Great Escape: Ski Getaways For The Entire Family

With winter nearly upon us, outdoor enthusiasts eagerly await opening day for ski season. Since Mercer Island is situated near many local ski resorts, skiers and snowboarders can get away for a morning, afternoon or evening, relatively easily. But when the order calls for an extended stay and a wider range of activities for the entire family, there are several destination locations within a five hour drive, train ride or flight. Here are five popular ski resorts from which to choose:

Whistler-Blackcomb boasts over 8,000 skiable acres and is the largest ski and snowboard resort in North America. With countless activities available, including: skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, tubing, tasting tours and spa treatments, there truly is something for everyone.

In just two and a half hours, you can enjoy 1,000 acres of skiable terrain at Mt Baker. Snowshoeing and cross country skiing is allowed, but you must bring your own equipment, as there are no rentals available. Snow skating is also allowed on three of the chairs, and there are plenty of ski runs for beginners to experts.

From ski lessons to tubing, there's fun for everyone at Sun Peaks Resort in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. With plenty of outdoor activities from which to choose, including: downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dog sledding rides and horse drawn sleigh rides, you'll be able to stay active all day, every day. For those who prefer indoor activities, there is excellent shopping, dining, entertainment and spa treatments available.

While it is a short flight from Seattle, the long drive to Sun Valley might dissuade some from traveling to this popular Pacific Northwest ski resort. However, if you've never been to the Valley of the Sun, you won't want to let the distance be a deterrent.

Sun Valley's ski season officially kicks off this week, on Thanksgiving Day, with a special celebration including: demonstrations, games, food and prizes-from 10am until 2pm. Aside from skiing and snowboarding, Sun Valley offers a range of activities from ice skating, snowshoeing and tubing to shopping, bowling and spa treatments. There is also plenty of entertainment - from an apres ski comedy series to late night jazz to ice shows. And, for the younger set, there is a winter KinderCare and play school and ski lessons for kids ages four and up. This destination location truly has something for everyone!

To get to Mt Hood by car, you'll need to allow for four to four and a half hours with average traffic. Mt. Hood is a friendly mountain that offers affordable ski and snowboard lessons for the young and young at heart. There are 11 chair lifts and six high speed quads to get you where you need to go, and great terrain for beginning to expert skiers and snowboarders.

So, push away from your desk, quit your errands and disconnect from your laptop. Next, don your warm clothes, pack up the kids, head to your favorite ski resort and go play in the snow!