As soon as the first cold snap hits, I start hearing from people who want to try a ski trip this winter. It's a wonderful kind of vacation, but first-timers often pick a resort based on a famous name, then discover it wasn't really built for what they wanted. A little planning up front makes all the difference.
Look for a mountain that's kind to beginners
Some of the best-known resorts are famous for steep, challenging terrain, which is thrilling for experts and intimidating for everyone else. If you or anyone in your group is new, look for a dedicated learning area, plenty of gentle green runs, and slow lifts or "magic carpets" near the base. A good ski school matters more than the size of the mountain.
Think about where you'll stay
Ski-in/ski-out lodging, where you can walk out the door and onto the snow, is a real luxury, especially with kids or a pile of rented gear. Staying in town instead often means more restaurants and a livelier evening scene, with a shuttle to the lifts. Neither is wrong; it depends on whether your group wants convenience on the slopes or things to do once the lifts close.
Plan for the non-skiers, too
Not everyone in a group wants to ski every day, and that's fine. Many mountain towns offer snowshoeing, tubing, sleigh rides, spas, ice skating and good shopping. If someone in your group is coming mainly for the views and the hot chocolate, it's worth choosing a resort with plenty to do off the slopes.
Book lessons, rentals and passes early
Lift tickets, group lessons and rental gear can be reserved ahead at most resorts, and the popular lesson slots on holiday weeks go first. Sorting these out before you go means less time standing in lines on your first morning and more time on the snow.
Mind the calendar
Just like beach trips, the holidays, Martin Luther King Jr. weekend and Presidents' Day week are the busiest times on the mountain. Early January and much of March can offer a quieter experience, and spring skiing tends to bring longer, sunnier days. The best lodging near the lifts for holiday weeks is often booked by fall.
If a ski trip is on your list this winter, tell me who's going, everyone's experience level, and what a perfect day looks like for your group. I'll put together a few mountains that fit, and handle the lodging, lessons and logistics so all you have to do is show up.