As the lifts stop spinning and the sun goes down, skiers and riders often wind down with après-ski at a ski resort bar or local craft brewery. However, that’s not the scene for everyone, and especially those with kids. But let us introduce you to the ski resort indoor water park, one of the most unique, fun, kid-friendly ways to take a family ski vacation.
While the ski season may not be synonymous with water parks, several ski resorts across America have indoor water parks that boast impressive setups with slides, pools, and more to level up après-ski for kids and families. Here are our top picks for the best ski resorts with indoor water parks in America.
Ski Resorts With Indoor Water Parks In The U.S.
Jay Peak, Vermont
For some of the best skiing in the east and a full-service water park, head to Jay Peak in Northern Vermont. Jay is known as being the snowiest ski resort on the East Coast, receiving an impressive 350” of fresh snow annually. Plus, it has some of the region’s most technical terrain, which even the most die-hard skier and rider in your family can enjoy. As you wrap up your ski day, head to the Pump House Indoor Water Park, with features like the grand La Chute slide, Big River Lazy River, the Double Barrel Flowrider, and a kiddie play park. Jay offers family-friendly packages that include lift tickets, lessons, and water park ticket bundles.
Camelback Resort, Pennsylvania
Don’t sleep on skiing in the Poconos, which has a number of fun ski areas, including Camelback Resort. Camelback features 166 acres of terrain and a great ski academy, making this an ideal East Coast ski resort for families, and especially those learning to ski. After a day of skiing, head inside to the Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark. It has 13 different types of slides, so that after a day of ski laps your kids can lap slides. Camelback also has a kiddie area, plus an outdoor water park, so that you can come back to experience it during the warmer months.
Greek Peak, New York
Greek Peak Mountain Resort, a four-season resort located just off I-81, is Central New York’s largest ski area. The mountain has 6 lifts, 56 trails, a large network of cross-country ski trails, and 1 bustling indoor water park. The Cascades Indoor Water Park sits inside the Hope Lake Lodge and is kept at a warm 84 degrees F year-round, making it the perfect après spot after a day of skiing. The water park has an outdoor pool, a wave pool, a “just for kids” pool, and multiple areas for net climbing and water blasters. The Northwoods Pool and Hot Springs are also open year-round. Guests of Hope Lake Lodge get access to discounted water park tickets.
Greek Peak season pass holders with kids should consider the Ski & Splash Pass for next season, which includes both a ski season pass and water park season pass.
Boyne Mountain, Michigan
Celebrating 75 years of ski operations, Boyne is home to 60 ski runs and 22 miles of cross-country trails. OnTheSnow users rate Boyne as one of Michigan’s best ski areas for après-ski, which is fitting since it’s home to Michigan’s largest indoor water park, Avalanche Bay. Avalanche Bay’s newest attraction, the Big Couloir, has one of the steepest slide drops, reaching speeds of 38 feet per second. In total, the 88,000-square-foot park has 7 slides, 4 pools, and 10 restaurants to provide hours of fun long after the lifts stop spinning.
Silver Mountain, Idaho
While many people may think Sun Valley, America’s first destination ski resort, when they think Idaho ski resorts, there are a number of great smaller ski areas, including Silver Mountain. Located in Northern Idaho and averaging over 300” of snow annually, Silver Mountain has 1,600 skiable acres of glades, open bowls, smooth groomers, and more. Silver Mountain is home to the Silver Rapids Indoor Water Park, a 50,000-square-foot park located inside the Morning Star Lodge. This park has Club Cove, an interactive spray deck, 2 closed slides, a long and winding lazy river, a basketball pool, and a family-friendly hot tub. Bonus: Guests staying at the resort can enjoy the park for free.
Massanutten Resort, Virginia
Skiers and riders may be surprised to learn that Virginia is home to a few ski areas, including Massanutten Resort, located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The resort has 6 lifts, 18 trails, 13 snow tubing lanes, and offers freestyle night skiing. The summit provides picturesque views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and a nice range of trails for intermediate riders and families. Massanutten WaterPark has 8 slides, a surf simulator, a lazy river, a body slide, and a Shenandoah Hot Springs for soaking while the kids are splashing. It’s consistently rated one of the top water parks in America by numerous publications, including USA Today 10Best.
Timber Ridge at Grand Geneva, Wisconsin
Timber Ridge, located just an hour from Milwaukee and 90 minutes from Chicago, is unique on our list as being a water park first. However, it offers a Splash and Ski package, which includes ski passes to The Mountain Top at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, located a mile away. The package comes with overnight accommodations in a suite, four water park passes, and four lift tickets per night of your stay at The Mountain Top. Children 11 and younger get 50% off ski rentals, too.
Timber Ridge, describing itself as a “waterpark hotel,” recently landed itself on USA Today’s 2023 list of the top indoor water parks in the country. Attractions include 35-foot-high slides, sending guests 300 feet through twists and turns before landing them in a heated pool. Other attractions include a lazy river that meanders through the park, a Tiny Timbers area for younger kids, an activity pool, and more.
Header image: ©Camelback Mountain Resort
March 09, 2022
