Then there's the snow -- the light fluffy stuff Utah is known for -- more than 400 inches a season. It dumped more than 80 inches just in the five days I was in Park City recently.

Another plus, you can find digs here to suit everyone's budget, whether you are counting pennies or want the most luxurious ski house available. For example, Park City Mountain Resort touts family fun packages that are just over $300 a night for a family of four (with kids under 12), including lodging, lifts and airport transfers. (Pretty good when you consider lift tickets alone for a family of four can cost nearly that much -- $258.) Late season, save an extra 10 percent off The Canyon's ski free with But perhaps the biggest plus to choosing Park City: There's as much to do off the slopes as on -- for every age group -- and I'm not just talking about restaurants, though there are 100 of those, including Zoom, owned by Robert Redford; Deer Valley's stellar Seafood Buffet and family favorite The Grub Steak with plenty of kid-sized portions of steak and ribs.

Bond with your teen or tween as you try the Skeleton, Luge or Nordic Jumping at Utah Olympic Park Winter Camps. (www.olyparks.com). If you think you'd rather watch instead of participate, visit Tuesday through Saturday and you may see world-class athletes training. If you're an adrenaline junkie (or have a kid 16 or older who is) and you have $200 to spare, sign on for a bobsled ride down the Olympic track. You'll go 80 mph. (There's also a snow zone sledding track suitable for younger kids.) Check out the Alf Engen Ski Museum while you're there.

Scream your head off on the Alpine Coaster -- yes, that's a roller coaster on snow -- at Park City Mountain Resort; it's just one of three in the entire country, the only one in Utah. Let's not forget all of the other fun you can have in the snow here -- tubing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling or ice-skating. Pickup hockey game anyone?

Indulge your inner artist at The Kimball Art Center (www.kimball-art.org). Attend classes customized for your group or simply check out the exhibits, including the Gallery Strolls that take place the last Friday of every month.

Honestly, you'll have so much fun you won't care if the kids ditch you on the mountain.

See you at the lift!

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