We're looking for a ski location that is not too crowded - & has moderate terrain (nothing all expert). I've been to all the big ones - Vail, Breck, Telluride, Steamboat, etc. & am looking for a place where there aren't many lines & no big crowds. Thanks!!

You might want to check out Bridger Bowl and Big Sky located near Bozeman, Montana. You'd fly into the Belgrade airport.

Definately Montana. In additon to Bridger Bowl and Big Sky, check out Moonlight Basin which shares a mountain with Big Sky.

Also look at Big Mountain in Whitefish. You'd fly into Kalispell, MT.

There are many smaller areas the state that offer great skiing and you can always ski right onto the lifts.

possibly crested butte. or if you want really small try ski cooper near leadville. also in montana showdown ski area near great falls.

It seems MT is the place to go; I've been to Big Sky before, so I'd rather go somewhere besides there.. What about Snowbird also??

We liked Powder Mountain, Utah. VERY uncrowded, great terrain & snow. Snowbasin is nearby as well.

Also what about Sun Valley? Has anyone been there??

Avoid Holiday weekends like MLK's Birthday and President's Week.

Did you see this article on MSN this morning: 10 Undiscovered Ski Spots

http://tinyurl.com/yeurn9

skibum - yes i saw it - that's what started me thinking...I need to head out west again!! =)

MT would be great, and I also really like Solitude in Utah. It's up the canyon from the bigger resorts like Snowbird, but more of a local mountain. I also love Alta. It can be crowded, but it never feels like it because of all the trees and also because snowboarders aren't allowed. I've found the Jackson Hole isn't too bad for crowds either, but may be more of an advancedm mountain.

I wasn't aware snowboarders weren't allowed at Alta - I guess that puts me out!!

We went to Jackson Hole last year; the skiing was great as they had a lot of snow and the town of Jackson is really fun. But the lines drove me crazy. We waited 20 minutes or more every time to get on the chairlift.

There really aren't lift lines in Montana. On the other hand, there really isn't a resort atmosphere at many of the ski areas in Montana either. You're not going to find restuarants like you would in Colorado or at Jackson Hole or Sun Valley or Park City.

If you just want to ski, Montana's a good place to do it.

Thanks for the tips - I'll definitely be looking into either MT or UT.. i don't really care about the apres ski (been there, done that) - looking more for relaxation & good snowboarding conditions.

You will find lines at Sun Valley and Snowbird. Both are major ski destinations. The MT recommendations should fit your requirements, as well as Powder Mtn in UT.

Alta, Deer Valley, Taos and one area ack east do not allow snowboarding.

I have skied many of the places mentioned here, with my kids who ride boards. The two that probably best fit your desire for moderate terrain and minimal crowding would be Solitude/Brighton in Utah and Big Mountain in Montana. You can get to Big Mountain on the train if you have the time and the inclination; otherwise you fly into Kalispell. It has a very different feel than Big Sky.

Sun Valley has the terrain, but to be honest, I've never had a good day there---the snow and weather have always been marginal, and I wouldn't go back.

There are also some new places in British Canada that are highly rated by my skier friends---Big White and Sun Peaks, but we haven't tried them yet.

You might want to take a look at Schweitzer in Sandpoint, ID. Schweitzer and Big Mountain remind me a lot of each other (similar terrain, scenery). You could fly into Spokane and drive the couple hours to Schweitzer.

Lake Tahoe during the week (Mon-Fri) is not crowded unless it's spring break for the Calif. schools.

You could say the same thing about Mammoth Mtn on the east side of the CA Sierras. A HUGE mountain with tons of lifts and intermed runs and no crowds during the week. If you fly into Reno, it would be about a 3 -4 hour drive south.

Oh wait - I've skied many, many days at Mammoth and all over the west for over 30 years. Mammoth has the nastiest weather of anywhere! Don't go.