Every media outlet from Forbes to FoxNews has released a “top 10 ski areas”
list, and every list typically touts Vail’s bowls, Aspen’s steeps and
other world-class mountains in Colorado. But what are the best ski areas
for learning? That’s a different list entirely. After all, double
blacks and endless blues don’t count for much when you can barely make
it down a green. And five-star resorts with epic nightlife are hardly a
draw for young families trying to carry three pairs of skis while wiping
a nose.
With that in mind, we set out with a 4-year-old correspondent to find
the best place to learn to ski based on four factors: cost, travel time
(“Are we there yet?”), quality of bunny hill and fun. Our list is aimed
toward kids, but our focus on ease and beginner terrain makes these
spots ideal for beginners of any age.
1. Monarch Mountain
This little mountain is a perennial favorite of dedicated local
skiers. It is close to Colorado Springs (about 2 hours, 20 minutes) and
lacks the crowds of Summit County but has enough steep runs and snow to
keep even seasoned powder hounds happy.
Monarch shines in almost every category. Pull into the parking lot –
even on a busy day – and you park only steps from the slope. This is key
when you likely will have to return to the car at least once for dry
mittens, fruit snacks, etc.
Step up to the ticket window and the love continues. At most resorts,
the cut-off age for free skiing is 4 or 5. At Monarch, it’s 6. And even
after that, kids under 12 are only $25. Compare that with $79 at Vail.
The standard adult ticket is $65, but you can get buy-one-get-one
vouchers by filling your vehicle with gas at Front Range Shell stations.
Terrain at Monarch is a great match for first-time skiers. The bunny
hill is broad, gentle and served by a covered conveyor belt, called a
Magic Carpet, that protects kids from the wind. Skiers then can graduate
to a pair of mellow green runs off the Tumbelina Lift that are never
too crowded. Adults splitting kid duty can find plenty of thrilling
terrain and still shoot back in a few minutes to meet at the base.
Many larger resorts have a kids’ fun run through the trees with small
bridges, tunnels and other fun obstacles. Monarch does not. This is a
mark against it on the fun factor. On the other hand, Monarch has free
stickers in the lodge, which go a surprisingly long way.
Read more at http://gazette.com/best-places-in-colorado-to-teach-a-kid-to-ski-our-top-5/article/1512111#PyyFxjmS9BYvoJ7O.99
Every
media outlet from Forbes to FoxNews has released a “top 10 ski areas”
list, and every list typically touts Vail’s bowls, Aspen’s steeps and
other world-class mountains in Colorado. But what are the best ski areas
for learning? That’s a different list entirely. After all, double
blacks and endless blues don’t count for much when you can barely make
it down a green. And five-star resorts with epic nightlife are hardly a
draw for young families trying to carry three pairs of skis while wiping
a nose.
With that in mind, we set out with a 4-year-old correspondent to find
the best place to learn to ski based on four factors: cost, travel time
(“Are we there yet?”), quality of bunny hill and fun. Our list is aimed
toward kids, but our focus on ease and beginner terrain makes these
spots ideal for beginners of any age.
1. Monarch Mountain
This little mountain is a perennial favorite of dedicated local
skiers. It is close to Colorado Springs (about 2 hours, 20 minutes) and
lacks the crowds of Summit County but has enough steep runs and snow to
keep even seasoned powder hounds happy.
Monarch shines in almost every category. Pull into the parking lot –
even on a busy day – and you park only steps from the slope. This is key
when you likely will have to return to the car at least once for dry
mittens, fruit snacks, etc.
Step up to the ticket window and the love continues. At most resorts,
the cut-off age for free skiing is 4 or 5. At Monarch, it’s 6. And even
after that, kids under 12 are only $25. Compare that with $79 at Vail.
The standard adult ticket is $65, but you can get buy-one-get-one
vouchers by filling your vehicle with gas at Front Range Shell stations.
Terrain at Monarch is a great match for first-time skiers. The bunny
hill is broad, gentle and served by a covered conveyor belt, called a
Magic Carpet, that protects kids from the wind. Skiers then can graduate
to a pair of mellow green runs off the Tumbelina Lift that are never
too crowded. Adults splitting kid duty can find plenty of thrilling
terrain and still shoot back in a few minutes to meet at the base.
