We’re skiers, and, for the most part, getting wet is something to avoid. We tend to prefer dry, cold air that produces heaps of Champagne Powder. Gore-Tex and trash bags work—to an extent—but nothing ruins a day out on the hill like rain.
There is an exception to this rule, though—water parks. At several ski resorts across North America, there are water parks that bring the beach to the mountains. From flowriders to towering water slides, these indoor facilities up the prospective ski vacation ante. Why just ski when you could splash around while taking a break from the brisk weather, too?
These are seven of the best ski resorts with water parks across North America.
1. Jay Peak, Vermont
Jay Peak, Vermont, isn’t just a standout East Coast ski area—it’s also home to the only indoor water park in the state. Called the Pump House, this sprawling network of pools, slides, and waves offers ample opportunity for post-skiing active recovery. Lounging around in the water, of course, is an option, too.
The best feature of the Pump House—at least in our opinion—is the Double Barrel Flowrider. The what? Flowriding, for the uninitiated, is a close cousin of surfing. You hop on the stationary wave with a board and shred to your heart’s content.
“Those with a modicum of athletic ability will be up and carving in no time,” reads Jay Peak’s website, with a bit of snark. The resort suggests that those without athletic ability check out La Chute, a roughly 65-foot-tall water slide where riders hit 45 miles per hour. Chilling, plunging, or slashing flowrider turns—the Pump House has a lot to choose from.
Related: 8 Epic Family Ski Trips: Discover North America’s Hidden Gems
2. Greek Peak, New York
Feeling a bit cold on the slopes at Greek Peak, New York? The Cascades Indoor Water Park, where it’s 84 degrees Fahrenheit all year, offers a solution—and more. For parents, the heated outdoor pool (100 degrees Fahrenheit!) is probably the best place to chill at The Cascades.
However, we remain—forever and always—fans of water slides, even in our increasingly advanced age. In this department, The Cascades delivers a selection of four interior and exterior slides. Rapids 4 and Rapids 5 are where the action’s really at—these slides climb three stories high. Who said stacking vertical feet was only for the slopes? Don’t forget your Garmin if you’re planning on notching that waterslide KOM or QOM.
3. Blue Mountain, Ontario
Blue Mountain, Ontario, caters to skiers turned splashers with its fittingly named Plunge! aquatic center. The water park is fully equipped with hot tubs, pools (heated, indoor, outdoor—the works), and indoor splash pads. Kids—or adults—looking to channel their inner Tarzan can swing from the rope swings found at Plunge!
Hoopers can take advantage of the basketball nets. You know what the best part of playing basketball in the water is? No one can break your ankles.
Photo: Courtesy Camelback Resort
4. Camelback Resort, Pennsylvania
Utopia? Nope—this is Aquatopia. Part of Camelback Resort, Pennsylvania, Aquatopia is packed with amenities and attractions. For the slide-inclined, the water park is a standout—Aquatopia features 13 of them.
Parents can chill poolside in rentable “cabanas,” and when lunchtime rolls around, Camelback is home to numerous options, including Italian, burgers, and ramen. We know you’re not supposed to swim after eating, but the water slides at Aquatopia make the so-called risk worth it.
Related: The 6 Best Ski Schools for Young Kids in the U.S.
5. Silver Mountain Resort, Idaho
Silver Mountain Resort, Idaho, isn’t just a sleepy, hidden gem along I-90—it’s also home to the Silver Rapids water park. Here, choose your own adventure rules apply. For a coordination test, hit the flow rider.
If you’re keen on some slide action, drop into the Moose Sluice, where crews of six can ride together on inflatable rafts. Parents, most likely, will be found at the Trestles Surfside Grill, which doubles as a bar and has hot tubs.
6. Boyne Mountain, Michigan
Michigan isn’t known for its avalanches unless you’re talking about Avalanche Bay, the indoor waterpark at Boyne Mountain. A warm 84 degrees Fahrenheit provides a reprieve from the cold Michigan weather, and five water slides, a lazy river, and a flowrider provides the fun.
As Avalanche Bay is part of Boyne Mountain, you can take advantage of the slopes and the resort’s other amenities, including a full-service spa. Nothing takes the edge of bashing moguls like a soak and a facial.
Related: Three Things I Learned After Teaching Kids To Ski for a Day
7. Massanutten Resort, Virginia
Massanutten Resort, Virginia’s waterpark, comes complete with a giant, water-powered playhouse called the Massanutten Meltdown. In this large structure, kids can clamber around and make use of the water cannons.
Customary body and tube water slides are part of the facility, as are a number of other options, like an adult hot tub, the Frog Pond (ribbit), and an indoor river. Outside, during the warmer months, Massanutten has another water park, too. If you’re not interested in getting soaked, take the kids—or yourself, we get it—to Diamond Jim’s Arcade for some games.
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