Best uncrowded, beginner mountain for holidays??

[billski]

The greens get really busy at Bolton on an ordinary weekend with locals from Burlington.

 

[PomfretPlunge]

I recommend Suicide Six. It's an easy beginner hill with a wonderful gentle J-bar lift and a great beginner trail to move up to called The Easy Mile.

Four generations of our family have learned to ski at Suicide Six, starting with my grandma back in 1934. Last year we taught my nephew, age 2 1/2, and my sister-in-law, age 35.

By the way, the name has nothing to do with the steepness of the hill. The name came from the local farmers telling the founders of the ski area back in 1934 that they were committing financial suicide by setting up a motorized ski tow.

Cheers

 

[Masskier]

I recommend Suicide Six. It's an easy beginner hill with a wonderful gentle J-bar lift and a great beginner trail to move up to called The Easy Mile.

Four generations of our family have learned to ski at Suicide Six, starting with my grandma back in 1934. Last year we taught my nephew, age 2 1/2, and my sister-in-law, age 35.

By the way, the name has nothing to do with the steepness of the hill. The name came from the local farmers telling the founders of the ski area back in 1934 that they were committing financial suicide by setting up a motorized ski tow.

Cheers

I always wondered where that name came from

 

[RootDKJ]

Windham?

 

[andyzee]

Windham?

Well, if we're going to stay close to PA :lol: Windham has some great runs for beginners, nice and long so it give you a chance to get in the groove. And if you really want nice, long and easy beginner trails, you can't beat Killington. Where else you gonna find a beginner trail that's 7 miles long.

 

[billski]

I recommend Suicide Six. It's an easy beginner hill with a wonderful gentle J-bar lift and a great beginner trail to move up to called The Easy Mile.

Four generations of our family have learned to ski at Suicide Six, starting with my grandma back in 1934. Last year we taught my nephew, age 2 1/2, and my sister-in-law, age 35.

By the way, the name has nothing to do with the steepness of the hill. The name came from the local farmers telling the founders of the ski area back in 1934 that they were committing financial suicide by setting up a motorized ski tow.

Cheers

I always heard S6 name came from their assessment of the terrain.
"Armed with topographical maps, Bertram and his buddies skied the area, including nearby Hill No. 6. To ski down that, he quipped , would be suicide. " - Boston Globe, 1/7/7.

 

[dmc]

Windham?

Hunters learning area blows away Windhams...

I'd suggest Big Boulder. Easy to ski...

 

[billski]

Well, if we're going to stay close to PA :lol: Windham has some great runs for beginners, nice and long so it give you a chance to get in the groove. And if you really want nice, long and easy beginner trails, you can't beat Killington. Where else you gonna find a beginner trail that's 7 miles long.

I got the impression she was looking for short greens. When she described the green trails at Blue that terrified her, I checked the map and they are all long trails.

 

[RootDKJ]

Duh, obvious. Go to Shawnee, PA, probably one of the best beginner friendly place in PA. That's where I learned how to ski. Great vibe to the place as well.

 

[dmc]

Duh, obvious. Go to Shawnee, PA, probably one of the best beginner friendly place in PA. That's where I learned how to ski. Great vibe to the place as well.

Why leave PA for greener runs?

I learned to ski at Big Boulder... Place is great... Shawnee too..

 

[andyzee]

Duh, obvious. Go to Shawnee, PA, probably one of the best beginner friendly place in PA. That's where I learned how to ski. Great vibe to the place as well.

Me 2...... But it does get crowded.

 

[RootDKJ]

Me 2...... But it does get crowded.

On the weekends, yes. Mid week, not so much. The lack of a high-speed lift doesn't help the lines any.

 

[RootDKJ]

Why leave PA for greener runs?

I learned to ski at Big Boulder... Place is great... Shawnee too..

I've never been to BB so I can't compare the two.

I've also heard Seven Springs is pretty good for beginners, but that's way far out of the way.

