Ski trip for beginner? Where in January?
 

I'm thinking of taking a winter/ski trip in January and was wondering which of these resorts that I've narrowed it down to is best for a beginner? Steamboat Springs, Crested Butte, Telluride or Vail. (Whistler and Park City Utah are also on my list but I think I want to stick to Colorado). I've never alpine skiied before-- I do cross country. Here are my requirements: good cross country skiing and snowshoeing close by (accesible by shuttle as I don't want a car), other activities available (dog sledding, tubing, ice climbing etc), good beginner ski program in case I decide I want to learn to downhill ski (which I probably will want to do once I get there), town or village that has lots of shops, restaurants etc and no car needed.
Also, which of these will have the best snow conditions in mid January? I don't have to go in January, but that is when I'm aiming for. If conditions would be markedly better at a later date, I would consider moving the trip. Thanks for any guidance.

My first recommendation would be to take Telluride off your list. I personally love Telluride, but it's rather difficult to get to (takes a long time). For a first time skier, might not be worth the effort. Vail might be your best bet. Huge mountain. Lots of other options besides skiing. Steamboat, to me, feels more like a town and less like a ski resort. I like somethihng a little more quaint. Aspen/Snowmass would also be a good option. Snow should be good everywhere in mid-January.

I have only been skiing for 5 years but the all time best place for new skiers is Grey Rock in Quebec Canada. Best ski school on North America according to every skier I have ever inquired with.

but its not colorado so my response will top it for other posters.

Yes, from reading other things it sounds like Telluride is harder to get to than the others, though they all would require a "puddle jumper" type flight from Denver for me. I've heard Telluride airport is more plagued by bad weather than the other locations? Some people have said for that reason Montrose is a better place to fly into . . .

Why aren't you considering Aspen? That's where I went to learn to ski the first time, and it was wonderful. They have excellent ski instructors, of course, and lots of great beginner trails at Buttermilk and Snowmass. I haven't been there recently, but it used to be that January was low season and rates were a lot cheaper than in February, so it was a pretty good deal.

There are ski buses you can easily take to get around the various ski areas if you stay in Aspen (to Buttermilk or Snowmass), and in Aspen itself you can walk around to do stuff. Some folks like staying right in Snowmass, also.

I was under the impression that Aspen was pricier--more of a celebrity scene. But I will give it a closer look, thanks.

I've been to Whistler, Steamboat and Vail, and going to Aspen this year. But if I were to try to do all those things (not sure about ice climbing) I think I'd go to Park City. Keep in mind Park City also has free bus service to Deer Valley, the Canyons, the Olympic Village and other attractions. Checkout this site:

http://www.parkcityinfo.com/skiing/

Unless you live in Colorado, it will take a lot less time getting to PC leaving more time to do everything you want to do. Make sure you stay down near Main St. if you go.

Miramar-
Do look into Aspen. It is a wonderful place. You are right that flying into Telluride is tricky. I've never even bothered trying to fly direct to Telluride because flights are cancelled so often. If you fly into Montrose, it is still (I think) a 2 hour drive to Telluride. I haven't been for a few years so I don't recall. But it makes getting there all the trickier.

Not only is Telluride difficult to get to, but the terrain is more challenging. It's not a good place for a first-time skiier. But if you are looking for a WONDERFUL place to visit in the summer, though, Telluride is your place. Simply gorgeous.

I would recommend Steamboat for its snow - typically it gets better snow than most spots in the state, and it has a very good ski school program. The town also feels quite "western," and it is convenient to local hot springs.

But Vail is the easiest to get to, and has lots of skiable terrain at varied levels of difficulty. The town is fun, and there is stuff to do. Although Vail can get crowded, you will be choosing wisely by going in January. It's typically not as bad then, and you can often find cheaper hotel rates at that time of year.

All of these places will offer plenty of opportunities for x-country and snowshoeing.

