The whole family will enjoy gathering at these year-round mountain resorts with something for all ages and interests. Amenities range from spas to ziplines.
Mountain resorts are outstanding playgrounds for multigenerational families. These four-season destination retreats offer year-round activities and adventures for every family member. When surrounded by gorgeous mountain vistas and nature’s beauty, all generations can relax and bond while making lifelong memories together.
We’ve rounded up the best four-season mountain resorts for all types of multigenerational family vacations for our Destination Reunions readers. From iconic mountain lodges and incredible theme park resorts to luxurious AAA Five-Diamond properties and superb all-inclusive mountain resorts, these exceptional kid-friendly properties provide a dazzling array of attractions and amenities for family groups.
Top Family Mountain Resorts in the U.S.
Mountain Lake Lodge, Virginia
Set in the splendor of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Mountain Lake Lodge offers multigenerational families a wide variety of memorable outdoor activities and experiences. This beautiful mountain resort is an easy drive from major cities, including Richmond, Baltimore, and Washington, DC. Mountain Lake Lodge is where Dirty Dancing was filmed more than 35 years ago, and it’s called “Kellerman’s Mountain House” in the iconic movie. Like that fictional property, Mountain Lake Lodge has long been popular for family fun and nostalgia.
Everyone can have “the time of your life” at Mountain Lake Lodge and enjoy vacations at their own pace. Multigenerational groups can take part in guided hikes, go ziplining at Treetop Adventures, visit Mountain Lake Outfitters and the new Trail Center, and take Gator Tours of the resort’s extensive backcountry trails and overlooks. Additional activities and attractions at this one-of-a-kind outdoor retreat include the zero-entry pool complex, bubble ball, bird watching, lessons at Clays at the Overlook, stargazing, and 3D archery. Dirty Dancing fans can enjoy scavenger hunts, film screenings, self-guided tours of movie locations and lawn games.
The Broadmoor, Colorado
Nestled in a magnificent Rocky Mountain setting in Colorado Springs, The Broadmoor caters to multigenerational families with lavish accommodations, outstanding service, and exciting activities for every age group and interest. The resort and its Wilderness Experience properties stretch across 5,000 spectacular acres. As the world’s longest-running consecutive Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond resort, The Broadmoor is a superb luxury vacation destination where all generations have fun in an extraordinary setting while enjoying an extensive array of amenities and attractions.
Multigenerational families can choose from 784 beautifully appointed rooms, suites, and cottages at the resort. The Broadmoor’s three all-inclusive Wilderness Properties include The Ranch at Emerald Valley, the Orvis-endorsed Fly Fishing Camp and the stunning Cloud Camp, set at 9,000 feet. The resort features two championship golf courses, pools, an exceptional spa and fitness center, a nationally recognized tennis staff and program, and a wide variety of activities, including mountain biking, hiking, fly fishing, and rock-climbing tours. The Broadmoor also owns and manages three world-class attractions, including the Soaring Adventure zipline courses, The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway, and Seven Falls.
Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, Tennessee
Generations will enjoy making memories together at Dollywood’s new HeartSong Lodge & Resort, located adjacent to Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. This luxuriously appointed lodge is nestled in the wooded foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, just 10 miles from the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Named for Dolly Parton’s 1994 hit song, the comfortably elegant 302-room lodge brilliantly reflects Parton’s creative inspiration – the epic natural beauty of her precious Smoky Mountains. Dollywood’s nearby DreamMore Resort and Spa is an additional option for multigenerational family groups planning an epic Dollywood vacation.
The magnificent HeartSong Lodge fits beautifully into its Smoky Mountains setting. The resort features kid-friendly amenities, spacious accommodations specially designed for families, an indoor and outdoor pool complex, exceptional restaurants including “must-dine” Ember & Elm, and Camp DW children’s activities and entertainment. Guests staying at Dollywood’s resorts receive key Dollywood Parks benefits, including complimentary TimeSaver passes and free transportation to Dollywood’s water park and theme park, which features more than 50 exciting rides and outstanding live entertainment.
