Where is the best place to go snow skiing? We are thinking about Durango the second week of January. Good idea? Anything better? Thanks.

Wolf Creek had the best snow I've experienced

Agreed on Wolf Creek. I also like how it's kind of old school and not all resort-y.

Telluride is pretty awesome.

Utah has the best skiing I've ever experienced (Colorado Resident).

What level of skier are you? If you're intermediate to advanced, Snowbird in Utah is wonderful.

I've never been, other than kine 199 on aggie mountain. My girlfriend has been several times.

I think you should have worded your question quite a bit differently being that you have never skied. Do you plan on taking lessons at the mountain?

Taos then. consistently ranked best ski school in the country. great mountain. great town.

Yeah, I wouldn't splurge on an expensive resort if you're both beginners. Taos is really a pretty decent mountain. Sometimes my family has stayed in Red River and done skiing in Angel Fire and Taos, both of which aren't a terribly long drive.

I really like Utah. Snowbird and Solitude are great. I would think Taos is not the best for beginners. For first timers you might want to try Keystone.

Keystone? No way. Way too icy. If you are doing summit county then Breckenridge for a beginner.

Keystone? No way. Way too icy. If you are doing summit county then Breckenridge for a beginner.

Out of taos, angel fire, crested butte and bend oregon i say mtbachelor in oregon was definitely the best.

I don't know if I recommend beginning at Taos - that is the hardest mountain I have skiied. I guess the good news is that you're learning should be quick.

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If you are doing summit county then Breckenridge for a beginner.

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Or Copper.

I learned how to ski at Wolf Creek.
Purg at Durango is beginner friendly, I think.

I would agree with copper. I forgot about them.

We went to the Canyons in Park City, and definitely one of the best skiing experiences we have ever had. Large resort and great snow and only a 30 minute drive from the airport.

For beginners red river, then crested butte than angel fire. Taos and bend eould be too advanced.

i guess it comes down to whether you will take lessons or not. i love Red River. but, it is small. Taos just has a phenomenal ski school. learn to ski correctly from the beginning and you will enjoy it more.

Colorado resident here. If you are a beginner you will have a good experience anywhere in the state except the dinky resorts on the front range.

Mooseherd, I disagree on Keystone. It is one of the most underrated resorts in Colorado, especially once you know your way around.

It's wonderful for a beginner, since Keystone is one of the few resorts with a teaching center at the top of the mountain. Compare this to Copper, Breckenridge, and Winter Park where the bunny slopes are right by the parking lot. For advanced terrain I am always able to find good snow in the trees, and the cat skiing is awesome. Close proximity to A-Basin (my second favorite mountain after Vail) is an added bonus.

I enjoy the town of Breck but like most locals I despise the mountain. I find it flat, windy, and cold almost the entire season.

Crested Butte

If you are going to the Dillon/Frisco area and learning then I would drive an hour away for the first day or two and go to Ski Cooper (yes Ski Cooper, not Copper) in Leadville, CO to learn to ski. The tickets are very much cheaper and the mountain is less crowded and great for beginners. It is no where near being the largest mountain, but it is easy for beginners. Then you can do Keystone, Copper, Breck or wherever once you've learned the basics.

We stay in Frisco and do this for the people that come with us if they are new to skiing. It really helps transition people to the mountain.

[This message has been edited by jetescamilla (edited 9/27/2012 5:39p).]

Keystone can be icy as hell and for a beginner that ain't no fun. All depends on the weather though.

Crested butte for beginners. Good ski school and lots of variety in beginner terrain.

Utah, of course! "best snow on earth"

Park City Mtn Resort or The Canyons- good for any ability skier. Fine for beginners. The advantage is that it is right in the town of Park City for non-skiers to have other things to do and plenty of good bars and restaurants.

Snowbird is great for intermediate-advanced skiers only.

All of these resorts are within a 40-45 min drive of the SLC airport.

Another vote for Salt Lake City, Utah area resorts (Canyons, Park City, Brighton, Snowbird, etc.). Only 30-40 mins from airport, somewhat cheaper than the big Colorado resorts (especially if they are running 2 for 1 deals) and if you time it right (we usually go from late Jan - early/mid Feb) some of the best powder anywhere.

Sun Valley, ID or Whistler, BC

I work in the industry and no matter what they say Taos isn't in the top five ski schools in america

Breckenridge - lots of good slopes and usually good snow. i admit i have no experience with the ski school though

also, you might want to consider Winter Park. Big resort with a lot of beginner slopes. a neg of winter park, though, is that the road to it can be pretty tough in bad weather. summit county resorts are definitely easier to get to.

There are two things that make a ski area good. Snow and terrain. Snow will vary from year to year terrain is always the same.

Steeps: Jackson Hole, Silverton, Telluride, Taos, then Snowbird. In that order.

Second tier: Alta, Snowmass, Kirkwood, Crested Butte, Big Sky, and Squaw

Everyone Else.

As for snow it varies from year to year. Anyone that says that Utah has the best snow on Earth didn't ski there last year and certainly didn't ski Mt Baker. ie `300 inches versus 800 inches. If you are picking based on snow quality and quantity you should probably wait to book your trip and keep track of who is getting the snow. La Nina can be a finicky ***** and when she shows up to the part the northern half of the country gets dumped on. When she doesn't its not much of a party at all.

Hopefully headed to JH this Feb. Hoping Corbet's is open when I get there.

SB, have you skied it before? It's a classic line but by far not the best there.

I haven't skied it before so it's more just to say I did it. I will also seek out the many other great lines on JH.