Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Boston, MA

Originally hailing from Montreal, skiing is in my blood.  As a child, I waved goodbye to my parents each Saturday morning as I boarded the bus with my friends bound for the ski hill, where we'd engage in lessons, lunch and free skiing the whole day long.  With dozens of hills just 60 to 80 minutes from the city, we were in luck.  While not known for its local ski spots, word has it, Boston has several hills close by as well.  While they may not be as big or as renowned as Mont Tremblant or Saint-Sauveur, they can serve to at least teach your child, and provide a ton of fun for any family looking to breath in some fresh air and hit the slopes.

Just 1 hour from Boston, Watchusett Mountain is a great spot to hit with the kids.  Not necessarily the first choice if you're an expert looking to tear up the hill, but it is family-friendly and its proximity makes it appealing.  Also appealing is their Polar Kids ski school, teaching kids 4 - 12.  They also feature family-friendly weekend events, like Mountain Magic when magician Eddie Raymond will walk around entertaining kids (Saturdays, through February 28^th).  www.wachusett.com

For proximity, Blue Hills Ski Area is just 30 or so miles from Boston.  They feature 60 acres of skiable terrain, 9 trails, and a couple of "magic carpets" so your little ones can reach the top of the bunny hill with little effort.  Lessons start at 4 years old and are offered daily.  For more info, www.ski-bluehills.com.

Nashoba Valley makes for a great day trip.   Located in Westford, this mountain is the perfect size for a beginner skier.  With 17 or so trails and 3 beginner trails, Nashoba offers ski lessons beginning at age 3.  Best part is, there's a tubing park for people 6+ just adjacent to the ski area - the perfect way to end the day!  www.skinashoba.com