Do you want to try snowboarding for the first time? Or do you have a beginner rider in your group? There are some great places in the US to learn how to snowboard. All have their benefits, great ski schools and ways to access beginner slopes. Our experts have created a guide for the best places to go snowboarding for beginners in the USA.
Aspen Snowmass
Until 2001, Aspen Snowmass had a ban on all snowboarders in the ski resort. This is definitely not the case now with many riders hitting its slopes every year. So much so there’s a special ride guide for snowboarders who visit the area. There are plenty of beginner runs to learn on and the snowboard schools offer fantastic tuition. Buttermilk just outside the main Aspen town has great gentle terrain to progress on too.
Stay At:
In the heart of Aspen, the Hotel Little Nell is one of the premier hotels in this stylish resort.
Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek is one of the best places to snowboard for beginners in the USA. This is because of the quiet slopes and short queuing times that give you more confidence to learn in peace. There is plenty of beginner areas and gentle terrain to access too. In addition, the slopes are signposted clearly and the mountain is easy to navigate.
Stay At:
Brilliantly situated at the base of the lifts in Beaver Creek, the Hotel Beaver Creek Lodge is one of the best hotels in town.
Breckenridge
Despite being the highest snowboard resort in North America, Breckenridge is a great place for beginner riders. The height guarantees good snow conditions that are forgiving. In addition, the slopes including the beginner areas are immaculately maintained throughout the season. The local ski schools all have a brilliant reputation for snowboard tuition in the US.
Stay At:
Located at the base of Peak 8 and with direct access to four chairlifts, One Ski Hill Place boasts the ultimate location.
Heavenly
There is over 200km of green and blue runs in Heavenly mountain resort. This is why it’s one of the best places to snowboard for beginners in the USA. There are dedicated beginner areas for first-time riders, then there’s a vast amount of gentle terrain to explore once you’ve progressed. Just make sure you look at a piste map beforehand because some of the green runs lead into steeper black runs.
Stay At:
This luxury lakefront lodge opened in 2017 with 154 guest rooms, three restaurants, three bars, an outdoor heated lakefront swimming pool and hot tub and spa.
Mammoth, USA
Mammoth is a great place to learn how to snowboard. There are plenty of great gentle beginner slopes to access and 18km of wide-open blue runs to progress your riding on. In addition, Mammoth have brilliant snowboard instructors who deliver beginner lessons throughout the ski season. Its high altitude means that conditions are always good and easy to learn in a safe environment.
Stay At:
The Westin Monache resort is superbly located close to the gondola in Mammoth. It boasts fantastic amenities, including an outdoor swimming pool and hot tubs.
Palisades Tahoe
Formerly known as Squaw Valley, Palisades Tahoe is a great place to learn how to snowboard. There is easy access to nursery slopes from the main town and 25km of blue runs to progress on. If you have a child learning to ride the ski school has amazing facilities. The school has a unique 12,000 square ft. facility dedicated specifically to younger guests, complete with a full-service rental shop, a private ski hill with a pony tow and two magic carpet lifts.
Stay At:
The Village at Palisades Tahoe offers the finest ski-in ski-out accommodation in California.
Park City
Park City is one of the best places to snowboard for beginners in the USA. There are fantastic nursery slopes to learn on and 27km of blue slopes to enjoy once you’ve progressed. The snow record is superb and the pistes are perfectly maintained. There are brilliant snowboard schools that offer great lessons for first-time riders.
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Located alongside world-renowned ski slopes, Hotel Park City has been rated “top ski hotel” by Condé Nast Traveller.
Snowbird
Snowbird is an ideal destination for snowboarders including first-time riders. There are brilliant learning areas to hone your skills on with an instructor. Once you’ve mastered the nursery slopes, you can progress on 27km of blue runs. The resort prides itself on maintaining good slope conditions making it easier to snowboard.
Steamboat
Steamboat is a great place to learn how to snowboard because of the vast amount of gentle terrain. There are great green runs right up to 3,000m high. In addition, there is 17km of blue runs which are wide and open, an ideal place to progress your skills. Steamboat’s snowboard instructors offer excellent lessons for different ages and abilities.
Stay At:
The luxury hotel The Steamboat Grand enjoys a prime location at the base of Steamboat ski resort.
Vail
One of the best places to snowboard for beginners in the USA is Vail. It has great access to beginner areas where you can learn how to ride with expert instructors. Once you’ve progressed from the nursery slopes there is 57km of blue slopes to enjoy. The snow quality is great throughout the year which makes it easier to learn.
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Hotel Lodge at Vail in Colorado is located slopeside and is one of the top hotels in the resort.
Winter Park
Winter Park has plenty of gentle terrain to enjoy in the area. This makes it easier for first-time riders to learn how to snowboard. There’s excellent access to nursery slopes and a great ski school with expert instructors. Once you’ve progressed your skills you can ride the 11km of blue runs in the area. A delightful resort in Colorado to have your first snowboard holiday.
Stay At:
The Zephyr Mountain Lodge offers a convenient ski-in ski-out location at the base of Winter Park.
To find out more about the best places to snowboard for beginners in the USA, please call our ski experts on 020 3944 6953.
