mc

We want to take our family on a ski vacation the week after Christmas. My husband skis, but the rest of us don't but would like to learn. Can you recommend a ski location that's good for families and not extremely expensive?

Mike Hocksbigg

I learned at Vail...stayed in Lionshead and took lessons at the top of the Eagle gondola...

kids would have a blast...lessons were free two years ago, not sure what they charge now if anything...they were trying to make things affordable back then, maybe still

Tony

Park City, Utah is probably one of the best family oriented ski areas. In California, try Sierra Ski Ranch located just outside of South Lake Tahoe.

xxx

On the east coast, check out Smugglers Notch in VT (near Stowe). They have a top rated learn to ski program for kids. Out west, check out Alta in UT for the cheapest skiing around with usually great early season snow levels (but no boarding allowed).

helen

Park City in Utah; Grand Targhee in Wyoming (Teton Valley side); or Steamboat Springs in Colorado.

Grand Targhee might be the best on the budget.

kima

What area if the states were you thinking? In Colorado you can stay in Summit County the towns of Dillon or Silverthorne and ski Keystone, Breck, Copper A Basin, Vail is another 30 or min away. At those towns you will not be at the reosrt per se but within 10 or so min to each and you will find lodging much less. take a look at condos avail from owners they typically cost much less. good sites for that are www.summitnet.com ( a good site for all info about summit county) and wwwskibyowner.com has many different areas.

kima

forgot the dot in case you cut and paste...
www.skibyowner.com

mary

by far, Park city Utah....we have taken our four children to lots places to ski and Park City is our favorite. Deer Valley also there...upscale skiing..great lessons and instructors at both places. Good variety places to stay and eat. Goodluck

cold

If east, go to Sunday River. A great teaching program and nice long trails for beginners.

Brenda

Vail!! We went to Vail in January and also took lessons at the top of the gondola. The adult lessons were only about $145 for 3 days of lessons, rentals and lift. Great instructors.

ski bum

Whatever you do, go to the Rockies, not the Appalachians. The Rockies offer better snow and longer trails. You spend more time skiing and less time on the lifts. The Appalachian trails are more crowded and usually icy.