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Started By
Message
What's a good place to go ski for adult beginners in March?
Posted on 8/22/24 at 10:10 am
Posted on 8/22/24 at 10:10 am
I was never interested in skiing. Gf wants to go for Mardi gras holiday.
I'm looking for something not really expensive but also with green and blues. Bonus if there are other things in area to do.
Sante Fe was mentioned to me as a good beginner area. Of course tons of places in Colorado and Utah always seemed nice.
Would likely fly in and rent a car.
Trying to figure it all out now as far as price and what to expect.
Would need equipment rental and lift passes. I've done xc skiing but never alpine other than some small tiny slopes. Like I know pizza and French fries but nothing past that. Likely going to break a leg, but hey it's an experience.
I'm looking for something not really expensive but also with green and blues. Bonus if there are other things in area to do.
Sante Fe was mentioned to me as a good beginner area. Of course tons of places in Colorado and Utah always seemed nice.
Would likely fly in and rent a car.
Trying to figure it all out now as far as price and what to expect.
Would need equipment rental and lift passes. I've done xc skiing but never alpine other than some small tiny slopes. Like I know pizza and French fries but nothing past that. Likely going to break a leg, but hey it's an experience.
20
Posted on 8/22/24 at 10:42 am to Napoleon
Last year we went the week of Mardi Gras to Winter Park. It was my first time skiing and there were no issues. They offer classes which were great and had one for every experience level. The crowd was perfect Monday-Thursday, but there was snow Thursday night so the crowd was pretty big on Friday, but all lines moved fast. Not a traditional ski town, but I had no complaints with the 3 min drive from our AirBnb.
Also during Mardi Gras, lots of other Louisiana people go skiing so expect to see some other baws.
Also during Mardi Gras, lots of other Louisiana people go skiing so expect to see some other baws.
Posted on 8/22/24 at 11:07 am to Napoleon
Utah - Park City if you want a resort town or Solitude if you are ok with less amenities (they do have places to stay)
Colorado - Breckinridge, Copper, Keystone
Whatever you choose, see if they are on epic or ikon and buy a pass with how many days you need. A lot cheaper than buying a ticket from the resort directly.
It's pretty hard to break a leg skiing. Maybe tear an ACL or rip your groin out
Colorado - Breckinridge, Copper, Keystone
Whatever you choose, see if they are on epic or ikon and buy a pass with how many days you need. A lot cheaper than buying a ticket from the resort directly.
quote:
Likely going to break a leg, but hey it's an experience.
It's pretty hard to break a leg skiing. Maybe tear an ACL or rip your groin out
Posted on 8/22/24 at 11:26 am to Napoleon
Y'all be careful. My gf and I went for the first time Valentines Day weekend of 2022 and right when we figured it out after a lesson, first run, a kid fell in front of my gf, and she tried to avoid crashing into him, and tore her ACL.
This was in NC on Sugar Mountain though, so if you are going out west, the snow will be infinitely better.
This was in NC on Sugar Mountain though, so if you are going out west, the snow will be infinitely better.
Posted on 8/22/24 at 11:26 am to Napoleon
i used to go to reno. stay at one of the casino hotels sunday-friday. usually got pretty cheap rates. then drive IH80 over to truckee, california. a one hour drive. i would ski at northstar. it was not a real hard course. great views of lake tahoe at the top. i would usually fly into SFO and drive over on IH80 to reno. i liked that drive and only 4 hours.
Posted on 8/22/24 at 11:29 am to Napoleon
In Colorado, there are several good options. I’m sure there are several in Utah as well but someone who is more familiar with those can speak to those. Everywhere will have pros and cons so you have to decide what’s best.
Anywhere will have equipment rental. The passes are something you should get as far in advance as possible. The big resorts are mostly on Epic Pass or ikon Pass. You may not think you need a “season pass” but it may work out better and offer more flexibility.
Breckenridge has some beautiful beginner terrain and gentle blues. It will be middle of the road price wise. United used to a do shuttle from DIA to Breck (think connecting flight service but on the ground). Keystone has some great deals for families and I enjoy the mountain, but the beginner terrain is limited. Copper is good but the town is dead after the mountain closes. Vail is good but expensive. Beaver Creek is fancy like Vail but a little calmer scene. Steamboat is a great mountain and a fantastic town. You can fly into steamboat and not need a car. Same for Crested Butte which is my favorite place. Aspen is a must do but save that for later. Winter Park is a great mountain but I would recommend just about anywhere else for a 1st timer, town is lame and beginning terrain is jammed.
