A family ski trip creates memories that last a lifetime. Back in the day and before the birth of the terrain park, it was easy for families to stick together and ride the whole mountain. But nowadays, kids want to break away from their parents and shred the park. And who can blame them, with jumps, boxes, rails, halfpipes, snake runs, and side hits aplenty? The lure of the terrain park can drive a wedge in the family ski experience, since parents aren’t necessarily up for a sick huck. But parks have evolved. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of resorts and talented cat drivers, they can now deliver a good time for kids and adults alike.
The following ten resort parks are some of our favorites, catering to all skill levels and focusing on fun, safety, and progression, so families can enjoy them…as a family.
Breckenridge, Colorado
Summary:
Breckenridge is another resort with roots planted deep in professional events over the past two decades. Dew Tour, Superpark, and Grand Prix events have been staged at Breck, and for good reason. Breck consistently delivers, with early open dates thanks to cold temps and preseason snow. Like other resorts on this list, Breck has parks that cater to beginners all the way up to professionals.
Family favorites:
El Dorado is the place to get warmed up, or if you’re just learning your way around terrain parks. Small jumps and boxes make it user-friendly. When you’re ready to step up your game, Highway 9 is just a couple of trails over and offers medium-size features.
Boreal Mountain, California
Summary:
Back in 1992, Boreal built one of the world’s first terrain spots, Jibassic Park, and the resort has supported freestyle riding ever since. More recently, Boreal instituted a Woodward Mountain Park partnership to create a consistent, professional-grade park experience across its network of resorts. For the same reasons Copper Mountain made our list, Boreal is its West Coast equivalent, offering beginner terrain in its Start Park, intermediate features in the Progression Park, and creative advanced features in the Danny Davis–signature Peace Park.
Family favorites:
Once again, a Family Cross park makes our list because of the focus on terrain suitable for the whole family to enjoy together. And in keeping with the racecourse vibes, why not fold in some friendly competition with a game of Beat the Parents?
Aspen Snowmass, Colorado
Summary:
Aspen is a magical place, with four world-class resorts adjacent to one another for the very best in destination travel. And when it comes to terrain park thrills, Snowmass and Buttermilk offer some of the best in the country. Snowmass caters a bit more to intermediate and advanced riders, while Buttermilk’s variety of parks are better suited to families.
Family favorites:
While Buttermilk is best known for hosting the X Games and building some of the largest jumps and halfpipes known to man, Red’s Rover park boasts low-impact, low-intimidation features on forgiving trails.
Park City, Utah
Summary:
Park City has a rich tradition of terrain parks, having hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics and numerous Grand Prix Olympic qualifiers over the years. The resort takes safety and family fun into consideration and offers six parks aimed at the full spectrum of ability, along with initiatives that teach the responsibility code and park etiquette.
Family favorites:
For less experienced kids and kids-at-heart (looking at you, mom, and dad), the Little Kings Park is the perfect blend of smaller jumps and jibs with a relaxed vibe.
Copper Mountain, Colorado
Summary:
Woodward Mountain Park at Copper is designed for young beginners, seasoned pros, and everyone in between. For those still getting their feet wet, the Start Park is the place to be. And once they’re ready to level up, the three Progression Parks are designed to push their abilities.
Family favorites:
Located off the American Flyer chair, the Woodward Family Cross is a toned-down boardercross/snake-style run that encourages families to ride together as a group. Not only are the rollers and banked turns a blast for all, but the terrain helps younger skiers initiate turns while gaining edge control.
Mount Snow, Vermont
Summary:
Perhaps the finest terrain park in Vermont, Carinthia offers over 100 acres of terrain connecting ten parks catering to all skill levels. Carinthia Mount Snow takes pride in providing a positive family experience. A testament to its efforts, it turns out more Olympic athletes than any other US resort.
Family favorites:
The Grommet Park is the resort’s entry-level area, with modest features geared toward the youngest skiers. One step up is Fool’s Gold, which offers slightly more ambitious options.
Seven Springs, Pennsylvania
Summary:
Pennsylvania’s mecca for park skiing, Seven Springs made its way onto the map in the early 2000s with the Streets, a plaza-style urban environment with rails, walls for riding, and stair sets, situated directly in front of the lodge. Since then the resort has continuously upped its terrain game, attracting media and film crews to its impressive facilities.
Family favorites:
Arctic Blast is an entry-level park designed for groms and suitable for families who want to ride together to get the most out of their day.
Loon Mountain, New Hampshire
Summary:
Loon’s terrain parks have been an East Coast staple for years. The resort’s commitment, passion, and skill when it comes to building world-class features make it a favorite of the Northeast. While most of the attention Loon has received over the years has been for its advanced terrain, a partnership with Burton led to novice and intermediate terrain, resulting in a multifaceted experience for the entire family.
Family favorites:
The Burton Progression Park is a great practice spot, with small and medium-sized jumps and rails. Burton Lil’ Stash is a gladed tree run that’s fun for the whole family, integrating custom logs and rail features along with natural rollers to offer a rich freestyle and freeriding experience.
Snow Summit, California
Summary:
Snow Summit’s sister resort, Bear Mountain, gets all the praise when it comes to world-class terrain parks, and deservedly so. But Snow Summit is designed with families in mind, making it arguably the more well-rounded of the two (just ask locals). Another perk: advanced riders tend to head for Bear, making the Summit experience enjoyably low-key.
Family favorites:
Westridge is one of the longest park runs in the nation and boasts features of all sizes. A notable benefit is the soft, slushy snow, thanks to that Southern California sun, which provides forgiving landings for all. Additionally, Zzyzx Park off chair 9 delivers an ideal family experience that shouldn’t be missed.
Mammoth Mountain, California
Summary:
Mammoth consistently ranks near the top in resort polls, and its Unbound parks are arguably the best in the world. With a total of ten of them over 100 acres, and ranging in difficulty from beginner to pro, they truly offer something for everyone. And since they’re scattered across the entire resort, there’s one nearby no matter where on the mountain you happen to be.
Family favorites:
Wonderland Playground (near Canyon Lodge). Accessed by chair 7, this is a beginner park, with mellow jumps, jibs, rollers, and the occasional mini pipe. But don’t let the word “beginner” mislead you. Wonderland is fun for all ages, with a mellow vibe, scant crowds, and inviting terrain.
Accessed by chair 11, Disco Playground (near the Main Lodge) is a groovy little park designed for wee shredders. Ride-on boxes (no ollie required) and pint-size jumps are suitable for kids as young as three and more than sturdy enough for mom and dad.