How Kids Rule Waterville Valley
Winter getaways with the whole family can be truly magical. But as skiing continues to evolve, it’s understandable that families weigh their options when planning a full season on the slopes. At Waterville Valley, we aim to make the experience unforgettable—not just for the kids, but for everyone.
For me personally, skiing at Waterville Valley has been a significant part of my life since a young age. I took my first lesson with Snowsports when I was 4 years old, skied here with my family and friends throughout my childhood, then volunteered with the Waterville Valley Adaptive Sports Program while in high school, and now work where my love for the sport began. Learning at a young age, to then teaching students with varying disabilities for 2 winters, helped shape me into the person I am today.
Obviously, it is easy for me to say that skiing at a young age had an impact on the person I am today considering where I currently am, but it is so much more than simply learning, volunteering, and now being employed. Through trial and error (and lots of frustration on the J-Bar, band-aided by hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies), I grew to appreciate the time spent outdoors with my family and friends and have loved the sport for as long as I can remember.
The Kids Ski Free program at Waterville Valley continues to teach kids the same lessons I was lucky enough to learn growing up on this mountain. It's not just about the free season pass; it's about opening the door to meaningful, challenging, and unforgettable experiences.
Skiers and riders of all ages can also take lessons with the Waterville Valley Ski School. Our ski and snowboard school features a team of highly trained, exceptionally friendly professionals who are dedicated to supporting your learning journey while making sure you have as much fun as possible. Kids with the Kids Ski Free pass can take advantage of the variety of lesson programs, where they’ll make new friends, explore the mountain, and show off the new skills they’ve learned!
Waterville Valley is built around the idea that everyone deserves the chance to explore, push their limits, and discover the joy of skiing or snowboarding in a supportive, family-friendly environment. With terrain and programs for all ages and abilities, the mountain offers something for everyone. Whether your child is stepping into skis for the first time, or chasing their next big run, it’s the perfect place to grow and learn. It’s the perfect place to be together as a family, share adventures, build memories, and start traditions that can last a lifetime.
Beyond the endless laps until last chair calls, there is so much more to experience at Waterville Valley, making the journey to the end of Route 49 one you’ll want to take again and again. Capping off the day après-style with the whole family, whether you're sharing stories over hot cocoa, catching live music at the Freestyle Lounge, or getting those last laps under the moon with night skiing, brings unbeatable vibes and memories that will stick with you forever. Even after you’re all skied out, head down to Town Square and let the fun continue with firework shows, tubing at the The Waterville Valley Clubhouse and Tubing Center, skating at the ice arena, or saunas & pools at the White Mountain Athletic Club!
Whether it’s your child’s first turns on the Magic Carpet, turning a pizza into a french fry, chasing powder as a family until last chair, or winding down with après together, Waterville Valley offers more than just a day on the mountain. It offers a connection to the outdoors when you otherwise may not have in the winter months. It teaches growth and to learn from failure, and most importantly brings joy and smiles to every generation. With programs like Kids Ski Free, we’re not just making outdoor adventure more accessible, we’re helping families build traditions that last a lifetime.
We hope to see you this winter!