Many of the best ski resorts for beginners are located in the western United States. Resorts in the Rocky Mountain region feature long, gentle slopes that are perfect for beginners. In addition, these ski resorts offer a number of lessons, regardless of your age or proficiency level. You can choose to take group lessons with other beginners or partake in a one-on-one private lesson with a ski instructor.
Buttermilk Mountain
Buttermilk Mountain, part of the Snowmass/Aspen complex, is located 200 miles west of Denver. This beginner-friendly resort features long, wide trails. 35 percent of the runs are designated for beginners and there are no advanced runs at this resort.
Buttermilk Ski Resort: http://www.aspensnowmass.com/buttermilk/default.cfm
Deer Valley
Deer Valley Resort is located 36 miles from Salt Lake City. This resort features a separate area specifically for beginners called “Wide West.”
Deer Valley Resort: http://www.deervalley.com/about.html
Breckenridge
Although known for its intermediate and advanced trails, Breckenridge is also an excellent destination for beginning skiers. Most beginner trails are located on Peak 8, although there are a few beginner trails located on Peak 9 as well. With nearly half of its trails designated as easy or intermediate, Breckenridge is a great place to try advancing from beginner to intermediate skier status.
Breckenridge: http://breckenridge.snow.com/home/
Crested Butte
Crested Butte, located 230 miles southwest of Denver, is known as a place that has managed to retain a low-key mountain ski-town vibe. At Crested Butte, 23 percent of the runs are designated for beginners.
Crested Butte: http://www.skicb.com/cbmr/index.aspx?season=winter
Steamboat
Steamboat is located 155 miles northwest of Denver. Steamboat, known as a family-friendly resort, has 165 trails; 14 percent of the trails are marked for beginners.
Steamboat: http://www.steamboat.com/
Copper Mountain
Copper Mountain is located 75 miles west of Denver. The western slope of Copper is beginner-friendly with a number of long, wide trails. Of the 126 marked trails at Copper, 21 percent are for beginner skiers.
Copper Mountain: http://www.coppercolorado.com/index.htm
Northstar-at-Tahoe
Northstar-at-Tahoe is located 36 miles from Reno in Truckee, California. Although only 13 percent of the runs at Northstar-at-Tahoe are designated as beginner runs, many of the trails marked as intermediate are suitable for beginners as well.
Northstar-at-Tahoe: http://www.northstarattahoe.com/
