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Taking the kids out for their first ride or getting out yourself for the first time? Learning how to ski or snowboard can be very intimidating, so don’t make it worse by getting yourself stuck on the peak of a challenging mountain. Instead, try one of these ten resorts that zrankings highlighted as the best ski resorts for beginners. Their experts scouted American resorts and ranked them based on the number of green trails, quality of ski schools, and average snowfall.
#1 – Beaver Creek, CO
Beaver Creek was rated number one because of the number of green trails at the top of the mountain and because it gets, on average, 329” of snow each season.
#2 – Park City, UT
Park City is known for its long, windy runs. This unique attribute of Park City benefits beginners significantly. Park City is also the largest resort in the United States, which means that there is a ton of variety once beginners improve. There are some tricky verticals, though, so beginners, be prepared to grab a map and stay conscious of where you’re going.
#3 – Big Sky, MT
Big Sky does have a reputation for challenging slopes, but the lower half of the mountain (where most of the runs lie) is a beginner’s paradise. Uncrowded runs and beautiful Montana scenery will make it a beginner’s favorite.
#4 – Copper Mountain, CO
Copper made the list for the variety in easy terrain. “There’s enough here that beginners can branch out and try lots of different runs without running over the same green terrain again and again,” reports Les Houces, writer of the zrankings article. Besides that, the proximity to Denver and ski school make this resort optimal for beginners.
#5 – Steamboat, CO
Steamboat is in a great town that gets great early season conditions. Beginners will find their groove here as they are free to roam around the whole mountain, top, and bottom, without running into monstrous blues and blacks.
#6 – Winter Park, CO
Winter Park has a little for everyone. It makes a great playground for beginners because of the excellent and well-priced ski schools.
#7 – Breckenridge, CO
Most terrain at Breckenridge is mellow, and with comforting sights of the bottom of the hill from most runs, this resort is a winner for beginners. Since it is owned by Vail, there is a streamlined and very helpful ski school.
#8 – Keystone, CO
Beginners can ride all over the mountain with options for easy runs. It is a top-ranked family resort, and, like Breckenridge, it offers an amazing ski school.
#9 – Aspen Buttermilk, CO
Buttermilk is Aspen’s family hill. The mountain is full of easy, gentle slopes that will aid beginners. It is one of four Aspen resorts in the town, so lines might be a bit shorter as devoted skiers flock to the other three resorts. They also boast the best ski school operations on the planet.
#10 – Aspen Snowmass, CO
With over 3,000 acres of terrain, beginners and intermediate riders will be satisfied for weeks at Snowmass. They offer the same ski school as their sister, Buttermilk, making it an optimal choice for those learning.
