Colorado’s Aspen and Snowmass offer free family fun
Many travelers think of Aspen as Glitter Gulch and neighboring Snowmass as an upscale family-friendly resort, and there’s truth to both images. But, in the summertime, lodging prices are lower and the list of activities and entertainment ranges from free weekday activities ranging from scavenger hunts and cooking classes to storytelling and a juggling workshop, to Camp Aspen/Snowmass, which has programs for ages 2 ½ through teens. Camp Aspen/Snowmass activities stretch from mountainboarding and skateboarding to paintball and mountain biking. For more information about family entertainment, visit Aspen/Snowmass
Utah: Kids Love Deer Valley's Summer Adventure Camp
Kids in Deer Valley's Summer Adventure Camp will have great fun during age-appropriate mountain environment explorations, day trips and hikes. At this resort edging up to Park City, Utah, summer packages, which include a chairlift ride to the peak where many hiking and biking trails start, are available in standard rooms and condos in Park City, as well as the posh condos in Deer Valley and units at the luxe Stein Eriksen Lodge. For summer rates visit Deer Valley.
New Hampshire: Action-Packed Days at Waterville Valley
The Summer Unlimited Recreation packages at New Hampshire's Waterville Valley are a passport to unlimited summer fun. One price includes lodging plus a choice of mountain biking, kayaking, golf, tennis and other activities.
Vermont: Killington Offers Summer Adventures for the Entire Family
The Killington Summer Adventures packages let you and the kids go mountain biking or hiking on the slopes and various trails, challenge the climbing wall, take the alpine slides and enjoy other activities together. Packages include 2-nights lodging and a 2-day Adventure Center pass. (A single-night package is available for a slightly higher price.) For details visit Killington or call 800-621-MTNS.
Michigan: Wakeboarding in Boyne Country
Wrap a family vacation around one of the 4-day/5-night Wakeboard Camps for kids on Boyne Mountain's Deer Lake. While the children are in camp learning to ride (or improving skills) on a wakeboard, kayaking, biking and more, parents can play golf or relax lakeside. For details call Brian Snabes at 248-214-9052.
Per-night rates for hotel rooms and condos are available. Guests have access to the biking and hiking trails, tennis courts, 18-hole disc golf course, chairlift rides and other activities. Juniors 17 and under play golf free during twilight hours when accompanied by a paying adult.
California: Skate and Swim at Squaw Valley's High Camp
Squaw Valley USA's High Camp Bath & Tennis Club, a cable-car ride from the resort's base area, has both an ice rink and a large freeform swimming pool surrounded by mountain peaks. At this California resort you and the kids can tackle the climbing wall, go hiking or mountain biking then cool off boating on Lake Tahoe. Ask about the family vacation packages, which include lots of activities such cable car rides, and ice skating and swimming at High Camp.
Montana: Explore Big Sky Country
One entrance to Yellowstone National Park is just about an hour away from Big Sky Resort in Montana, so take time from enjoying all the activities at the resort to see Old Faithful. You can take a gondola ride and hike downhill on trails, take a whitewater rafting trip or go horseback riding. The Summer Family Fun Pass includes chairlift rides, use of the outdoor pool and hot tubs at Huntley Lodge and other activities.
Choosing Your Beat-the-Heat at a Mountain Resort Trip
Why not let everyone in the family help decide where to beat the heat this summer. Visit How to Choose a Family Adventurefor suggestions about planning and prepping for your trip.
