Ski Resorts for Beginners in the United States
The United States has a range of different terrains and climates from its Pacific to Atlantic Coasts. Its terrain is varied and the ski resorts that are spread across its mountains are each unique. Depending on where the beginning skier is located, the instructional courses and teaching methods may vary. The Rocky Mountains are known for their light, deep powder and the Appalachian Mountains are well-groomed on crisp winter days. The following resorts are spread out across the reaches of the country, but all have one thing in common. They pride themselves on their excellent beginner opportunities, classes and trails.
1. Park City Mountain Resort
1310 Lowell Avenue
Park City, UT 84060
(435) 649-8111
Ticket Prices for 2010/2011 Season: Call for Pricing
Park City Mountain Resort is one of the most popular and respected ski resorts in the nation. It was home to the US Winter Olympics in 2002 and regularly trains the US Ski Team on slalom and giant slalom runs. While it is known for its expert terrain, Park City is lesser-known but fully equipped for beginner skiers and snowboarders. With two designated slow-ski areas of green trails, and family-designated areas, Park City (with its amazing powder snow conditions) might be the most excellent western United States area for beginners to learn how to handle the slopes. The Homerun trail is the resort’s longest, at 3.5 miles, and is a slow-area green trail reserved for beginners.
Mountain Facts:
Base Elevation: 6,900 feet
Summit Elevation: 10,000 feet
Total Skiable Acres: 3,300
Trails: 108
Longest Trail: 3.5 miles (Homerun)
Average Annual Snowfall: 360 inches
Lodging Nearby:
Marriott Park City
1895 Sidewinder Drive
PO Box 684447
Park City, UT 84068
(435) 649-2900
http://www.parkcitymarriott.com
Stay here for: convention center and services, on-site restaurant, laundry, swimming pool, spa, steam room, fitness complex, ski and bike rentals, Starbucks
Treasure Mountain Inn
255 Main Street
Park City, UT 84060
(800) 344-2460
http://www.treasuremountaininn.com
Stay here for: carbon neutral, solar energy generating hotel, therapy spa, free wireless internet, fitness center, laundry machines, lobby fireplace
Yarrow Hotel and Conference Center
1800 Park Avenue
PO Box 1840
Park City, UT 84068
(435) 649-7000
http://www.yarrowhotelparkcity.com/
Stay here for: on-site Mountain Grill, Starbucks, heated outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, laundry, concierge, discounted lift tickets, 100% smoke free, complimentary wireless internet
2. Breckenridge Ski Resort
1599 Country Road 3
Breckenridge, CO 80424
(970) 453-5000
Ticket Prices for 2010/2011 Peak Season: Call for Pricing
Breckenridge Ski Resort includes four interconnected mountain peaks. Peak 9 is an excellent spot for beginners. Because of the four distinct areas for skiers, skiers and boarders looking to improve their skills can stay separated from intermediate and expert skiers. With awards including one of the top five ski locations in the world by BBC in October 2006, and the ninth best resort in the US by SKI Magazine in 2008, vacationers can rest assured that they will be learning in optimal conditions on well-groomed slopes.
Mountain Facts:
Base Elevation: 9,600 feet
Summit Elevation: 12,998 feet
Vertical Drop: 3,398 feet
Total Skiable Acres: 2,358
Average Annual Snowfall: 30 inches
Lodging Nearby:
The Lodge and Spa at Breckenridge
112 Overlook Drive
Breckenridge, CO 80424
(970) 453-9300
http://www.thelodgeandspaatbreck.com/
Stay here for: boutique hotel, mountain-ridge location, mountain-view hot tubs, fitness room, shuttle service to Breckenridge
Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center
620 Village Road
Breckenridge, CO 80424
(970) 453-6000
http://www.beaverrun.com/
Stay here for: feather bed, suites, jetted spa tub, private fireplaces, pet- friendly, mountain views, ski storage, heated indoor/outdoor pool, WiFi
Wildwood Suites
120 Sawmill Road
PO Box 565
Breckenridge, CO 80424
(800) 866-0300
http://www.wildwoodsuites.com/
Stay here for: choice of 36 condominium rentals, on-site management, 1- and 2-bedroom availability
3. Copper Mountain Resort
230 10 Mile Circle
Frisco, CO 80443
(970) 968-2882
Ticket Prices for 2010/2011 Season:
Adult (13+): $79 full day
Child (6-12)): $48 full day
Copper Mountain is a perfect mountain for beginner skiers and riders because of its geographic makeup. The mountain was formed and is groomed such that novice skiers and boarders remain on one section of the mountain, while intermediate skiers are centered on the trails, and experts remain on the east side of the mountain at Copper Peak. Because of the natural separation, Copper Mountain is an excellent place for beginner and intermediate skiers or families with small children learning to sky. Experts remain in expert territory and beginners do not have to worry about crossing paths with someone flying down the mountain at warp speed. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Copper Mountain offers tubing, dinner sleigh rides, snowmobiling, winter fly-fishing, paragliding and mountaineering.
