Best ski camps for kids and teens 2026–27: 25 ranked

25 US overnight, winter-break and race ski and snowboard camps side by side, ranked with our own Ski Camp Score: overnight or day, ages, 2026–27 dates, all-in cost per ski day, what's included, the mountain behind each camp and what parents say. We checked each camp's own site and read parent reviews on Google, TripAdvisor, Niche, SkiTalk and DCSki.

Updated November 10, 2026 · By The Right Camp editorial team

Short answer: real overnight ski camps for kids are rare in the US. For winter 2026–27 we found only 8 overnight programs that take US kids, and each one comes with a catch: it's for junior racers, a specific community (Scouts, church youth groups, Deaf teens, teens with cancer), a faith-based trip, or a school bus trip to Québec. Two of the 8 (FOCUS and Young Life) haven't confirmed their 2026–27 dates yet. Almost every other “ski camp” is a 2–5 day day-program at a resort, so a parent has to stay nearby.

Ski week sorted? Summer is next. Many sleepaway camps open summer 2027 enrollment in the fall. Describe your kid in one sentence and The Right Camp shows matching camps with dates, weekly tuition, ages and accreditation, with no email needed.

Find a summer camp

That's the main thing most parents don't know until they start booking. In the Northeast, even the famous ski academies (Burke, Stratton, GMVS, Carrabassett Valley) run their holiday camps as day camps, and families arrange their own lodging. In the West, Woodward runs overnight camps only in summer. Below: what does exist, what it costs, and how to pick.

All 25 camps compared

Prices are per child, before airfare. “Lift” means whether the lift ticket is included. Dates marked “confirm” were posted without a year, or differ between two of the camp's own pages.

CampWhereTypeAges2026–27 datesPriceLiftLevel
Aspen Camp Youth Winter CampSnowmass, COOvernight10–17, Deaf / hard of hearingFeb 11–15, 2027$1,500 all-inYesAll levels
Tichy Racing Park CityPark City, UTOvernightJunior racersDec 27–31, 2026; Jan 1–5, 2027 (confirm)$2,100–$3,100Not statedRacers
FOCUS Winter House PartyWinter Park, COOvernightGrades 9–12Dec 27–Jan 2 (confirm)~$2,265 + airfareAdd-onAll levels
Camp One Step Utah Ski CampPark City, UTOvernight13–19, cancer diagnosisFeb 6–13, 2027FreeYesAll levels
Scouts BSA Ski WeekendsKillington, VTOvernightScout unitsJan 29–31 & Mar 12–14, 2027$365YesAll levels
Young Life Winter WeekendsFraser, COOvernightGrades 9–12Not postedSet by local areaVariesAll levels
Lake Junaluska ENCOUNTERCataloochee, NCOvernightYouth groupsJan 15–18 & Feb 12–15, 2027From $114 + ski add-onAdd-onAll levels
Ski Travel Snow EscapeVA/MD/DC → QuébecOvernightHigh schoolJan 15–19, Jan 22–26, Jan 28–Feb 1, 20272027 not postedYesAll levels
GMVS Holiday Race CampSugarbush, VTDayU10–U14 racersDec 16–18, 2026$800NoRacers
Burke Development CampEast Burke, VTDayBorn 2013–2017Dec 20–22, 2026$630 + $135 lift (2025 prices)NoRacers
Stratton NextGen Mini CampsStratton, VTDayU10–U16 racersJan 11–12, Feb 8–9, Mar 8–9 (confirm)$350 / sessionNoRacers
CVA Pre-Holiday CampSugarloaf, MEDayBorn 2011–2016Dec 21–23, 2026$725Not statedRacers
Okemo Mountain School CampsLudlow, VTDayU10–U14; 10+ freeskiDec 16–18; Feb 10–12; Feb 17–19On requestNot statedRacers / freeski team
Keely's Okemo Christmas CampLudlow, VTDay8+Dec 19–22, 2026$1,200–$1,300YesRacers
Woodward Park City 3-Day CampPark City, UTDay7–17Jan 16–18 & Feb 15–17, 2027 (confirm)From $449YesIntermediate+
Jackson Hole Fall Line CampTeton Village, WYDay12–17Dec 29–31, 2026; Feb 14–16, 2027$1,625NoAdvanced / expert
Snowbird Holiday CampSnowbird, UTDay5–15Dec 26–29 (confirm)~$830–$1,000 (confirm)YesConfident skiers
Sugarbush Advanced Kids CampWarren, VTDay10–15Dec 27–31; Jan 17–18; Feb 14–21 (confirm)$315 / dayNoExpert
Smugglers' Notch campsJeffersonville, VTDay3–15 (+ teen programs)Dec 26, 2026–Jan 3, 2027Not postedPackageAll levels
Spirit Mountain Holiday CampDuluth, MNDay6–12Dec 28–30, 2026$375 (3 full days)YesBeginner–intermediate
Giants Ridge Holiday CampBiwabik, MNDay5–12Dec 27–29, 2026~$289–$299NoAll levels
Bridger Bowl Holiday CampBozeman, MTDay4–13Dec 21–24 & Dec 26–31, 2026$200–$225 / dayNot statedBeginner–intermediate
Aspen Snowmass Max 5Aspen / Snowmass, CODay7–17Any dayFrom $279 / day$86 add-onAll levels
Sun Valley Adventure CampsKetchum, IDDay7–12; 13–17Peak & holiday periods$175 / day (7–12)NoAll levels
Palisades Tahoe multi-weekOlympic Valley, CASeries5–13Jan–Mar 2027$597–$1,803Ikon requiredAll levels

Ski camps 2026–27 by the numbers

Original figures from our dataset of 25 camps, which you can download as JSON (CC BY 4.0).

