meb123's Passport
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 | 135 Reviews |
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Send a ComplimentAbout Me & My Family
We are a family of 5. We love to travel and to see new things. We look for a educational experience in everything we do and my we do a lot. Our kids are so used to being on the go that they have tremendous stamina. We try to plan 2 large trips every year and supplement them with weekend get-aways, staycations and a day jaunt now and again. Our kids are always wondering what the next spot will be.
Our Family's Travel Personality
adventurous, energetic
We Just Got Back From
Marco Island and the Florida Everglades
Our Favorite Vacation Spot
Rhode Island beaches
A Place We'd Love To Visit
Africa
Favorite Vacation Memory
Watching the kids lug their car seats through the airport on their first plane ride.
Worst Travel Moment With My Kids:
My youngest got sick with the stomach bug at 4 am in the morning 1 hour before our plane ride to get to St' John USVI. We had to make it through 2 plane legs, 1 long taxi ride, a ferry ride and a 45 minute rental car ride to our villa with her being sick!!!
Websites I Like:
Family Friendly Ski Areas in New England
New England skiing provides everything from luxury resorts with expert trails to small family owned mountains perfect for your new skier. Check out the ones that have the most family friendly atmospheres.Connecticut and Rhode Island offer small mountains devoid of vacationers where your child can hone their skills. In Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts you can obtain the whole skiing resort experience complete with daycare and kid themed programming.
46 Great Hollow Road
Cornwall, Connecticut
Comment:
Mohawk in the western hills of Connecticut is in it's 65th year of family skiing. Ski under the lights at this 18 trail ski area with a mid-mountain lodge. They have a learn to ski program called Snowhawks and also a parent and tot program for your littlest learner. There are special days for your family to enjoy including Yeti day on 2/11 and Beach Party day on 3/12. Midweek deals with $30- 8 hours and $20-4 hour lift ticket prices won't break the bank for a ski vacation day.
396 MT Vernon Road, Plantsville, Connecticut.
Southington, Connecticut
Comment:
This is ski learning central for kids in central Connecticut. After school the slopes are packed with skiers from area schools who come for lesson and to ski under the lights. The littlest learners under 7 need private lessons, but the lift tickets for kids 5 and under are only$15. Night skiing lift tickets for 4 hours are $33.00 and their are lessons available on weekends. Call ahead to make sure you can get a spot for your child and their particular age group. The bunny hill has a regular lift and a t-bar so your child can learn both lift processes.Join them for theme days including the cardboard box race.
reviewed on: May 17 2011
"Local Skiing "
We started going to Mount Southington weekly just this year. We have lived in the area for over a decade and now that our kids are older we made an effort for some weekly skiing during the winter months. Granted it was made easier by the formation of a school ski club but the weekly skiing was great. My kids got so much better and more confident from the weekly practice. The skishop does rent for the season or by visit, but we visited a local ski shop to rent for the season. The kids also took a weekly lesson and then got to try the lifts on their own. The hills are not very steep like they are in some other areas of New England, but the repetition improved their skills. They have plenty of ski patrol and even have lighting so we were able to ski until 8pm or later. There is a lodge to keep you warm that sells food and a bunny slope with both a magic carpet and a lift for those that are progressing. We were glad to partake of the club and hope to do it again next year. There were clubs from all over Connecticut doing the same thing.
Yawgoo Valley Road
Exeter, Rhode Island
Comment:
Yawgoo Valley is the only ski area in the state of Rhode Island. Locals who do not want to drive for big mountain action can ski and tube here. group rates are amazing low ($58 for lesson,lift and rental on Saturdays and Sundays) make this a great place to learn your techniques.
5092 Sugarloaf Access Rd. Carrabassett Valley, Maine 04947
Kingfield, Maine
Comment:
Sugarloaf has all a big mountain should offer. This is world class skiing in a rustic village setting. They offer a variety of room options and also have dedicated kids programs ranging from daycare, Ski school for kids ages 3 and up and night programs for kids including; games, movies an anti-gravity park. Additionally this resort offers ice- skating, nordic skiing, snow shoeing, and winter zip lines. A true active family haven.
15 South Ridge Road
Newry, Maine
Comment:
Eddy the yeti sometimes hangs out at this ski resort. This is also a full service ski resort with lessons, day care, an outdoor heated pool and the White Cap Dun center which includes skating,tubing and family events such as bonfires. There are also ticketed shows available for an additional fee.
