First Time Skiier & Accomodations
 

Hi! I want to learn to ski but I probably don't want to spend the whole week skiing. I've heard that Snowmass and Buttermilk are good places to learn. Is this true? What would be a good hotel to stay at in the area that would not be outrageously expensive in March, but still nice, maybe with a spa? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Dear Mari: Just my opinion but I think it is a lot harder to start to ski in the West than in say, Michigan. But if you want to do a whole lot of other things too than Buttermilk is a good choice. Aspen has much more than a lot of the other ski towns and I found the restaurants there to be much better also. I went in late March of last year and the snow was still excellent. As far as lodging, others might help, as we had use of a rental condo for 6 adults through a ski club (spa too) and those were the norm close to where we stayed. Very excellent deals can be had in groups like this. Can tell you that the town Aspen is very walkable and has lots to look at and loads of upscale shopping, if you enjoy that. I found Snowmass too hard at my age. Real skiers will laugh at me but if you are <BR>a Mid-West skier, it's really a different thing altogether.

Jeannette and Mari-There is no better place to learn to ski than out west. The instructors are top notch, the beginner runs are nice and long for practicing your turns and the snow is alot better quality than the east and the midwest. Aspen is wonderful, but so is Vail, Steamboat, Park City, and Lake Tahoe. All areas have other activities besides skiing. And for the sunshine and weather, you can't beat Tahoe in March!

Mari, <BR> <BR>Breckenridge is my favorite place to recommend for beginners. It has long, long,long (and wide) beginner runs that really let you practice without running into other skiers. Keystone also has alot of these types of runs. Both have excellent instruction programs. <BR> <BR>Steamboat is a wonderful ski are - my favorite - but I personnally don't think it is the greates place to learn. Most of its easiest (green) runs are just skinny, boring roads that are full of people. I become pretty frustrated trying to learn there myself many years ago and recently when trying to help friends or my kids learn to ski. <BR> <BR>Whereever you go - My number one recommendation would be to take lessons for the first couple of days. You will have alot more fun with other adult beginners and the instructors really know how to make you feel comfortable and confident on the skiis - while at the same time have a great time. Lots of people trust their friends to teach them the first time (Including myself) and most just don't know how to do it. <BR> <BR>Also, I would go out west - I agree that it is probably the best place to learn in the country. As noted above - long runs, good instructors, good snow - Powder is alot easier to learn on than ice. <BR> <BR>Have fun!

Mari, I learned to ski at Tahoe and loved it there. Lots of places to stay and good restaurants of of course a few lol, casinos. Also the lake is beautiful. <BR> <BR>In March you may be sking in jeans and tee shirt or jacket. We were there about the same time and I wore jeans and a turtle neck and sweater. <BR> <BR>Have a great time. <BR> <BR>tweedy