The Right Camp Ski Camp Score: 2026–27 ranking

Every camp scored out of 100 on the same six criteria, ranked within its category. Top scores: Camp One Step Utah Ski Camp (74) for overnight, Burke Mountain Academy Development Camp (57) for racers, Snowbird Kids & Youth Holiday Camp (67) for resort camps, and Sun Valley Adventure Camps (65) among programs you book by the day.

  • Value (30): all-in cost per program day (camp price plus the lift ticket for the camper's age when the camp excludes it), scaled from cheapest to priciest in the category. No posted price scores 6.
  • Included (15): lift ticket 6, meals 4, rentals 3, lodging 2.
  • Coaching (15): published instructor ratio or group cap 8 (a chaperone ratio without lessons 4), academy or Olympian coaching staff 4, same group across multiple days 3.
  • Mountain (15): vertical drop and average snowfall, each scaled across all mountains in the guide. Venue not researched scores 5.
  • Access (15): open to any family 6 (racers 2, members of a community 1), takes all levels 5 down to experts or racers only 1, 2026–27 dates confirmed 2, registration open 2.
  • Proof (10): independent evidence: 10 for a rating with 50+ parent or visitor reviews, 4–8 for smaller review sets or parent forum threads, 2–4 for press or school-level grades only, 0 when none exist.

≈ Estimate: the lift price is unknown, so we added the mountain's child day ticket, or the median published paid child day ticket ($117) when it has none, per day, because the mountain prices dynamically, * the camp doesn't say whether the lift is included, or † the camp requires an Ikon Pass. Estimates are left out of the “by the numbers” cost figures. A high score means more transparent, better-value and easier to book, not a better fit for every child: check the level and “who” lines.

Overnight ski camps

#CampScore /100Value /30Included /15Coaching /15Mountain /15Access /15Proof /10All-in per dayRegistration
1Camp One Step Utah Ski Camp7430.015.03.010.510.06.0$0Open
2FOCUS Winter House Party6419.515.07.010.013.00.0$324Open
3Ski Travel Snow Escape (to Québec)6224.213.03.05.09.08.0$180Deadline passing
4Aspen Camp Youth Winter Camp6220.215.03.011.810.02.0$300Open
5Scouts BSA Ski & Snowboard Weekends5626.010.03.07.310.00.0$122Open
6Lake Junaluska ENCOUNTER5526.215.03.00.710.00.0$117Open
7Young Life Winter Weekends4418.96.03.010.06.00.0≈*$342Not posted
8Tichy Racing Park City Holiday Camps296.02.03.05.07.06.0≈*$737Open

Race and academy camps

#CampScore /100Value /30Included /15Coaching /15Mountain /15Access /15Proof /10All-in per dayRegistration
1Burke Mountain Academy Development Camp5730.06.07.04.85.04.0$255Closed
2Keely's Okemo Christmas Race Camp4920.56.07.04.97.04.0$313Open
3Stratton NextGen Mini Camps4523.90.07.04.65.04.0≈$292Open
4CVA Pre-Holiday Camp3712.84.07.06.47.00.0≈*$359Open
5GMVS Holiday Race Camp306.00.07.07.26.04.0$400Waitlist
6Okemo Mountain School Camps236.00.07.04.95.00.0Not postedNot posted

Resort day camps

#CampScore /100Value /30Included /15Coaching /15Mountain /15Access /15Proof /10All-in per dayRegistration
1Snowbird Kids & Youth Holiday Camp6726.410.03.012.89.06.0$208Not posted
2Woodward Park City 3-Day Camp6428.310.03.02.011.010.0$150Opening soon
3Spirit Mountain Holiday Camp6029.19.03.01.114.04.0$125Open
4Palisades Tahoe Start-Up Camp5824.50.03.010.314.06.0Š$266Open
5Giants Ridge Holiday Camp5430.00.03.00.515.06.0$98Open
6Jackson Hole Fall Line Camp496.04.011.013.111.04.0$830Open
7Bridger Bowl Holiday Camp4524.10.00.06.914.00.0≈*$277Open
8Smugglers' Notch Camps406.00.03.07.715.08.0Not postedOpening soon
9Sugarbush Advanced Kids Camp3818.50.03.07.29.00.0$448Open

Book-by-the-day lesson programs

#CampScore /100Value /30Included /15Coaching /15Mountain /15Access /15Proof /10All-in per dayRegistration
1Sun Valley Adventure Camps6530.04.08.07.813.02.0$302Open
2Aspen Snowmass Max 5496.02.08.011.815.06.0$365Open

The mountains behind each camp

Vertical drop, size, snowfall and access for every mountain a camp in this guide uses, from each resort's own stats page cross-checked with a second source. Snowfall is OnTheSnow's long-run average where it has one, because resorts' own claims run 40–60% higher in the East; otherwise it's the resort's figure. Child day ticket is the published 2026–27 single-day price where one exists; most resorts now price dynamically.

