From our Four Seasons ski concierge: your super-fun, laidback family snow vacation. Here’s how.

A little planning and a less-is-more approach can go a long way in making your family snow vacation an epic one to remember—for all the right reasons. How to? We asked the Four Seasons experts for their intel. We spoke to Chantal Bohren, concierge at Colorado’s Four Seasons Resort Vail and Hope Maloney, chef concierge at Wyoming’s Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole.

Why is your resort the ideal spot for a family snow vacation? What’s the vibe?

CB: Size and variety: Vail is the ultimate in Alpine vacations. We’ve got 300 days of sunshine a year, great powder, 31 lifts and 5,300 acres of terrain, including huge bowls, and a stylish, pedestrian-friendly village with Euro flair. Vail is the largest single-mountain ski resort in the U.S.—with the backdrop of the Colorado Rockies.

HM: The best part about Jackson Hole is the really relaxed atmosphere here; everyone is so friendly. People come here because they want to ski and experience the beauty of this place—it really is unlike any other. That’s why so many people come here to visit and never leave. Our mountain has 5,500 acres of terrain: 2,500 acres of in-bounds and 3,000 acres of backcountry. Yes, we have a reputation for being the hardest mountain in the U.S., but there really is something for everyone here. Our ski concierge can assist with the latest mountains updates, access to ski school, kids’ ranch and so on. Because we are slopeside, you can ski in and ski out. And we’re just one mile from the entrance of Grand Teton National Park.

When’s the best time to come?

CB: During the holidays, Vail puts on a series of events called Holidaze filled with concerts, ice shows and family activities going on through the week. Vail is hosting the Winter Teva Games Feb. 10 to 12. In April (9 to 15), there will be Vail’s Spring Back to Vail concert series. The ski season runs late November to April.

HM: Holidays are a magical time here because there’s so much to do. We focus on daily activities for the kids: ornament making, gingerbread house building. The village is lit up, the snow is flying and everything looks like a true winter wonderland. Another great time to visit is late January/February because, by then, the snow is really good. Like right now: we have gotten 12 inches in the last 24 hours, nine more today and another 10 tonight! It’s a snow blizzard in full effect—so if you are coming for skiing, this can’t be beat.

What is there to do in winter? What are your top recommendations for families?

CB: Our top five would be skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, dog sledding and tubing. Vail Resorts offers skiing and snowboarding lessons, both private and group lessons for adults and children. At Adventure Ridge, there’s tubing, ski-biking, ice skating, a bungee trampoline and kid-size snowmobiles. The place really starts hopping after dark. At Four Seasons, we work with a dog sledding guide who leads trips through the best trails; for example, historic Camp Hale or down in Wolcott at 4Eagle Ranch. For a fun family adventure day, I’d pair dog sledding in the afternoon with a sleigh ride dinner at the ranch.

HM: Skiing is the No. 1 attraction. Because our mountain is a little more challenging, there’s lots of great skiable terrain for older kids: 40 percent of the mountain is intermediate; 50 percent is expert; and 10 percent is beginner. We do also have a great kids’ ski school for the younger ones.
Then for families who don’t want to ski every day, you can go dog sledding or snowmobiling. In the heart of winter, you can venture into Yellowstone National Park. (That’s really cool. And kids 14 and older can drive a snowmobile in the national forest.) Also you can do snowmobile trips on trail and off trail, and go soak in Granite Hot Springs. We offer our own in-house wildlife tours. These are especially great for multi-generational families. Our guides will take families out for a four-hour driving tour in and around Grand Teton National Park with one of our in-house biologists looking for moose, elk, big horn sheep, birds of prey, bison and wolves. The Nordic center, just minutes from our property, has great tours and 17 kilometers of groomed trails.

Where do families go wrong? How do you avoid the pitfalls?

CB: The best thing to avoid is last-minute reservations. A lot of the activities, such as dog sledding and snowmobiling, sell out fast¬—and we hate for guests to be disappointed. So plan ahead and make a reservation. Other pitfalls? Safety. A lack of snow early in the season can unfortunately mean accidents. So be sure to check current conditions, always wear a helmet and to ensure kids are skiing with caution. Be aware of altitude sickness: we’re at 8,000 feet above sea level, which can cause nausea and headaches. The best thing to do is drink lots of water.

HM: Over scheduling is a huge one. People think they will ski, then continue on with the day as if at home. But really, kids are exhausted by the time it is over. I recommend one activity per day. It’s better if you break up the skiing days with a day of non-skiing activities somewhere in the middle of your stay.

What’s on your must-pack list?

CB: Lots of warms clothes. We love our UGG boots, warm mittens, cozy hats with fur and fun ski outfits. It’s easy to spot our kids in their crazy helmet accessories!

HM: Warm layers—that’s the key here. And jeans. You can wear jeans at any of the fanciest restaurants in Jackson. Being in Wyoming, ours is a cowboy culture. And a good pair of snow boots; even going out to dinner, everything is covered in snow.

