Vermont ski advice sought
 

I've never been skiing before and will be in the Burlington and Montpelier areas for 3 days mid January. I'd like to ski for the first time. Where should I do this? I don't think I want to stay at a ski resort. Is there a not-very fancy type of place where one can go to ski for the day without staying there and without all the frills that I usually associate with skiing? Budget is an issue, obviously, plus I'll probably be on my own. Any advice would be appreciated.

Yes, its possible to just stay at a plain hotel hotel not on the ski property and just show up for a day. Definitely try it. I skied for the first time in my 40's, and absolutely loved it.

I'll let others recommend specific places because I don't know Vermont well, but here are some general tips.

-- On weekends there is often a very long line to rent ski equipment in the morning. You can avoid the line by renting your equipment the night before -- it will probably cost the same.

-- Look for weekday specials.

-- If you plan to start by taking lessons on the bunny slope, you may not need to buy a lift ticket. The little lift to the beginner slope is often free. You could maybe take a lesson and practice for free in the morning, then get a half-day lift ticket for the afternoon.

-- You may pay less by renting equipment at a local sports equipment store (like EMS). But if something breaks at the ski area they won't be able to fix it at the ski shop, so it is a slight risk.

-- Besides equipment rental and lift ticket, your other two expenses are food (usually overpriced at the lodge) and ski clothing. You can bring your own food. A thermos of hot water and little packets of chicken soup and hot chocolate, a hearty sandwich, stuff like that.

-- It is hard to avoid the cost of warm ski clothes. Do get some fleecy pants with a waterproof outer cover, and something good quality to cover your face, head and hands. Warm socks.

Cannot speak for the East but in Colorado you can get first time packages that include everything - rentals, lessons, pass, etc. for very reasonable prices. Check for beginner or first time packages. Also beginner skis are much shorter than the normal length that you normally ski with once you learn.

I was initially going to mention Stowe, but Bolton Valley sounds more like what you want. Cheaper too.

What are the frills you associate with skiing? Helicopter drops? :-)

Thanks for the replies. I will check out Bolton Valley. So I can't ski in a regular old parka or oil cloth jacket and jeans?

Frills? I don't know...hot cocoa in front of a fireplace? Designer sunglasses? In-house masseuse? :)

I second (or third?) Bolton Valley. Sounds just like what you are looking for.
You'll definately want to wear snow pants. You'll be on your rear-end a lot! ;) ;)

Jay Peak.

Like they say in their commercial "If you are not here for the mountain, you are not here"

They have a first time skier plan that includes lessons, equipment and lift ticket for the day.

Mark

Don't where jeans while skiing. As a beginner you'll probably have a couple of falls and denim pants will get wet (and cold) very quickly. Before you leave on your trip go to your local sporting goods store (the big chains have stores in most cities and towns) and purchase an inexpensive pair of of "ski pants". They are made of water repellant material and will keep you dry and warm. Put them on over a pair of "long john". Wear a sweater or turtle neck under your parker or ski jacket. You'll need a pair of ski gloves and it wouldn't hurt to get a pair of ski socks and a knit hat.

You can rent everything else.

As far as where to ski, just about every "ski mountain" has a beginner's area, aka "the bunny slope", so it won't matter too much which place you choose.

Finally, do budget for lessons. They are worth every penny you'll pay.

You can wear your parka. Just layer a couple sweaters under it as suggested. But jeans or heavy cloth pants would be a mistake.

You can ski in jeans. Just wear a pair of nylon running pants or something similar over the jeans. Will not be completely water proof but would be adequate for your purpose.

The only place we have skiied in Vermont is Stowe and we did love it. I always thought it would be a great place to ski if you were a single because many of the lodges have a breakfast and dinner included so you have others to eat with.
We used to get a package that included lodging, meals and lift tickets.
My husband learned to ski in Stowe. They used to have a dorm room at the Sans Souci(renamed now). If I remember correctly, 4 days lodging, meals,lift tickets $100--those days are over (1973)

First of all, if you're by yourself, sign up for a lesson. I've taken many people out for their first time on skis and I've yet to have someone defy the laws of nature and be able to figure it out on their own. On day one you will likely end up cold, wet and sore. Going out by yourself is dangerous for you and for others.

To help keep warm, don't wear anything cotton, wool and synthetics will be much warmer because they wick moisture. Wear multiple thin layers, and only wear one pair of socks.

As for location, I'd generally recommend against Stowe because my experience is that the weather is more harsh than average their, and I can't see paying their high prices for terrain that you will not take advantage of. I don't know where you live, but are you close to somewhere small and cheap that you can try, and maybe be more prepared for your Burlington trip at a much cheaper cost? Then maybe you can get more out of a trip to Stowe if it's your second or third time.

You can get cheap ski pants at a Burlington Coat Factory if you have those near you. I'd highly recommend NOT skiing in jeans, I think you will become miserably cold, it could easily be single digits out mid-Jan with a 20 knot wind. For my first couple years skiing, I felt my $25 ski pants were the best investment I had made.

Yes you can wear jeans, but wear long johns under them, and a pair of nylon windbreaker type pants over them. You can often pick these up at a thrift store for a few dollars. Unless it's a very mild day, you will also want a warm, ear covering hat. Good warm gloves or mittens are also a must.
Bolton Valley is a good place to start. Another non-resorty, smaller ski area is Suicide Six just outside Woodstock Vt. Don't let the name scare you, it's quite tame!

I definitley would not ski in jeans. I also think you'd do better NOT going to Stowe. A smaller place geared more toward beginners would be more fun. Unless you skip the skiing and go straight to The Matterhorn for drinks!

Thanks for the continued comments. I will take the advice and not ski in jeans. I'd forgotten about falling down.

I live in Florida, so I didn't want to invest a lot of $ in ski gear. But I should be able to find inexpensive synthetic pants.

If you're doing to do more than a day, I'd recommend trying snowboarding as well.

Cimbrone I don't know where you live in FL but near Ocala there's a flea market that has great skiwear very affordable. It's at Markets of Marion just south of Ocala.
Also, I'm 51 and was going to try to ski last year. I got talked into snowboarding instead and glad I did. There's pros & cons to both but once you get the hang of it....
Also, check out tierneyrides.com for a LAND trainer. I bought a used board from them that lets me train on my street! I love it and can't wait to try my new skillz.

I hear that snowboarding is MUCH harder than skiing. Not true? My frustration level with things requiring coordination is pretty low, I must admit.

Atty, is the flea market you mention anywhere near I-75? I'll be passing through there next month.

Cimbrone the flea market is probably 30 minutes off 75. It is on 441 just south of Belleview.
There is always a lot of discussion about which is harder or easier. There's no right choice. You'll never cross your skis with a board!
I honestly believe the land trainer will help your balance and control. And it uses the same muscles you use on the snowboard. I bought mine used for $50.

I don't think one is harder than the other BUT stick with one until you have mastered the technique. The techniques between snowboarding and skiing are nearly completely opposite.

And again, jeans or sweat pants, etc., are fine so long as you use an outer pants that will shed snow and mositure.