MountainStateVerticalAcresAvg snowfallTerrain (beg / int / adv)Nearest airportChild day ticketPassCamps here
SnowmassCO4,440 ft3,342300"5 / 48 / 47ASE 6.5 mi (DEN ~220 mi)$195Ikon, Mountain CollectiveAspen Camp, Aspen Snowmass
Jackson HoleWY4,139 ft2,500414"10 / 40 / 50JAC 20 mi$203Ikon, Mountain CollectiveJackson Hole
Sun Valley (Bald Mountain)ID3,400 ft2,533167"36 / 42 / 22 (OTS)SUN 14 mi (BOI ~150 mi)$127Ikon, Mountain CollectiveSun Valley
SnowbirdUT3,240 ft2,500500"8 / 24 / 68SLC 32 mi$117Ikon, Mountain CollectiveSnowbird Kids
Park City MountainUT3,226 ft7,300355"8 / 42 / 50SLC 33 mi$194EpicCamp One
Winter ParkCO3,060 ft3,081345"8 / 18 / 74DEN 89 miDynamic; free with kids' lessonIkonFOCUS Winter, Young Life
KillingtonVT3,050 ft1,509176"17 / 40 / 43BTV 96 mi (RUT 22 mi)Dynamic; 6 & under freeIkonScouts BSA
Palisades Tahoe (Olympic Valley)CA2,850 ft3,600389"25 / 45 / 30RNO ~48 miDynamic; kids ski free Jan 25-31IkonPalisades Tahoe
SugarloafME2,820 ft1,360140"22 / 32 / 46PWM 119 mi (BGR 101 mi)DynamicIkonCVA Pre-Holiday
Bridger BowlMT2,700 ft2,000191"12 / 28 / 60 (OTS)BZN ~25 mi$52None (nonprofit)Bridger Bowl
Smugglers' NotchVT2,610 ft311248"17 / 51 / 32 (OTS)BTV 34 mi$75NoneSmugglers' Notch
SugarbushVT2,600 ft484216"19 / 34 / 47BTV 47 mi$133IkonGMVS Holiday, Sugarbush Advanced
OkemoVT2,200 ft667120"33 / 37 / 30ALB 88 mi (LEB 41 mi)Dynamic; adult from $195EpicOkemo Mountain, Keely's Okemo
Burke MountainVT2,011 ft178137"8 / 48 / 45 (OTS)BTV 90 miDynamic, max $129; 5 & under freeNoneBurke Mountain
StrattonVT2,003 ft670126"40 / 35 / 25ALB 76 miDynamicIkonStratton NextGen
CataloocheeNC740 ft5024"44 / 39 / 17AVL 43 mi$76NoneLake Junaluska
Spirit MountainMN700 ft17554"33 / 38 / 29 (OTS)DLH 11 mi (MSP 154 mi)$67IndySpirit Mountain
Giants RidgeMN500 ft20235"30 / 50 / 20DLH 69 mi (MSP 212 mi)$0IndyGiants Ridge
Woodward Park CityUT349 ft60150"36 / 45 / 18SLC 27 mi$35NoneWoodward Park

Best ski camp by what your kid needs

Planning summer too? The Right Camp compares sleepaway camps on dates, weekly tuition, ages and accreditation, with no email needed.

Find a summer camp

Overnight ski camps for kids (they sleep there)

These are the only 8 programs we found where kids ski and sleep away from home without a parent in winter. Six have posted 2026–27 dates; FOCUS shows dates without a year and Young Life hasn't posted yet. One (Ski Travel) is a bus trip from the DC area to Québec, Canada. Read the “who” line first: most are not open to every family.

Aspen Camp Youth Winter Camp

Aspen Camp of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing · Snowmass, CO

Who
Ages 10–17, Deaf or hard of hearing (ASL not required)
Dates
Feb 11–15, 2027 (4 nights, 3 ski days)
Price
$1,500: cabins, all meals, lift tickets, lessons, rentals, evening activities. Shuttle $50 from Denver, $10 from Aspen.
Level
Never-ever to advanced, in 3–5 ability groups

On-snow instructors plus Deaf mentors, interpreters and a nurse on site; background-checked counselors sleep in the cabins. Scholarships available.

What parents say: almost no recent public reviews. The camp closed temporarily around 2019 and later reopened; its winter program dates back to 1979.

Watch out: ask about current staffing and capacity before you book.

