Best Programs For Beginners

Guest article by Family Travel Forum

Are your toddlers ready to catch air with Shaun White or Bode Miller? Are your teens
ready to humiliate themselves as beginner skiers or riders? Is your husband or wife
ready to give up the golf clubs for an ultralight snowboard? Take your novice
snowsportmen away to someplace their friends won't be watching. Most beginners
dream of the rugged Rockies, but the New England resorts have plenty of captivating
scenery too. Wherever you go, plan to devote two or three days to the learning effort,
with time between lessons for relaxation and off-slope fun.

Just think of the excitement when everyone comes home an expert!

Best for Beginner Programs

According to Tim Mueller, co-owner of Vermont's Okemo Ski Resort (800/78-OKEMO)
since 1995, several factors have contributed to making the Beginner Experience a
better one. He cites shaped skis as the most important tool in easing the learning curve
for skiers, and the new twin-tipped skis as what has brought the youth culture back
from snowboards to skis for terrain park fun. Mr. Mueller notes that Okemo is only one
of many resorts where Learn to Ski and Ride programs have become more flexible and
accommodating to beginner's various needs and interests.

Overall, he adds, "mountain resorts are more user-friendly." Any family shopping for a
winter holiday will note many examples: informative web sites that explain to
beginners more clearly what to expect (see mountaincreek.com); on-mountain
'ambassadors' offering daily trail advice and easy-to-decipher trail maps (at Killington
and Vail resorts); high-tech innovations like lighted signage on runs indicating wait
times at various lift lines or at cafeterias (Keystone and others), and other
communication improvements.

The best news is that the industry has been reducing the fees for learners' packages -
with lift ticket, equipment, and lessons all included in programs like the popular "First
Tracks" -- in order to bring newcomers into the sport and develop life-long fans.

Out West Resorts

Most beginners love the West for the fresh powder and deep snowy base that cushion
those early tumbles. The region's long history of snowsports, combined with many
towns' acceptance of the ski bum lifestyle, mean you'll often come across excellent
resident instructors who have been teaching for years.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming
One of the Wild West's most popular spots, Teton Village (888/DEEP-SNO, or
307/733-2292) in Jackson Hole has extreme terrain, gorgeous beginner's areas and a
fun and funky town to roam when you're done with the slopes. It boasts 2,500 acres of
terrain and a vertical drop (top to bottom height of runs) of 4,139 feet! The resort has
long been known for its expert terrain, but novice skiers and riders can roll in the
legendary powder from age 3+ with their Rough Riders camps. Adult novice, full-day
Learn to Turn packages are also available. Jackson Hole's famous "Steep and Deep
Snowboard Camp" offers a challenging course and expert coaching for intermediate and
experienced snowboarders ages 25+. In the wake of its popularity, the resort has
opened a series of Roundup Camps for younger intermediate skiers and riders,
7-14-years, that focus on developing skills in multi-day sessions with the same coach.
Extra fees apply to all learning programs.

Grand Targhee, Wyoming
At the Idaho/Wyoming border, the compact, friendly Grand Targhee Resort (
800/TARGHEE) in Alta boasts 500" of snow per year blanketing 2,000 acres of scenic
beginner, intermediate and expert terrain. Their terrific nursery watches out for infants
and toddlers and offers snowplay; learning programs begin at a later age and pair
beginners 6+ (to ski) or 7+ (to ride) with pros in a safe and reassuring environment. If
you're arriving with little experts though, Targhee has an unusual Little Deers program
geared just to ages 4 and 5 who already have their snowsports skills down pat! Skiers
6-16 will love their kids-only clubhouses in the Powder Scouts and Teen Adventures
programs. Targhee's adult Beginner Package includes one group lesson, a Shoshone lift
ticket and full-day rental package for a reasonable price. Lodging rates are reasonable
too, for many types of ski in/ski out accommodations at the resort's base.
Snowbird, Utah

Snowbird (800/232-9542) in Utah thinks of snowsports instruction in the context of
Life. To quote their teaching philosophy: "Participation in Mountain School at Snowbird
will involve you and your pro in a total mind, body, and spirit experience." Mountain
School beginner group classes are geared to ages 3, 4-6, and 7-15 years, with evening
programs two nights a week (in the Cottonwood Children's Center for your
preschoolers, and around the lodge for older kids). Starting with the tender 3s,
Snowbird gives them one-on-one attention, with a one-hour private lesson for each
half-day of daycare in which the child is enrolled. Skiers and riders above age 4 are
enrolled in daylong group sessions or with private coaches and flourish in the pristine
powder. Their beginner Get Your Wings special enables adults to package one, two, or
three sessions. The resort's noted Snowbird Mountain School runs annual clinics
specializing in improving technique at all levels, as well as themed programs for
women, riders only, and more.

