How to Find the Best Ski Resorts
So where are the best ski resorts for new skiers? Surprisingly, many of my friends suggested smaller areas, such as Windham Mountain. According to a Windham instructor, this program won the resort a National Ski Association of America award. Sign up online, we meet you at the curb, walk you through rentals, a couple hours instruction, lunch at elevation, a couple more hours instruction, cocoa and review, 5x7 photo, and a return visit discount card.”
Photo: Windham Ski Lesson: Courtesy of Windham Ski Resort
The popularity of smaller ski resorts as learning areas for beginners has been affirmed by Michael Berry of NSAA, "Twenty per cent of ski areas in the U.S. are teaching 80% of the new skiers." These areas are not high-bling, destination resorts, but small, no-name, family-run ski areas in the hinterlands of the ski business, using uncertified personnel to teach them on old, battered rental gear. The big destination resorts have made gargantuan efforts to fill the gap, and have succeeded, but again, 80% of new skiers will have their first 1-3 days on snow at places like Nubs Nob or Lookout Pass or Big Bear.”
Both Liberty Mountain and Windham win again with the Snow Time program. This program is offered at Liberty Mountain Resort, Whitetail and Roundtop all of which are located in South Central Pennsylvania. This year it is called the Mountain Passport Club. Every level 1 skier receives a coupon during the lesson. The coupon is redeemable for a discounted return visit lift/lesson/rental package. On the skier’s second visit, they receive a free discount card good for 40% off of future visits, free lessons for the rest of the season and a coupon booklet. Instructors write their name on these coupons, which allow them to earn prizes for the most redeemed coupons. This gives them the motivation to give an excellent lesson.
The East again got high points with the Seven Springs Resort. In fact, it ranked 5th and 6th in the East by Ski Magazine, even though the resort is not an advertiser! If you feel that you would be motivated by a stunningly scenic environment, consider Bretton Woods. This is one of the most beautiful ski areas in New England. Overlooking the elegant Mount Washington Hotel, the atmosphere on the mountain is highly conducive to skiing with grace and ease. Most of the trails are well groomed, and there is plenty of beginner terrain. As a "family resort," Bretton Woods attracts a "tamer" crowd than other New England ski areas. This makes it easier to learn without distraction.
Western Ski Resorts: Copper Mountain, Colorado
Although the East is popular for new skiers, it does not hold exclusive domain over beginner terrain and quality novice lessons. I have taken lessons in New England, Canada, Utah and Italy. So far, no ski area has exceeded the quality of lessons I’ve received at Copper Mountain. I wish that I had learned there as a new skier. Copper has a separate beginners’ skiing area known as Union Creek. It is filled with gentle, rolling hills, far from the madding crowds! Although Copper is my favorite, ski lessons in most of Summit County, Colorado are often very high quality. Many Summit County Colorado ski instructors are obsessed with improving their ski –instructional skills. They meet once a week for what is known as movement analysis classes, where they watch videos in order to determine how to improve their students’ skiing skills.
Buttermilk, Colorado
Buttermilk is the gentlest of the Aspen Ski Resorts. The trails that are located under the Buttermilk West Chairlift are perfect for novice skiers who want to practice their skills without the anxiety associated with having experts ski past them at mach 10 speeds. Buttermilk’s instructional staff achieved high honors in Ski Magazine’s survey of North America’s top ski schools.
Bogus Basin, Idaho
If you want to plan a ski trip to Idaho, consider the Bogus Basin Mountain Resort. With a convenient location outside of Boise, this ski area offers the Passport Program for novice skiers. The affordable $269 package includes four half day lessons, used lease or rental equipment for the season and a season pass at the end of the lessons. Bogus Basin Mountain Resort also has the Coach Chairlift, which is exclusively for beginners.
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