Sources: aspencamp.org · Colorado Sun

Tichy Racing Park City Holiday Camps

Tichy Racing · Utah Olympic Park, Park City, UT

Who
Junior alpine racers (ages not posted)
Dates
Slalom Dec 27–31, 2026; GS Jan 1–5, 2027 (the camp's pages disagree on GS dates, confirm)
Price
Full camp with lodging: $3,100 slalom, $2,100 GS. Day option: $2,600 / $1,600.
Level
Racers only

Full campers stay at The Residences with staff. Daily dryland, video review, tuning and race strategy. The page doesn't say whether meals and venue fees are included.

What parents say: on SkiTalk, parents describe Tichy as strict and highly structured, with solid coaching, good supervision and better organization than rival camps (mostly from its Mt. Hood summer camps).

Watch out: one parent preferred PV Alpine at Winter Park. Apply by form, availability isn't shown.

Sources: tichyracing.com · SkiTalk thread

FOCUS Winter House Party

FOCUS (Christian ministry for high schoolers) · Snow Mountain Ranch, skiing Winter Park, CO

Who
Grades 9–12, any high school; students fly into Denver alone
Dates
Dec 27–Jan 2, 6 nights (year not shown on the page, confirm)
Price
$1,425 program (lodging, breakfast, dinner, transport) + $525 lift (skip with Ikon) + $250 rentals + $65 helmet ≈ $2,265 + airfare
Level
Any; no lessons mentioned

3 students per leader, helmets required, evening faith discussions. It's the closest thing we found to a general-public teen ski sleepaway.

What parents say: no independent reviews found.

Watch out: one FOCUS listing names Copper Mountain instead of Winter Park. Confirm the mountain and the year.

Source: infocus.org

Camp One Step Utah Ski Camp

Children's Oncology Services (Chicago) · National Ability Center, Park City, UT

Who
Ages 13–19 with a cancer diagnosis, and survivors
Dates
Feb 6–13, 2027 (about 7 nights)
Price
Free to families: flights from Chicago, lodging, adaptive instruction and equipment
Level
All levels, adaptive

Applications for 2027 are listed as open (one part of the page also shows “closed”, so check). A separate non-ski winter camp runs Dec 28–31, 2026 in Wisconsin.

What parents say: the organization rates 4.6–4.9 on camp aggregators (not specific to the ski camp); a survivor's op-ed praises the adaptive gear and friendships.

Sources: camponestep.org · survivor op-ed

Scouts BSA Ski & Snowboard Weekends

Green Mountain Council, Scouts BSA · Killington, VT

Who
Scouts, leaders and family, attending with a Scout unit (not drop-off)
Dates
Jan 29–31 and Mar 12–14, 2027
Price
$365: weekend lift tickets, 2 nights' group lodging, breakfasts, Snow Sports merit badge instruction. Rentals extra.
Level
Beginner to advanced, ski or snowboard

Lodging has been group space with sleeping bags. The council says weekends fill, so register early.

What parents say: no public reviews found.

Sources: scoutingvermont.org · registration

Young Life Winter Weekends

Young Life · Crooked Creek Ranch, Fraser, CO (near Winter Park)

Who
High school (WyldLife weekends for middle school); sign up through your local Young Life area only
Dates
2026–27 not posted yet
Price
Set by each area; one area's Dec 27–Jan 1, 2025–26 trip was $1,350
Level
Any; recreational skiing, not coached

Ranch has a gym, climbing wall and huge hot tub. Lift and rentals depend on the trip.

What parents say: only promotional student testimony found.

Sources: crookedcreek.younglife.org · trip leader info

Lake Junaluska ENCOUNTER Winter Youth Retreats

Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center · skiing at Cataloochee, NC

Who
Middle and high school church youth groups with their own chaperones; no individual sign-up
Dates
Jan 15–18 and Feb 12–15, 2027
Price
Lodging and meals from $114 (2 nights), plus ski add-on for lift and rentals; one church's all-in 2026 trip was $350
Level
Any

Each weekend has hosted 200–700 teens. Cataloochee is a small hill (about 740 ft vertical), good for beginners.

What parents say: no independent reviews found.

Sources: lakejunaluska.com · church trip example

Ski Travel “Snow Escape” high-school trips

Ski Travel · bus from Northern Virginia, Maryland and DC to Québec City, Canada

Who
Fairfax, Arlington and Prince William county high schools, plus VA/MD/DC private-school students
Dates
Jan 15–19, Jan 22–26, Jan 28–Feb 1, 2027
Price
2027 not posted ($729 in 2024): bus, 2 hotel nights, 3-day lift tickets, 2 breakfasts. Rentals $169 extra.
Level
Any; beginner lesson extra

Skis Mont-Sainte-Anne and Stoneham. Students under 19 need a passport or birth certificate plus ID.

What parents say: on WeTravel, a 2023 trip drew 39 mostly positive parent reviews (smooth bus travel, clean rooms). A student op-ed called it fun but pricey, with a roughly 15-hour bus ride each way.

Watch out: the last trip's registration deadline was Nov 5, 2026, “space permitting”.

