Best resort for a newbie on Thanksgiving weekend

[YardSaleDad]

I'm looking for a first time skier getaway. I don't care about the bumps, glades, or diamonds for this trip. The ideal would be comfortable accommodations, a good instruction program, and less than mobbed trails. I'm willing, and expecting, to pay a premium for quality. I prefer Vermont, but will consider other northeast resorts.

Ideas?

 

[deadheadskier]

For what you're looking for Thanksgiving weekend, I'd recommend Okemo or Mt. Snow.

 

[ALLSKIING]

Okemo, Mt Snow, SR...

 

[YardSaleDad]

I've been to Okemo, and was considering it if they were open then. The terrain is certainly perfect, and the accommodations looked great. Anyone have first hand experience with the instruction there?

 

[snoseek]

Bretton Woods

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

All the resorts listed seem good..but Thanksgiving weekend is usually a busy weekend..at least Saturday..

 

[Talisman]

Bear in mind that unless there has been a substantial shot of natural snow that conditions at Thanksgiving can be pretty grim for the beginner. The white ribbon of death (WROD) at most ski areas early season can be crowded, have terrible snow and be less than satisfactory for beginners. Areas with powerful snow making, have low angle and that have been mowed recently will open first. Bretton Woods for your requirements may fit the bill perfectly stay in Twin Mtn, Franconia or North Conway or troll for a last minute deal.

I suggest you watch the weather patterns leading up to Thanksgiving and if snow making temps hold start making plans that focus on areas with many novice runs open. Remember the rule of three, if the mountain claims there are six trails open divide by three to determine the actual numbers of ways down the hill, in the case of six trails imagine two WRODs jammed with humanity flailing down frozen re-ground ice. I usually will only ski if there are at least ten to twelve ways down the hill so I look for 30 to 36 trails open, but that's me and I'm cheap.

 

[mattchuck2]

Sounds like Okemo to me . . .

 

[Dr Skimeister]

I've never been, but friends that have been say it's one of the world's best ski schools. Less likely to be crowded than US resorts, a bit more likely to have decent conditions.

Grey Rocks, near Tremblant.

http://www.grayrocks.com/en/grMontagne.htm

 

[gmcunni]

Anyone have first hand experience with the instruction there?

yes. i do. but not a lot elsewhere to compare it to. Certainly happy with the programs i took advantage of. I'd put my son in their AM 1/2 day programs on several occations. He always came back to me with a smile on his face and would take me to all the cool places his instructor showed him during class. I'll admit my motivation for putting him in the classes was part babysitting so i could ski alone. But he certainly improved his skiing there and it is a great mountain to build your confidence on.

I too took lessons there. A few times while my son was in the 1/2 day program i'd sign up for the advanced adult class. each time i ended up being the only student so i got a private lesson for the price of a group i learned a lot too. It was the first season back on skis for me when i was switching from old straight to new shaped skis and had no clue what to do. Even once i started to get the hange of it i liked get pointers.

 

[ga2ski]

Sunday River. They will give you the best possible conditions.

 

[tjf67]

I would look into Killington. That place can blow some serious snow and they are not looking for the early season skier so it may be less crowded. Mt Snow will have good conditions but it is going to be a mod scene. Okemo is just flat out boring. You do live in NY. Whiteface will certainly have 2300 ft of vert open.

 

[Johnskiismore]

We go to Sunday River every Thanksgiving and it's always fun. Get there Wednesday morning, unload the car and hit the slopes. Condo is right there on the trail (we rent one for two nights), go out that night have a beer or seven. Up early the next morning to ski, and my girlfriend calls it around 1 to go put in the turkey and I will do s few more runs.

Last Thanksgiving SR had like twenty trails open! Usually it's 2-3, but last season had a great start!

 

[Vortex]

I go to the River this weekend every year. 1st they are open.
I went there prior to it being my home mtn.
Ski on ski off if a great advantage. That time of year.. Look for something in the south ridge area. First to have ski on ski off.

I'm a homer here,but you will enjoy yourself. A decent amount of the apres ski stuff will be going on as well. There will be a bunch of us there. Send a pm if you go and want to grab a run. Last year we had a small meet and greet on Friday with this boards members and Sr board memebers. Jerry G Ga2ski, Terry, Thaller1, Johnskismore and myself should be there any way. At least i hear rumours about Johnskismore.:razz:

 

[Geoff]

Bear in mind that unless there has been a substantial shot of natural snow that conditions at Thanksgiving can be pretty grim for the beginner. The white ribbon of death (WROD) at most ski areas early season can be crowded, have terrible snow and be less than satisfactory for beginners.

+1

White Ribbon of Death with 10,000 of your closest friends is not beginner-friendly. Your best bet is to hope that some of the smaller areas can get open and delay your decision until the weekend before Thanksgiving.

 

[Vortex]

South ridge should be open at the River and that is very beginner friendly. I'll watch the gang on the magic carpet from my deck.

 

[fixedgrip16]

+1

White Ribbon of Death with 10,000 of your closest friends is not beginner-friendly. Your best bet is to hope that some of the smaller areas can get open and delay your decision until the weekend before Thanksgiving.

+2. . . Generally speaking conditions out west are better. They have a high steppe continental climate that offers more consistency and less wind compared to the east which has a low elevation maritime climate.

I suggest you watch the weather patterns leading up to Thanksgiving and if snow making temps hold start making plans that focus on areas with many novice runs open. Remember the rule of three, if the mountain claims there are six trails open divide by three to determine the actual numbers of ways down the hill, in the case of six trails imagine two WRODs jammed with humanity flailing down frozen re-ground ice. I usually will only ski if there are at least ten to twelve ways down the hill so I look for 30 to 36 trails open, but that's me and I'm cheap.

Another thing to keep in mind is the eastern ski area ruler. It's units of measure vary depending on whether or not they can get by without lying about snowfall. If they can afford to be honest they will if not they won't. I'd expect more honesty mid- late season. That said it can be great early december but you never know. Since eastern resorts don't have elevation helping them out alot, they rely on a perfect storm track. . . not so much cold and so far out in the ocean it's bone dry but not so far west as to allow too much Atlantic moisture with accompanying southerly winds.

 

[YardSaleDad]

Bear in mind that unless there has been a substantial shot of natural snow that conditions at Thanksgiving can be pretty grim for the beginner.

Our skiing expectations are modest. A few hours, a day or two, with a good instructor in the fresh air would be a success. A segregated beginner area would be nice.

yes. i do. but not a lot elsewhere to compare it to. Certainly happy with the programs i took advantage of.

Thanks. That's just the kind of first hand info I was looking for.

Okemo is just flat out boring.

That is not what I am worried about, though my boys and I had a blast in the trees last season. I want to introduce someone to skiing that weekend in a pleasant environment.

Send a pm if you go and want to grab a run.

Thanks for the invite. I will certainly give SR serious consideration.

delay your decision until the weekend before Thanksgiving.

I will not be confirming anything until mid November. Right now I am checking out my options. If the conditions sucks, we may skip skiing altogether and just go hiking instead.

Generally speaking conditions out west are better.

I'm saving that trip for later in the season.


Thanks for all the replies. It's been a big help. Keep em coming if you have more to add.

 

[bigbog]

Thanksgiving wkend...

..$.01,
...All the things Talisman & Geoff mentioned...if reports are a little vague, call and specifically ask for the beginner trails' conditions.... It's truly a beginner's weekend so the helpdesk-phones will have beginner trail info for sure...
As mentioned...steering to an area adjacent to great snow conditions can pay off in less crowded trails....

bigbog/SteveD