| It is time for the annual family vacation, and | | | | It is also a good idea to not only begin looking for |
| planning a ski trip may be something that will | | | | skiing and snowboarding activities, but also other |
| appeal to all the family members. Something | | | | activities to do. Some of these activities could be: |
| different and yet exciting, the time to plan a ski | | | | special dining-out local sites; Apres-Ski activities |
| vacation is six to eight months in advance | | | | such as concerts, clubs, or daily events at the ski |
| – yet it is possible to find slots open within | | | | resort; other winter activities such as tubing or |
| two weeks at some resorts. Making a list of what | | | | snowboarding; sight-seeing; shopping for things |
| the family needs and wants, within the boundaries | | | | you know you will have room to take home; plus |
| of their skiing expertise, form the types of ski | | | | visiting historical sites for some resorts are |
| resorts open to their vacation. | | | | extremely exciting and educational. It's time to |
| First of all, not all ski resorts are just open for | | | | plan the family vacation – and everyone |
| winter activities in the winter – the | | | | wants to go skiing, but unless skiing is done 24 |
| Timberline in Oregon is open all year, and many | | | | hours in a row, a break now and then before |
| other resorts have extended seasons. Some ski | | | | going back to the slopes is not only fun, but |
| resorts have other sports activities during the | | | | exciting. |
| spring and summer. The thing to remember is | | | | Where the family will sleep and eat is just as |
| that everything within the ski vacation label has | | | | important as skiing itself, unless the ski resort is |
| open options; the date of the vacation what type | | | | within driving distance of home. Check to see of |
| of ski resort is needed, the different type of | | | | there are slope condominiums available. For a |
| winter sports, or the services that will be required. | | | | whole family, sometimes this is an option, as you |
| If you have a family, choosing a ski resort that | | | | will not have to worry about finding transportation |
| welcomes family and children would be important | | | | to and from the slopes every day. They usually |
| to know, as not all ski resorts are suitable for | | | | have one or two bedrooms, a dining room or |
| beginner skiers. The terrain and services in some | | | | eating area, and a kitchen. The money a family |
| of them are geared only toward advanced skiers, | | | | will save on restaurants for three meals a day, |
| which rules out any first-timers for safety | | | | plus the convenience, will more than make up for |
| reasons regardless of the ages. If this is the | | | | the added price of the condominium. If the |
| family's first time skiing, check online for ski | | | | condominium is out, see if there is a suite with a |
| resorts with dedicated beginner areas, in addition | | | | kitchenette. |
| to instructors and lessons. | | | | If you have a vehicle, make sure there is outside |
| Some resorts offer package deals with slow and | | | | access to the parking spot for skies and boots, |
| easy lessons for small family groups, with | | | | or has a closet inside for their storage. Comfort |
| transportation to the top of the beginner slope | | | | at a reasonable rate should be a high priority, |
| area. A full day of learning, appropriate skis, boots, | | | | especially at the end of the day on the slopes. |
| poles, and a two hour lesson. Plus, emergencies do | | | | Aching muscles, cold, and tired may take on a |
| arise, so what happens if you have to cancel? If | | | | new meaning the first time or two out. See if |
| the resort does not have this or if some features | | | | they have an exercise room, pool, Jacuzzi, or a |
| are not available that is really wanted or needed, | | | | sauna, not only for your body but for the |
| look somewhere else – all ski resorts want | | | | children's "left-over" energy level! |
| your business! A new family learning to ski is a | | | | Remember – it is YOUR market, so make |
| learner's market, because without satisfied | | | | the most of it! |
| customers, they would not be in business. | | | | |