Sources: skitravel.com · WeTravel reviews · student op-ed

Race and ski-academy holiday camps

Vermont and Maine ski academies run short December camps that double as tryouts. All of these are day camps: families book their own lodging (Burke sells a hotel package). Most require a U.S. Ski & Snowboard competitor membership and a fixed birth year.

GMVS Holiday Race Camp

Green Mountain Valley School · Sugarbush, Waitsfield, VT

Who
U10 (born 2017), U12, U14 (born 2013–2017), registered racers
Dates
Dec 16–18, 2026, then the Hobart Memorial race Dec 19
Price
$800 for 3 days on snow plus afternoon off-snow activities; lift extra

Also: Power Race Camps Jan 27–29 (GS) and Mar 10–12, 2027 (SL), $680.

What parents say: no camp reviews; the school holds an A+ Niche grade. Ski-parent podcasts recommend these camps as a low-stakes way to try an academy.

Watch out: the December camp is at capacity, waitlist only.

Source: gmvs.org

Burke Mountain Academy December Development Camp

Burke Mountain Academy · East Burke, VT

Who
U12, U14 and second-year U10, born 2013–2017, no exceptions
Dates
Dec 20–22, 2026
Price
$630 + $135 lift (listed as 2025 prices); optional hotel and meal package

Burke calls it its main recruiting event. Small groups led by academy coaches.

What parents say: no camp reviews; the school holds an A Niche grade.

Watch out: selective. Applications closed Oct 15; video submissions got priority.

Source: burkemtnacademy.org

Stratton Mountain School NextGen Mini Camps

Stratton Mountain School · Stratton, VT

Who
U10–U16 racers
Dates
Jan 11–12, Feb 8–9, Mar 8–9 (no year beside the dates; all fall on Mon–Tue in 2027, confirm)
Price
$350 per session or $900 for all three; lift extra

Slalom and GS gate training and drills.

What parents say: no camp reviews; the school shows 4.2 from 9 Niche reviews.

Source: gosms.org

Carrabassett Valley Academy Pre-Holiday Camp

CVA · Sugarloaf, ME

Who
U12, U14, U16 (born 2011–2016)
Dates
Dec 21–23, 2026
Price
$725, paid in full at registration

Last year's version ran 8:30–2:30 with lunch at CVA.

Watch out: registration deadline Dec 7, 2026.

Source: gocva.com

Okemo Mountain School Camps

Okemo Mountain School · Ludlow, VT

Who
U10–U14 racers; Park & Pipe camp for kids 10+ already on a competitive freeski team
Dates
Holiday Hammer Dec 16–18, 2026; Valentine Victory Feb 10–12, 2027; Park & Pipe Feb 17–19, 2027
Price
Not listed; call (802) 228-1513

The Park & Pipe camp is one of the only freestyle camps for kids we found in the Northeast.

Source: okemomountainschool.org

Keely's Camp Okemo Christmas Race Camp

Keely's Camp · Okemo, Ludlow, VT

Who
Ages 8+, grouped by age
Dates
Dec 19–22, 2026 (slalom Dec 19–20, GS Dec 21–22)
Price
$1,200–$1,300 (the page shows both), lift tickets included

Run by female Olympians and World Cup skiers; families arrange lodging and meals.

What parents say: no parent reviews found; Ski Racing magazine profiles Keely's as one of the top camps at Mt. Hood, known for its all-female coaching staff.

Sources: keelyscamp.com · Ski Racing

Resort multi-day ski camps (kids go home each night)

These are what most families mean by “ski camp”: a 2–5 day block with the same group and coach, while the family stays nearby. They're the best fit for kids who aren't ready to sleep away. Check each card's level line: Woodward wants intermediates and Jackson Hole and Sugarbush want experts. For true beginners, look at Smugglers' Notch, Spirit Mountain, Giants Ridge, Bridger Bowl and Palisades' Start-Up camp.

Woodward Park City 3-Day Ski / Snowboard Camp

Woodward (POWDR) · Park City, UT

Who
Ages 7–17
Dates
Jan 16–18 and Feb 15–17, 2027 (the FAQ on the same page shows older dates, confirm)
Price
From $449 with full-day lift access and lunch; bring your own gear
Level
Intermediate to advanced; not for first-timers

Registration “coming soon” as of Nov 10. Woodward's overnight camps are summer only.

What parents say: the venue rates 4.3 from 431 TripAdvisor reviews; coaches come up again and again as patient and encouraging.

Watch out: reviewers complain about holiday crowds and long lines.

Sources: woodwardparkcity.com · TripAdvisor

Jackson Hole Fall Line Camp

Mountain Sports School · Teton Village, WY

Who
Ages 12–17, co-ed
Dates
Dec 29–31, 2026 and Feb 14–16, 2027
Price
$1,625 for 3 days with coaching and lunch; lift extra
Level
Advanced to expert (level 8–9)

5 campers per coach. Drops, jumps, big-terrain decisions and mountain safety.

What parents say: no reviews of the teen camp found; SkiTalk posters call JH's adult Steep & Deep camp, built on the same model, a game changer.

