Blue Mountain Ski Area
Palmerton, PA 18071
Phone: (610) 826-7700
www.skibluemt.com
Blue Mountain has the highest vertical drop in Pennsylvania. Its 34 trails, suitable for all levels, makes it one of the Pocono’s most attractive skiing and snowboarding destinations. Blue provides 100% snowmaking. Its 100% lighting extends skiing and snowboarding fun all the way through the evening. Three of Blue Mountain’s slopes zig-zag through terrain for over a mile long. Blue’s nine lifts, including a high-speed detachable six-passenger lift and a high-speed detachable quad lets patrons enjoy more skiing time and spend less time in lines.
For the beginners Blue Mountain offers three Learning Centers (including Explorers); together with a child care in the Summit Lodge. All 34 trails, as well as the terrain parks, are open to snowboarders. The terrain parks are intended for different abilities and – what is important – are marked accordingly.
Top: 1600 Ft.
Vertical Drop: 1082 Ft.
Longest run: 1.2 miles
Lift: $45 (youth 7-18: $35)
Lodging: from $85- bed & breakfast (1 mile)
Jay Peak
4850 VT Rte 242
Jay, VT 05859-9621
Phone: 800-451-4449
www.jaypeakresort.com
Jay Peak is known for its incomparable variety of trails, incredible terrain, and abundant natural snowfall for over 50 years. Two mountain peaks present 385 acres of terrain, including 76 glades and chutes with 60% in beginners and intermediate category. Jay Peak is a natural snowboard park including halfpipe, berms, jumps, and a terrain park.
Beginners can take advantage of the Learning Center (for kids and adults), or brush up on their skills in the Demo Center. Daycare Center is available at Tramside – free of charge for on-property lodging guests (for reservation call (802) 988-261).
Top: 3968 Ft.
Vertical Drop: 2153 Ft.
Longest Run: 3.0 miles
Lift: $67 (students $55)
Lodging: from $290 – studio with mountain view.
Alpine Meadows
2600 Alpine
Meadows Road, CA 96145
Phone: 530-583-4232
www.skialpine.com
Alpine Meadows has a great natural snow and offers bird’s eye views of High Sierra and the Lake Tahoe. With 2,400 ski-able acres, Alpine has enough to keep everyone happy for days.
Beginners will feel welcomed in the ski school or can take private lessons; kids are offered Snow School for ages 4-12 and Ski Camp for ages 6-12. Ski lessons tailored for all ability levels, including Short-ski (direct to parallel) beginner program. If you have a special interest – explore Special clinics ranging from mogul and freestyle to snowboard, powder and telemark. Alpine is also home to a fine adaptive ski school for disabled skiers and snowboarders.
Top: 8637 Ft.
Vertical Drop: 1802 Ft.
Longest Run: 3.0 miles
Lift: $69 (teen 13-18: $52; child 5-12: $15)
Lodging: from $139 (lift ticket included)
Park City Mountain Resort
1310 Lowell Ave
Park City, UT 84060
Phone: 800-222-7275
www.parkcitymountain.com
Park City Mountain 100+ trails and top-to-bottom snowmaking keeps resort in the top 10 family skiing destinations in North America. For a 2009-2010 winter season, Park City Mountain enhanced its terrain with additional glade areas off Crescent Ridge.
Kids and adult beginners can choose a program suitable to individual needs. The Signature Five Program, for kids ages 6 to 14, is the first in the country to guarantee class sizes of five or fewer every day of the season. Not sure if your three-year old can take a whole day of skiing – a one-hour Signature lesson is letting kids to try a skiing class and designed to give three to six-year-olds one-on-one attention. Youth and adults are offered variety of special programs; adaptive lessons are also available.
Top: 10000 Ft.
Vertical Drop: 3100 Ft.
Longest Run: 1.4 miles
Lift: $70 (Youth 7-12: $42)
Lodging: from $180 (Holiday Inn – Standard Hotel Room/1BA)
Beaver Creek
40 Village Rd
Vail, CO 81658
Phone: 800-404-3535
www.beavercreek.com
Snowboarding fans will discover new jumps, halfpipe, rails and fun boxes scattered over three terrain parks; Buckaroo Bowl teaching area features a new beginner terrain park (snowboarding lessons are available).
Beginners can choose from various available instructions for skiing, style clinic, racing, powder, sybervision, telemark, snowboarding; including snowshoeing and women’s only clinic. Children and private adult lessons are available. Nursery/childcare (ages 2 months to 6 years) is offered at Small World Playschool.
Top: 11440 Ft.
Vertical Drop: 4040 Ft.
Longest Run: 1.1 miles
Lift: 3-day path $267; kids – $159 (good for 3 out off 5 consecutive days)
Lodging: from $229
