Best beginner resort

[soposkier]

Having taught for a while, I found the thing that scares beginners more then anything is having to share the slope with faster skiers. Having "beginner" slopes that are basically the run-out of other trails or -- worse yet -- cross over other trails sucks for beginners. You want to find a place where the beginner trails are sufficiently isolated to the point that there's no reason for non-beginners to go there.

Stowe is the area that I'm most familiar with and they have a beginner area that's way off to one side (i.e., the Toll House Double). Non-beginners never go there as it doesn't take you anywhere "interesting". There have to be other beginner-friendly trail systems around, but that's the first one that comes to mind.

Completely agree with this. Not Vermont, but Saddleback has one of the best beginner areas I can think of. A dedicated lift and no mixing of abilities is key for a beginner to became truly comfortable and actually enjoy skiing.

 

[darent]

I vote for bromley, nice beginner terrain and won't be as crowded as MT snow or stratton if they go on a weekend, If they go mid week snow or stratton would be fine, Manchester is close to stratton and bromely has good dining and shopping. Brattleboro is close to snow for the same of mountain stuff. Killington has nice beginner areas only if you go midweek, on weekends they are crowded and great northern and eastern are dangerous greens with good skiers flying in and out of slower skiers, also a lot of intersections

 

[vcunning]

If you do think about heading to Snow, I would suggest looking at the Grand Summit hotel. Ski in/Ski out. Some relatively easy terrain off of the Tumbleweed lift. Easy walk to shops and restaurants (although not as many as Stratton). They have a great outdoor heated pool at overlooking the slopes at the hotel. Heated to 90 degrees in the winter. Spa on site.

 

[gmcunni]

if you are looking for ski in/out and non-skiing activities perhaps Okemo is an option. crowds aside they have some very easy terrain accessible from the base, non-skiing activities on the mountain (tubing, mountain coaster, ice skating) and Ludlow is enough of a town to have a variety of dining options and/or grocery stores if you prefer cook in.

 

[Neglia33]

Anyone stay at stratton? Its looking good with the amount of beginner trails however the accomodations are scarying me. There is nothing good that has to be said about on site lodges(only good is the condos). Anyone have a first hand experience because sometimes people badmouth rooms and lodges just because they have nothing else to do.

 

[bobbutts]

Stratton for the lodging, shops, dining right there. Also the meadow beginner trails from the top are great. Bromley's not bad either, I used to go with a group including beginners and they always had a good time.

 

[twinplanx]

if you are looking for ski in/out and non-skiing activities perhaps Okemo is an option. crowds aside they have some very easy terrain accessible from the base, non-skiing activities on the mountain (tubing, mountain coaster, ice skating) and Ludlow is enough of a town to have a variety of dining options and/or grocery stores if you prefer cook in.

My vote goes to Okemo as well. I'd definitely recommend a slopeside unit off the Sachem trail. Smugs has a family friendly reputation but is probably about 2hours further North. I like the Bromley suggestion as well. I think its probably a little more low key. I have never been to Smugs or Bromley so I'm judging those 2 solely on reputation. Not sure when you can get away but anytime not on a holiday or weekend will exponential increase the fun factor. Even Friday & Monday are a world of difference then a typical Saturday...