Summer on the Slopes
Ski resorts attract couples and families with a plethora of activities in summer at rates that range from 20 to 40 percent less than winter highs. Hike, mountain bike and swim, or, depending on the property, go zip lining, play golf and embark on a trek with llamas. The resorts also offer engaging children's and teens programs.
Ski Resorts are particularly advantageous summer destinations for families thanks to their comprehensive activities programs.
For mountains of fun this season, think summer on the slopes. Ride chairlifts up the slopes and bike down, or hike trails that wind through lush woods and meadows laced with wildflowers. The temperatures hover at 10 to 15 degrees less than those in the valley, and the available programs keep kids happily engaged away from their digital devices. Here are two great mountain resorts for summer family fun.
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Wintergreen Resort, Wintergreen, VA
Sprawled across 11,000 acres in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Wintergreen Resort offers mountain biking, golfing on two courses, hiking on 30 miles of trails, a spa, poolside swimming and a 20-acre lake. Families can glide on a zip line and climb a tower outside at the Discover Ridge Adventure Center and play video games inside. Get some thrills on the Plunge, Virginia’s largest tubing park, as you whisk down a hill larger than three football fields. Wintergreen is also rated as one of the Top 25 Tennis Resorts and Camps for 2017 by Tennis Resorts online.
At Kids in Action at the Treehouse, a supervised program for ages 2 1/2 to 12 years, kids romp through butterfly hunts, try archery and do arts and crafts. The program operates Tuesday through Saturday from June 13 through August 19 and during Labor Day Weekend. At the five-day Nike Tennis camp, ages seven through 18 can perfect their serves and volleys. If your budding sports enthusiast likes both tennis and golf, sign him or her up for the four-day junior tennis and golf camp.
Accommodations include condominiums and mountain homes. Various packages are available.
Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Smugglers’ Notch, VT
At Smugglers’ Notch Resort in Vermont’s Green Mountains, take guided walks and hikes, go mountain biking, paddle canoes and kayaks, go on an excursion with llamas, play disc golf and swim in a reservoir or the pools. At the 26,000-square-foot FunZone 2.0, you and your kids can crawl through an obstacle course, wriggle down slides, play mini-golf, go rock climbing and try to make it through a laser maze.
Smugglers’ features a comprehensive children’s program that engages all ages. For teens 16 to 17 years old, Mountain Explorers offers group-oriented kayaking, rock climbing and swimming.
Smuggler’s offers one- to five-bedroom condominiums.
Follow Candyce H. Stapen on Twitter: @FamilyiTrips
