Skiing for first time with little ones

I know it's early to be thinking of skiing but I'm a planner.

I used to love skiing and went every weekend growing up from age 4-16-ish. My family owned a property in the Poconos (Big Boulder Ski Resort).

I haven't been skiing in over 20 years. I now have two boys, ages 4 and 7 yo. I would love to take them back to BB to learn to ski this winter since the resort is small and it hold sentimental value BUT, it's going to be costly.

Does anyone know of any deals or packages that include a stay, rentals and lessons that's close by for a weekend trip that won't cost as much as a trip to Disney? Maybe a day trip to NJ (Mountain Creek) might be a better option?

Re: Skiing for first time with little ones

How old are your kids? PA (and many other states), have a kids free ski program. I want to say for 3rd or 4th graders, maybe? Google it, and it should come up!

We go snow tubing at Campgaw which is about 20 minutes from the GWB. They have skiing and lessons. We always see a lot of little kids there. Close to home, maybe start there!

Message edited 7/25/2018 12:49:57 PM.

Re: Skiing for first time with little ones

Learning how to ski is pricey!

I thought that Butternut and Catamount (both close to each other in the Berkshires) are great for beginner skiers. They have good kid ski schools ($115- 130 a day) for beginners. You can even do it as a long day trip. Butternut has a first timer group lesson, rental, lift package for $75 (if you want to just try it out before you commit).

I looked into camp gaw and Thunder ridge which are closer to the city but give you a lot less for your $$. The weather is often worse too.

We rent skis and boots for kids for the season from our local ski shop (roughly $100 for season, but daily rentals run $35).

When your kid is a bit more advanced, Jiminy Peak is a bit better for you and has good ski school, but is more $$.

Skiing for first time with little ones

My husband taught my 7 year old to ski when he was about 4. They go to Campgaw in NJ (we live in NJ) it’s a great smaller place fir kids. He also bought lightly used skis off of eBay for him. That way, DS could play around with them in the yard first (learning to take them on/off, moving around, that kind of thing. So that was all out of the way before they were paying for lift tickets DH never put him in the ski school... he just taught him himself. It worked out great, and now he’s an awesome skier!!
We’re looking to teach younger DS too, maybe this winter...

Re: Skiing for first time with little ones

Love Rocking Horse Ranch. Everything is included. They have ski lessons. The mountain is really small but a great place to learn, plus so much more to do there. It seems costly but everything is included food, activities and tips!!

Re: Skiing for first time with little ones

I agree that Rocking Horse is great! That is where my daughter learned to ski. But, it's $$$$$. Like almost $1,000 a night in the winter after tax and the resort fee