Watch out: one of the priciest camps here once you add lift tickets. Full weeks go to a waitlist.

Sources: jacksonhole.com · SkiTalk thread

Snowbird Kids & Youth Holiday Camp

Snowbird Mountain School · Snowbird, UT

Who
Ages 5–6 and 7–15
Dates
Dec 26–29 (no year on the page, confirm)
Price
About $830 (7–15) and $1,000 (5–6), including lift, lunch and an evening activity (confirm)

One of the few resort camps that includes the lift ticket. Call 801-947-2222.

What parents say: the Snowthere family guide rates the Mountain School 9.0 for parent experience but 3.5 for value.

Sources: snowbird.com · Snowthere

Sugarbush Advanced Kids Camp

Sugarbush Resort · Lincoln Peak, Warren, VT

Who
Ages 10–15, comfortable on expert terrain
Dates
Dec 27–31, Jan 17–18 and Feb 14–21 (confirm)
Price
$315 per day; lift ticket or pass required

Staff may move kids who aren't ready into another program.

Source: sugarbush.com

Smugglers' Notch Snow Sport University Camps

Smugglers' Notch Resort · Jeffersonville, VT

Who
Ages 3–15; teens 11–15 in “Notch Squad”; separate programs for 16–17
Dates
Holiday period Dec 26, 2026–Jan 3, 2027; registration opens in November
Price
Not posted; often bundled with lodging packages
Level
All levels, grouped by age then ability

All-day camp, 9:00–2:45.

What parents say: parent blogs consistently praise the instructors and slow, gentle lifts for young kids. The resort rates 3.4 from 86 OnTheSnow reviews.

Watch out: reviewers mention timeshare sales pressure and dated rooms.

Sources: smuggs.com · OnTheSnow · All Mountain Mamas

Spirit Mountain Holiday Ski & Snowboard Camp

Spirit Mountain · Duluth, MN

Who
Ages 6–12, first-timers to intermediate
Dates
Dec 28–30, 2026
Price
Full day $375 including lift and rentals ($300 with own pass and gear); half day $195 plus lift and rental

The best all-in value we found. Before/after care $45.

What parents say: local parent guides are positive and note holiday sessions fill.

Source: spiritmt.com

Giants Ridge Holiday Ski Camp

Giants Ridge · Biwabik, MN

Who
Ages 5–12, all levels
Dates
Dec 27–29, 2026 (1–4 pm); Presidents' Day and spring-break camps too
Price
About $289–$299 (listing conflicts); lift and rentals extra

Giants Ridge advertises free skiing for young kids in 2026–27 (age cutoff varies by page).

What parents say: the resort rates 3.1 on OnTheSnow; reviewers praise the ski school but not the food.

Sources: giantsridge.com · OnTheSnow

Bridger Bowl Holiday Camp

Bridger Bowl (nonprofit ski area) · Bozeman, MT

Who
Ages 4–13 (snowboard from 7)
Dates
Dec 21–24 and Dec 26–31, 2026
Price
$225 per day for 7–13, $200 for 4–6; rentals and lunch not included

Book by the day: 5 hours from 10:30 am for ages 7–13, 3.5 hours for ages 4–6.

Source: bridgerbowl.com

Aspen Snowmass Max 5 Child & Teen Lessons

Aspen Skiing Co. · Snowmass Treehouse, Aspen, CO

Who
Ages 7–12 and 13–17
Dates
Any day; book single or multiple days
Price
From $279 per day; kids' lift ticket $86 with a lesson. Lunch included for 12 and under.

Groups capped at 5, the smallest standard group we found at a big resort.

What parents say: TripAdvisor reviewers call it expensive but worth it, and say the school works to keep the same instructor across days.

Sources: aspensnowmass.com · TripAdvisor

Sun Valley Bears & Teen Adventure Camps

Sun Valley SnowSports School · Ketchum, ID

Who
Bears 7–12; Teen Adventure Camp 13–17 (peak and holiday periods only)
Price
Bears $175 per day with lunch; teen price not posted
Ratio
6:1 for Bears

Full refund if you cancel 48 hours ahead. Quieter and cheaper per day than Aspen or Jackson.

Source: sunvalley.com

Palisades Tahoe Kids Multi-Week Programs

Palisades Tahoe (Alterra) · Olympic Valley, CA

Who
Ages 5–13 (age as of Dec 1, 2026)
Dates
January–March 2027 series
Price
Start-Up camp $597 (4 days, beginners); midweek half-day $670 (8 days); Sunday full day $1,803 (8 days). Ikon Pass required.

No kids' holiday camp; the 3-day All Mountain camp is adults-only.

What parents say: TripAdvisor reviewers praise small classes; recent reviews complain about lift lines.

Source: palisadestahoe.com

Day camp or overnight ski camp?

Pick a day camp if your child is under 10, a beginner, or has never slept away from home. You'll stay nearby, which also means you can ski yourself. Pick overnight if your child already does sleepovers or summer camp, skis at least green-to-blue terrain, and one of the 8 programs above fits who they are.

