The 5 Best Ski Resorts for Families Out West

Family ski trips are a pretty special thing. The picturesque scenery, the unfettered intergenerational hang-out time—there’s a lot to appreciate. Plus, skiing is fun for all ages, unlike seeing a live show of The Wiggles. After plopping the kids in ski school for a few hours, you and your spouse can check out the rest of the mountain. Or, if the little rippers are ready to tackle more challenging terrain, they can come along for the ride.

There’s an obvious catch, though. Skiing’s gotten real, real expensive. Seasons passes aren’t cheap, let alone lodging, airfare, and ski lessons. Children are a gift, of course, but they get in the way of keeping costs down by crashing on your perpetually single buddy Gary’s couch (no, Gary, your dog bed won’t work as a sleeping arrangement for a toddler).

That’s why we’ve hunted down a handful of resorts that are a little more wallet-friendly while still offering an excellent family skiing experience. Everyone knows about the famous destinations, but that doesn’t mean they’re right for every skier looking to take a trip with their kids in tow. These are some of the best family-friendly ski resorts to visit out West.

1. Purgatory Resort, Colorado

Kid-friendly deals: Kids 12 and younger ski free at Purgatory—and the rest of the Power Pass mountains—thanks to the Power Kids Pass .

Getting there: Durango, Colorado, which has an airport, is a 30-minute drive from Purgatory.

In a state chock-full of skiing destinations, Purgatory Resort is often overlooked. That doesn't mean you shouldn’t give it a chance. With over 1,600 acres of skiable terrain, 107 trails, and 11 lifts, Purgatory offers plenty of beginner and intermediate-friendly runs—perfect for kids still getting their ski boots under them.

Half-day ski lessons for youth (ages seven to 12) start at $109 and vary slightly in price depending on the time of year. Advance adult tickets for Purgatory are often quite cheap (they’ve gotten as low as $9), so if you plan ahead, you can get lift access for a fraction of the price offered at other destinations.

2. Brian Head Resort, Utah

Kid-friendly deals: Like Purgatory, the Power Kids Pass provides access to Brian Head Resort.

Getting there: Las Vegas, Nevada—a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Brian Head—houses the nearest international airport, but there are regional airports in St. George and Cedar City.

Located in southern Utah, Brian Head Resort is an off-the-beaten-path gem. Lodging can be found at the resort or in nearby Cedar City. Slopes-wise, Brian Head isn’t necessarily known for towering peaks or gnarly, committing steeps. Instead, it features more gentle and approachable fare, like The Navajo Mountain area, where loads of beginner terrain is serviced by the Navajo Express.

However, expert parents can still find thrills on the other side of Brian Head with the Giant Steps and Dunes lifts when ski school is in session. Brian Head’s on the advance ticket program alongside Purgatory, a boon to forward-thinking ski trip planners.

Related: The Best Family-Friendly Ski Resorts in North America

3. June Mountain, California

Kid-friendly deals : Kids 12 and under ski free at June Mountain.

Getting there: Eastern Sierra Regional Airport/Bishop (BIH) in Bishop, California, is 58 miles south of June Lake.

June Mountain bills itself as “California’s Family Mountain"—when kids 12 and under can ski there for free, it’s easy to see why. The ski area’s often uncrowded slopes are the perfect venue for learning, with a bevy of beginner and intermediate terrain options.

June Mountain is part of the Ikon Pass, simplifying the prospect of a cheaper family vacation, and just down the road from the ski area is Mammoth Mountain, which is excellent for mid-trip excursions if one or both parents want to mix things up for the day.

4. Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana

Kid-friendly deals: Kids six and under ski free at Whitefish Mountain Resort; beginner area-specific pricing; lesson deals for first-timers

Getting there: The Glacier Park International Airport is about a half-hour drive from Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Located in Northwest Montana, Whitefish Mountain Resort has all the important family destination trappings: a cute town with plenty to do, world-class terrain, and dedicated on-mountain daycare that looks after kids aged six months to six years while their parents get after it. Once you’ve had your fill of Whitefish’s big mountain offerings, you can spend a mellow day with your kids at an affordable price if they’re still working on their french fries and pizzas.

The ski resort sells a beginner area-specific ticket for Chairs 6 and 9 alongside the Big Easy and 2 Easy carpets and costs $32. Groms new to the sport can take advantage of Whitefish's junior first-time lesson package , which costs $110 and includes a full-day lesson, beginner lift ticket, lunch, and rentals (Adult and teen first-time packages without lunch are $99). That deal is hard to beat.

5. Bridger Bowl Ski Area, Montana

Kid-friendly deals: $38 lift tickets for kids aged seven to 12; beginner area-specific pricing

Getting there: The Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is about a half-hour drive to Bridger Bowl.

Bridger Bowl has a reputation for hardcore skiers, committing terrain, and no-frills—one might duly assume that the place isn’t for families with young kids who are still learning the ropes. That assessment would be wrong, though. Bridger’s lower mountain has a large network of beginner-specific lifts and runs.

Sweetening the deal is affordable child and adult lift tickets , which go for $38 and $82, respectively, if purchased online. Cheap beginner area-specific deals are available, too. You can shack up in nearby Bozeman for the trip, with the option to scope the more expensive—but worth visiting—Big Sky, a sprawling destination that features the impressive Lone Peak Tram.

Related: The 6 Best New York Ski Resorts

Be the first to read breaking ski news with POWDER. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing.

From ski resort news to profiles of the world’s best skiers, we are committed to keeping you informed. Submit your best clips for a chance to be featured on POWDER. Tune in and watch handpicked, high-quality ski videos streaming all day long on POWDER TV , and subscribe to our YouTube channel .