The Top 5 Ski Resorts for Beginning Skiers and Snowboarders in the USA

Every ski season thousands of people experience skiing and snowboarding for the first time. Many learn at their local ski hill while others take an extended ski vacation at a destination ski resort. If you are looking for a great resort for beginning skiing and snowboarding, there are essential features to look for when researching for your perfect ski destination.

I've been a skier for 31 years, a snowboarder for 20 years, and an AASI-Rocky Mountain Certified Snowboard Instructor for the past eight seasons. As an instructor who specializes in teaching never-evers, I've come to appreciate the terrain and teaching systems that work best for those just starting out. Using the following criteria to judge a ski resort for beginner skiers and snowboarders will set a ski vacation up for success.

Look for uncrowded conditions
Ski resorts for beginners should have an adequate number of slopes that are wide and have a very gentle pitch. Next, look for a ski resort that is uncrowded during holiday periods. These resorts do exist. Seasoned skiers and riders sometimes forget how terrifying it is to have people near you when you are learning to ski and snowboard. Crowded conditions on the slopes should be avoided for those learning to ski or snowboard. It can be a make or break situation for novice skiers and snowboarders.

Ski School staff filled with highly certified PSIA or AASI instructors.
Next, look for a ski resort with a well-respected ski school within the ski industry. Ski Schools with current or former PSIA or AASI National Demonstration Team members on their staff are a good indicator of a resort that trains and supports their instructors. There should also be a hefty number of instructors with PSIA or AASI Level III certification. The ski school itself should guarantee lesson satisfaction or your money back.

Look for grooming awards
The last consideration when judging a ski resort when learning to ski or snowboard is the resorts ranking in grooming in national ski and snowboard magazines. Looking for a top ten grooming ranking in SKI and Skiing Magazine. Groomed surfaces provide a nice even stable surface for the beginner skier and snowboarder to learn on. Solid icy surfaces make it hard for beginners to engage an edge and control their skis or snowboard.

1) Snowmass
Snowmass in Colorado is the premiere place in the USA to have an uncrowded relaxing ski vacation and learn to ski or snowboard. I've traveled to Snowmass extensively and know the resort and the ski school well. Snowmass's beginner slopes are extremely wide, gentle, and long. Better yet, Front Range skiers and snowboarders infrequently travel to Snowmass and crowd up its ski slopes. Even during the holidays, the slopes are uncrowded unlike the Eagle and Summit County resorts.

Snowmass indulges beginning skiers and snowboarders. The resort grooms the beginner terrain immaculately. SKI Magazine ranked it #5 in grooming. In 07/08 Snowmass opened a new teaching area in Elk Camp Meadows. This area provides spectacular views as well as keeping novices safely separately from any traffic while learning.

The Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen are top-tier in the world ski industry. They only hire the best pro's, most of whom have their PSIA or AASI Cert. 3. Current and former PSIA-AASI National Demo Team members are on their staff. Adult's should take advantage of the 3-day Beginner's Magic package for $352.00 which includes lift, lesson, and rental. There is a large variety of lesson packages for kids and teens. Check their website for details and pricing.

Lodging is a treat at Snowmass. Over 90% of lodging is ski-in/ski-out. It's very easy to ski or snowboard and break for lunch at the condo. Those with small children will really enjoy this feature.

Lift tickets can be purchased in advance online or in-person. Buying multi-day tickets is less expensive. If you fly into Aspen, a rental car is not needed. Most lodging has a airport shuttle and the Snowmass shuttle system is free.

2) Beaver Creek Ski Resort
Beaver Creek is the ultimate in being pampered while learning to ski and snowboard. It's wide, gentle slopes provide the perfect learning terrain over its 345 acres of designated beginner ski slopes. It's location makes it a convenient drive from Denver, yet far enough away so that the slopes are always uncrowded.

Beaver Creek believes in providing the perfect slope conditions for beginning skiers and snowboarders on a ski vacation. SKI Magazine ranks Beaver Creek's ski slopes #2 in ski slope grooming. In addition, SKI Magazine ranks Beaver Creek #3 in service, #4 on-mountain food, #5 in lodging, #7 in dining, and #3 in family programs.

Beaver Creek's instructor's are top-tier in the world. It's staff contains current and former PSIA and AASI National Demo Team members. Moreover, many staff members have their Examiner Credentials in the PSIA-Rocky Mountain Division. Combine this with highly certified instructors and students will have access to the best instruction for beginning skiers and snowboarders. Adult's should take advantage of the 3-Day First Time Series for $270.00. Children's all-day lessons are $175.00. To spread lessons out, one can buy the EPIC 6-Pack Children's lessons for $599.00.

Lodging options in Beaver Creek include hotel's, condo's, and vacation homes. For those planning extended stays or multiple visits, one may want to purchase an EPIC ski season pass. One can also purchase multi-day ski lift tickets.

