Taking a family skiing this winter and would like to know your choice for best ski slopes in New England for beginners. I have enjoyed Okemo but don't know much else I am look for good classes and plenty of green trails.

Thanks in advance

Hi Jill-
Okemo is definately a good choice for beginner/intermediate terrain. Here are a couple other suggestions.
In New Hampshire, Bretton Woods is primarily a beginner/intermediate mountain. You'll find plenty of wide, gentle slopes and outstanding views of Mount Washington. www.brettonwoods.com
I've never skied there, but hear that Stratton, VT is a pretty gentle mountain. It is located near Okemo, but apparently gets horrendously crowded on weekends. www.stratton.com
Have fun!

Jill-
Forgot to mention...a good website to check would be www.skireview.com
Similar to Fodor's Rants and Raves, you can read people's reviews of all the ski resorts in New England.

If you have younger children, I would recommend Smuggler's Notch. THey have an excellent children's program and ski school. We skiied there one time when our youngest was just beginning. We much prefer skiing in the west, but Smugs is a good place to learn. However, IMO, it's overpriced for what you get.

Sunday River in Bethel, Maine also fits the bill!

Okemo is nice.

UP UP UP

Hi Jill,

I agree Okemo is great, but it sounds like you want to experience a different mountain. Bromley in VT. is a nice little mountain for a family to learn to ski. It is right up the road from Stratton-they might even have a reciprocal agreement to accept Stratton tickets. If it is a really cold day, it is great because it faces the sun. But if there is a warm spell you would not want to go there.

Bromley is great for novice skiiers; stratton is more upscale and has nicer lodging on-site. What is your budget?

Well I will go to a few ski resorts this winter but I liked Okemo because they have a ski package for beginners. First timers the people who will join me can get a small group lesson 1/12 hours, complete rentals and lower level lifts for 50-59 dollars. I only know about a best western not a place I would usually stay this accomodation is in Ludlow a mile away. Just do not know any other lodging that is reasonably priced 100-150 a night for 2 double beds, clean and safe.

I really like Okemo but was wondering what else is out there. I know this is unusually low so let me hear your suggestions.

Without a DOUBT, Okemo or Stowe. AVOID KILLINGTON AT ALL COSTS unless you like being somewhere where obnoxious New Yorkers smoke in the lift lines, skiers and snow boarders are OUT OF CONTROL
and it is just a crowded MESS>
Okemo had a great ski school, and is small enough that no one will be overwhelmed. Stowe has more to offer in the way of other activities and fun stuff for kids like the ever popular tour of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream.

Thanks NBHoffman I think I will also give Stowe a try. Nice to know about the extra Ben and Jerry's trip. I guess the word killington has some true meaning. I am a New Yorker but I loved Okemo because most were not. Kind of seemed like people were so gosh darn happy up there they might be doing drugs.

... Went to Hunter mountain last year and am glad to get the heads up on out of control snow boarders yuck I don't understand when resorts don't regulate the traffic of these boards more.

New to this sport this is the first summer in my life I am looking forward to winter. See you on the slopes.

Another good area for beginners would be
Mt. Sunapee in central New Hampshire. This is a medium sized mountain, with a whole small mountain on the other side of the parking lot devoted to beginners. Since this was a state run ski area up until a few years ago, it doesn't have the glitz and condo feel of many other mountains, it's just a ski mountain with a few nice b&b's nearby. I believe Okemo is now running it.

Know anything about the class size dougd? Went to hunter last year where they put 12-16 people in one class.

I honestly don't know about class size, but I believe a lot of the local towns have their grade school kids sent there for ski week classes. Another ski area that's very much off the beaten path is Ragged Mountain also in central NH., which is not close to any commercial development. It's also a very nice mid size mountain, quite inexpensive and uncrowded - but in the middle of the boonies!

We have had good luck at Waterville Valley in NH. My kids loved the lessons there and it is very family friendly. another spot that many friends have enjoyed is The Mountain Club at Loon where you can ski out of your condo onto the mountain or take a shuttle to other areas of the mountain.