Are you new to skiing and snowboarding? Finding the right mountain can make or break your first experience. A resort with too much steep terrain can be intimidating, while a mountain with extensive, gentle “green” circles and top-tier ski schools can turn a difficult learning process into a lifelong passion.
Here are five of the best resorts in North America for beginners:
1. Beaver Creek, Colorado
Beaver Creek is legendary for its grooming and its ski school. Unlike many resorts where beginners are stuck at the bottom of the mountain in the shadows, Beaver Creek features beginner terrain at the very top of the mountain (Red Buffalo Park). This allows novices to experience the high-alpine views that are usually reserved for experts.
2. Park City, Utah
As the largest lift-served resort in the US, Park City has a massive amount of beginner terrain. The High Meadow Park area is a dedicated learning zone accessed by a high-speed quad, giving beginners a safe, enclosed area to practice without worrying about fast traffic flying by.
3. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
It might seem intimidating due to its sheer size, but Whistler Blackcomb has incredible beginner zones at the mid-stations of both mountains. The Magic Chair at the base of Blackcomb is a perfect place to take your very first sliding steps.
4. Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Steamboat is famous for its “Champagne Powder,” which is so light and fluffy it’s incredibly forgiving when you fall. The lower mountain features wide, gentle boulevards that are perfect for linking your first turns.
5. Okemo, Vermont
For East Coast skiers, Okemo is hard to beat. It consistently wins awards for having the best snow grooming in the East, meaning beginners don’t have to navigate the icy patches that plague other resorts. The “Morning Star” lift services fantastic novice terrain.
Before you book your trip, make sure to check out the live webcams right here on Ski Cams Live to see what the beginner areas look like on the mountain you choose!