308 Howe Hill Road Greenwood, ME 04255
Greenwood, Maine
Comment:
Mount Abram calls itself a ski resort with no attitude. It is a favorite of local families because of this. The theme is Rocky and Bullwinkle and many trail names and the ski learning programs take their cue on names from this kid-friendly duo. The learners have their own hill and there are daycare facilities as well if you make advance reservations. Lift tickets are reasonably priced with all day adult tickets at $49 and kids aged 6 and up $39.
4763 Killington Road
Killington, Vermont
Comment:
Killington is known as the 'Beast of the East' due to it's numerous and interconnecting trails as well as the level of difficulty of the trails. However, it is also a mountain that has a great kids ski school , day care and learning area for new skiers.This is where my kids got their chops and they are skiers for life now.They have great accommodations, a heated outdoor pool, Snowcat drawn sleigh rides, mountain activities,a tubing park and are close to a restaurants.
reviewed on: April 09 2010
"Killington Ski Resort"
Skiing the Beast of the East…Killington Vermont.We recently returned from a late February ski weekend with our three children ages 8, 8, and 5. Aside from my husband, all of us are novice skiers, and the kids have only been on skis one other time at a local mountain here in Connecticut. My husband and I were nervous about the size and scope of Killington as well as the weather. It had been snowing in the Northeast for days and we had to combat this on our drive from Connecticut. The drive and the mountain turned out to be less imposing than we thought. We beat the snow and found 2 feet had fallen on Killington prior to our arrival. Although the mountain is large, we felt very at home at our two base lodges, Snowshed and Ramshead. We were so impressed with the size and amount of lifts in these 2 areas it was hard to fathom that there were more ski lodges and lifts in other areas of the mountain for a total of 191 trails and 28 lifts. There is truly something at Killington for every level of skier or snowboarder from novice to freestyle expert.
Killington is a scenic 30 mile jaunt off the highway. The scenery is pretty and grand. However viewing the mountain from the ski lift is better yet. We really enjoyed seeing the pristine snow covered trees and fresh snow. After acquiring our equipment we rode the lifts with many snowboarders and skiers and it seemed like the resort attracted a 50/50 mix of each.
The equipment rental process was quick and easy, especially if you arrive before 9:00am when the masses start to arrive. The staff was upbeat and helpful. The equipment selection was good and was either standard or advanced. The standard rental prices are $39.00 per day for adult and $26.00 per day for children. There is a 15% savings on 3 days or more. Once equipment was squared away and our kids were in their lessons, my husband and I headed out for the lifts. Although I heard others complaining about their wait times, I thought the lines moved relatively quickly. We never waited more than 5 minutes to get on the lifts. There were also express and gondola express lifts that were very quick to move you to the top of the trails. Although I have only been skiing three times before I had no problem navigating or dismounting the lifts, nor did my even more novice children. Overall, I thought the mountain was fairly crowd free except for the main ski area at the base of Snowshed. I overheard a man complaining about the number of learning children. However, that did not bother me as much as the overzealous adults. That being said, we had visited Stratton Mountain last year and found the skiing adults rude and intolerant to the children (not ours). Compared to that, this crowd seems much more child friendly, a sentiment echoed by another skier with whom my husband rode a lift.
As newbies to the area, we were pleasantly surprised by the number of employees and instructors on hand to help out at the bottom of the slopes. As we were walking in they were handing out maps and all employees seemed very ready to help in terms of trail recommendations and runs. I skied only the green runs as I am a tentative skier. There were plenty of green trails for me, but there did seem to be many more blue and black trails on the map. This was okay for me as I think it keeps the faster skiers away from the novice skiers and children who are nervous. Additionally, it seemed as though there were not a lot of ski patrol personnel in these beginner areas. Perhaps they stay on the more advanced trails. The trails were full of mother natures snow powder due to the earlier blizzard and were very well groomed.
Overall, Killington is slightly more expensive than its other Vermont counterparts; Okemo and Stratton. (Pico also owned by same management company as Killington and you can actually interchange your lift tickets). The additional expense is in every category; rentals, lift tickets, ski school and accommodations. You should remember that this is the Beast and I have a feeling the others do not compare. The food at the lodges at Killington is also quite expensive. Three pieces of pizza, 3 drinks, 2 oranges and a bowl of soup cost us $37.00. You might save some money by packing a lunch or going back to you room to prepare a quick meal.