So you think Aspen is pricy and celeb-laden...but you don't think Vail is?? Well, maybe not as celeb-laden as Aspen....but it is just as pricy.
You can't go wrong with the ski schools at either Steamboat, Vail, or Aspen. Buttermilk Mountain at Aspen is a wonderful mountain to learn to ski on. The MLK weekend in Aspen is a festival weekend....fireworks at night and outdoor concerts. Later in January is the ESPN WinterX Games at Buttermilk (a real Blade Runner atmosphere if you go to the games at night)and the crowds in Aspen increase for this event.
I'd say check out the lodging at each and go with whatever suits your pocketbook....the skiing, ease of getting around, and instruction are all on a par with each other at either Vail, Aspen, or Steamboat.
Telluride offers probab;y the most beautiful setting, but is difficult to get to and the mountain is more challenging. If the airport in Telluride closes down do to conditions (and I swear that "conditions" sometimes seems to mean that somebody sneezed), then planes are rerouted to Montrose (a 2 hour shuttlebus to Telluride), or Cortez (a one and a half hour trip), or Grand Junction (a 3 - 4 hour trip depending on "conditions".

Go with the snow. Right now, Steamboat is in the lead with over 3 feet in the last 48 hours.

hi miramar, lmww said what i was going to almost word for word. i will add that i believe there is an ice climbing school in vail. i do know there is climbing ice.
and imho vail is easier to get around than steamboat or aspen as both are more spread out and the skiing is a little out of town (yes i know ajax is In aspen but is a difficult mtn) in vail the lifts go right out of downtown.
if i recall correctly the town of vail is mostly pedestrian or shuttle.
your vail ticket will get you onto beaver creek and i think breckenridge and an aspen ticket probably allows you on all its 4 mts? i bet furledleader knows.
but> if this your first trip to colo steamboat is a very cool and fun town. it is still a working ranch town/has a cowboy kinda atmosphere. so this might be a fun spot for you. aspen is a remodeled mining town with alot of very very nice victorian architecture. and vail was built from the ground up where ranches were 35 years ago.
plenty of shopping in all 3.
and i gotta say fying into aspen is ummm interesting...

Steamboat does have one thing the others don't...... a hot springs pool. Actually two!! And one is clothing optional at night!! But the town (and hot springs)is at least 3 miles from the ski hill.
In my opinion the easiest to get around is Vail - everything is within relative walking distance, and there are lifts right downtown. And I believe your ticket at Vail IS good at Beaver Creek just 9 miles down the road which not only has some surprisingly nice alpine skiing, but one of the best cross-country systems in Colotado. Not sure whether your ticket is good at Breckenridge (40 miles away).....but IMHO....when you're in Vail/Beaver Creek, WHO NEEDS BRECK?

Yet I love Aspen's variety. Not just in skiing.....but in restaurants and nightlife too.

Dang....I'm glad I live here and don't have to make these once a year decisions.

I went to Aspen as a poor college student, and so do lots of others. Like any ski resort, it has a variety of accommodations of all price ranges -- probably more than many. Every single person in Aspen is not rich or a celebrity. I thought Vail was more expensive than Aspen, but that is just my impression.

Great, thanks for all the advice. I'll definitely look further into Aspen and take Telluride off my list for now. Thanks!

I don't know if Vail will offer much cross-country skiing, and that's your first requirement besides beginner downhill which most mountains will offer. I could be wrong, as it's been several years since I needed a X-country place in Vail, but I could only find a golf course that's used for Nordic trails in the winter, and it was a little boring. There are more options near Frisco, but that would be a fairly long commute for you and I don't know if there's a shuttle.
We love Aspen year-round, and agree it's probably no more expensive than Vail. It would be a long drive from Denver, or another flight from Denver, too. You'd need to find out if there's a shuttle in Aspen to take you to the different ski areas. I don't have personal experience with cross-country skiing there, but it's wide open country and I'll bet they have plenty to offer.
I also like Steamboat for its atmosphere, but don't know specifically what it offers on your list. Crested Butte, too. But you might need a car in those towns, and have to fly there same as Telluride.
Have fun searching and please post your findings. Bottom line, you probably can't go wrong!

If you stay in Aspen you will have to take a bus to the other mountains for beginner skiing. Ajax is NOT a beginner mountain. I would be very sure there is cross country skiing near Vail--maybe Eagle or Minturn? I have always loved the terrain at Vail because even beginners can ski around the top of the mountain on nice greens.

There is cross country skiing at Vail, groomed trails on the golf course.

Personally, I think Aspen is more expensive than the others you've listed. Have you considered Breckenridge?