Camp directors say first-time overnight campers are often 10–12, and interest matters more than age. Homesickness is normal: about 83% of sleepaway campers feel it at some point. Parents who've done it suggest practice nights away first, and not promising a pickup if your child gets homesick.

How much does a kids' ski camp cost in 2026–27?

TypeTypical priceExamples
Small-area holiday day camp$195–$375 for 3 daysSpirit Mountain $375 all-in; Giants Ridge ~$289 + lift
Destination-resort kids' group lesson$175–$600 per daySun Valley $175; Aspen $279+; Vail ~$480 off-peak, ~$600 peak (2025–26)
Packaged 3-day resort camp$449–$1,625Woodward Park City $449 (lift in); JH Fall Line $1,625 (lift extra)
Academy race camp, 3 days$630–$800 + liftBurke $630 + $135 (2025 prices); CVA $725; GMVS $800
Overnight weekend$350–$365Scouts BSA Killington $365; church retreat ~$350
Overnight week$1,500–$3,100 + airfareAspen Camp $1,500; FOCUS ~$2,265; Tichy $2,100–$3,100

The hidden cost is usually the lift ticket. Most resort camps don't include it, and Palisades and Mammoth require an Ikon Pass. Vail Resorts mountains take 20% off a child's third consecutive group-lesson day, except over peak holiday weeks.

How to choose a kids' ski camp

  1. Match the level honestly. Woodward wants intermediates, Sugarbush and Jackson Hole want experts, and the academy camps want registered racers. A beginner placed too high has a miserable week.
  2. Ask what's included. Lift ticket, rentals, lunch, helmet, and (for overnight) supervision at night.
  3. Ask the ratio and group size. Almost no camp publishes it. Good programs run about 4–6 kids per coach; Aspen caps at 5, Fall Line runs 5:1, Sun Valley 6:1. Parents report holiday beginner groups of 14+ at some big resorts.
  4. Ask who coaches. PSIA-AASI Level I is entry level, Level II teaches intermediates, Level III teaches advanced skiers on all terrain. The Children's Specialist certificates (CS1, CS2) are specifically for teaching kids. Level II plus a Children's Specialist certificate is a strong sign.
  5. Ask if your child keeps the same coach every day. It's the main reason a camp beats day-by-day lessons.
  6. For overnight camps, ask about ACA accreditation. The American Camp Association audits camps against about 300 health and safety standards. It's voluntary, but a good camp will explain why it is or isn't accredited.
  7. Book early. Holiday weeks, MLK weekend (Jan 16–18, 2027) and Presidents' weekend (Feb 13–15, 2027) sell out. Academy camps fill or close in October and November.

One experienced parent on SkiTalk warned that some holiday camps are mostly marketing; the questions above are how you tell.

Free and cheap kids' ski passes for 2026–27

ProgramGradesCostWhat you get
Epic SchoolKids ColoradoK–5Free4 days each at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte; 2026–27 registration closed
Epic SchoolKids UtahK–5, Utah kidsFree5 days at Park City; 2026–27 registration closed, 2027–28 opens in spring
Colorado Ski Country PassportK–6$764 days at each of 19 areas
Ski Utah Passport4th–6th~$79, rising Dec 13 days at each of 15 resorts
Ski Vermont Fifth Grade Passport5th (out-of-state OK)~$40–$49Days at participating Vermont areas
Ski NH 4th & 5th Grade Passport4th–5thCheck siteOne voucher at each of 30+ areas; limited supply

Is ski camp safe for kids?

Serious injuries are rare, and helmets are now the norm. The National Ski Areas Association measured 96% helmet use among skiers and riders 17 and under in 2023–24, up from 25% across all ages in 2002–03. A CMAJ meta-analysis found helmets cut the odds of head injury by about 35%, with a larger effect in studies that included children under 13, and no added neck-injury risk.

For young snowboarders, the wrist is the weak point. A study of US emergency-room data on kids' snowboarding (2012–2022, 3,036 cases) found the wrist was the most injured body part, with fractures making up 40.7% of diagnoses. Wrist guards are cheap; most kids with wrist injuries in a Norwegian study weren't wearing them. Beginners are injured at about three times the rate of experts, which is one more reason to put new skiers in lessons.

Programs we checked and left out

  • Camp Chi Teen Ski & Snowboard (JCC Chicago): often cited online, but we found no 2026–27 listing. Call the camp before counting on it.
  • Woodward Copper / Park City / Tahoe overnight winter camps: not offered; Woodward's overnight camps are summer only.
  • YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch, Frost Valley YMCA, Camp Jewell: winter programs are Nordic, tubing or snowshoeing, not downhill ski camps.
  • Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA winter camp: included one downhill day in past years; no 2026–27 details.
  • Steamboat Kids Ski Weeks, Alta Teen Mountain Explorers, Big Sky teen camp: couldn't verify 2026–27 details on the resorts' own sites.

