friendly search filters. For example: Looking for a Nut-Free Ski School for your 3 year old? Find it using our Ski Resort Finder!
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