If you’re anything like us, when the snow starts flying in Park City, your mind turns immediately to hitting the slopes. Looking out the window on a snowy day, we can’t help but daydream about all the fun times ahead this ski season.
Skiing is such a ubiquitous activity in Park City and Deer Valley, it almost feels like residents here were born knowing how to do it. However, we know that’s not actually the case, and in reality, getting your kids to love the sport–and even getting them ready to head out for the day–can be a challenge.
That’s why we’ve put together a quick guide to help you ski with kids in Park City. Follow these tips to have a fantastic day on the slopes with your full family (no calls to Grandma for babysitting needed!)
Get Everything Together in Advance
Starting the day off on the right foot is probably one of the most important factors when skiing with kids. We recommend packing your bag and gathering your supplies the night before. Some things you might want to prepare include:
- Warm layers – Staying the right temperature when you’re doing winter sports is one of the most important things. Dress too light and you might get too cold and have a bad time. Dress too warm and you might sweat too much and then immediately get cold and then have a bad time. The key is dressing in layers. Long johns, lightweight fleece sweaters, and wind-proof ski jacket and ski pants are essential.
- Prepare your gear – You don’t want to get to the hill and realize you forgot a critical piece of equipment. The night before, move your gear (skis, helmet, boots, poles, goggles, tow lines, etc.) to a place where you won’t forget them.
- Don’t forget the miscellaneous items – Doing anything with kids always involves a little extra work, make sure you have essentials like tissues, water bottles, sunscreen, and maybe a few emergency snacks on hand.
Check out the video above to see team members Cameron Chin and Amanda Davis head out for a day on the slopes with their kids.
Start Slow
Depending on the age of your children, you might want to be strategic in introducing skiing. For example, younger kids may need a little extra motivation. If your children are new to skiing and not quite addicted to the sport yet, it’s a good idea to keep your excursions short and limited to sunny days. The promise of hot chocolate and french fries are also effective.
Once your children have been skiing a few times and have officially caught the bug, you can go for longer days. If your child loves skiing, they probably won’t mind going on not-so-sunny days. (The hot chocolate and french fries are still mandatory though!)
Wondering what ski season in Park City is really like? Read these posts next to find out:
- How to Prepare for Ski Season in Park City
- What Types of People Live in Park City?
- Where are the Best Après Ski Spots in Park City?
Be Flexible
When skiing with kids we like to say, “You may go out for 15 minutes, you may go out for three hours.” You can’t force kids to like something. But if you make it fun and let them learn on their terms, they’ll eventually fall in love with the sport just like you did.
It’s also important to keep your mind open. Maybe you’re a lifelong Nordic skier, but your kids are more interested in shredding the park at Woodward. Trying new things applies to parents too!
Rent a Locker (Trust Us on This One)
Remember all those items you prepared the night before your ski day? Imagine if they were already at the hill waiting for you. Sounds pretty amazing right? Renting a locker is a great way to eliminate some of the logistics required to ski with kids, so you can focus on the experience instead of the to-do list.
Jackson’s Base Camp in Park City and the Deer Valley base offer locker rentals to help make it easier for you and your family to get onto the slopes.
Ski-in, ski-out properties are the epitome of convenience and luxury in Park City and Deer Valley. Here’s what you need to know about buying a ski-in, ski-out home right here.
Pick the Right Runs
Starting slow with short ski trips also applies to the runs you take your kids on. It’s great to start with bunny hills and then work your way up. Starting slow on smaller terrain helps them build confidence, master their skills, and feel good about working their way up to something more challenging.
Skiing with little kids on a bunny hill can be just as exciting as hitting a double black diamond. Check out this video of team member Jacquelyn Harris Grayson and her husband Steven skiing with their little one right here.
Nurture Them
Teaching your kids to ski can be fun and rewarding, but there might come a time when they want to expand their horizons and learn from someone else. Luckily, Park City and Deer Valley are home to some of the best ski schools and ski programs in the country.
There’s something for all ages, here are just a few ski schools to check out in Park City:
- Park City Mountain – Offers ski programs for kids aged 3+ and a snowboarding school for kids aged 5-15.
- Deer Valley Resort – Offers group ski lessons for kids aged 3-17 as well as childcare services for kids as young as 2 months old.
- Ski Utah – Offers a variety of programs for kids of all ages and disciplines.
Ski schools in Park City fill up fast! We recommend booking well in advance.
How does Park City and Deer Valley stack up against other mountain towns? Read these posts next to find out:
- Park City Vs. Jackson Hole, Wyoming: Which All-Season Mountain Town Comes Out on Top?
- Deer Valley Vs. Aspen: Which Resort Town is Better?
- Park City Vs. Vail Colorado
Help Them Grow
There are endless opportunities for older kids looking to level up their skills. If your child has been skiing for a few years now, they probably have a genre of skiing that interests them more than others.
The Youth Sports Alliance is an amazing resource for kids who want to learn more about specific disciplines. They offer courses in everything from ski racing, freestyle, nordic, ski jumping–you name it!
The YSA was created in 2002, after the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The goal was to encourage more young people in the area to get involved with winter sports. Chances are, you’re going to see some YSA alumni when the Games come back to the area!
Have you heard? The Olympics are coming back to Salt Lake City in 2034. Learn more about what happens in Park City during the Olympics with this blog here.
Make Sure They Have the Right Gear
Kids tend to grow like weeds, don’t they? The ski suit that fit perfectly last year is probably three inches too short in the arms this year. And the boots they used last year? Forget about it! Keeping your kids outfitted in the appropriate gear that fits (and looks cool too!) can be a challenge.
The Annual Park City Ski Swap is a much-beloved community event and a great way to upcycle your old or unused gear. Taking place in early November every year, the Ski Swap is perfect for finding gently used kid’s ski gear at a great price.
If you’re not sure your kids are going to love skiing, you can also rent gear. Ski ‘N See shop in Salt Lake City is a great place for that. For a low fee, you can rent gear for a full season. They even deliver to Park City, offer free tune-ups, and have an amazing selection of quality gear to choose from.
Looking for Real Estate Advice?
We’ve been doing more than just skiing in Park City for the past 30 years. Here at CFH, we’re your local real estate experts. If you’re looking to buy or sell a home in Park City or Deer Valley, we’d love to help you out!
Give us a call directly at 435-647-8035 or email info@cmfhpartcity.com today!
