Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Family Vacations in the Snow

By Clinton Maxwell

Figuring out where to take your family vacation can be a daunting task since you want to please everyone. Consider heading to the mountains for a ski vacation which has something for everyone. There are several ski destinations to choose from and many are located in North America. For family members that don't know how to ski there are lessons available and adults can enjoy the lodge and surrounding quaint cities while the kids hit the slopes. Many resorts in winter destinations have spa services that provide massages and beauty treatments.

Transportation, hotel and lift tickets can be purchased separately or for less hassle and usually a cost savings, you can book a ski package. Ski packages include transfers, hotel accommodations and lift tickets. Sometimes they also include airfare, ski lessons, spa treatment, sightseeing and meals. You can book your winter holiday on your own; the internet is a great resource to find information on resorts and packages. A travel agent can be used if you prefer one stop shopping; they have a ton of brochures and sometimes have first hand experience with the packages they offer.

Sugarloaf, located in the northeast state of Maine is a premier ski area offering 54 miles of marked trails. There are 15 chairlifts that transport skiers to the 134 marked trails and glades of varying difficulty from beginner to advanced.

If you would like to combine skiing with some history you should consider a ski holiday at Cannon Mountain, New Hampshire. It not only provides abundant ski options but is also home to the New England Ski Museum; one of only four in the country.

Whiteface Mountain located in upstate New York is considered one of the best resorts among ski enthusiast. In fact, it hosted the Winter Olympics 1980 alpine skiing competition. The views from the high peaks of the mountain peaks are amazing; on a clear day you can see both Vermont and Canada. If you are an advanced skier, you'll especially enjoy Whiteface's trails; it has the greatest vertical drop in the eastern U.S. Our entire family found this resort to be fun and challenging on our trip from Calpe, Spain.

Another popular ski destination is Aspen, Colorado. Not only is it known for its world class slopes but is favorite among the rich and famous. Aspen is a lovely city with many options for shopping, entertainment and fine dining. There are many accommodations available ranging from bed and breakfasts to luxurious resorts and spas.

On the west coast of the U.S. is the ski area of Lake Tahoe which contains several world class ski resorts. It lies on the border of California and Nevada and the views of the lake are spectacular while you're skiing down the slopes. If not everyone wants to ski, there are several gaming and entertainment options on the Nevada side of the lake.

If you're looking to get out of the U.S., Canada has several options. For example, there is Whistler near Vancouver and Blue Mountain in Ontario which both have amazing skiing and several hotel options.

If you're looking for a winter holiday, consider a ski vacation. There are several destinations to choose from and they offer something for everyone.

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