Many zillion years ago, I learned to ski at Vail--it was fine. I would suggest Steamboat, though. That's where my daughter had her first lessons and I was impressed with their ski school. Plus, as another poster mentioned, they are WALLOWING in snow right now!! Steamboat's a great town--so much to do other than ski.

I think Winter Park is a great beginning area and they have a good ski school too

hmmm... such a hard question!...

If I wasn't a skier, I may really look at Crested Butte. I love that town. Aspen is a really nice town (and all of Colorado has gotten a bit bling, bling).. but Aspen Ajax (the mountain downtown) is not the best for a beginner. The town of Breckenridge has a lot to offer. And Steamboat is a great example of an real old time Colorado town. Any of the Vail resorts (Keystone, Breck, Vail, Beaver Creek) do a great job of providing activities for non-skiers.... and provide shuttle service between these resorts (along with the Summit bus system).

Throw a dart, pick one, and you will love it. I would probably make my decision based more on access (flights, etc) and cost. You may want to go to Vail's website and look at non-skiing activities (across all their resorts).

I believe the question of ski instruction is moot. My husband is a Colorado ski instructor... Every mountain is very focused on the beginner skier - and all have very, very good programs (but you may want to compare - via the internet - cost).

One thing: avoid President's Day Weekend - a ZOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Winter Park also has easy access by Amtrak train to/from Denver, and a shuttle that runs to/from downhill areas once you're there. Or Home James shuttle service Denver airport to/from WP.
There's great cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing up there, at Snow Mountain Ranch, which I think might also have a shuttle to/from town. Devil's Thumb Ranch, too, is known for Nordic, but I'm not sure if it's open this year due to change in ownership.
Good downhill ski school at WP, as most mountains have.
A tubing hill near Fraser, which is lit up at night and has a warming hut for hot chocolate. And sleigh rides, etc. available.
It's not 'glitzy' or haute couture by any stretch, more a down-to-earth place. It does have ample restaurants and shops.
In January, you probably will find plenty of snow at any mountain in Colorado.
For WP, you could contact Destinations West for condo/house rentals, also for info. about the area. They have a website and an 800 number.

I live in Summit County. Trust me, we're all wallowing in snow right now. I can't even find my car.

Sarah is right. Try Grey Rocks. It is near enough to Mt. Tremblant to allow one or two evening trips there for a drink though after a day of skiing a hot bath will probably be higher on your agenda. No matter where you go, you really will not progress beyond the bunny slopes. Don't waste your money on the high cost of a these mountains as at your skill level you won't be able to really use what the mountain has to offer IMO. Grey Rocks isn't the "best" mountain but you will find it a challenge. It does, however, offer a great program that will have you skiing by the end of the week. I would also suggest "ski conditioning" classes before you go. It will increase your level of fitness which will allow you to make even greater progress.

My vote goes to Steamboat or Copper (where I learned to ski). Steamboat is a great town with lots to do - no pretense as is found in Aspen and Vail. Copper Mtn is basically divided by the level of skier... the right side of the mtn is beginner, mid is advanced and left is expert... of course the boundaries do cross but it is great for beginners... you don't have to worry as much about being run over by the better skiers. Can't go wrong in Colorado though... love that state !

If you're going mostly for the skiing and less for the resorty-ness, Winter Park CO is plenty large enough for a beginner and may be slightly less crowded then some of the really big name places like aspen. they also have a very good ski school from what i've heard. good luck! Skiing is an amazing sport and i'm sure you'll love it!

These posts were fun to read. We all have our personal preferences. I'm from Ohio and am the worst downhill skier in my family. I like green and blue runs when out west. My husband and kids are all black skiiers. My husband goes 3-5 times a year out west and hands down likes Utah for snow conditions. I did not much like Park City, I thought it was a bit hard, even their blues. I loved loved loved the town of Park City. Lots to do there. For skiing I loved Deer Valley the best in Utah, I liked the nice clean groomed runs. None of us in our family of 4 like Steamboat. We do not like the town and thought the mountain not as user friendly or easy to get around on. My son and husband have skiied Aspen and Snow Mass, I have not. We've skiied Keystone and liked the night skiing, and did not like the lay out of Breckenridge which is close to Keystone. But our all time favorite for all 4 of us, is Vail. I think it has all types of runs, and like someone said, I could actually get to the top and find ways to ski down. The views are beautiful and the town in January is all lit up for Christmas and I loved the horse drawn carriages through the town. I thought it the most beautiful. And I do remember cross country skiing at Vail as well. I've never been to Beaver Creek, but my husband has and compares it to Deer Valley in Utah for me. He says I would love it and I'm pretty sure your ticket from Vail is good at Beaver Creek. So good luck and have fun.

