Dreading winter? Forget that! Family friendly ski resorts are making winter mountain vacations fun for adults and kids. These days you can set your sights on much more than just skiing and snowboarding. Pick the right resort and amenities range from kids’ clubs and evening torch parades, to snow tubing and free family evening entertainment. Some even offer new ways to keep tabs on your brood, from walkie-talkies and pagers to high-tech wristbands.

Almost every ski resort promotes itself as ideal for families, so how do you pick the best one for a happy holiday?

Focus first on the needs of your family. Want childcare for a small infant? Have a kid who’s going to be happy with the challenging, fun obstacle course of a strong terrain park, or a teen who wants to ski all day and then take in some nightlife? From daycare to great ski schools to special family packages, the ideal resort exists for your gang.

We’ve scanned the slopes to find the best bets for your snow-bound crew and chosen places from Canada, the U.S. and Europe. As well, we've given you some quick tips to keep in mind before hitting the slopes. Happy skiing!