Barb

My husband and I are interested in taking a ski vacation in February or March. I'm a very new skier, and he is an intermediate skier. We're looking for a vacation destination with lots of beautiful and easy slopes for me (I'm into nature and the scenery, not the thrills), and some more interesting skiing for him. Looking for a comfortable, casual, friendly atmosphere. Does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks for your help!

e

Breckenridge !!!

Dayle

Barb, for pure spectacular scenery - try Banff, Alberta. Lake Louise specifically. I would recommend Jackson for the same reason, but it's a pretty tough mountain. Other than that almost anywhere in the Rockies will do!

Lori

If it's the east coast you're looking at, I recommend Killington. Lots of trails for all levels, and lots to do besides skiing.

kima

off the beaten track but PERFECT for newbies and intermediate skiers is Ski Cooper in Leadville Colorado. Affordable too! They have 2 for 1 lift ticktes on shttp://www.skicoupons.com/index.cfm?region=4&group=15

If you want something more resorty this is not the place, Ski Cooper is very laid back family rustic type of place. Another thing to think about is skiing at Cooper one day while staying at the resort of Copper(similar names different places) pretty close together you will get the resort and a great place to learn to ski that first day or two.

Breckenridge?? No would not recommend it. I live in Colorado and ski most places we never go to Breck, crowded/icy, especially on the runs you would go on!!, Do yourself a favor and try Ski Cooper.

xxx

marmot basin in jasper, alberta
sunshine, banff, alberta
lake louise, alberta

if you stay in banff, you can ski sunshine & lake louise. the canadian dollar is pretty low compared to the u.s. so good time to travel canada

Tony

Try Lake Tahoe. The view from either Heavenly Valley or Squaw Valley of the lake are absolutely awesome. Lots of nightlife on the south shore. You might also consider Park City in Utah. Good for both beginners and intermediate skiers. Town is real casual and friendly.

sandy

If you are skiing east, I would NOT recommend Killington. Too crowded, too busy. Ski Pico, the Mountain next door to Killington (although now that I think of it, it may have been bought out by Killington..) Less crowded, nicer, more "gentle" mountain.

in general the Killington area is great fun. Loads to do with some great restaurants in the immediate area.

Another great spot in Vermont- Smuggler's Notch. Have Fun!

Les

I would recommend Keystone in Colorado. It probably has the longest beginner slope in the Rockies (Schoolmarm, 3 miles long if I remember correctly). And, it has some challenging runs for the experienced skier, and a whole lot of intermediate runs. It's also a destination (i.e., it has accommodations, restaurants, a small village, etc.), and there's a free shuttle bus that will take you to other nearby ski areas (Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, maybe Copper Mountain(?)). You can buy a single lift ticket that's good at all the areas.
It's an easy drive from Denver International Airport (1 to 1-1/2 hour along I-70 - the roads are pretty quickly cleared during the winter).
You can get discount lift tickets at most supermarkets in the Denver area, or at ski rental shops along I-70 or in Idaho Springs.

Suzie

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with Tony because the views from Heavenly and Squaw Valley are spectacular but I don't think of those places as very good for beginners. They are especially good for intermmediate and advanced. Both places have that attitude thing going on which is hard for those who are just starting out.
What do you think Tony? Different experience with that for you?

lisa

We like Park City, Utah. I am also a beginner and my DH is an intermediate skiier. Park City is easy to get to -- it doesn't require a connecting flight or a long drive. You fly into Salt Lake City and there is public transportation to take you to Park City from there (less than 1 hour).

There are 3 resorts in the area -- Park City, Deer Valley and the Canyons. Haven't skiied the Canyons, but Park City and Deer Valley each have lots of greens and groomed blues. Deer Valley also limits the number of skiiers per day and prohibits snowboarders -- something else that is appealing to a new skiier.

Finally, Park City is a nice destination -- it has a cute town with shops, restaurants and bars.

X

Vail in Colorado - I know 2 different people who learned to ski there. They have a whole beginner lift and slope and once the person catches on, there are a lot of nice green runs further up. They can download on the lift to get back down to the bottom.

Skier

Suzie-Squaw Valley is a great place for beginners. They have a nice beginner area at the top, near the ice skating rink. A lot of beginner places have their areas at the bottom. The instructors are first rate there. Alpine Meadows at Tahoe is another place that is great for beginners, they have wide open bowls at the top which are perfect. Heavenly does have some green trails but IMO, your best bet is Squaw, Alpine Meadows or Kirkwood. As for altitude, the altitude at Lake Tahoe and even at the peaks is lower than Colorado.

Suzie

Thanks skier, but it was the attitude not altitude that I was pointing out. The attitude toward less experienced skiers is so obnoxious in Squaw and Heavenly.

Skier

Suzie-I have skied at both places several times and I have never experienced any attitude. In fact they were very cordial at both places...

John

I learned at Vail. As mentioned above, it was a great place to learn. The instructors are great and the training area has its own small ski lift so you can practice control over and over. The only mistake I made was going on the greens before I took the lessons. Before was a nightmare. After was excellent.

Ginny

Surprised no one recommended Steamboat. Great place, fly into Hayden instead of Denver. Also, Whistler/Blackcomb. They have been rated #1 for a reason, great service, food, European ambience and plenty of nightlife.

As to Suzie's comments about Heavenly and Sqaw, I never came across any attitude.

And Barb, be sure to take a lesson. You can get group lessons included in the price of your package if you are going with a package deal.

Suzie

I truly hate to be misunderstood so please allow me to clarify. The views at Heavenly and Squaw are good, the scenery, especially this year, is incredible. If a beginner skier is looking for comfortable, casual, friendly atmosphere she will be welcomed by the staff in these places but the skiers may not be as casual or friendly as other resorts around Tahoe. I think it's great that other posters have been spared this experience. So far the snow is great!

Grandad

Suzie, I am truly mystified as to your comments about the skiers there having an attitude. I have been skiing for over 30 years there and never encountered any kind of attitude among the skiers. Perhaps, you were having an off day or something.

melinda

I am a very timid skier and just enjoy being out on the mountain and taking in the scenery so my vote would be Telluride, CO. It is in a box canyon so there are mountains all around you for heart stopping beauty. The sun shines there more than Miami and it is just out in the middle of nowhere with such clean air. The main thing about being a new skier is the amount of people on boards or skis that are whizzing by you like you are the stalled car in the Indy 500. I found Telluride to be great because there is a huge mountain just for beginners with wide open wide runs with few skiers as most people are over on the main mountain where all the steep chutes are. There is plenty for an intermediate to do here as well. My husband is such a good skier but he loves to come over to "my" mountain and do the long winding trails. Lifts here are not scary to get on and off and it is such a quiet spot compared with a Keystone, Breckenridge etc. We have skied most of the resorts in Colorado and Utah and Telluride seems the perfect place to learn and improve. E me if you would like.