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Advice: beginner ski lessons near Boston

fluffypenguin

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Hi! I'm new to skiing and would like to take some beginner ski lesson packages this season. Looking for something that is within 90 mins drive from Boston. Was considering Pat's Peak (since they have a 4-lesson beginner package) or Wachusett, but I can't find the lesson prices for Wachusett so I was wondering if anyone knows, or have other recommendations for affordable beginner packages? I don't have my own equipment so I'd have to take rental costs into consideration as well. Thanks a lot!
 

bdfreetuna

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keep the faith
Not exactly near Boston but afaik most places in VT participate. $129 for 3 lessons, can be at same resort or different, includes rentals and a ticket for the beginner lift once you're done with the lesson.

https://skivermont.com/take-3

Nashoba Valley offers 6 lessons on 6 consecutive weeks for $235. Small hill and very beginner friendly, it's a pretty fun place to explore for beginners. 3 weeks is $170 so the 6 week is a pretty good deal if you actually use it.

https://www.skinashoba.com/category-s/170.htm
 

BenedictGomez

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January is learn to ski month; every year virtually all resorts have amazing deals that all include lift, rentals, and lesson for absurdly cheap. You could hit a different mountain each weekend in January taking advantage of their L.T.S. deals.
 

WJenness

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Nashoba Valley (in Westford, MA) has a 3 or 6 week adult program (one lesson a week), for $170 or $235 (includes lessons and lift tickets, rentals extra) that can be done evenings or days, and might work for you: https://www.skinashoba.com/Adult-Lessons-3-Weeks-p/adult-3-week.htm

Some good options that are a bit further away, but worth considering,

Ski Vermont's Beginner Deal: $129 gets you three days of lessons, rentals, and beginner lift tickets: https://skivermont.com/take-3 Redeemable at a lot of resorts in VT.

Loon is a bit over your 90 minute radius, but they have what they call a "First Class" beginner's weekend. $399 gets you on the slopes with lessons for two days, and you get your own pair of skis, boots and bindings, plus you get coffee, lunch, and an apres party on Saturday. Worth checking out: https://www.loonmtn.com/camps-and-clinics/first-class

Sunapee is a similar distance to Loon, and they have a program called "Start here and Love it": https://www.mountsunapee.com/winter/learning-center/adult-programs/ The pricing isn't posted yet, but it's three days of instruction, rentals, and lift tickets, and it might be a good fit.
 

The Sneak

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Sunapee is about 90 min to Boston on dry roads, with a fairly large, segregated learning area.

Once you progress a bit, Wachusett’s mid mountain chair gives you some more interesting terrain a good bit closer to home.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

DoublePlanker

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For beginners in NH, Pats Peak >>>>>> Loon > Sunapee. All are good for beginners.
Loon and Sunapee are much better for intermediate and above skiers.
 

puckoach

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Certainly, your location and "day/time" window are factors.

But, I would suggest Nashoba as a first look. Slope pitch and length is very good for beginners. Then move up to larger steeper areas.
 

Equinox

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I would highly recommend Wachusett. I took a lesson there and they were AMAZING.

My best friend chucked me out on the bunny slope and I instantly ate snow, but the instructors got me going within minutes. At the time I went up there, they had a bring-a-friend package where my lovable idiot of a best friend got a lift ticket and I got rental equipment and lesson for like $99.

Obviously I've been turned into a horrible ski addict since then. It was a great experience!
 

Robbski

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Ragged Mountain is 98 miles from Boston and offers 3 learn-to-ski lessons, including equipment and lift ticket for free: https://www.raggedmountainresort.com/Learn-To-Ski-Free/

Hard to argue with FREE. This program is top notch.

I ski at Ragged a mostly due to the convenience from Boston (>2 hrs my door to the lift line).

Little anecdote to support my opinion: Last year on a mid week day with small crowds I was on the lift and started BSing with a retired guy. Asked him if he skied at Ragged a lot. He said no, that he just stared skiing 2 weeks ago. He was a local and his wife said he needed to get out and do something during the winter. So he took the free lessons and loved it. I told him how awesome I thought that was and said have a great day etc. and skied off. A couple of trips later on the lift I look down and see him on the intermediate trail under the six pack making very nice precise turns. Not a really a tough trail but not easy for someone skiing for less than a month!
 

rocojerry

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where its snowing
You can start really close to Boston... Learn to stop, learn how to use the lifts and equipment... beyond that, drive north—. You can find really long green trails that will be a lot more fun and give you more time on the snow instead of the lift...

my suggestions:
1-2) closer to your house
2-4) wachuesett or southern nh
3-6) as far as you can drive, looking at deals, conditions as a factor
 
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