Best Destinations for a Beginner-Friendly Ski Adventure

From the summit of Chair 15—standing at approximately 10,000 feet on Vail Mountain in Colorado—the breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains attract over 1.3 million skiers and snowboarders each winter.

John Plack, senior manager of communications for Vail Mountain and Beaver Creek, shared with Dinogo, “What truly inspires people to ski and snowboard is the incredible vista, the expansive view.”

Unfortunately, such scenic views are not always easily accessible for those new to snow sports—beginner-friendly trails are typically located at the base of the mountain, and enjoying the views above the treeline may require more advanced skills.

Nevertheless, over the past five years, many U.S. ski resorts, including Vail, have redesigned their terrain and improved learning programs to provide beginners with better chances to enjoy the scenery from the summit.

“Experiencing that from the very first day is what encourages people to return and continue improving,” Plack remarked.

This change occurs at a time when the National Ski Areas Association has reported record-high visitor numbers at U.S. ski areas: During the 2021–2022 season, over 61 million individuals enjoyed a day on the slopes, marking a percent increase compared to the previous season.

Ski resorts providing beginner-friendly terrain

In 2021, Beaver Creek, a ski resort in Colorado, launched its latest terrain expansion, McCoy Park, designed to help beginners enhance their skiing and riding abilities.

Spanning 250 acres, this expansion features a terrain bowl with 14 green (easy) runs and three blue (intermediate) runs. Each trail is wide, well-groomed, and designed for a relaxed pace. Notably, it lacks expert runs, as these can pose risks for both fast skiers and those still mastering the basics in the same area.

Beaver Creek also features Haymeadow Park, which opened in 2018 and is accessible via gondolas. This area is specifically tailored for beginners, focusing on providing children with a chance to practice on varied terrain. Here, among the magic carpets—conveyor belts that transport riders uphill at snow level—and runs with minimal elevation loss, guests will encounter bumps, berms, and rollers, designed to be scaled down for kids. The goal, Plack explained, is to equip them with the skills needed to tackle more difficult runs later on.

Other Colorado resorts are set to introduce developments later this season: Steamboat Springs is launching the Greenhorn Ranch Learning Center, aimed at beginners, while Copper Mountain will reveal newly graded trails that cater to novice skiers and snowboarders. Additionally, this will be the first full season where Crested Butte’s revamped beginner area, designed to help newcomers build their skills, will be operational.

Beyond Colorado, several resorts are planning to roll out terrain expansions focused on increasing beginner-friendly options. Snowbasin in Utah, known for its steep slopes (it hosted the 2002 Olympic downhill events), will have a dedicated novice area by December 2024, spanning 3,000 acres.

Ski resorts with programs for adult beginners

Skiing and snowboarding can be challenging for newcomers, especially those not accustomed to winter sports. Plack noted that older learners often prefer not to be in classes with children, prompting some resorts to develop programs specifically designed for adults who are new to snow sports.

To enhance the experience for adult learners, Vail decided to offer dedicated lessons for kids on one chairlift and for adults on another. Last year, they opened the Avanti Performance Center, where guests receive treatment akin to professional athletes when they choose to take lessons.

At the Avanti Performance Center, guests typically venture out with their instructor onto more intermediate slopes, where they are filmed during their runs. After a few attempts, they return indoors to review the footage, gaining insights on how to improve their body positioning. Following this, they can practice the correct stance in front of a simulator equipped with a mirror, allowing them to visualize how the movements should appear and feel before heading back to the slopes. This feature is included at no additional cost for participants.

“This area is dedicated to adult learning and aims to help them achieve the next level in their skiing or snowboarding skills,” Plack explained.

Although Utah’s Snowbasin is recognized as a more challenging mountain, it consistently ranks among the top spots for learning how to ski or snowboard. Last year, it was honored with the Conversion Cup, an award given by the National Ski Areas Association to the resort with the most effective program for promoting the sport. This recognition stemmed from its Learn and Earn skiing and snowboarding initiative.

“The goal is to remove the obstacles that often discourage people from learning to ski or snowboard,” Michael Rueckert, Snowbasin's marketing director, told Dinogo. “Typically, individuals looking to start skiing must invest in gear, lessons, and a season pass, which can feel daunting and costly. The Learn and Earn program combines all necessary elements into one package, and we offer it at approximately 75 percent off the usual price.”

Participants in the program receive three lessons tailored by age group, along with a rental package valid for the entire winter season and a season pass for the remainder of the year. If they choose to enroll again the following year, they will receive the lessons and season pass once more, but they will also be allowed to keep the gear at the end of the season. In their third and final year, participants will enjoy a private lesson to refine their skills before graduating with a season pass in hand.

According to Plack, the goal of implementing programs that provide enhanced instruction and a wider variety of terrain is to demonstrate to newcomers just how enjoyable these activities can be, thereby making them more inclusive.