We would definitely like to return with our kids and try out a few more of the trails at Killington.
This review is based on a complimentary visit to Killington Ski Resort. I received no other compensation and the business owner did not state any requirements that I express a particular point of view.
4323 Vermont 108
Jeffersonville, Vermont
Comment:
Smugglers Notch is consistently called one of the best family ski resorts' anywhere. They have extensive lessons starting at age 2 1/2 for skis at Snowsport University and even have a money back guarantee for there programs. Treasures is their beautiful daycare facility available starting at age 6 weeks.There are one way mirrors so you can check up with on your child. This year they have also partnered with Burton to develop the next generation of boarders by opening Riglet park specifically designed for kids. There are also 2 teen centers with skating, swimming,volleyball,snowshoeing movies, dance parties etc. For ages 13 up NO parents allowed.Together families can join a hot chocolate party,dance the night away doing karoke. So much for the whole family.
495 Magic Mountain Access
Londonderry, Vermont
Comment:
Magic mountain is the low-key cool little brother of the big Vermont ski resorts. The atmosphere is very laid back. There are a few accommodations in the area and the mountain does not get very crowded with over dressed 'uber' skiers however they do have some very challenging terrain. There are ski lesson available for children 3 and up reasonably priced at $120 for full day complete packages to $90 for 1/2 day packages. Apres ski takes place at their restaurant/ pub which is very child friendly. There you can find kids dancing and making friends while there parents wind down at the end of the day. Tubing is also available.
37 Corey Rd
Hancock, Massachusetts
Comment:
Jiminy Peak offers skiing in western Massachusetts. They have lessons available in a newly revamped format. The lessons with rentals are $126. They also have daycare available and a choice of accommodations.
499 Mountain Road
Princeton, Massachusetts
Comment:
Wachusett has several stay and ski partners. It is a smaller resort which hosts many after school children from the surrounding areas. There are ski lessons available for children.
380 State Road - Route 23
Great Barrington, Massachusetts
Comment:
Butternut in the Berkshires offers children's ski and board lessons and also has 41/2 hour day care for kids 6 month - 8 years of age. They have tubing available on the weekends. There is currently a $45/person deal for ski and stay in select accommodations.
Route 302, Bretton Woods
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Comment:
Bretton Woods ski area is affiliated with the well-known Mount Washington Hotel. In addition to traditional ski school options in the Hobbit ski program ages 4 and up, the mountain also offers a family ski lesson. This is perfect for a family out on their first ski jaunt. For $250(excluding lift ticket and equipment) your family of up to 5 can learn ski techniques together. The resort also offers a variety of accommodations. The Mount Washington Hotel runs a year round kids program with craft,drama,movies and more. There are also Princess spa options for your little ones.Babysitting,swimming,nordic options and skating round out the fun.
PO Box 2448
Henniker, New Hampshire
Comment:
A family friendly local-type mountain with school programs and weekend childcare and lessons. It is a good destination for weekend skiing in southern New Hampshire.
PO Box 1640
North Conway, New Hampshire
Comment:
Cranmore has developed the Kidsrule ski camps for ages 3 and up. The cost is $135 including lift tix and equipment. They do not have onsite lodging but do have deals with local hotels in the North Conway area starting at about $85/person/night including breakfast and lift tix. In addition to kids ski programs they have other mountain adventures for perhaps your older kids including a mountain coaster, giant swing and an indoor adventure zone with climbing and bouncing.There is also an onsite daycare facility.
1 Ski Valley Road
Waterville Valley, New Hampshire
Comment:
Waterville is a self-contained resort. The town was built for the skiing. The Kids Venture camp is the ski school for kids 3 and up. Make reservations in advance and save $14/kid off the $109 single day price (not including rentals). Waterville is also home to the Curious George cottage providing art and science activities to children of all ages. Childcare is available.
1000 Cold Spring Road
Manchester, New Hampshire
Comment:
The Balsams is a self-contained resort in the northern reaches of New Hampshire. This 8000acre proprty has 16 trails for downhill as well as Nordic skiing. The onsite intructors provide lessons in both. A bonus here is that the mountain is uncrowded and usually handle only guests. This is the entire package..room, food, activities etc in a very upscale, but child friendly environment.
