Best resort for First time skiers

[bobafet]

I am going skiing for the first time on 12/28. I live in NYC and have shortlisted the following resorts based on reviews and budget - Blue Mountain, Jack Frost, Mt. Peter. What would you recommend for a great full day skiing experience. I plan to reach there by 8am to beat the crowds. 

I am worried that a huge crowd might mess up the Learning experience and I will have to stand in lines all day long? Let me know what you guys think or if you have any other alternate suggestions of resorts that I can visit which are close by to NYC?

Edited December 27, 2019 by bobafet

[theprogram4]

blue mountain for sure.  weekends get crowded by 11 am, but nothing that would ruin the experience

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Reserve a lesson ahead of time. 

[bobafet]

Thank you both! Are there any other good Ski resorts that I am missing out in considering. Especially for a beginner? How are the instructors at Blue Mountain. Just want to make sure I have a good experience! Let me know what you think. Also, is the 1.5 hour Ski Lesson good enough to get a beginner to start skiing on the slopes?

[tnt]

Will you be taking a lesson?  If so, don't worry about crowds, you'll get to cut the lines.  

For your first day ever, you probably don't need much besides a good rental/lesson center, and some nice mellow trails to learn on.  My kids did a snowboarding lesson at blue 5-6 years ago, and the staff seemed really nice.  Jack Frost is also a super friendly place, with plenty of mellow skiing.  I don't know anything about Mt. Peter.

If drive time is the same, you can't go wrong with JF or Blue.  JF is a little more scenic IMO....

 

Have fun!  

[tnt]

1 minute ago, bobafet said:

Thank you both! Are there any other good Ski resorts that I am missing out in considering. Especially for a beginner? How are the instructors at Blue Mountain. Just want to make sure I have a good experience! Let me know what you think. Also, is the 1.5 hour Ski Lesson good enough to get a beginner to start skiing on the slopes?

Not sure what lesson you are referring to, but if you can afford it, taking a private lesson will be much more beneficial than a group lesson.  

For your very first day, I really think any mountain will be fine.  Shawnee will be closer to you - therefore more crowded.  But it's a nice laid back place with a completely mellow mountain.  Close to the Delaware River, so pretty location.  Mountain Creek is even closer to you, but generally a total shit show, and IMO not a pleasant vibe.   

I guess I would think about Shawnee as well though.  

[bobafet]

I meant these lessons - 

https://www.skibluemt.com/winter-sports/lessons/types/familylessons/

I read up some reviews of JF and heard the instructors are not that good/rude. Though all reviews need to be taken with a pinch of salt, so I am fine with either. I am excited about both and might consider the scenic drive for Jack Frost but the only issue there is that the resort is open only till 4pm. So Blue mountain being open till late holds an edge there.

 

 

[trackbiker]

If you get there early like you said you might even get a "private lesson" in the group lesson. The typical first timer doesn't show up until later and it takes time for the rentals, etc. so you may be the only one in the lesson.

Blue has a learning area at the bottom of the mountain that is completely separate from the rest of the mountain with a chair lift and a magic carpet. I don't think the lines ever really get long there so you should be good. The run is relatively long for a beginner slope so that is good too.

[Mixilplix]

Cough up the money for a private lesson...it will be so worth it...

[JFskiDan]

3 hours ago, bobafet said:

I meant these lessons - 

https://www.skibluemt.com/winter-sports/lessons/types/familylessons/

I read up some reviews of JF and heard the instructors are not that good/rude. Though all reviews need to be taken with a pinch of salt, so I am fine with either. I am excited about both and might consider the scenic drive for Jack Frost but the only issue there is that the resort is open only till 4pm. So Blue mountain being open till late holds an edge there.

 

 

Blue will be a zoo tomorrow by early afternoon.  Conditions at JF will probably hold up a little better if you are really thinking you will spend the entire day skiing.  You could go to Big Boulder after 4 pm on the same lift ticket, but you cant take the rental gear with you, so you will have to get new rentals again.  Big Boulder is a little more park oriented though.  they probably have 2 slopes open with no features on it. 

Any place you go tomorrow will be more crowded than normal.  Make sure you ask for the extra comfortable rental boots.  

[tnt]

4 hours ago, Mixilplix said:

Cough up the money for a private lesson...it will be so worth it...

I agree with this.

[C1erArt]

A far as the mountain is concerned, I’d recommend Jack Frost. It is more manageable with a lot better snow conditions. Haven’t had any problems with the instructors. They also have the trail difficulty segregated across the mountain, so the left side are the easy slopes and the right side is the difficult slopes. So beginners don’t get run over by expert skiers wanting to go fast. Also the slopes are pretty much top to bottom with no crossovers or connecting slopes with blacks crossing greens. The higher cost of a larger mountain is not worth it for beginners. I’d try to get there early on the weekends.


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[RidgeRacer]

Shawnee if you're coming from NYC. Their beginner area pretty much isolated from everything else. Plus they cater to first timers / beginners etc. I'd 100% go Shawnee if I were in your situation.

