Try asking in r/NewToVermont.

Or r/icecoast (the East Coast-specific skiing sub)

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Is it your first time skiing or first time in Vermont?

If it’s your first time on skis the terrain isn’t really going to matter. Find a place where you can get a cheap ticket and instructions.

If you’ve skied before then you’ve gotta decide if you value conditions or vibes more. If it’s conditions - go where the snow is and postpone the decision as long as you can.

If it’s vibes - jay is a big nice refurbished resort up north. Okemo and Killington have the best ski towns imo. Bolton and Smuggs are quiet and friendly. Stowe is Stowe, and Sugarbush is like Stowe without all the Stowe.

Cochrans

Smuggs

I don't think I could have summed it up better myself!

OP needs to give us a little more information about what their abilities and expectations are.

I have heard great things about Cochran's, especially for people skiing for their first time. If it is your first time, you should get a lesson.

Wear a helmet. For real.

Definitely Cochrans!

They have a week long learn to ski deal including lift tix and equip & lessons for like $250 all in.

Like someone mentioned, go cheap. You’re just starting to learn and won’t be able to get the benefits of a larger mountain.

That said, when you’re ready. I’ve always found Okemo to be the friendliest to new skiers. The ClockTower face there is really great for beginners (not first timers). ClockTower face is all Green Dots, relatively gradual, and gives access to Waffle Cabin :-)

It’s an amazing way to spend your winter! Good luck, have fun!

I would recommend if you find yourself in southern Vermont to check out Stratton, Bromley, and a good capper once those mountains are done to try out Magic.

Cool video on Magic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ik14dIsSRk

[removed]

Don’t go to Cochran’s your first time. They don’t have a magic carpet and the rope tow is a pain in the ass if you have never been on skis before.

Wachusett

Mt Snow?

Trapp Family Lodge

Vermont skiers tend to be very tribal.

Magic carpet real pussy shit

100% Cochran’s or Bolton, it’s getting to be busy season so I would say Cochran’s! Like other people said, it’s incredibly cheap, and the instructors are oftentimes olympians or former professional racers!

Yeah, except that the first time you are on a snowboard or skis a magic carpet is a great way to learn. After a couple days or couple lessons you may be able to do a rope tow but the first few times its a pain in the ass.

Anyone can do a mitey mite on day one wtf are u even saying I learned as a 3 year old on a mitey mite and this person seems to know how to use the internet so I think they’re older than 3

Saskadena Six!

Calm down, dork

Middlebury Snow Bowl

We just moved to Midd and haven’t been yet but everyone raves about it! Decent sized mountain for decent prices, still have the ability to do rentals/ get tuned on the spot… looks particular great for beginners with the magic carpet and reasonable terrain. I hear they got a top-notch snow maker so /!should be maintained well. Plus it’s 20 mins from my house so can’t beat that 😗

This.

Head injuries are far too easy to have happen and can be life altering/ending experiences. Helmets are cheap compared to the alternatives.

Burke !

Suicide six is a great starter hill in the Woodstock area. Ascutney is cheap but tough to ski. Okemo and Killington will probably be packed. But Ludlow Is a nice ski town avoid the Chevy dealership tho.

Edit: S6 has a magic carpet now

Wear a helmet find a good surgeon for your acl and mcl . Enjoy !!!

I was actually gonna say queechee ski area is a sleeper for beginners. Friendly and fun and small and you can be all vermont-y in Woodstock and queechee if that’s what they’re looking for

The rope tow is higher up the hill by the T-bar. The Mitey Mite handle tow is incredibly slow and easy to use.

Besides, for first-time skiers, you don't ride the lift. They have you side-step up the hill to get a feel for your skis under your feet. They do this at pretty much all hills; Okemo has an entire slope dedicated to first-timers side-stepping uphill and snowplowing down.

You won't get a better and more affordable lesson anywhere else, I think Cochran's is great for first-timers. Bolton Valley, which also has a handle tow, which look like a bunch of big floppy rubber horse dongs, also is great. The beginner slope is entirely enclosed by trees so no out-of-control skiers ever come blasting down the hill behind you, and it's a very wide and gentle grade -- probably better in that regard than even Cochran's. And they're close to one another.

Those are my two picks. Cochran's probably has the edge over Bolton for ski school quality, though Bolton probably comes out on top if you want a good lesson and have a fetish for big blue rubber horse wang.

Woodstock and Quechee is what you get when you blend Hallmark movie fantasy charm with overpriced blown glass art, prime rib, and cocaine. All of this can be yours if you can afford it.

take this down i beg of you Cochrans is the only ski resort that is kept semi-secret and the only one i can still afford

Good call, do they still do the cardboard sled races there?

I haven't seen a ski resort in Vermont and New Hampshire that don't have a good selection of pistes for beginners (only Stowe might be a little weak in this department among places I regularly ski).

The distinction I have noticed is how much the resorts can offer to intermediate skiers. At the pure beginner level, you should be fine.