3) Sun Valley
Sun Valley has taught skiers since they opened the doors on December 21, 1936. Today Sun Valley welcomes beginning skiers and snowboarders to its wide gentle beginner slopes and teaching terrain. Due to its remote location, it is never crowded and provides the perfect hideaway for those looking for extra pampering during their ski vacation.

Sun Valley knows how important terrain is to the beginner skier and snowboarder. It has been ranked #7 by SKI Magazine for its grooming. It's Dollar Mountain teaching area provides a separate treeless area for those who are just learning and novice skiers and snowboarders. Once you've started moving, 36% of Sun Valley's terrain is rated beginner. Beginners can then quickly gain confidence in their new skills.

The Sun Valley Ski and Snowboarding School has over 200 highly certified ski and snowboard instructors on its staff. Many of Hollywood's elite have relied on its staff when learning to ski or snowboard. Adults can register for the Fun in the Sun package for $99.00 while children can be registered for all-day lessons for $180.00.

Lodging can be obtained at The Sun Valley Lodge, The Sun Valley Inn, resort condo's, or one of six cottages during your ski vacation. The new day ski lodge - Carol's Dollar Mountain Lodge, is located at the base of Dollar Mountain. Lift tickets are $82.00 but check with Liftopia.com for any discounted ski lift tickets.

4) Breckenridge Ski Resort
Breckenridge, Colorado is a former Victorian mining town that now exploits the local white gold for skiers and snowboarders looking for a lively ski vacation. Breckenridge was among the first ski resorts in Colorado to allow snowboarders full access to the mountain. It now has a rich history of teaching skiing and snowboarding.

Breckenridge's beginner ski slopes are broad, gentle, and have a generous length. SKI Magazine ranked them as #9 in grooming. The slopes are rated 15% Beginner, 33% Intermediate, 31% Advanced, and 36% Expert. Due its proximity to the Denver Metro area it can be crowded on weekends and holidays. Avoid these periods and you'll experience ideal conditions for beginner skiers or snowboarders.

Breckenridge's Ski and Ride School has over 600 instructors for those learning to ski or snowboard. Current and former PSIA-AASI National Demo Team members and Rocky Mountain Division Examiners are on their staff. Instructors are continually trained and coached to provide the highest level of instruction to guests. Children's all-day group lessons start at $140.00. Adults should take advantage of the First-Timer Discovery Series which provides three days of instruction, lift, and rental, for just $272.00. Check out all lesson options at their website. Click to book Gregg Davis, AASI National Demo Team member.

Lodging is plentiful slope-side and on the outskirts of town. Budget lodging can be found in Frisco or Silverthorne. The free Summit Stage provide free transportation between Summit County ski resorts. Lift tickets are best bought in multi-day amounts. Discounted ski lift tickets can only be purchased in grocery stores down in Denver and not at grocery stores in the mountains.

5) Steamboat Ski Resort
Steamboat is situated on the outskirts of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. This is an authentic western ranching town that just happens to have produced more Olympians than any other ski town. It is well known for its champagne powder and friendly atmosphere.

Steamboat's slopes are perfect for the beginning skier and snowboarder on a ski vacation. Its slopes are rated 14% Beginner, 42% Intermediate, and 44% Advanced. I've found the beginner terrain to be wide, gentle, and well-groomed. It's distance from the Denver Metro region means that its ski slopes are uncrowded for the destination ski resort vacationer.

Steamboat has assembled a top-shelf staff of instructors. Nelson Wingard, the Ski School Director, is a former PSIA National Demo Team member with a staff containing many PSIA-AASI Rocky Mountain Division Examiners, Level 3 Certified Instructors, and a number of former Olympic skiers. Staff undergo constant training so that guests receive quality instruction in their ski or snowboard lesson.

Adults learning to ski or snowboard should sign up for the 3 All-Day Learn to Ski or Ride Package for $299.00. It provides three full days of instruction and guarantees you will be able to comfortably be on beginner ski slopes or your lessons are free until you can. Kids and Teens ski and snowboard lessons run all day and are $119.00.

Lodging is plentiful slopeside or in Steamboat Springs. Ski lift tickets are less expensive when bought in advance or in multi-day packages. Steamboat does not offer discounted lift tickets in grocery stores. Check for pass specials during the season such as the Pow Pow Platter. If you have any questions about a ski vacation to Steamboat, post it at my.steamboat.com.

More beginner tips:
The Best Tips for Beginner Snowboarders
Tips for First Time Snowboarders
How to Tie Snowboard Boots
Complete Beginners Guide to Snowboarding

Sources:
http://www.sunvalley.com/SunValley/Index.aspx
http://www.aspensnowmass.com/onmountain/statsfacts/statsfacts.cfm?area=Snowmass
http://www.beavercreek.com/
http://www.breckenridge.com/
http://www.breckenridgeskischool.com/breckskiride/
http://www.steamboat.com/
http://www.thesnowpros.org/index.php/PSIA-AASI/profiles/