Mountain Facts:
Base Elevation: 9,712 feet
Summit Elevation: 12,313 feet
Vertical Drop: 2,601 feet
Total Skiable Acres: 2,450
Average Annual Snowfall: 282 inches
Lodging Nearby:
Center Village
760B Copper Road, PO Box 3868
Copper Mountain, CO 80443
(866) 538-0187
Stay here for: condominium rentals, slope side, studios, 1-, 2- and 3- bedrooms, full kitchens, fireplaces, hot tubs, parking, athletic club
Copper Springs
105A Wheeler Circle
Copper Mountain, CO 80443
(866) 538-0187
Stay here for: condominium rentals, slope side, studios, 1-, 2- and 3- bedrooms, full kitchens, fireplaces, hot tubs, parking, athletic club
Ten Mile Haus
108 Guller Road
Copper Mountain, CO 80443
http://www.ten-mile-haus.com/?gclid=CKaKvtmT66MCFZJ95QodrCBt3w
Stay here for: condominium rentals, slope side, studios, 1-, 2- and 3- bedrooms, full kitchens, fireplaces, hot tubs, parking, athletic club
4. Keystone Ski Resort
22010 US 6
Keystone, CO 80435
(970) 496-2316
Ticket Prices for 2010/2011 Season: Call for Pricing
Keystone Ski Resort has legendary Colorado ski and snowboarding conditions without the intimidating feel of nearby Aspen. The beginner trails are separate from the more advanced blue and black trails, the grooming and powder are the best in the United States, and the resort’s ski school is there with a variety of different options. The instructors are dedicated to making sure new skiers and snowboarders pick up the right techniques and practices so that they are ready to hit the slopes and advance their skills on their own after classes are over.
Mountain Facts:
Base Elevation: 9,280 ft
Summit Elevation: 12,408 ft
Trails: 117
Vertical Drop: 3,128 ft
Total Skiable Acres: 3,148
Lodging Nearby:
Keystone Lodge and Spa
Lakeside Village (on Keystone Ski Resort Grounds)
Keystone, CO 80435
(800) 328-1323
http://www.keystoneresort.com/plan-a-vacation/lodging/lodging-detail-no-dates.aspx?code=keystone-lodge-hotel
Stay here for: on-resort lodging, slope side accommodations, excellent views, on-site dining options, spa
Arapahoe Inn
22859 Highway 6
Keystone, CO 80435
(970) 513-9009
http://www.arapahoeinn.com/
Stay here for: walking distance lodging to Keystone Resort lifts, suites, conference center available, continental breakfast, sauna, spa
Dillon Inn
708 East Anemone Trail
Dillon, CO 80435
(970) 262-0801
http://www.dilloninn.com/main.htm
Stay here for: discount lift tickets, indoor pool, continental breakfast, hot tub, sauna, free wireless internet, cable TV, walking distance to Factory Outlet stores
5. Sunday River Ski Resort
1 Sunday River Road
Bethel, ME 04217
(207) 824-5090
Ticket Prices for 2010/2011 Peak Season: Call for Pricing
Sunday River is, by East Coast standards, an enormous ski resort located in Bethel, Maine. Their 132 trails are spread across eight mountain summits and serviced by 16 lifts. They take pride in their snowmaking and constantly patrol the slopes to ensure optimal conditions. For beginners, Sunday River’s Perfect Turn Ski and Snowboard School has something for everyone. They offer specific classes for kids including Learn to Ski and Ride, Tiny Turns, Group Clinics, Private Clinics, Season Programs and GSR Competition Programs. Their adult programs include Learn to Ski and Ride, Group Clinics, Private Clinics, Specialty Women’s Clinics and Seasonal Programs. Instead of having just one small area at the bottom of the mountain for teaching beginners, Sunday River has an entire Sprint Discovery Center facility that is used for teaching and learning skiing and snowboarding.
Mountain Facts:
Base Elevation: 800 feet
Summit Elevation: 3,140 feet
Vertical Drop: 2,340 ft
Trails: 132
Total Skiable Acreage: 660
Lodging Nearby:
Grand Summit Hotel
1 Sunday River Road
Bethel, ME 04217
(207) 824-3500
http://www.sundayriver.com/Lodging/GrandSummitHotel/
Stay here for: two on-site restaurants, health club, heated outdoor pool, choice of standard hotel room or one-bedroom suites with kitchenettes, day came, ski check, game room, concierge
The Victoria Inn
32 Main Street
Bethel, ME 04217
(207) 824-8060
http://www.thevictoria-inn.com
Stay here for; bed and breakfast accommodations, antique-decorated, standard, superior, deluxe or suite rooms available, full cooked breakfast included
Bethel Inn Resort
7 Broad Street
Bethel, ME
(207) 824-2175
http://www.bethelinn.com
Stay here for: choice of standard, select, deluxe or deluxe suite rooms, townhouses available, on-site fine dining, country breakfast served daily, moderately priced vacation packages available
Other Ski and Mountain Guides
New Hampshire Ski and Mountain Guide
Vermont Ski and Mountain Guide
Utah Ski and Mountain Guide
Washington Ski and Mountain Guide
Colorado Ski and Mountain Guide
Wyoming Ski and Mountain Guide
New York SKi and Mountain Guide
Best Ski Resorts in Canada
Family Friendly Ski Resorts
Ski Resorts and Mountains in Europe
Best Ski Resorts and Mountain in France
Best Ski Resorts in Austria
Avalanche Resources
Avalanche: Measurement, US Deaths, and Resources
Understanding Avalanches: How to Assess Avalanche Threat and Factors that Contribute to Avalanches
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