I have a few questions concerning skiing in the West. First, from reading all the posts it looks like the best places for a beginner/easy intermediate skier is either Park City or Aspen - Correct? Second, if I ski beginner/easy intermediate on the East how does it compare to the West? Lastly, can anyone recommend lodging that is moderately priced ($100-$150/night) close to the slopes?

Hi...We are kind of in the same boat.We have skiied in the east(not a lot).The last time was in Maine and my instructor said if I could ski there the west was going to be pure heaven.We have decided,I think, to go to Telluride.Its beautiful,and has great instruction from what Im told.Plus ,its smaller and a bit more intimate from say, Aspen.I know I would love either...good luck!

Each mountain rates it's runs differently, which makes comparisons a bit difficult. Start with the green runs, then try groomed blues, and ask the ski school, the ski patrol or the waitstaff "What's an easy blue today?"

Aspen Mountain itself has no green runs, but within 10 minutes are Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk (mostly blue and green runs) and Snowmass, which at 3000 acres, has all types of terrain.

Usually moderately priced and close to the slopes are mutually exclusive. Both the Aspen area and Park City have good shuttle systems.

I like to suggest Lake Tahoe area. Reno is fairly well connected by air. It tends to have more comfortable skiing weather, and is lower altitude than most of the Colorado/Utah areas (easier to breath and adapt to the altitude). South Lake Tahoe has a lot of moderate-priced lodging, North Tahoe/Truckee is a bit more expensive but still has a wide range of choices, Reno is cheap, but an hour away.

I've never heard Aspen or Park City called a good beginner area (or moderately priced either).

Ski trails are ranked green, blue, black relative to the other trails on _that_ mountain. Where do you ski in the East? For example, someone who is an expert skier at a small mountain, like in the Poconos or the Catskills, is not going to be able to ski expert trails at Squaw. OTOH, if you ski at Killington it's more comparable. It's easier to ski in powder (Colorado, Utah) than on the icy conditions often present in the East. New snow in Tahoe can be a challenge if you're not used to it - it's heavier, wetter than the snow in Colorado & Utah.

I agree that the light dry snow in Utah and Colorado is easier to ski than the heavier, wetter snow of Lake Tahoe.

Tahoe, Park City, and Steamboat are all under 7000 feet above sea level at their bases. That makes for easier breathing than Summitt County or Winter Park, where the bases are 9000 feet plus.