What better way to spend a winter vacation than plunging down a snow-covered mountain by day and cozying up to a log fire by night? But finding a suitable resort for skiers of different ages and abilities can be a challenge. These four fit the bill.

Klosters (shown above) is a recipient of the “Families Welcome” Quality Award from the Swiss Tourism Association, recognized for being a holiday resort that caters to the needs of a modern family. Although the lift lines can be lengthy, the six slopes (shared with the neighboring town of Davos) offer long intermediate runs (as well as plenty of off-piste terrain) where you can stop at quaint restaurants to refuel, rest little legs, and enjoy the view. A sizable village with a relaxed atmosphere, Klosters is also known for its abundance of luxury accommodations and gourmet cuisine.

The well-groomed pistes of Tirol, high in the Austrian Alps, are ideal for beginning and intermediate skiers. What’s more, because advanced skiers looking for a challenge tend to go elsewhere, the ski lifts are generally queue-free. Tirol offers lots of family-friendly activities, such as guided night skiing sessions. Tirol is a traditional parish and traffic-free, and from mid-November to early May, snow is pretty much guaranteed.

Montana’s ski resorts offer all the adventure of the Alps without the crowds, making them ideal for younger families. Two standouts: Whitefish Mountain, a 3,000-acre resort that accommodates skiers and snowboarders of all levels, and Big Sky, the state’s premier resort, where waiting in line for the chair lift is unheard of. As a bonus, Montana is also home to Glacier and Yellowstone national parks, glorious in winter with a dusting of snow. —Georgina Read

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