Spring Skiing with 9-year-old
 

It's time for my daughter to learn to ski, so I'm looking for a place with a great ski school and plenty of snow in the Spring (third or fourth week of March). I'd like to stay in a beautiful hotel on the mountain -- some have recommended Steamboat Springs, others Copper Mountain. I'm open to other states too -- Montana, Utah. I don't need a scene -- not Vail or Aspen. Just a nice mountain with beautiful lodgings, a good ski school, and plenty of snow. Your thoughts?

I would recommend Deer Valley or Beaver Creek- great ski schools. BC is fun for beginners because there is beginner terrain from the top of the mountain. After the 1st day, she's probably be ready for the green runs at the top of the mountain. I'd stay at the Hyatt or the Ritz at BC. Stein Eriksen Lodge would be my choice at Deer Valley.

I'll second the Beaver Creek suggestion. This is where our daughter learned to ski starting in kindergarden. The top of the mountain has wonderful green runs. There is also the outdoor ice skating in Beaver Creek Village for evenings. If money is no object, The Hyatt is great place to stay. I don't think Copper Mountain has a "beautiful hotel".

Gray Rocks in Quebec has one of the best ski schools in North America. My kids loved it there and they became expert skiers.

With daily rates starting around $700 per night in March, the Stein Eriksen Lodge is certainly nice and DV's tame slopes and pampering are great for a beginner. Book it ASAP.

For general skiing and vactions, I think DV is overhyped and overpriced, but for a first-timer it's a nice splurge.

Solitude is a less pricey Utah option. Good ski school, nice mountain, significantly better spring snow than DV or the Colorado resorts, less chance of crowds and nice little area at the base with accomodations at or under $300/per night.

Steamboat can get iffy late in March. The best instructor in North American
couldn't get me to choose an Eastern resort like Gray Rocks over one in the Rockies.

Big Sky in Montana might be another option.

You can try Northstar in the Lake Tahoe area. Sugar Bowl is another option, although the housing might be a little cramped. Browse their web sites.

So where did you go?

Well, I'm so sorry to say that despite all the terrific advice, something came up at work and I couldn't get away for much time. So we went to Stratton in Vermont, and despite the slush and rain (the heartache of Spring skiing . . ), we had a wonderful time. I have saved all the good advice Fodor-ites gave me and hope to go West next year.

Steamboat is a great place for families and especially kids learning to ski. Stay in Chateaux Chamonix at the base in a Slopeside unit, you will love it!

Checkout my blogs for more Steamboat Springs information:
http://steamboat-springs.blogspot.com/
http://spaces.msn.com/members/steamboatspringsreal/

Thanks for the Steamboat rec's...we want to stay in a ski in ski out place that is not ratty...last year we were so disappointed at Crested Butte because the slopeside units were HORRIBLE...when we moved across the street we were happy, but ski in ski out was a total nightmare joke.