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My family first started skiing in Deer Valley close to twenty years ago. I’ll never forget how my father—who had enrolled my three sisters and me in ski school on the East Coast as toddlers and then taken us on ski vacations every year in Europe, where we paid more attention to our on-slope fashions than to snow conditions—described the Utah resort. “It’s so indulgent,” he said. “They have Kleenex boxes in the lift lines, and little ski fairies who swoop out of the trees to help you up if you fall down.” The last bit was a mild exaggeration, but Deer Valley was the first resort in the world to build tissue boxes into the lift lines, to limit daily lift tickets so the slopes wouldn’t get too crowded and to post ski valets in the parking lots and hosts around the mountain. It probably also has the highest percentage of groomed trails of any resort, but my family has continued to return because no other mountain manages to balance so well serious skiing, creature comforts and family-friendliness. Taos, Alta and Zürs may have tougher skiing, and Aspen and Courchevel better shopping and dining, but children can seem tolerated, not truly welcome. Other spots do a good job of catering to families but in doing so, often force a diet of hot dogs and pizza on children and adults alike. Deer Valley understands that parents can love skiing with their kids and also relish good food and wine at lunch. Last year, Dad tested out Deer Valley again, but this time with nine of his grandchildren in tow. The verdict: the younger generation loves it just as much as the first two.

N.B.: Snowboarding is not allowed at Deer Valley. While it’s a plus for many families with little kids learning to ski, the prohibition on snowboarding can be an issue for those with teenagers. It is, however, allowed at Park City and the Canyons, a short drive away.