There is nothing like a winter getaway but with families, specifically those with children ages 8-16 travel needs to be genre-friendly and offer a wide variety of family activities. In my opinion (as a mom of three) this ages is when the kids want to have fun, yet still be lead to it.
Through lots of consideration and many searches, I have struck gold with my most recent family friendly activities and resorts in Heber Valley, Utah. From skiing and Spa going, to hot spring swimming, family friendly locations, and activities will have you jet-setting with family in tow and smiles on faces even those hard-to-please teens!
The best thing about taking a winter trip to this area is that it’s surrounded by some of nature’s most breathtaking views. The Heber Valley, near Park City Utah, is a great destination for you and your children to unplug from the rest of the world and just enjoy each other’s company.
Winter Family Fun Destination: Heber Valley
Are you trying to find a destination to take your family to this winter season? It’s time to put Heber Valley, Utah on your winter vacation radar. Heber Valley is only 45 minutes from the Salt Lake International Airport.
Utah will provide your family the memories of a lifetime because there is so much to do and see. There are several family-friendly resorts to choose from that will allow you to check in and then hit the ground running because of their proximity to all the activities.
Get ready to dive into fun at the Homestead Crater, feel like an Olympian at the Soldier Hollow Nordic center for Cross Country skiing, or take to the trails at Wasatch Mountain State Park for amazing snowmobiling. Even if these places seem like foreign language now, once I share a bit about each of them they will be common jargon for you!
Heber Valley’s offers a close proximity to Deer Valley Ski Resort and Sundance Ski Resort. Each location offering the amazing skiing within just twenty minutes of your resort, with lodging prices that are not only family friendly with larger rooms, but also affordable to a family budget.
Take a Look
This YOUTUBE video will give you a great overview!
Snow Activities
Winter travel gives you an opportunity to connect with the stillness of nature and breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and frost lined trees. Ditch the electronics and earphones for the natural sounds of the outside, from crunching snow to the chatter of birds against the still winter day.
Your proximity to the fun tubing destination Soldier Hollow serves well for those that love tubing. Why not check out the nearby Midway Ice Castle, a popular winter ice attraction? Still, have the pang for more outdoor fun? Make sure to try your feet by trekking via snowshoe. One thing I am certain of is that no winter vacation is complete without a bit of snowmobiling.
SNOWMOBILING
Hello to fun on the mountains, trails and anywhere else your guide will take you, it’s time to get windy with it and let the fresh mountain air whisks across your face as you glide on a wondrous snowmobile. The rush of guiding a snowmobile is like no other and the day passes too quickly! With great guide services from Lofty Peaks, Uinta Recreation, Midway Adventure or Adventure Haus, you are bound to have a great time on the trails or seeking some deep powder.
Spa Time
Send the family out for their outdoor winter activities and cozy up to a well-deserved massage. A Good Spa Day, or the award-winning Spa at the Zermatt Resort.
Dining Experiences
Some of the best dining in the area is right at the best family friend resorts in Heber Valley, Utah. In fact, you will find dining in the Heber Valley area is well-suited for every genre. From western-style meals served up at Daniel’s Summit Lodge to Family style meals and wood-fired pizza served at Zermatt’s Wildfire SmokeHaus. Other options include the Blue Boar Inn, or Simon’s Restaurant where you can enjoy a sleigh ride right to the door!
Perhaps after a lovely meal, you need to just walk it off in the lovely mountain village called Midway. The small Swiss community of Midway, Utah is delighted to be home to an authentic Swiss-style glockenspiel. Originally installed in the Midway Town Hall in 1987, the Midway glockenspiel has recently been rebuilt and is in operation daily to the delight of local citizens and the many tourists who visit our beautiful alpine mountain community.
Winter Activities Require R & R
The grand fresh air will meet your family’s every wish and the best family-friendly resorts in Heber Valley will meet their bodies’ desire to rest and relax in a plethora of lodging options. From lodges to suites your family can easily be accommodated and remain in close proximity to all of the fun activities we just uncovered. In fact, a few of the resorts are where the activities are actually located.
