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