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Colorado skiing for novice from GA?

Can anyone recommend a good resort for skiing for 2 age 55 never-skiers? My research so far has indicated Snowmass, Buttermilk or Crested Butte. Also interested in one that is easy to get to from Atlanta & possibly some good package deals. Any help is much appreciated!

Marie- I learned as an adult about 10 years ago at Copper Mountain. While it is one of my least favorite mountains now, it was great for learning. (You may have natural abilities---I was a klutz and really needed lessons.) I believe the school there was once ranked as one of the better schools. You can fly into Denver and make it easily to Copper. Beaver Creek (next to Vail) was a great place for our 8 year old daughter to learn. You can fly into Eagle, sometimes even non-stop from the east. Buttermilk/Tiehack has some fantastic views and some very gentle green runs and because it is just a few miles to Aspen, it offers lots of after ski opportunities. I have a Florida buddy who learned to ski there and he was also happy with their instructors. It's a bit of a drive from Denver to Aspen, but as long as the weather cooperates it is really OK. The airport in Aspen is small and even though I am a seasoned flyer, it gives me the willies when I fly in and out. I don't know the options, but Grand Junction may also be an alternative. Snowmass has wonderful, wide runs with lots of green for beginners. Don't know anything about ski school there. Again, it's just a few miles to Aspen. Good luck choosing! Bravo for deciding to learn to ski. Hope you love it!

While it's not one of the areas you mentioned in your post, you may want to consider Breckenridge. I was there in February. There is plenty of beginner/intermediate terrain (almost too much-I'm an advanced skier :) It's a huge place-plenty of variety. The town of Breckenridge is fun too-lot's of great eats and shops. www.breckenridge.com It's only about a 2hour drive from Denver, mostly interstate highway. Have fun and good luck! Skiing is a blast.

While Crested Butte is very scenic, it is know for it's extreme skiing. Of course, there are beginner slopes, but it's not the best. Snowmass or Buttermilk are good, but everything is very pricey there. I second the Beaver Creek recommendation for the most versatile resort for your needs.

We visited Winter Park this last season. It is made for beginners and intermediates. The place is laid back and unintimidating. The mountain is hugh with wide runs to learn on and a great deal of variety to make your trip memorable. Just 60 miles from Denver. It's all freeway but the last few miles over a high pass that is a joy in itself. teehee Congratulations on choosing to learn to ski. It is a wonderful sport for all ages. susan

Thanks for your responses. I will check out Breckenridge & Winter Park. "Ease of getting there" is also one of our priorities.

The Atlanta Ski Club offers "Learn to Ski" weekends, as well as hosts informal socials. Check out: http://www.atlantaskiclub.org/home.shtml

Steamboat is another great place to learn. RB-There is no solicitation allowed here.

We live outside Atlanta and learned to ski at Winter Park. We chose it because of location, price, and no glitz. At first we bought a package for the two of us, but discovered we could usually do cheaper buying separately. Depends on how much work you want to do in booking. If flying into Denver WP is the shortest driving distance. We've also gone on to Breckenridge and Keystone to ski. We've never had trouble getting over the pass to WP (had trouble getting out of Denver last year when we arrived during a snowstorm). Nice to have some slack in your plans, though, wherever you choose. You can buy reasonably priced lift and lesson tickets at the King Sooper market in Denver in advance (and get refund for any unused). The hotels and condos are reasonably priced in WP for a ski resort. Last year we rented direct from owner via one of the online listing sites (vacationspot.com or vrbo.com). When we went to Breck/Key in January I booked the condo through a booking agency because they gave a great discount for "last minute"=within 2 weeks booking. Each year Delta adds direct flights to the smaller airports for the ski season that are quite pricey, but save on the car and driving or van service. For several years Crested Butte and Delta offered a GREAT deal on Jan-Feb direct flight+hotel+skiing called the peach special, I believe. If they repeat it, I think they advertise it in early-mid winter while supply lasts. We found as beginners that lessons are essential the first day, then depends on the individual. Those not in best shape may want some half-days. All beginners will want a day off after two full days of skiing. You use different muscles and the altitude can be very tiring. At WP (and I'm sure the other resorts) they took small children for the day, including play, lesson, lunch appropriate to age. We had my 6-year-old niece with us one year and after 1 day of her ski school we couldn't get her to go with us--she wanted to go back with her friends. Your interests for after skiing and days off may also play into your decision. My husband and I really go strictly for the skiing so we don't care that WP doesn't have much nightlife once the lifts close at 4:30 pm. We usually eat, rent a movie, play games if we have kids with us, etc. We have been snowmobiling and tubing on off days. Very little shopping in WP. Other resorts such as Breckenridge have bigger towns with more shops, restaurants, and activities such as night skiing or large ice skating rinks. You'll find lots of opinions and advice on each resort and info such as what to pack on many ski sites such as: www.skifree.org www.rsn.com www.iski.com as well as the resort's own site.

Dear Marie, I have to cast a vote for Beaver Creek. We skiid there a few years ago. Their ski school has an excellent reputation. I had only skiid a few times and considered myself still a first time very nervous skiier. I signed up for a group lesson for two days. The lessons were really great. The second day there was a major snow storm and there was only four of us in the class and it was fantastic. The instructors were very careful and very experienced. I really learned enough in those two days that I can now handle myself very comfortably. My kids (who previous had hated ski school)also had a very positive learning experience. Beaver Creek is a very nice upscale area. Vail is not far and has a lot of nice little shops and restaurants in their ski area. They also had night tubing and an ice skating rink on the mountain. If you don't want to pay the premium for staying in Beaver Creek 2 minutes away is the town of Avon. One place to stay is Christies Lodge. They have nice condo's that look right at B.C. Most people fly into Denver and rent a car. There is also a small airport near B.C. Good Luck and Enjoy!!