What are the best to-dos for families with babies? Toddlers?Kids under 10?Tweens and teens?

CB:

• For parents with young children: we can either bring in a nanny or within Golden Peak there is a great nursery for daycare while parents ski. Snowshoeing with the baby in a backpack is another great option, and there a lot of terrific walking trails.
• Parents with toddlers often love putting them in ski school, beginning at age three. There is a full-day or half-day option and children do a mix of skiing and playing.
• Kids as young as five can join parents snowmobiling, plus go up to Adventure Ridge.
• Teens enjoy skiing/snowboarding and hanging out in our game room. Right now I’m putting together a scavenger hunt for teens to go and find Vail’s hidden treasures… At Solaris in Vail Village, there’s CineBistro, a new movie theatre serving up gourmet fare; and Bol Vail, a stylish bowling alley with computerized scoring, comfy couches, and for mom and dad, a menu of shared plates plus a 100-bottle wine list.
• Advanced skiers and families: Consider an offering unique to Vail, Adventure Sessions. Focusing more on touring than instruction, these private, small-group sessions are led by certified instructors. It’s a bargain-priced way to skip lift lines and find the best snow.

HM:

• There are all kinds of camps for different age groups through Jackson Hole ski area, and for adults.
• For babies and toddlers: skiing with baby in a trailer and X-C skiing with a chariot trailer on skis. Snowshoe with a child in the backpack (we have baby backpacks onsite guests can rent). There’s a nice little sledding hill here with an ice castle—I have one-and-a-half-year-old boy who’s in love with it. There’s a new children’s museum in town, which is nice for kids six and under. Ski school starts at three years old.
• For five to 10 year olds: skiing. Ski school, then in the afternoon, hit up the outdoor heated pool with three Jacuzzis. We serve s’mores at the pool. Or do the tube park in the town of Jackson 20 minutes away. During holidays, we have an after-ski program for kids four to six with cookie decorating, ornament and snowman making, gingerbread houses and movies.
• For tweens and teens: Skiing, snowboarding and outdoor adventures. We have a few terrain parks on the mountain more geared toward youth. We have a game room at the resort with a pool table, foosball and Xbox. The pool is super popular. There’s a one-hour sleigh rides just a three-minute walk from here. Or we also work with a company that offers sleigh rides on the Snake River, a 40-minute drive. You can X-C ski, snowshoe or drive to this cool tee-pee camp. It’s a private, exclusive affair. You can choose a hot chocolate ride or full dinner.

Where to dine with the kids?

CB: There is great dining on and off the mountain. The 10th, a brand new restaurant, has just elevated fine dining slopeside to a new level. On your ski break, try “fast-casual” Bistro 14 and Two Elk Restaurant (pizza, wraps, pasta).
The best après ski spots are here at Four Seasons’ Fireside Bar & Lounge (sushi, cheeseburger, chicken fingers, French fries, Kraft mac & cheese,
great views); plus The Red Lion (kids’ menu: mac ‘n cheese, corndogs, PB&J) and Swiss Chalet (cheese and chocolate fondue, Euro cuisine in a homey Swiss setting). The breakfast buffet at Four Seasons’ Flame (steakhouse) is amazing, and we’re not just talking eggs and pancakes; for example, just-made sushi and Latin American churros. At the hotel, we have our complimentary Sugar Shack snacks, daily from 3 to 4 pm, in the outdoor pool area. In traditional Québécois Canadian fashion, an attendant pours hot maple syrup onto a trough of snow, where it hardens and can be rolled into lollipops. (Grown-ups can enhance with sea salt or chili.) The kids will also love our warm cookies, s’mores and famous (complimentary) hot chocolate.

HM: Here at Four Seasons, our signature steak house West Bank Grill is a fantastic spot for families. In-room dining is fun. Kids love our Cowboy Cookie, a chocolate-chip done in cast iron skillet. The resort kitchen can also pack bag lunches for any activities. The Peak is ideal for lunch and après ski. The waffle fries are quite popular, as is our hot dog cart, with slopeside elk dogs and refreshments. Outside in the village, Il Villagio Osteria: it’s within walking distance and serves tasty Italian, including wood-fire pizza, braised meats, fish and homemade pasta.

What else should FS family guests be sure to see or do?

CB: Dog sledding, snowmobiling and hot air ballooning with Vail Valley Tours. Walking Mountains Science Center hosts free activities, including moonlight family snowshoe tours and nocturnal wildlife viewing sessions. There are public skating rinks in Vail Village and Lionshead.

HM: The Town Square. There’s a National Elk Refuge and feeding ground for thousands of elk in wintertime on the north end of Jackson. You can go on sleigh rides and get up-close and personal. Elk just hang out, and you can go right by them on the sleigh. The National Museum of Wildlife Art is a really great museum with a special kids’ area, and it overlooks the elk refuge.

Read more on Vail in Four Seasons Magazine.

Read more on Jackson Hole in Four Seasons Magazine.