Breckenridge, Colorado
More than 20 years after they introduced, developed and popularized snowboarding as
a sport, Breckenridge Ski Resort (800/789-SNOW or 970/453-5000 ) in Colorado has
become a favorite of freestyle snowboarders and skiers, as well as participants of
countless other winter activities. Tots can begin their ski career in small class group
lessons at age 3, and riders can start becoming shredders at age 7. Although it's best
known for its 457-foot-long Freeway Terrain Park and Pipe (home to World Cup events),
toddling beginners and novice adults will appreciate the chance to learn on Breck's
mid-sized and smaller pipes. Skiers of all levels will also appreciate the terrain parks
designed with learning-size, small, and mid-sized features. Now you can bring
Grandma and Grandpa along to join in the fun because Breck also accommodates older
novice guests with its Prime Time program, an instructional program for skiers over 50.
Of course, you can never stop learning, and for the first time, Breck has turned its
attention to experts. The new Imperial Express Superchair lift (the highest in North
American at 12,840-feet) makes 400 acres of double black diamond terrain available
for expert clinics. Good off-mountain packages in the funky town mean you can stay in
nearby hotels for cheap prices; Breckenridge also offers frequent web specials at
nearby condominiums, townhomes and hotels with lift tickets bundled in the rates.

Northeast Resorts

Many families will find a foray into snowsports daunting and expensive enough without
traveling far from home to try it. Check out the mountain resorts nearest you and
inquire about their beginner programs. Throughout the Northeast, you'll be surprised at
the innovation you find at even the smallest local facilities. Mountains with lower
altitude have to concentrate on good grooming and trail maintenance since they cannot
compete with the West's natural snowfall. And shorter runs with a more gentle pitch
make for better beginner terrain.

Smuggler's Notch, Vermont
Vermont's Smugglers' Notch Resort (800/419-4615), rated "No. 1 Family Resort in
North America" by Ski magazine for the tenth time in 2009, is New England's finest
children's learning center for two reasons: its scenic beginner terrain is safely
segregated on Morse Mountain (one of the resort's three peaks), and these guys know
how to make it Fun. Smuggler's offers a complete range of snowsports including alpine
and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, airboarding and ice skating. Smugglers'
Discovery Dynamos Camps teach children to ski at age 3, or snowboard at age 4, using
recently developed, kid-specific equipment. That's already one of the youngest serious
learning programs in the country. New in 2006 was the Little Rascals on Snow program
designed for ages 2½ to 3-years as part of the resort's award-winning daycare facility.
A gentle morning lesson, followed by lunch and a nap (sounds great for adults, too)
can't be beat. Families who want to try snowboarding together may opt for Night
School for Boarding, a program for beginners 6-years through adult, which includes a
lesson, equipment and a lift ticket. You'll begin with an equipment review, then a
one-and-a-half-hour group session on the lit Sir Henry's terrain park, followed by an
additional 90 minutes of independent practice time. Adults-only beginner ski and ride
clinics use special balance poles and ego-maintenance techniques. Additionally, more
traditional group lessons are offered to ages 6+ and each is followed by the resort's
activities; for example, the once weekly cookie slalom race gives beginners a delicious
incentive to finish. Several learning programs are included in the Club Smugglers'
Advantage package that bundles lodging, lift ticket, lessons, and evening programs
into one fee, and it's available all season long.

Bromley, Vermont
Bromley Mountain (802/824-5522) is in Manchester - not far from the noted steeps at
Killington - but it claims Ski magazine's title as "#1 Resort in North America for Family
Programs." The first in the state to introduce valet parking, it's the little conveniences
and consideration of young children's needs that make a Bromley Learn to Ski or Ride
experience so easy. Young beginners have their own isolated learning area, and the
resort's main mascot, Pig Dog, but he's got a full roster of snowsports-lovin' critters to
help out. The 3 to 5-year-olds can join Bruce the Moose's Mighty Mooses and mix skiing
with playtime, in a day-long program. First time adults benefit from a one- or two-day
ski or ride program. Clinics and private lessons are run by a Pro Staff which, according
to the resort's website, "includes members of the elite PSIA examiners and educational
staff...the people who actually 'teach the teachers.'" Bromley also boasts the latest in
teaching technology - shaped shorty skis - which enable novices over age 13 to learn
skiing more quickly.

