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Outdoor Experiences
Retreats
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So, you’re dreaming of a glamorous ski vacation. Retro Day-Glo ski suits, apres-ski drinks by a roaring fire. There’s just one problem; you don’t know how to ski. Don’t let that stop you! Learning how to ski doesn’t have to be stressful. With forgiving terrain, approachable, all-ages ski schools or private lessons, and off-mountain accommodations that let you avoid the peak-season crowds, the best ski vacations for beginners are designed to help you get your ski legs without the anxiety and embarrassment that often accompany learning a new skill. And in this blog post, we’ll tell you what they are.
Not all so-called beginner-friendly ski destinations live up to the designation. Some things to look for when searching for a beginner-friendly vacation include a high relative number of “green runs,” designated learning zones, and reputable but approachable ski schools. Other green flags include easy access to gear rentals, clearly demarcated trails, dedicated beginner runs, and shorter ski-lift lines.
Similarly, your choice of lodging on your beginner ski vacation has a big influence on your stress levels. Staying off-mountain in comfortable, intimate accommodations can make your early mornings smoother and your days off more restful.
When it comes to the best ski vacations for beginners, Stowe, Vermont is the gold standard. Stowe Mountain Resort offers good-quality snow and great terrain for learning, especially on Spruce Peak, one of two mountains that make up this iconic ski resort. Think gentle slopes, wide runs, and beginner-designated lifts. Moreover, Stowe Mountain Resort boasts one of the best ski schools in the region.
If you’re looking for a slower-paced learning environment, try the Trapp Family Lodge. Once owned by the Trapp family (of The Sound of Music fame), the Trapp Family Lodge offers cross-country and Nordic-style skiing ideal for getting your bearings without the intimidation.
Off the slopes, you’ll find no shortage of fun things to do in Stowe Village. This charming resort town offers pedestrian-friendly streets, cozy restaurants, and a mellow apres-ski scene to help you unwind and recharge after a long day of learning the ropes.
Looking for a beginner-friendly home base for your Stowe ski vacation? Look no further than Outbound Stowe! This boutique hotel blends mountain-lodge vibes with modern conveniences for an immersive yet stress-free stay. Enjoy convenience to Stowe Village, located within walking distance, and free shuttle service to Stowe Mountain Resort. Or, hang out at the lodge and take advantage of relaxing amenities like on-site dining and communal fire pits.
Outbound Stowe offers a diverse range of accommodations. Choose from a guest room, suite, cabin, or cottage, all thoughtfully appointed with everything you need for a comfortable stay.
It may come as a surprise, but the best beginner ski vacation to get away from it all lies just a couple of hours from New York City. Hidden away in the pristine Pocono Mountains, yet under 100 miles from the bustle of the Big Apple, Big Bear, PA, is home to Ski Big Bear at Mathope Mountain. Here, you’ll find everything you need to get you up and skiing, from mellow terrain to manageable vertical gradients to accessible beginner instructions.
Of course, you don’t have to cross state borders to get away from it all on your ski holiday. Also located just a couple of hours from NYC, Callicoon Center in New York’s Catskill Mountains offers beginner-friendly skiing at Villa Roma Resort, which features a small, low-stress ski area perfect for mastering the basics. And like Big Bear, Callicoon Center is the perfect antidote to the pressures of city living, with bucolic country views and a dearth of tourists.
If you happen to choose Callicoon Center for your beginner ski vacation (or even if you go to Big Bear; it’s under 30 miles away), you can’t go wrong staying at Callicoon Hills. This quaint hotel offers the perfect balance of boutique comfort and classic Catskills charm. It’s ideal for beginners who want to make skiing an important part of their vacation, but not the whole focus. Gather round a communal fire pit for one of Man’s oldest bonding rituals. Or, tuck into a steaming bowl of soup at the on-site restaurant.
Callicoon Hills is set on 23 secluded acres, giving you plenty of room to spread out. Meanwhile, it’s just 12 minutes from Villa Roma Resort, and a mere 20-mile drive from Bethel Woods, site of 1969’s legendary Woodstock music festival. The accommodations at Callicoon Hills range from guest rooms to suites to a-frame cabins to a creek-side cottage with room for four adults and two kids.
Another potentially intimidating aspect of skiing is the cold. But if the thought of braving those low temps is giving you cold feet, you’ll be happy to know that the Great White North isn’t the only place in America you can learn to ski. Heading south to Western North Carolina, the Smoky Mountains offer a milder winter climate and surprisingly good conditions for learning to ski. The Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley, for example, is one of the best ski resorts for beginners in the Southeast. With approachable beginner terrain and a world-class ski school offering professional lessons, it’s the perfect place to cut your teeth at your own pace.
That said, be sure to make time for other experiences while you’re in the Smoky Mountains. Cataloochee isn’t as big or busy as most northern ski resorts, so it’s easy to fit everything into a day. Other activities you can add to your vacation itinerary include scenic drives, ice skating, hiking to waterfalls, and horseback riding!
Nestled just off the Tail of the Dragon, Topoco Lodge is a favorite lodging choice of motorcycle and sports car enthusiasts. But this historic inn also makes a great beginner-friendly ski base. Take in the warm lodge atmosphere as you dine overlooking the on-site creek creek or browse the eclectic gift shop.
Accommodations range from lodge rooms to lodge suites to private cabins. Each unit features a seamless blend of mountain-lodge charm and home-like comfort.
Didn’t see what you were looking for? Browse our full collection of outdoor accommodations to find the beginner ski vacation of your dreams. From the beginner slopes of Jackson Mountain Resort in Jackson Hole to Nordic and ocean-view skiing on the Southern Maine Coast, you’re sure to find something that speaks to your needs. Click the link below to see available dates and book your ski getaway today!
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