Help a single mom out with ski plan
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Anonymous
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Posting here after reading as many threads as I could. 10 year old would like to learn to ski (is an average ice skater if that matters). I had looked into this last year when she was in 4th grade - did all the research/calls etc for the PA 4th grade option and due to health issues couldn't do it. I am trying to map this out and had some questions -
1) Get the WV kid pass and go to Canaan or Timberline - 3 hrs away so maybe doable without night stay if we are willing to have a long day. I like this option due to the included child day rental/lift tickets. 2) The other option is to get the epic 2-3 day pass. In which case I could opt for slightly closer locations like Liberty and Roundtop. Both options to rent equipment (skis, boots, poles) locally for a day for adult to start with Buy ski wear/helmet/goggles/socks locally. Which is the best option (are there other options or things to consider) to try out something new. We would take a lesson 1 day and try and then return 1 or 2 times if we like it. Then do it right next year onwards with renting equipment early and getting a season pass. Just trying to keep it simple and reasonable (comparatively) the first year. How did you start with this sport? All suggestions welcome. |
Anonymous
| We started at Liberty - closest and best. I'd just get the lesson for adult and child there. Then if you like it can decide. |
Anonymous
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We did beginner lessons at Whitetail (also Epic, although it was not at the time). Assuming it is cold enough/snowy enough this year, I think Whitetail or Liberty would be fine for a couple of early lessons, and I believe the lesson packages are a good enough deal that I would not necessarily spring for the Epic two or three day pass. (Although if you don't need lessons you may want an adult multi-day pass.) And the drive is super-easy. If this season is like last year, though, the best bet will be Timberline given their ace snowmaking. I think the WV kids pass is free, so maybe go ahead and get that so you have it in case WV has the only viable conditions within a reasonable drive.
It is probably too late for this season, but I really appreciated the season-long equipment leases for kids that you can get at several local ski shops . Skipping the morning chaos of equipment rentals was priceless. We were able to do this until she needed adult-sized boots; at that point I bought her boots and handed-down a pair of skis. |
Anonymous
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I would opt for WV or also consider Seven Springs in PA. I just find the close in DC resorts way too crowded and the snow is usually terrible. Both of those could be big factors in whether you will enjoy the experience.
Wisp is another option to consider. It is a quicker drive than Canaan, and the hotel is right at the slopes (if you decide to overnight). |
Anonymous
| Love Canaan Valley and Timberline but consider staying the night- skiing is a workout and you will be TIRED on that ride home! Both have nice bunny slopes and ski lessons. |
Anonymous
I agree with doing Wisp, or Canaan or Timberline. I would also recommend a hotel. Best advice, if you can swing it, is to try for a week day, or one of your kid’s teacher work days. Hotel and lift tickets will be “cheaper.” Cheaper is in quotes because nothing is cheap with skiing. Also, for kids we prefer to rent skis offsite. Much easier than dealing with hassle at resort. At Canaan we stayed at Canaan Resort. Below are a couple other options that are cheaper. https://www.thebillymotel.com/book-your-stay https://theinnatcanaan.com/ For Wisp we like: https://dclhotel.com/ |
Anonymous
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Skiing is expensive. Don’t think about cost the first time. think about the experience and you truly want the best or you won’t want to return.
Don’t go on a weekend. |
Anonymous
| Book group lesson single day package ahead (lesson + ski equipments + lift ticket) at ski liberty ( white tail ski trail is bit more advanced compare to liberty). Rent instead of lease program (we use alpine ski but our kids ski once a week weekly during ski season, and every fall we bring leased equipment back to size up), and the group lesson package equipment is much cheaper compare to rent separately. Massanutten ski school for beginner is also good. Recommend ski lesson 3 days in a row. |
Anonymous
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I would rent equipment onsite. That way if there are any issues you can easily exchange the equipment (e.g. needs different boot size, skis releasing too easily, broken pole). My worst rental experience involved ill-fitting boots.
