Where are the best slopes near Salt Lake City for newish skiers
 

Want to fly out from the east coast and would for a four day weekend I have only been skiing for a year. Can anyone suggest the best resort with the most green trails?

I am also a newish skiier (comfortable on all greens), but our skiing buddies are usually comfortable blue trail skiiers. We like Park City, Utah. It has 3 nearby resorts, each of which has plenty of groomed green and blue trails -- Park City, Deer Valley and the Canyons. It also has a cute little town with some "nightlife" (my DH's requirement!). Finally, it is a very easy, non-stop flight from the East Coast, without a long drive or connection (unlike many of the CO resorts). Check it out.

Brighton is where all of my kids learned to ski. It has a lot of greens. It is about a 45 min. drive from Salt Lake City. You'll probably find more locals here than at the Park City resorts.

Ooops -- should've mentioned that I learned to ski at Deer Valley. The ski school is good, but expensive.<BR><BR>One benefit to being a beginner at Deer Valley is that they limit the number of skiiers on the mountain each day (so it's less crowded) and they don't allow snowboarders (boarders can be intimidating to beginners who have less control).

Thank you everybody? Can anyone suggest hotel lodging. I am looking for something that is clean comfortable in the 70-100 dollar range. Thanks again everybody? The mountains are still green in Vermont can't wait to check out skiing in the west.

PS I might have to take public transportation to Deer Vally is that possible from the airport or Salt Lake city center?

Can't recommend hotels -- we usually do condos.<BR><BR>Public transportation is a good idea. There are shuttle services from the Salt Lake airport to most major hotels/condos in the Park City/Deer Valley area. Also, there is a free shuttle bus that runs very frequently around Park City and to the Park City resort. I think it also runs to the Deer Valley resort -- very convenient.<BR><BR>Enjoy!

Hi Virginia! Glad to hear you're coming out to ski with us! About the only Utah resort I would not recommend for a 1 year skier is Snowbird. Everwhere else, you'll have a great time with plenty of green & groomed blue runs. We've had a record snowfall in November and the skiing is great!!<BR><BR>There are very few hotels that are in the $70-100 price range during ski season. The only ones that might fit would be a little outside the Park City area (5 mi. from Park City and about 3 mi. from The Canyons) and not served by the free city shuttle buses. Although I think they have their own shuttles. These are: Holiday Inn Express & Best Western Landmark Inn both in Kimball Junction. The next price range would be The Yarrow Hotel, The Radisson, and the Inn at Prospector Square (which I would NOT recommend). I used to work at The Yarrow and last year double/double rooms were averaging $95 - $120 - and it was a bad year.<BR><BR>It will depend greatly on when you want to come. The fact that the Olympics are here could play very much in your favor. Lots of people are staying away because they somehow think that the Olympics will make Park City crowded all year. NOT - the Olympics are only 2 1/2 weeks. SO - many lodging choices have really great deals going to fill up the rest of the year. Come right before or after the Sundance Film Festival for best loding prices. Before January 10 and after January 24. <BR><BR>Many companies provide shuttle vans from the airport. Last year they charged $25 one way. All Resorts Express is one. Write back if you have other questions. Be glad to help....

Thanks Dale great info thanks. I am wondering if New Years will be booked?<BR>I did try to book at Sundance and had some trouble. My big concern is how crowded the slopes will be because I am a new skier I don't often find away of getting out of the space of wrecks so an open slope is really helpful. When will the Olympics end?

Virginia - if you want uncrowded slopes avoid the holidays and weekends. Often during the weekdays there are no lift lines. If you are on a budget avoid Deer Vally - it is the most expensive resort in the area. Lift tickets at Brighton, Alta or Solitude will be less - there is public transportation up the canyons and you'll probably find a nicer hotel for less money in Salt Lake than in Park City.

Hi again Virginia! Barbara's suggestion of staying in Salt Lake City is a good one. There are lots of hotels to choose from there. If you don 't want to rent a car (which may wipe out the savings of staying down in SLC) you could take the bus to the Big & Little Cottonwood resorts (Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude). I wouldn't recommend it though. It's not that cheap & it's quite inconvenient. Depending on where your hotel was, you might have to changes buses along the way. <BR><BR>I wasn't clear if you meant you tried to get reservations during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City or you were trying to get reservations at Sundance Ski Resort (Redford's place)south of SLC in Provo Canyon?<BR><BR>Prices are sky high during the film festival in Park City. The Sundance Film Festival goes from Jan 10 - 20. The Olympics go from Feb 7 to Feb 24. Although reservations prior to the start may be difficult too due to all the broadcasting and journalists who will be hear ahead of time -- hyping away!<BR><BR>If you can come right after New Year's you'll get the deal of a lifetime.

I will be avoiding the holidays it looks like we might make our way out there at another time. I can't avoid weekends because that is when I am off. Thanks everyone