Ski/Snowboard Advice for Newbies to Vermont

Dozens of resorts with optimal conditions and offerings for skiing and snowboarding are sprinkled across the East Coast of the United States in states like Pennsylvania, New York, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. Vermont tops the list with the best and most extensive offerings, with about 43 resorts nestled across the state from the north to the south ranging from alpine types with downhill, freestyle and snowboarding to Nordic with cross-country skiing.

With some resorts like Killington boasting incredibly high vertical drops of 2,200 feet and terrain parks with all sorts of opportunities to catch major air, Vermont may not seem like the ideal location to try skiing or snowboarding for the first time.

But newbies should fret not, as many resorts provide excellent training schools and instructors. Though you shouldn’t expect to shred down any double black diamonds, first-timers can eventually ditch the bunny hill and enjoy the easier and intermediate trails with the following tips and recommendations.

Ski Vermont offers an excellent Take Three deal, enabling newbies to take three beginner ski or snowboard lessons at participating Vermont resorts for $129, including rental equipment for the day as well as a lesson with a professional instructor and access to beginner terrain. Beginner skiers and riders can choose to redeem all three lessons at the same resort or choose to visit a new resort for each lesson.

© Travis Hightower | Flickr

For equipment, don’t go out and buy a board or skis before first attempting the sport and also avoid borrowing gear from friends, as skis and snowboards are set up based on the owner’s height and weight. Rent the essentials as well as a helmet at the resort you’re visiting, so you can get the equipment adjusted on-site and swing by if you encounter any issues.

As Vermont experiences freezing temperatures and snowy conditions, a ski mask for warmth and goggles for visibility are good pieces to pick up before hitting the mountain. To keep dry, avoid wearing cotton since the material absorbs water; instead don a pair of snow pants.

When you graduate from the bunny slopes and are ready for the trails, remember to look for the resort’s clearly marked signs indicating each trail’s difficulty. Green is for beginners, blue denotes intermediate conditions and black and double blacks are for advanced skiers and riders. Keep a map of the mountain handy to stay aware of your surroundings.

To finish your first day, cap off your experience with a hot chocolate or beer at the lodge, because you certainly deserved it.