Woodloch Resort, Pennsylvania
Located on Lake Teedyuskung in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, the four-season Woodloch Resort has been owned and operated by the Kiesendahl family since its opening in 1958. The focus at this overall-inclusive property is on reconnecting and making fabulous family memories, earning the resort one of the highest repeat guest rates in the travel industry. Woodloch Resort was named the top family resort in the United States four times in the annual USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, most recently in 2023.
Woodloch Resort is a family-friendly playground set on over 1,200 acres, and most activities are designed for all generations to enjoy together. Woodloch’s all-inclusive rate plan includes accommodations, daily meals, entertainment, over 30 included activities, and a wide array of amenities and attractions. Popular activities include Family Olympics, Bakery Wars, Double Dare, boating, the resort’s evening Broadway-style theme shows, and snow tubing during the winter season. In addition to spacious resort rooms and two-bedroom suites, multigenerational families can choose from large, fully furnished three- to six-bedroom guest homes.
Mohonk Mountain House, New York
Mohonk Mountain House, a National Historic Landmark, has been owned and operated by the Smiley family since 1869. Located in the Shawangunk Mountains just 90 miles from New York City, this impressive cliff-top Victorian castle is a year-round favorite with multigenerational families. The luxurious resort provides guests with a wealth of opportunities to bond and make memories together. Multigenerational families can choose from a wide selection of accommodations, including 265 rooms and suites, five cottages, and the six-bedroom Grove Lodge.
The resort’s inclusive vacations feature three meals daily, most non-alcoholic beverages, afternoon tea, and an extensive array of activities, including lake and indoor swimming, boating, fishing, hiking on 85 miles of trails, golf, tennis, wellness sessions, family activities, and evening entertainment. A Junior Naturalist program and daily kids’ and teens’ programs are also offered. During the winter months, families can gather around indoor fireplaces at Mohonk Mountain House and take part in fun-filled outdoor activities such as ice skating, cross-country skiing, snow tubing and snowshoeing.
Vista Verde Ranch, Colorado
Multigenerational family groups flock to this AAA Four Diamond luxury dude ranch on 540 acres near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The mountain property offers a flexible daily program with a wide variety of outdoors-oriented adventures and attractions for all ages and interests. All-inclusive rates at Vista Verde Ranch include meals, beer and wine, supervised kids’ programs, activities, guides, equipment, and more. Multigenerational families can choose from various luxurious accommodations at Vista Verde, including 12 private log cabins with up to four bedrooms.
Genuine Western hospitality, outstanding cuisine, personalized service, and memorable activities are all part of the Vista Verde vacation experience. During the summer, horseback riding fly fishing, mountain biking, and hiking are popular. Vista Verde’s seasonal programs for kids, tweens, and teens are superb. In the winter, Vista Verde Ranch becomes a snow-filled wonderland perfect for fun family adventures. Families can enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides, snow tubing, backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing and sledding. Round-trip transportation to the airport and Steamboat is included.
Topnotch Resort, Vermont
Set on 120 forested acres just four miles from Vermont’s Stowe Mountain, Topnotch Resort is a fantastic year-round destination for multigenerational family groups. This AAA Four-Diamond resort is loaded with activities and attractions to please every family member, and dogs are welcome. Families can choose to stay in Topnotch Resort’s spacious rooms and suites or opt for the property’s two- and three-bedroom vacation homes equipped with full kitchens and laundry facilities.
Larger multigenerational family groups will feel right at home at this resort in New England’s Green Mountains. Topnotch Resort features indoor and outdoor pools, a world-class Equestrian Center at Topnotch, the Spa at Topnotch, superb tennis programs, pickleball, lawn games, hiking and biking trails, and organized kids’ and teens’ activities. Topnotch Resort’s location near Stowe, the “ski capital of the Northeast,” also provides other exciting diversions. Families can go skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, and snowmobiling during the winter months, and a free shuttle service is provided from the resort. Stowe Village is home to many locally owned shops, galleries, and restaurants.
For more helpful tips for planning your next group gathering, download the essential Budgeting for a Reunion E-Guide and start planning today.
By Nancy Schretter, Contributing Editor
Header Photo – The Broadmoor (Photo Credit: The Broadmoor)