Why Our Family Loves Skiing at Mount Southington, Connecticut

After we posted this in January, Mt Southington Ski Area offered six All Mountain Packages as a giveaway! We are thrilled to get this party started, so to enter, please use the following form!

Good luck!

Giving Away Six (6) All Mountain Packages from Ski Mt Southington, CT (lift ticket, rental and a lesson!)

Many thanks to Brave Ski Mom Jill Battaglia for sharing about her home mountain, Mount Southington, Connecticut and for five terrific ski mom tips!

Brave Ski Mom: This season. One ski area. Your choice.

Jill Battaglia: We are so very fortunate to live in a town with its own mountain, Mount Southington in Southington, CT. The mountain’s motto is “Thrills Made Locally” which I think is the perfect way to describe this great place. 

BSM: Why Mount Southington?

JB: We would never get to ski the amount of times we ski in one season if it not for our little town gem. We can grab our stuff, drive across town, and be on the snow within minutes of deciding to go, and with two young kids (ages 5 and 7) the value of that is priceless.

Mount Southington has a really welcoming and fun atmosphere. Skiing there is a great way to spend the day or sometimes just a few hours! I volunteer once a week in the Ranger program, where we provide customer service and help keep the mountain safe, while encouraging fun. Mount Southington is the perfect spot to learn to ski and to enjoy taking some turns as a family!

BSM: What makes Mount Southington so good for families?

JB: Great kid programs! The ski lessons start for kids as young as 4. There is a designated area for learning with a magic carpet lift. The lessons my kids have taken have been very beneficial and they always love the upbeat instructors.

Since we are up at the mountain so often, I can attest that the ski instructors are always out there training and growing which I appreciate as a parent entrusting my children to learn from them.

There are many programs to choose from for a variety of levels as well. There are great multi-week programs, kids racing programs, weeknight and weekend sessions, so there are many options to accommodate busy schedules. Mount Southington also has an active ski club following from schools all over the state, and what could better than skiing with your friends after school?

Another awesome thing about Mount Southington is the accessibility for little legs. They don’t have far to go before they are on the snow from the parking lots and the bathrooms are close by in the base area as well. 

BSM: Any “secrets” you’re willing to share?

JB: I have found a great way to beat the weekend crowds is to head to the mountain later in the afternoon/early evening. With night skiing you can often get in some great hours before young ones’ bedtimes while it’s a little quieter on the mountain! 

BSM: Where do your kids like to eat at Mount Southington?

JB: My kids will definitely tell you the Waffle House! There are two main lodges with food, both offering a variety of self-serve items. The “Red Barn” is more cafeteria style, while the Mountain Room offers a bar along with other self-serve menu items. There also is an outdoor grill on the deck near the main lodge on weekend days offering a variety of grill items. At times there are food trucks on the property as well, adding to the options! 

BSM: Is it hard to get to Mount Southington?

JB: Mount Southington is located minutes off two major highways. This is something is invaluable for families, since it’s very easy to access from many locations around Connecticut and neighboring states. Mount Southington is pretty central and since we are a small state you can get to it quickly and effortlessly! 

BSM: What is your favorite Mount Southington memory?

JB: I have to answer this question from my childhood and as a mom today.

I grew up in Southington and on this mountain. I loved spending afternoons after school here with the elementary school ski club and being on the race team in high school. I run into friends that I skied with as a kid up at Mount Southington skiing with their kids today! Pretty cool!

Now, as a parent I have so many memories to share, but one that I will always remember is just from a couple of weeks ago when we finally got my husband out there on skis! The kids were so thrilled. They have been relentless about him learning. He took a private lesson and loved it! My boys were so happy to ski with Dad, even if they had to stay on the beginner hill, LOL!  

BSM: Please share your best family skiing tips.

JB: I have five tips to share.

Pack food, but allow for treats. I always try to pack the main meal, or plan our ski time around meals at home, but I usually allow for one snack or treat while we are there. It makes it fun and can provide an incentive for good behavior.

Get coats with A LOT of pockets. This includes the kids’ coats, that way you can carry some snacks and water right with you. I usually buy one small package of 8-ounce water bottles at the beginning of the season and refill them regularly because they fit so well in pockets.

Get your kids a boot bag and make them carry their own equipment. I have done this from the beginning, and when we get home they are also responsible for emptying and putting away their own equipment (with guidance).

Watch what other parents are doing. I saw an amazing “Dad Hack” the other day of putting pipe cleaners in ski pole straps to keep the loops open so kids can easily slide their hands in…I can’t wait to try this!

I’m a huge proponent of helmets. Get kids a helmet from the very beginning and wear one yourself! Don’t let not wearing one even be an option.

BSM: What is your favorite thing about family skiing?

JB: I love the conversations both on the lifts and on the mountain that carry on at home afterwards. My kids literally talk about skiing year round…even while in the pool on a 90 degree day!

It’s so great to have a common love with the whole family. I have also found I can use skiing examples to teach all kinds of lessons about character, kindness, and safety to my kids. I may initially be talking about skiing, but then can easily link the examples to other real world situations.

Did I mention we talk about skiing A LOT?

BSM: Thank you, Jill, for sharing about your special home mountain and for sharing your fantastic ski mom tips!

Jill Battaglia is a “boymom” of two greats little guys ages 5 and 7, wife, Occupational Therapist, PTO Mom, Ranger at Mount Southington, and lover of the outdoors. She believes that everyone needs something they love to do outdoors during every season of the year. 
 

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