For flexibility, if you go Epic pass and stayed in summit county, you could ski Keystone, Breck, Vail and Beaver in the same trip if you wanted.
ETA: United shuttle service is no longer operated. Summit Express is still an option for the I70 resorts
Anywhere will have equipment rental. The passes are something you should get as far in advance as possible. The big resorts are mostly on Epic Pass or ikon Pass. You may not think you need a “season pass” but it may work out better and offer more flexibility.
Breckenridge has some beautiful beginner terrain and gentle blues. It will be middle of the road price wise. United used to a do shuttle from DIA to Breck (think connecting flight service but on the ground). Keystone has some great deals for families and I enjoy the mountain, but the beginner terrain is limited. Copper is good but the town is dead after the mountain closes. Vail is good but expensive. Beaver Creek is fancy like Vail but a little calmer scene. Steamboat is a great mountain and a fantastic town. You can fly into steamboat and not need a car. Same for Crested Butte which is my favorite place. Aspen is a must do but save that for later. Winter Park is a great mountain but I would recommend just about anywhere else for a 1st timer, town is lame and beginning terrain is jammed.
For flexibility, if you go Epic pass and stayed in summit county, you could ski Keystone, Breck, Vail and Beaver in the same trip if you wanted.
ETA: United shuttle service is no longer operated. Summit Express is still an option for the I70 resorts
This post was edited on 8/22/24 at 11:38 am
Posted on 8/22/24 at 11:57 am to Napoleon
To me, if you're trying to do this fiscally responsible I would search airfare prices then prioritize from there. For example, you can fly to denver cheaper than salt lake city BUT, no way am I going to potentially drive from denver to breck or keystone in a snow storm. You've still got chances of storms in utah BUT that drive is much shorter and easier and uber's with more experienced snow drivers are an easier option in Utah.
We think Park City is worth the extra travel expense. Tons of terrain (biggest resort in the US), alot to do (Main Street, etc). two separate resorts that are connected, easy to and from the airport, (less than 40 minutes), etc.
You can really learn to ski anywhere but I am a big supporter of doing a ski trip if you want to take a ski trip. If you JUST want to learn to ski, that's different. But, you can put me down for Park City as the best option for a first time ski trip. it's got everything you would want. I think there's places to stay and ways to save in Park City to counter balance some of the travel costs, for example...Red Pine Lodge through VRBO or AirBNB.
We got a two bedroom with a loft (three adults, one child) for mardi Gras week for $3300. It's not ski in ski out BUT it's walkable to the lifts and on a free shuttle van route.
We think Park City is worth the extra travel expense. Tons of terrain (biggest resort in the US), alot to do (Main Street, etc). two separate resorts that are connected, easy to and from the airport, (less than 40 minutes), etc.
You can really learn to ski anywhere but I am a big supporter of doing a ski trip if you want to take a ski trip. If you JUST want to learn to ski, that's different. But, you can put me down for Park City as the best option for a first time ski trip. it's got everything you would want. I think there's places to stay and ways to save in Park City to counter balance some of the travel costs, for example...Red Pine Lodge through VRBO or AirBNB.
We got a two bedroom with a loft (three adults, one child) for mardi Gras week for $3300. It's not ski in ski out BUT it's walkable to the lifts and on a free shuttle van route.
This post was edited on 8/22/24 at 12:04 pm
Posted on 8/22/24 at 12:41 pm to Napoleon
We’ve skied for the last two years at Angel Fire, NM during Mardi Gras. It’s been a lot of fun for my grandkids and I. There’s good easy green runs and there usually isn’t a huge crowd on the slopes or in line for the lifts. Ski school is good. No ski area is cheap but some are just less expensive. Angel Fire is less expensive. You can also rent everything you need.
Posted on 8/22/24 at 12:59 pm to Napoleon
Keystone is one of the best resorts for new skiers. It has a lot of groomed runs, especially on the frontside of the mountain that are rather mellow. Lodging there is typically the most reasonable and you can get a lift ticket right now through Epic for $87 per day but the price will increase on 9/2 and will continue to increase the longer you wait.