Jiminy Peak, Massachusetts
Jiminy Peak in Massachusetts (413/738-5500) is a favorite among smaller resorts (9
lifts and 44 trails), mostly catering to New England families who start their kids here
then head up to Vermont's higher peaks. It boasts the classic teaching style of SKIwee
learn to ski or ride programs, geared to ages 4-6. These full-day programs include
lessons, lift tickets and lunch. A package is available for 3-year-olds who are able to
learn a new sport in the morning but prefer to retire to a more restful daycare setting
after lunch. One of the mountain's best features is their Burbank Children's Center,
where ski school programs, a playroom for toddlers, rental shop and all the paperwork
can be done without leaving the building. Adults get the same treatment: the Doc
Maynard GET Center offers everything novices need for learning to ski or ride in one
convenient place, and if you don't have fun on your first lesson, they guarantee a
second one free of charge. The day-long package includes rental, instruction and lift
ticket; lunch and lockers are available the new JJ's Lodge nearby. Weekend days and
nights, and on holidays, a lit tubing hill is open for all ages. Jiminy Peak's Country Inn
offers midweek lodging packages throughout the season.

Okemo, Vermont
Okemo (800/78-OKEMO) is one of Vermont's most popular family resorts, because its
simple layout and one main basecamp (a 2nd basecamp at Jackson Gore Mountain is
mainly used by Jackson Gore Lodge guests) prevent 'losing' kids who ski or ride
independently of their parents. Staff are careful to monitor lift lines and groomers are
meticulous with the gentle slopes. The family-owned, friendly atmosphere also makes
parents feel comfortable entrusting their little ones to this mountain's terrific teaching
staff. According to the resort, one of the biggest trends is the increased participation in
children's Learning Center programs and private lessons. Children can start learning to
ski with private lessons at age 2. At First Tracks (for ages 7 and up), novices will learn
the basics of skiing or riding in a one-day package complete with two beginner group
lessons, rental equipment and unlimited use of Okemo's beginner lifts. The Double
Tracks is a two-day beginner program that includes three lessons and an upgrade to a
full-day, full-mountain lift ticket at no extra cost. Additionally, there are parent-tot
lessons with a private instructor, so intermediate or above level parents can get
guidance on teaching their own kids to ski or ride. Group lessons for young skiers start
at age 4, for riders at age 5; children ages 3-4 have an option of adding a 1-hour,
2-hour clinic, or a private 1/2 hour lesson to their day in the mountain's noted daycare
center, the Penguin Playground. Aware of customers' sensitivity to price, Okemo has
introduced many innovations in pricing, such as the Flex Card, good for discounts all
season and free skiing on the season's last two days. Midweek packages bring lodging
rates at the mountain's ski in/ski out facilities down to a more affordable rate.

Mountain Creek, New Jersey
Here's a very decent local ski resort just over an hour from New York City. Mountain
Creek (973/827-2000), an Intrawest property in the western New Jersey hills near
Vernon, offers remarkably good facilities (a "village" is sprouting up), trails (46), and
innovative learning programs to the vast urban market down the hill. Their school is
headed by Westerner Chris Heidebrecht, who migrated from Colorado's famed Keystone
Resort to bring fresh energy back East. Mountain Creek is pushing the entry age for
snowboarding instruction down to 5-years-old (closer to the age 4 ski minimum)
thanks to the new diminutive equipment provided by manufacturers. That's a good
thing, because their terrain parks are extensive, impressive (they hosted the US
Snowboard Grand Prix halfpipe competition in 2006) and kids turn out in big numbers
to ride. Adults are not neglected in the lesson offerings, with some unique formats such
as the Ladies Club, a two-hour clinic taught for eight weeks -- by women for women --
at all ages and levels of ski and snowboard capabilities. Too busy to learn while the sun
shines? The entire trail system is lit so you can study until 10pm every day of the
season.

Mt. Sunapee, New Hampshire
Last but not least is the small mountain that was awarded 1st place as the "Best
National Program for New Skiers and Riders" by the industry-wide National Ski Areas
Association in 2006. At the Mt. Sunapee ski area, it was local demand that spawned a
Families First program designed for parents and kids above 8 years. Set up as a
three-day learn to ski or ride program, Families First grants each family group an
instructor, plus a 1-day package with lift tickets, two-hour lesson and equipment. To
encourage return visits, the second and third day packages are bundled together, and
after completing all three days, family members are given special discount coupons for
the remainder of the season. It's been very popular, and with the NSAA award and
recognition, it will hopefully spread elsewhere. However, one mom told us that all their
instruction was good; "We took our 4-year-old and 8-year-old both there to start out
because it's a small and friendly mountain, and the instruction was fantastic for both of
them." Mt. Sunapee also offers Frequent Skier programs and fun ideas such as Ladies
Tuesdays, when women ski or ride for a great price including a complimentary buffet
lunch. Midweek Ski and Stay double-occupancy packages include breakfast, lift ticket
and room.

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