Best Family Friendly Resorts In Heber Valley
Homestead Resort
This historic resort, is a ‘cottage-like’ resort which offers cozy bunk-beds for the kids, is a great place to visit if you want to enjoy winter in Heber Valley with your family. There are guest rooms, suites and condos and a real bunkhouse! Each room offers either a patio or a deck so you can enjoy the lovely scenery as you kick back at night or early in the morning.
Dining options at the resort as aforementioned just a little famous and almost as well known as the Homestead Crater. From Fanny’s Fried Chicken (I see you smacking your lips) to Simon’s classic cuisine of Pot Roast or Country Fried Chicken. Want the best part of staying at Homestead Resort? I believe it is the fact that Simon’s is right off the lobby, so once you are in, you can stay in!
The Homestead Crater
Why would your family stay at the Homestead Resort? I believe it’s proximity to the amazing Homestead Crater is what makes this awesome. It’s located on the property of this resort! Love to Scuba Dive or soak up 95° water? The Homestead Crater is the only location in the Northern Hemisphere where you can have certified for underwater scuba diving in warm water! It’s beehive-shaped limestone rock stands at 55 feet tall. Inside is a hollowed out, crater offering a pool of warm water that is natural heated waiting for you to soak inside of. (please note you need reservations for this fun attraction)
Zermatt Resort
The backdrop of this resort will have you feeling as though you have traveled internationally and arrived at a European destination. Upon arrival to the Zermatt Resort, you will enter a unique experience that is European villa-style lodging, making this family awesome!
Families love to kick back at the resort’s pool and hot tubs which are right in the center of the villas and the main hotel. Centrally located fun that can be as relaxing soak for those wanting to just relax or a fun swim for the genre that wants to be very active (the kids wear themselves out!)
Wildfire Smokehouse is sure to please the entire crew with pizzas, family platters, and feasts, while the 2015 Award winning Bakery at Zermatt will satisfy the savviest of sweet treat cravings with their European pastries.
Why would you stay at Zermatt Resort?
It is simple from the backdrop to the ski areas that are super close, you can have the best of slopes and lodging. The proximity to the ski slopes is perfect for those who want to feel the brisk mountain air, and experience the snow glistening mountains. Who’s ready to head downhill? The Zermatt Resort will take care of all or your wants, just call ahead and plan.
No worries, if you don’t want to head out the award-winning SPA located inside this resort will divinely pamper you. Mani’s, Pedi’s, couple’s massages (while grandparents take the kids out), to facials indulge in luxury.
Finally, if you are a fitness buff, and you love fitness centers, you can begin your day with a fabulous workout and then hit the trails. Speaking of trails what if you could snowmobile to trails right from your front doorstep? You can if you stay at Daniel’s Summit Lodge.
Daniel’s Summit Lodge
A perfect winter destination for those who want a country-style lodge that feels like a log cabin and is nestled deep in the woods. With being nestled in this location come some extreme benefits for those of us who are absolutely snow-crazed, fun-loving snowmobile riders! (ok it’s for those who never have too, lol!) This destination is family perfect as it offers a fabulous spa, outdoor activities and plenty of delicious western-inspired hearty meals!
The lodges offer fireplaces to get cozied up to, and space to sprawl out in (which families need). Activities from Alpine skiing to miles of marked trails for Cross Country Skiing it’s a fun winter playground with endless options. A personal favorite is snowmobiling and here it is available with over 200 miles of white powder to challenge your skills!
While the lodge offers a rustic feel, its amenities are hardly such. Spa day can be your reward your tired self with hot stone therapy, mini facials and more. And what would great lodging be without delicious eats? Get ready for western-styled food that fills the plate and your belly at Lodge Pole Grill. Offerings include foods like burgers, ribs, and delectable salads and you never have to leave the lodge to enjoy this restaurant because it’s located right next to the lodge!
Family Time
Unplug the devices and plug into family time, whether you are nestled deep in the woods, or heading downhill, it’s all about plenty of different activities, resort options and locations that get ‘family’. Live travel out loud and be sure to check out the best family activities and resorts in Heber Valley, Utah!
This post is sponsored by Heber Valley
