On the Ski Slopes with Kids
As parents, we encourage our children to embrace the long winter by participating in outdoor activities. Skiing and snowboarding satisfies this goal while adding the element of fun-filled family time.
Most ski hills offer a wide variety of ski lessons for kids. Youngsters are divided into groups based on their experience and age, and qualified ski instructors teach them basic techniques, including control and etiquette on the hill. In the popular Laurentians north of Montreal, dozens of ski hills offer both group and individual ski lessons for ages from 3 to 18 years. Many of these hills have been in operation for more than 50 years and their long experience means that they are well practiced in snow management and grooming, and in ski school instruction. In general, these hills are less pricey and not as busy as Quebec's ‘grande dame' of ski hills, Mont-Tremblant.
At the Belle Neige ski hill The Kid Scoop, a rolling carpet (as opposed to a chair lift) brings beginners up the slopes. Instructors masquerading as bunnies create an entertaining environment for the little ones. In addition to a 9-week ski instruction program for skiers at all levels, the resort also offers snowboarders a snow park with jumps and rails. Further up the autoroute is Mont Blanc boasting the second highest peak in the region. With a major ski school and a wide variety of trails, Mont Blanc can meet the needs of advanced skiers and snowboarders, but also those learning skiing fundamentals. When youngsters tire of the outdoors, they can go inside to the largest indoor playroom in the Laurentians – the Jungle Magique – where a massive labyrinth of tubes, slides, nets, ball pits and other activities await.
Other family-friendly hills, such as the Mont Saint-Sauveur Kid Scoop franchise (and its sister resorts including Ski Morin Heights, Ski Mont Gabriel, Mont Avila and Mont Olympia) offer ski lessons for kids with a range of abilities. Night skiing at Mont Saint-Sauveur, in particular, offers kids an exciting alternative to the daytime ski experience. Many of these hills also feature alternative outdoor winter activities, such as the Viking Alpine Coaster at Mont Saint-Sauveur.
If you want to venture a little farther afield for an entire weekend of family skiing, the Smuggler's Notch Resort in northern Vermont provides non-stop winter fun with its award-winning ski programs for children. Full-day ski camp programs – beginning at 2-1/2 years - include instruction, entertainment, lunch and activities. Family fun is guaranteed with the impressive selection of recreational activities for indoor and outdoor sports, along with evening entertainment. At the end of the day, parents will especially appreciate the ski-in/ski- out mountainside condos, some equipped with hot tubs and heated pools for après-ski relaxation.
Most ski hills offer a wide variety of ski lessons for kids. Youngsters are divided into groups based on their experience and age, and qualified ski instructors teach them basic techniques, including control and etiquette on the hill. In the popular Laurentians north of Montreal, dozens of ski hills offer both group and individual ski lessons for ages from 3 to 18 years. Many of these hills have been in operation for more than 50 years and their long experience means that they are well practiced in snow management and grooming, and in ski school instruction. In general, these hills are less pricey and not as busy as Quebec's ‘grande dame' of ski hills, Mont-Tremblant.
At the Belle Neige ski hill The Kid Scoop, a rolling carpet (as opposed to a chair lift) brings beginners up the slopes. Instructors masquerading as bunnies create an entertaining environment for the little ones. In addition to a 9-week ski instruction program for skiers at all levels, the resort also offers snowboarders a snow park with jumps and rails. Further up the autoroute is Mont Blanc boasting the second highest peak in the region. With a major ski school and a wide variety of trails, Mont Blanc can meet the needs of advanced skiers and snowboarders, but also those learning skiing fundamentals. When youngsters tire of the outdoors, they can go inside to the largest indoor playroom in the Laurentians – the Jungle Magique – where a massive labyrinth of tubes, slides, nets, ball pits and other activities await.
Other family-friendly hills, such as the Mont Saint-Sauveur Kid Scoop franchise (and its sister resorts including Ski Morin Heights, Ski Mont Gabriel, Mont Avila and Mont Olympia) offer ski lessons for kids with a range of abilities. Night skiing at Mont Saint-Sauveur, in particular, offers kids an exciting alternative to the daytime ski experience. Many of these hills also feature alternative outdoor winter activities, such as the Viking Alpine Coaster at Mont Saint-Sauveur.
If you want to venture a little farther afield for an entire weekend of family skiing, the Smuggler's Notch Resort in northern Vermont provides non-stop winter fun with its award-winning ski programs for children. Full-day ski camp programs – beginning at 2-1/2 years - include instruction, entertainment, lunch and activities. Family fun is guaranteed with the impressive selection of recreational activities for indoor and outdoor sports, along with evening entertainment. At the end of the day, parents will especially appreciate the ski-in/ski- out mountainside condos, some equipped with hot tubs and heated pools for après-ski relaxation.
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