 

[andyzee]

I've never been to BB so I can't compare the two.

I've also heard Seven Springs is pretty good for beginners, but that's way far out of the way.

That's why I asked where she's from as she stated something as close to PA as possible, For all we know, she could be form Maryland, in which case it would be closer than the other ones we mentioned.

 

[gorgonzola]

you may want to consider greek peak also. half the distance of vermont, good beginner terrain and excellent ski school. nice new digs too at hope lake lodge. i can't speak about the crowds that week though but the reality is everywhere will be somwaht crowded - but nothing like the pocono crowds at blue, camelback etc...

 

[Warp Daddy]

SO There ru confused enough now? -- we've all weighed in with a diversity of opinion . Whatever you decide -- relax - HAVE FUN , TAKE A LESSON , and above all just enjoy the experience . I didn't start downhill skiing till i was 50 so if i can learn and now love the sport you can too ----------ENJOY !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bigbog]

Wherever the wallet can take you to and from..;-)...temps should be cooperating this year...just have the clothing to stay warm... Agree with the more gradual pitched trails = better for beginning skiers. "Where to ski" is a definite issue, but get out early in the morning and you'll beat a lot of the crowd..either when on your own or when scheduling a lesson(if possible)....and ditto.."Have Fun".
You get out at opening chair...and you can usually get a good two to three hours of uncrowded trails...and also..some people do the 9-5 thing without resting enough, thus the late afternoons on beginner trails(and most every trail) will often be empty!
Sorry for rambling....24hrs till day #2...:-o
$.01

 

[4aprice]

The Poconos will be packed Christmas week and she said she wanted to get away from them - expand her horizons. (and being a Pocono skier I don't blame her).

Hunter 1 would be a decent choice. I've run over there to escape crowds and found the skiing pretty interesting. I would think Windham and Belleayre would be packed like the Poconos as well. Plattekill has some easy terrain down from the triple.

If she could make it to White River Jct VT (4+ hours from NNJ) there would be several interesting choices.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[tjf67]

I'm looking to plan a ski trip during the week of the 28th somewhere in the North East (the closer to PA the better). I am a real beginner, having only done two nights of skiing before. We went to Blue Mountain where I tried Vista, Burma and Paradise and was terrified by the slopes and length (but mostly the slopes on Burma and Paradise). I had all I could do to maintain control and get down. I've taken two private lessons and will continue to do so. I really want to go somewhere that is NOT crowded w short lift lines. We were thinking Stratton but were discouraged by how crazy it allegedly gets (i don't know if during the week over the holidays it is any less so). Then we thought Gore, but based on what I read, the beginner trails seem kinda more advanced. The flatter the slope the better Then my husband suggested Bretton Woods - how is this? Its very far so I only want to consider it if it is significantly better than the others in terms of beginner trails and being flattish.

I appreciate any advice! Thanks!

Whiteface mountain is going to be the least crowded of the major resorts. Look at the skier numbers. They have two different areas dedicated to beginners.

 

[billski]

I'm looking to plan a ski trip during the week of the 28th somewhere in the North East (the closer to PA the better). I am a real beginner, having only done two nights of skiing before. We went to Blue Mountain where I tried Vista, Burma and Paradise and was terrified by the slopes and length (but mostly the slopes on Burma and Paradise). I had all I could do to maintain control and get down. I've taken two private lessons and will continue to do so. I really want to go somewhere that is NOT crowded w short lift lines. We were thinking Stratton but were discouraged by how crazy it allegedly gets (i don't know if during the week over the holidays it is any less so). Then we thought Gore, but based on what I read, the beginner trails seem kinda more advanced. The flatter the slope the better Then my husband suggested Bretton Woods - how is this? Its very far so I only want to consider it if it is significantly better than the others in terms of beginner trails and being flattish.

I appreciate any advice! Thanks!

OK nmr00, you now have a bazillion choices. I'm curious to hear how you're going to sort through this and what you finally decide!