[tarponhead]

I am going skiing for the first time on 12/28. I live in NYC and have shortlisted the following resorts based on reviews and budget - Blue Mountain, Jack Frost, Mt. Peter. What would you recommend for a great full day skiing experience. I plan to reach there by 8am to beat the crowds. 
I am worried that a huge crowd might mess up the Learning experience and I will have to stand in lines all day long? Let me know what you guys think or if you have any other alternate suggestions of resorts that I can visit which are close by to NYC?

After the fact and I hope you had fun yesterday wherever you landed. All previous advice above good but these folks are pennsy-centric and don’t know shit about Mt peter which is the hill that fits your situation/location to a T. NYC to wRwick is a no-brainer

It’s a throwback to the Vt family skiing centers. Small vert, small area but Uber family friendly and convenient. The “lodge” is centrally located so kids can wander and no problem meeting back up. Prices will be much better than anything in pennsy or Catskills also.

After several visits, if your family is still into skiing, THEN go to a bigger resort.

[tnt]

Curious to know where/how it went.....

[bobafet]

Hey Everyone,

 

Thank you so much for your advice. I went to Blue Mountain and took the beginner session for $94. It included rentals, a beginners ski lift ticket and a 1.5 hr session. The session was almost a private one. I was a slow learner but I think with some practice I was able to pick things up pretty well. Fell quite a few times on the slope.

Post the training session, I was able to go down the training hill slope, make banks and turns. Though I am pretty far away from going on the beginner slopes I want to continue learning and building my skills. Blue Mountain doesn't have a Beginner+ session (something for someone who has already taken the first session). What would you guys recommend. Should I just go to the resort and continue practicing on my own? Let me know. Plan to go again sometime during in the End of January.

I kind of liked Blue Mountain. The prices are competitive and the people are nice. Price is a bit important for me so would want to keep it low but not compromising too much on the experience.

Thanks again everyone. I love skiing. Hope to be able to conquer some big slopes soon!

[toast21602]

I’d call and ask what type of lesson they would recommend. Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself!

[Shadows]

They should sell a valley school ticket only. Lift and carpet.

[RidgeRacer]

Hey Everyone,
 
Thank you so much for your advice. I went to Blue Mountain and took the beginner session for $94. It included rentals, a beginners ski lift ticket and a 1.5 hr session. The session was almost a private one. I was a slow learner but I think with some practice I was able to pick things up pretty well. Fell quite a few times on the slope.
Post the training session, I was able to go down the training hill slope, make banks and turns. Though I am pretty far away from going on the beginner slopes I want to continue learning and building my skills. Blue Mountain doesn't have a Beginner+ session (something for someone who has already taken the first session). What would you guys recommend. Should I just go to the resort and continue practicing on my own? Let me know. Plan to go again sometime during in the End of January.
I kind of liked Blue Mountain. The prices are competitive and the people are nice. Price is a bit important for me so would want to keep it low but not compromising too much on the experience.
Thanks again everyone. I love skiing. Hope to be able to conquer some big slopes soon!

Mission accomplished then. Here's to your progression and many more kick ass days for you on the mountain.

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

A shame they no longer offer a vista only lift ticket.  My advice for time number two is to book another first time package mainly for the rentals and learning area lift ticket as that’s more economical than buying a lift ticket and rentals separate.  Doesn’t sound like you’re skilled enough to go down paradise or Burma so full lift ticket not worth it.  Then after that gotta bite the bullet and get lift ticket and rental and more lessons which unfortunately costs more per day than the beginner package.  Glad you enjoyed your first experience skiing.  

[toast21602]

2 hours ago, GrilledSteezeSandwich said:

A shame they no longer offer a vista only lift ticket.  My advice for time number two is to book another first time package mainly for the rentals and learning area lift ticket as that’s more economical than buying a lift ticket and rentals separate.  Doesn’t sound like you’re skilled enough to go down paradise or Burma so full lift ticket not worth it.  Then after that gotta bite the bullet and get lift ticket and rental and more lessons which unfortunately costs more per day than the beginner package.  Glad you enjoyed your first experience skiing.  

The triple at the bottom replaced the vista only ticket. 

[Ski2Live Live2Ski]

If I were just learning and from NYC I would seriously consider doing it at Big Snow - the indoor place at American Dream at Meadowlands.

Too small for experienced skiers to get much out of, but the controlled temp should make for ideal snow conditions for learners.

[Shadows]

9 minutes ago, Ski2Live Live2Ski said:

If I were just learning and from NYC I would seriously consider doing it at Big Snow - the indoor place at American Dream at Meadowlands.

The one on the border of nj/ny? In the giant sloped looking building? Attached to a shopping mall? That opened not too long ago? I hear they have rentals too.

[toast21602]

18 minutes ago, Ski2Live Live2Ski said:

If I were just learning and from NYC I would seriously consider doing it at Big Snow - the indoor place at American Dream at Meadowlands.

Too small for experienced skiers to get much out of, but the controlled temp should make for ideal snow conditions for learners.

thats why you are a gaper. 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

25 minutes ago, Ski2Live Live2Ski said:

If I were just learning and from NYC I would seriously consider doing it at Big Snow - the indoor place at American Dream at Meadowlands.

Too small for experienced skiers to get much out of, but the controlled temp should make for ideal snow conditions for learners.

That place is not gonna make people fall in love with skiing.