Looking for suggestions on where to spend a few days skiing (mid to Southern Vermont) in February. Money not much of an object but place must be: 1.) novice-friendly (we are first-timers); 2.) romantic, preferably w/ fireplace & jacuzzi; and 3.) good for people in late twenties.

Any suggestions where to go? We would like to enjoy both the ski and stay experiences and a little nightlife and/or shopping would be a plus. Thanks!

I think you'd enjoy the Woodstock Inn, and their mid-week ski-free package. School vacations run the second two weeks of the month, so it would be crowded and specials are not available then. The mountain is Suicide Six - don't be fooled by the name - it's quite tame! Bunny hill for learning, and the Easy Mile, a nice long pretty run for the second half of the week. Charming town, shopping, romantic common areas...rooms can vary.

Hmmm...I would cautiously recommend Magic Mountain in Londonderry, VT. I say cautiously only because I haven't any idea how the season will look this year. It's a little family resort with the most underrated terrain in the state...sick stuff for the experts and really novice-friendly stuff for newbies. They have a green circle trail (novice) from summit to bottom that has some of the most stunning views I've ever seen...easy, but not boring---at Magic, you won't be stuck on the same boring bunny trail the whole time. You can stay in Weston...a lovely little town with a ton of sweet B&Bs....

also, I'd look into Okemo...definitely bigger and more crowded, but a nice little town with decidedly more nightlife than the Weston area. Good terrain, a little more lively crowd.

All of that said, I'd get going on this yesterday---February is a VERY popular time for skiiers to come up here, and many places may well already be booked. If money isn't a huge object, you may want to look into renting a private condo.

Stratton has some great places. Try the Long Trail lodge across from stratton village. They also have some great bed and breakfasts... three mountain inn, three columns inn.

OOhhh, you should look into the Windham Hill Inn in Townsend. It's a wonderful place, one of the best lodging & dining experiences I've ever had. It's abit pricey though. Check out their web site (I think its windhamhill.com). Lots of skiing from novice to expert is nearby (Mt. Snow)