Simply^Ride

^^^^ I am not sure if agree 100% with you, I learned on the ice coast on a not so good day """RAIN!!!""" the conditions were horrible, and in addition to that on my second day I landed on a ice patch and fractured my tail bone. And all of this did not stop me from it, I even planned a couple more trips with a fracture tail bone. I did buy butt protection and it did a great job at keeping me safe.

But I do agree with you on the resort size, to be honest I would limit myself to a small resort at least for the first day. It keeps things simple and cheap. On my first day I stayed in 2 runs then the second day I went exploring the rest of Camel Back.

killclimbz

Crowds are only an issue on the intermediate terrain at Copper. The beginner area is not crowded at all. For experts, I doubt you'll have more than 10 people in front of you for a lift. Now if you are hitting the timberline lift, crack open a beer and enjoy the wait...

Simply^Ride

Thats what I felt like doing men was it crowded. But thanks for the info.

donm3ga

Okay so I talked to my friends and they are open to any state, not just Colorado.

My friends are first timers and I want to give them a good experience. Good snow. Large open green and blue runs. Lodging available on the mountain. Affordable price. Not too too crowded.

I've been to Mammoth Mountain and I love it. The only reason we aren't going there is because its a long drive from any nearest airport. I'd love to find a mountain like that with their great wide open and long runs.

Thanks!

Sick-Pow

Copper has long runs, only 1hr from Denver and zero flat traverses. Loveland is fun, big mountain fun, small first timer area. I have heard Brek has many flat traverses and is a pain in the arse for snowboarders on the lower mountain, also Vail has this problem I have heard. I stick to Copper, Steamboat and Winter park and when they close, A-basin and Loveland. I had 1ft of fresh powder on May 2nd at Loveland..it was sick..nevermind the blizzard, whiteout conditions..again on May 2nd. Second best day of the year. 1st best day of the year was in early April, 2 ft of fresh and only 1k people on the mountain....nice...

donm3ga

My friends are I are leaning towards a resort with lodging right on the mountain. We just want to get ready, head downstairs and board!

It also looks like though we are open to all states, we are settled back on to going to Colorado. How is Winter Park?

Sick-Pow

Winter Park has amazing snow, great snowboard teachers (get a lesson as you are first timers) and great learning areas. You can move around the mountian quickly, but there are a few awkward areas to navigate in the late season with so much snow. I ride the steeps now, so that issue does not affect me.
Copper is a popular place...lots of people..even mid week. But all and all, I would recommend it for beginers.

donm3ga

We are looking for:

1. Not crowded
2. Lodging on the Mountain
3. Beginner friendly

I think we have narrowed it down to either Winter Park or Copper Mountain. Any more information you guys can provide me on these two resorts would be great. Any suggestions on other resorts are greatly welcome!

killclimbz

Winterpark is a great mountain, but it does not have the well seperated beginner area like Copper. In the main beginner area no worries with other more advanced people bombing by. Once you start to venture out though, just about every level of rider/skier will be sharing the runs with you. Pretty much every resort but Copper suffers from this though. Winterpark is also a front range resort so it's going to get crowds on weekends, same as Copper. So for criteria number one, if you are going to be at either one of these resorts on a weekend, they will be crowded. If it's a powder weekend, it can be a real shit show. Monday-Friday no problems.

For less crowded resorts, Steamboat would be a good bet. Good beginner terrain, there is one side of the mountain that is mostly beginner to intermediate terrain. Not very crowded except on big weekends, Presidents, Martin Luther King etc. One of the best ski towns anywhere.

Powder Mountain or Snobasin in Utah would be another good fit for what you are looking for.

donm3ga

I guessing being a little crowded is okay. I hear Breck is horrible when it comes to crowds. Just as long as its not like Breck.

Steamboat's beginner trails looks very good for beginners, but its a 3 hour drive from Denver International Airport =(.