A Day at Waterville Valley: A Step-by-Step Guide for Families
Visiting Waterville Valley with kids? This simple, start-to-finish guide walks you through a typical day—from parking the car to après-ski activities—so you can focus less on logistics and more on fun.
Step 1: Arrival & Parking
When you arrive at Waterville Valley Resort, follow signs and parking attendant directions to the appropriate parking area.
Pro tip for families: If you brought your own skis or boards, use designated drop-off areas near the base lodges to unload gear and people before parking. This makes things much easier—especially with kids in tow.
Once parked, take the shuttle or walk back to the base area & Valley.
Step 2: Get Tickets & Rentals (Night-Before Option)
If you’re arriving on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, you can make the next morning much smoother by taking care of tickets and rentals the night before during night skiing hours.
Pick up lift tickets and rental equipment in the evening
Hold onto your rental gear overnight
Head straight to the lifts the next morning—no extra stops
Lift tickets can be picked up at:
The Welcome Center
Ticket windows
Rental shops
If you already have an RFID card, you can reload it online and go direct to lift.
Step 3: Morning Start & First Laps
Arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds and give everyone time to get settled. Make sure boots are on, helmets are adjusted, and gloves are accounted for before heading to the lifts.
Families and beginners should plan to start on green terrain or in lesson meeting areas as directed by staff.
Step 4: Midday Breaks & Meals
When it’s time to warm up or refuel, Waterville Valley offers several family-friendly dining options:
Schwendi Hütte On-Mountain Eatery – quick bites and a convenient slopeside stop
Freestyle Lounge – relaxed atmosphere for a longer break
T-Bar’s – casual dining and comfort food
Marketplace – cafeteria-style dining with options for all ages
Taking breaks before kids are completely worn out helps keep the day fun for everyone.
Step 5: Afternoon Skiing or Switching It Up
After lunch, head back out for a few more runs or switch gears depending on energy levels. Shorter afternoon sessions often work best for younger skiers.
Step 6: Après-Ski & Off-Mountain Activities
When the ski day wraps up, the fun doesn’t stop.
The Loft Entertainment Lounge – game simulators and axe throwing for older kids and adults
Waterville Alley & Arcade – bowling lanes and classic arcade games for all ages
Cross-country skiing
Fat biking
Snowshoeing
These activities are great options for non-skiers, rest days, or extending the fun beyond the alpine slopes.
Step 7: Head Back, Rest & Repeat
Wrap up the day with dinner in the village or a relaxed evening activity, then get ready to do it all again tomorrow—now that you know the flow.