How we built this guide

In November 2026, we searched for every US ski and snowboard program where kids or teens ski in a camp format in winter 2026–27, across the Northeast, West, Midwest and Southeast. We checked dates, prices, ages and inclusions on each camp's own website and linked it on each card. Parent feedback comes from Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor, OnTheSnow, Niche, WeTravel, SkiTalk, DCSki and parent blogs; ratings are labeled when they cover a whole resort or school rather than the camp. Where we found no reviews, we say so. We don't take payment from any camp listed. Prices change and holiday sessions fill, so confirm with the camp before booking.

FAQ

What is the best ski camp for kids in 2026–27?

It depends on your child, so we rank within four categories using the Right Camp Ski Camp Score (value, what's included, coaching, mountain, access and parent reviews, out of 100). Top 2026–27 scores: Camp One Step Utah Ski Camp for overnight (free, for teens with a cancer diagnosis), with FOCUS Winter House Party the top overnight option open to any high schooler; Burke Mountain Academy Development Camp for young racers (applications for 2026 have closed); Snowbird Kids & Youth Holiday Camp for resort camps (confirm its 2026 price and dates); and Sun Valley Adventure Camps among programs you book by the day. Woodward Park City 3-Day Camp is the cheapest camp here that includes both lift and lunch, at about $150 a day for intermediate skiers.

Are there overnight ski camps for kids in the US?

Yes, but very few. For winter 2026–27 we found 8 overnight ski programs that take US kids, and each is limited in some way: junior racers (Tichy Racing), Deaf and hard-of-hearing teens (Aspen Camp), teens with a cancer diagnosis (Camp One Step), Scout units, church youth groups (Young Life, Lake Junaluska), a faith-based high-school trip (FOCUS) or a school bus trip to Québec. FOCUS and Young Life haven't confirmed 2026–27 dates yet. Most US ski camps are day programs where kids go home or back to the family's lodging each night.

How much does a kids' ski camp cost in 2026–27?

Day camps at smaller areas run about $195–$375 for three holiday days (Spirit Mountain's $375 includes lift and rentals). Destination-resort programs run $175–$600 a day, and 3-day packaged camps run $449 (Woodward Park City, lift included) to $1,625 (Jackson Hole Fall Line, lift extra). Overnight programs run about $365 for a Scout weekend, $1,500 all-inclusive at Aspen Camp, and $2,100–$3,100 for a residential race camp.

What's the difference between ski school and ski camp?

Resorts use the words loosely. Ski school usually means daily group lessons you book one day at a time. A ski camp is usually a fixed 2–5 day block, often over a holiday, with the same group and coach each day. A seasonal program is a weekly series, usually the cheapest per day. Always check whether the lift ticket, rentals and lunch are included.

When should I book a holiday ski camp?

Now, if it's mid-November. GMVS's December race camp was waitlisted by November, Burke's applications closed October 15 and Carrabassett Valley Academy's deadline is December 7. Resort holiday camps open in the fall and sell out for Christmas week, MLK weekend (January 16–18, 2027) and Presidents' weekend (February 13–15, 2027).

What age can a child go to ski camp?

Resort day camps start around 3–5 for skiing and 6–8 for snowboarding. Most teen camps run 12–17. Race camps group by birth year (U10 to U16). For an overnight camp, camp directors often see first-timers around 10–12, and a child's interest matters more than age.

Do ski camps require helmets?

Most do, and almost every child already wears one: the National Ski Areas Association measured 96% helmet use among skiers and riders 17 and under in 2023–24. A CMAJ meta-analysis found helmets cut the odds of head injury by about 35%, with a larger effect in studies that included children under 13.

What instructor certification should a kids' ski camp have?

Look for PSIA-AASI certified instructors. Level I is entry level, Level II teaches intermediates, Level III teaches advanced skiers on all terrain. The Children's Specialist certificates (CS1, CS2) are specifically for teaching kids. Level II plus a Children's Specialist certificate is a strong sign.

Are there free ski passes for kids?

Yes. Epic SchoolKids gives Colorado and Utah K–5 kids free days at Vail Resorts mountains, but registration for 2026–27 is closed in both states; it reopens in spring for 2027–28. The Colorado Ski Country Passport costs $76 for grades K–6 at 19 areas. Ski Utah (grades 4–6), Ski Vermont (grade 5) and Ski NH (grades 4–5) run grade passports for a small fee.

Sources

  1. National Ski Areas Association, helmet usage
  2. Russell et al., CMAJ 2010, helmet meta-analysis
  3. Pediatric snowboarding injuries, US emergency-room data 2012–2022
  4. Pediatric ski and snowboard injury review
  5. PSIA-AASI alpine certification levels
  6. American Camp Association, accreditation
  7. Seven Days VT, sleepaway readiness
  8. SkiTalk, 2025–26 kids' group lesson prices
  9. SkiTalk, ski school or camp for an advanced 9-year-old
  10. Snowthere, kids' ski lessons: ages and costs
  11. Colorado Ski Country, 2026–27 Passport
  12. TownLift, Ski Utah 2026–27 Passport

Camp-specific sources are linked on each camp's card above.

Also comparing summer options? See all-girls sleepaway camps for 2027, or search every camp in our directory.

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