Why so? Because, especially this year, snow has accumulated at resorts across the continent in record or near record amounts. This has prompted resorts that would usually be focusing on shutting down to instead ramp up the advertising and marketing draws for a whole "second season."
Ski Resort Hubs
If you look at the major destination ski resort hubs - Lake Tahoe, Rockies, Northwest, Southwest, Canada, and the major resorts in the East and Midwest, you will find ski areas that have already extended their season, or are planning to do so. These resorts are where you will find your best bargain family packages - some packages bundle rooms, meals, tickets, and ski equipment rentals, and a few include airfare.
Family Ski Vacations
There are too many packages out there to begin to mention them all, but there are ski resorts that focus on family ski vacations. I'm going to use the Lake Tahoe, California region as a example of a destination hub with resorts with an announced extended season, very inclusive family packages, and great current ski conditions. You can find these identical factors in all the major hubs but I'm using Lake Tahoe, specifically South Lake Tahoe, because I researched this area earlier.
First, South Lake Tahoe has accessibility to several late season areas - the lifts at Heavenly run right out of downtown South Lake Tahoe and Kirkwood, Squaw Valley USA, Alpine Meadows, and Mammoth Mountain are down the road a bit more.
Using Heavenly as the in town, walk-to-lift ski area, there are hotels on both the California and Nevada sides of town where you can search for room deals. For example, you can walk to the gondola from The Embassy Suites, on the California side. There are a variety of ski package family deals at the Embassy, which include breakfast and a daily evening reception that will easily fill up young bellies.
There is a ski shop for rentals in the building with ski storage available and on site lift ticket sales. Management coordinates lift packages for as many as seven of the Lake Tahoe area resorts bundled in one package and currently has packages specifically for spring skiing.
Child Care Options
There is a Kids' Camp available for children with both day and evening sessions. While the kids are here or with a sitter, parents need only walk a block or so to the Nevada side gaming centers. While there, try an intimate dinner at one of the many casino restaurants.
The Ciera steakhouse at the MontBleu Casino is a good example of excellent service and great food at affordable prices, and adding to the ambiance are rounded booths with pull around privacy drapes. Low prices for food and drinks and evening shows throughout town are a big draw for the gambling crowd and skiing families should take full advantage of the savings.
Again, I've used South Lake Tahoe as an example of what you can expect to find there in an affordable spring season family package deal, and most of the amenities here are available at the other ski destination hubs, as well.
