I want to take my family on vacation to a really wintery resort. Do you have any suggestions for a family of four (two young kids) with lots of fun stuff to do for all?
Ooohh...we're with you--big dumps of powdery white snow, icy branches glistening in the moonlight, sleigh rides and sledding, hot chocolate by a cozy, log fire--ain't winter grand? A number of family-friendly resorts play up Old Man Winter in a big way.
When the mercury drops, the Balsam's Grand Resort Hotel in northern New Hampshire, a 232-room luxury property, is a winter wonderland--a scene right out of a Currier and Ives print. The hotel sits on a 15,000-acre private wilderness preserve, surrounded by snowy forests and white-topped granite cliffs. There's an alpine ski area, 30 miles of groomed cross-country trails, ice skating, tubing, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, nature tours, a daily children's program and a nursery. The fine, Old World ambiance includes a 4-star gourmet dining room, too. For information and all-inclusive winter rates, call (800) 255-0600 or click here.
The last time we visited Grand Targhee resort, it had snowed for 24 hours straight and we were waist-high in virgin white powder! "The Targhee Snow" is common throughout winter. Straddling the Idaho-Wyoming border--on the sunny side of the Tetons--this informal, friendly resort boasts uncrowded, open bowl skiing, tubing, cross-country trails, sleigh rides, kids' programs and, take note Mom and Dad: an on-site spa. They'll also arrange dogsled rides, snowcoach winter tours of Yellowstone and snowmobile rides to natural springs. Jackson Hole Resort (another fine choice; call (800) 443-8613 or click here) and the cowboy town of Jackson is about an hour and a half away. Call (800) TARGHEE or click here.
How 'bout a luxury log cabin in the Canadian wilderness? Le Chateau Montebello, located between Ottawa and Montreal, offers tons of classic northwoods activities like ice fishing, dog sledding, skating, sleigh rides, tobogganing and cross-country skiing. When it's time to warm up, head to the indoor sports center. On-site child care and children's programs are available, too. For information, call (800) 257-7544 or click here.
Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Originally published in November 2000. Updated November 2003.