Many larger resorts have a kids’ fun run through the trees with small
bridges, tunnels and other fun obstacles. Monarch does not. This is a
mark against it on the fun factor. On the other hand, Monarch has free
stickers in the lodge, which go a surprisingly long way.
Read more at http://gazette.com/best-places-in-colorado-to-teach-a-kid-to-ski-our-top-5/article/1512111#PyyFxjmS9BYvoJ7O.99
Every
media outlet from Forbes to FoxNews has released a “top 10 ski areas”
list, and every list typically touts Vail’s bowls, Aspen’s steeps and
other world-class mountains in Colorado. But what are the best ski areas
for learning? That’s a different list entirely. After all, double
blacks and endless blues don’t count for much when you can barely make
it down a green. And five-star resorts with epic nightlife are hardly a
draw for young families trying to carry three pairs of skis while wiping
a nose.
With that in mind, we set out with a 4-year-old correspondent to find
the best place to learn to ski based on four factors: cost, travel time
(“Are we there yet?”), quality of bunny hill and fun. Our list is aimed
toward kids, but our focus on ease and beginner terrain makes these
spots ideal for beginners of any age.
1. Monarch Mountain
This little mountain is a perennial favorite of dedicated local
skiers. It is close to Colorado Springs (about 2 hours, 20 minutes) and
lacks the crowds of Summit County but has enough steep runs and snow to
keep even seasoned powder hounds happy.
Monarch shines in almost every category. Pull into the parking lot –
even on a busy day – and you park only steps from the slope. This is key
when you likely will have to return to the car at least once for dry
mittens, fruit snacks, etc.
Step up to the ticket window and the love continues. At most resorts,
the cut-off age for free skiing is 4 or 5. At Monarch, it’s 6. And even
after that, kids under 12 are only $25. Compare that with $79 at Vail.
The standard adult ticket is $65, but you can get buy-one-get-one
vouchers by filling your vehicle with gas at Front Range Shell stations.
Terrain at Monarch is a great match for first-time skiers. The bunny
hill is broad, gentle and served by a covered conveyor belt, called a
Magic Carpet, that protects kids from the wind. Skiers then can graduate
to a pair of mellow green runs off the Tumbelina Lift that are never
too crowded. Adults splitting kid duty can find plenty of thrilling
terrain and still shoot back in a few minutes to meet at the base.
Many larger resorts have a kids’ fun run through the trees with small
bridges, tunnels and other fun obstacles. Monarch does not. This is a
mark against it on the fun factor. On the other hand, Monarch has free
stickers in the lodge, which go a surprisingly long way.
Read more at http://gazette.com/best-places-in-colorado-to-teach-a-kid-to-ski-our-top-5/article/1512111#PyyFxjmS9BYvoJ7O.99
Monarch Mountain as one of the best ski areas in Colorado for learning to ski!
Make your next Colorado Ski Trip to Monarch Monarch, a favorite of dedicated local skiers. It lacks the crowds with enough steep runs and snow to keep even the seasoned powder hounds happy. Monarch shines in almost every category. Pull into the parking lot and you are steps from the slopes.
Families love staying at Ski Town Condos vacation rentals being just 3 miles from Monarch Mountain. Each condo offers 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, full kitchen, washer/dryer, and a hot tub in the gazebo to relax in at the end of a ski day.
Call today to make your reservation at 719-539-7928.
That’s
a different list entirely. After all, double blacks and endless blues
don’t count for much when you can barely make it down a green. And
five-star resorts with epic nightlife are hardly a draw for young
families trying to carry three pairs of skis while wiping a nose.
Read more at http://gazette.com/best-places-in-colorado-to-teach-a-kid-to-ski-our-top-5/article/1512111#PyyFxjmS9BYvoJ7O.99
Gigi Griefenberg, Owner
Ski Town Condos Vacation Rentals, your Monarch and Salida Colorado Lodging Choice