I know you wanted to stick to Colorado, but you may want to factor altitude into your decision. Park City is a much lower altitude, and carries a lower risk of altitude sickness. Additionally, it is only a 45 minute ride from Salt Lake City airport, making it very accessible. There are 2 other ski areas with in 10 minutes of Park City, Deer Valley and another one whose name escapes me at the moment. Deer Valley is spectacular, and has a great ski school as does Park City.

The town of Park city has some great restaurants and shops. There is actually a lift right in the middle of town that takes you to the mountain.

We ski twice every year. Have skiied Park City (and Deer Valley), Vail, Aspen-Snowmass, and Tahoe. We often go with a group with a wide range of abilities, and then a family trip with a very advanced snowboarder and his medium ability skiier brother. Our all time favorite (and that of the group we go with) is Snowmass. Here's why. you can easily find a condo that you can Ski in-ski out.Most other places you have to either take some form of transportation to the lifts or walk. Ski school is really really good. Snowmass has more Blue runs than Aspen where people ski much more aggressivley and can be dangerous. Restaurants in Aspen are fabulous, and you can get there from Snowmass by the shuttle bus, about a 20 min ride, everyone does it- very easy to do. We take the bus even when we have a car. Nearby Buttermilk has more Green and blue runs for the beginners and a great ski school that has it's own lift and run. You can get there from Snowmass via shuttle bus as well. They will even take your equipment over ahead of time if you want. The Village of Snowmass is charming.

one more thing. The weather in Park City can be more severe than in Snowmass. Last Dec we encountered blizzard like conditions, very hard to ski in, at Park City. Never encountered anything this extreme in Colorado. the weather is much more mild - or so it seems.

My kids and DH all learned to ski at Buttermilk and we still love Snowmass and Buttermilk the best and Aspen is a great authentic silver mining town. Its wonderful because you have options regardless of your financial situation.
There are inexpensive restaurants and lodging as well as incredibly expensive options. You will fit in regardless of what you are wearing or driving as many locals are still just "good old boys" in flannel and Levi's.

Snowmass Mtn (8 miles from Aspen) has plenty of ski in ski out lodging and a great ski school. There is a shuttle to all of the resorts (Aspen, Highlands and Buttermilk). We stay at the Pokolodi Lodge which is only $159/nt Christmas week and drops significantly for other parts of the season.

The Aspen resorts have a great learn to ski package called Beginner Magic that includes lessons, lift tickets, and equipment for a day or for 3 days and you can extend the package as you wish. There is also a Buttermilk Deluxe deal this January that is an even better deal. Go to www.aspensnowmass.com to locate the lesson packages. You can also rent equipment and buy lift tickets online at a savings over the window price.

Vail is much more crowded than Aspen on a daily basis as it is close enough for Denver folks to pop over for a day or a short weekend trip. Aspen, because of its location far from large cities, is a destination trip and there are never lines even during the busiest times.

I've skied Aspen, Vail and Telluride and of the three, I'd vote for Vail. But I agree with those who suggested Park City and that would be my recommendation. It's an old mining town, which I enjoy more than Vail's faux Swiss village. If you can get a hotel room, Sundance is a great time to be there because no one is on the mountain. Buttermilk at Aspen is a great mountain for beginners but you need to take a bus to get there versus Park City where there are lifts in town. Aspen is pricey and, in my opinion, too much of a scene.

Another vote for Winter Park. What I liked best about Winter Park was that I could go to the very top of the mountain, and even a green skier like me could ski all the way down. Didn't need a car -- stayed at a condo in town -- walked to all the restaurants and shops -- took shuttle to the ski area. Flew into Denver, van to Winter Park.

Hi Miramar:

I have skied all over the world... but for "pure ski lessons, food and value" I also recommend "Grey Rocks"! Canada!

Small mountain but to a beginner it will look like the Matterhorn. By the end of the ski week that Matterhorn will be back to "bunny hill" status!

Great ski package for beginners

JOHN