I agree with staying overnight. Skiing all day can be very strenuous and make you tired driving home. |
Anonymous
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You have lots of good recs here, I agree with WV and I’m partial to timberline. But you really shouldn’t do that in one day. I’ve been going there my whole life and I really can’t imagine doing it in a day unless you truly had to. Like others said skiing is tiring, and also I would really recommend getting out there early before crowds and doing the earlier lessons. Less people is easier when you start.
If you do want to just test the waters, go to one of the closer places. Still better to stay a night but that would be easier to do in a day. |
Anonymous
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I don’t live in your area so cannot comment on the specific slopes. However, my advice would be
1) private lessons over group lessons. They are expensive but your kid will learn and advance MUCH faster. Literally 3 lessons and he’ll be on his way. Then add more as he advances. 2) access and frequency. If you cannot devote days at a time to skiing, or a week long trip, get passes to the slope that is decent and close to you. My DD had access to a mini mountain, literally a hill, in elementary school. And the kids would go after school. They were excellent skiiers and snowboarders because they would ski at least weekly, sometimes more often. 3) now is definitely the time to learn. Many kids start at the age of 3, and by high school the ones who didn’t know how to ski definitely felt left out in friend groups when they were on green slopes and everyone else went to the top of the mountain for the blacks. 4) bring a friend. Once he learns, bring a friend who also knows how to ski. It’s how they learn. 5) rent ski gear for the season. It’s okey to get to the mountain and rent for the day for the first time. If he likes it, rent ski boots and skis at a local ski shop. Buy helmet, gloves, poles, under layers, ski jacket and ski pants (the latter can be purchased thrift if you want just make sure they are good quality brands). And you don’t need to worry about buying ski gear until he reaches full height probably late teens, his feet and ski boots and skis will keep growing with him so just do a seasonal rental every year. |
Anonymous
+100 |
Anonymous
I wouldn’t call if the “best,” but it’s certainly fine for just starting out. If you do Liberty, highly recommend a weekday. Also, last two seasons for them and Whitetail have been pretty bad- that whole global warming thing. If we have a proper winter and get snow and/or it’s cold enough to make snow, then Liberty is fine. |
Anonymous
NP. I agree with Timberline. PP, not sure how old you are or if you still go, but that drive got considerably better with Corridor H. From Vienna, I make it in under 3 hours with one stop (usually in Moorefield). Most of the driving is Freeway. That’s not bad for a day trip. That said, I used to day trip Snowshoe, which is exhausting. That said, a hotel is great, and if you stay off mountain, can be very cheap. OP, I would advise Timberline over the PA resorts mentioned. Yes, a further drive, but way better conditions, cheaper, and less crowded. Liberty can be an absolute zoo on a Saturday, as can Whitetail. Timberline has 1 hour beginner lessons for $25, which is a great deal, and way cheaper than anything at the Vail mountains in PA. That can chain into another 1 hour group lesson for $45, so total cost of $70 for 2 hours. The PA mountains will be $150 for 2 hours. Looking at the websites, I’m not seeing full day ski school at any of these mountains. That’s what you really want. Snowshoe will have it; that’s what I did with my kids. OP, I would prioritize at least a couple of ski days this year. It is such a gift to a child. A sport they can do their entire life. |
Anonymous
| Our kids learned to ski by participating in the Whitetrailer program at Whitetail. It it five (I think) consecutive weeks of 3 hour group lessons. The program is probably sold out already but it works. They were doing blacks out in Keystone by the end of last season. I think getting weekly lessons is the way to go if you truly want your kid to learn. Do the conditions and terrain generally suck at Whitetail? Yes, but the mountain is fine for a beginner. I wouldn't drive 3 hours to WV to have your kid be on the bunny hill the entire day. If your kid is in lessons, they skip the lift lines so that's not an issue. The other advice I have is make sure they have proper ski clothing. Make sure their jacket has a hood that will fit over their helmet. And get a good set of mittens. Have fun, skiing is great! (Also, whoever said don't think about the money is spot on - it is expensive as hell!) |