Her first ski season

Where to teach our daughter, with my wife along, without spending a fortune: cheap local hills for the first few days, then a Vermont weekend or a Colorado trip once she's hooked. Prices are from October 2026, and each card says which season they're from.

First lessonSki SundownSeparate beginner area with its own $48 weekday ticket ClosestThunder RidgeAbout 30 mi away, with night skiing after school CheapestOtis Ridge$30 weekdays, and kids 6 & under ski free Ski weekKillingtonFree kids ticket with every 5+ day adult ticket

The map

Home BudgetMid-price Splurge day tripDestination Unconfirmed

The mountains

Sorted by distance from home. Snow numbers are weather-model estimates for the mountain's location, not the resort's own report. Drive times are rough estimates.

Passes and free-ski programs

Kids ski free (by grade)

Epic vs. Ikon, if we do a trip

First-day checklist

Checks are saved on this device.

Book ahead

Beginner lesson for her (and one for Mom, if she wants it) Rental skis, boots and helmet reserved online Pick a weekday or an early start. Smaller crowds make the learning area calmer. Check the mountain's snow report and this site's forecast the night before

What she wears

Helmet and goggles (rent the helmet if we don't own one) Waterproof mittens. They're warmer than gloves for kids. One pair of thin ski socks. Thick or doubled socks make cold feet. Base layer, fleece and waterproof jacket and pants. No cotton. Neck gaiter, sunscreen and lip balm

In the bag

Hand and toe warmers Snacks and a water bottle. Lodge food is expensive. Dry change of clothes for the ride home Cocoa money. The reward matters.

On the day

Arrive an hour before the lesson. Rentals take a while. Keep it short: 2–3 hours is plenty for a first day Quit while she's still having fun, and end on a good run

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