You also have Silverthorne/Frisco/Breck nearby so there are other things you can check out if you want a break from skiing.
Copper is also reasonable, I think you can get a four pack of lift tickets for $349 right now but lodging is a bit more limited there. I also really like Steamboat, if you can get a good deal on a flight into HDN it would be worth looking into otherwise it is longer drive from DEN through a couple of mountain passes....I don't mind the drive but I have a lot of winter driving experience.
You also have Silverthorne/Frisco/Breck nearby so there are other things you can check out if you want a break from skiing.
Copper is also reasonable, I think you can get a four pack of lift tickets for $349 right now but lodging is a bit more limited there. I also really like Steamboat, if you can get a good deal on a flight into HDN it would be worth looking into otherwise it is longer drive from DEN through a couple of mountain passes....I don't mind the drive but I have a lot of winter driving experience.
This post was edited on 8/22/24 at 1:02 pm
Posted on 8/22/24 at 2:08 pm to Napoleon
My family's first ski outing was Park City, Utah. Good beginers class and a few easy slops.
Posted on 8/22/24 at 3:08 pm to Napoleon
It all depends on your budget. One of the Midwest resorts would be better in terms of crowds, getting yourselves and equipment to the learning area, etc. That’s what I wish I would’ve done for the first couple of trips. Another thing to take into account is your ability to acclimate to the altitude. But if you’re willing to spend some money, and want other things to do besides ski, then Park City is the place. About half the elevation of Breck or Keystone too, which are the other beginner resorts I would recommend.
This post was edited on 8/22/24 at 10:25 pm
Posted on 8/22/24 at 6:05 pm to Napoleon
Red River in New Mexico is great for beginners
Posted on 8/22/24 at 6:56 pm to Napoleon
Ski Cooper.
Stay in Leadville. Yes, Leadville is charmingly shitty but you can do that trip on the cheap. Its a great mountain to learn on. Elevation is over 10,000'
Stay in Leadville. Yes, Leadville is charmingly shitty but you can do that trip on the cheap. Its a great mountain to learn on. Elevation is over 10,000'
Posted on 8/22/24 at 8:12 pm to Duke
quote:
Ski Cooper.
This really is a great, great beginning option and a fraction of the cost of large resorts.
The schlepping to skiing ratio for beginners at large resorts is all wrong.
Ski cooper you go up and down all day, with an idiot proof layout, good easy terrain, and one of the best views in Colorado.
But Leadville . . .
Posted on 8/23/24 at 9:46 am to Napoleon
quote:
Red River in New Mexico is great for beginners
I second this statement. I took my 2 young sons there several years ago and we had a blast. It is a small town with a ski area there, it does not have a huge ski resort feel. You can rent everything you need there and there are plenty of lodging rentals right near the lifts that are reasonably priced. I would definitely recommend this place for a first timer.
Posted on 8/23/24 at 9:47 am to Duke
quote:
charmingly shitty
Should put that on the welcome sign.
Posted on 8/23/24 at 10:27 am to Napoleon
quote:
Y'all be careful
Seriously, in PT for knee surgery there was multiple young physically fit people in their for ACL skiing injuries.
Posted on 8/23/24 at 12:48 pm to Napoleon
Lift tickets - passes - they are sold ahead of time now for better deals, if you are skiing 3+ days you can save 50% or more by buying them well ahead of time. If you are just going to ski a day or 2 I probably wouldn't sweat it.
If you are adults only I'd highly consider just flying into denver during the middle of the week and finding lodging last minute, very likely to find a condo to rent fairly cheaply somewhere. Many of the mountains in Colorado are fairly close together. Again though, its all about the passes.
Its really not hard at all to drive in 20-30 mins in the morning and save a ton. Ski lodging is all based on being within walking distance or ski in ski out, which is really really nice with kids but with adults completely unnecessary.
If you are adults only I'd highly consider just flying into denver during the middle of the week and finding lodging last minute, very likely to find a condo to rent fairly cheaply somewhere. Many of the mountains in Colorado are fairly close together. Again though, its all about the passes.
Its really not hard at all to drive in 20-30 mins in the morning and save a ton. Ski lodging is all based on being within walking distance or ski in ski out, which is really really nice with kids but with adults completely unnecessary.
Posted on 8/23/24 at 1:53 pm to Napoleon
Granby Ranch, Ski Cooper, Eldora
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