First Time On The Slopes? A Premier Ski Resort In West Virginia Has You Covered

Although the holidays are behind us and we're back to our normal routines, numerous Americans are already champing at the bit to plan their spring break getaway. And while many are searching for an escape from the cold temperatures and gray skies, some folks just want to get one more round of skiing in before the ski season ends.

Over the last 20 years, skiing has steadily remained one of the more popular pastimes in the country. In fact, in 2023 alone, 18.46 million people in the U.S. hit the slopes. A lot of Americans prefer to head west to places like Colorado or Utah for their ski vacations. But if you or your kiddos are new to the whole skiing thing, you might want to check out Winterplace Ski Resort in West Virginia. Winterplace prides itself on a long tradition of teaching newbies how to ski and snowboard, making a ski holiday manageable for all skill levels.

Winterplace has gone to great lengths to ensure that the resort provides a safe and fun learning environment for novices. Knowledgeable instructors (certified by Professional Ski Instructors of America) aim to put skiers at ease so they can have fun while they build skills using the American Teaching System. The guarantee is that students will learn to ski or snowboard, or else they can retake the class at no charge.

Winterplace provides a self-contained, designated learning area outfitted with a Magic Carpet lift for easy transit up the slope. The area maintains a consistent angle so there are no surprises in the terrain and you can focus on practicing technique. Once you feel comfortable enough to leave the learning area and take a chairlift up the mountain, you have the option to string several long green runs together to make it safely to The MountainHouse (a restaurant), the ski school, or the Resort Center.

Winterplace offers a variety of beginner classes for skiers of all ages, so anyone in your group can feel comfortable learning. However, there's limited availability, so be sure to make an online reservation. You can schedule up to 36 hours before your ski date.

For beginners ages 8 and up who enjoy group learning, the Learn-to-Ski & Snowboard package is the way to go. For just $140 per person, you'll get a full day and full mountain lift ticket, equipment rental, and a 90-minute group lesson with eight to 10 students per class. Do you hate being bad at something in public and prefer a private lesson? Winterplace offers one-hour ($119 per person), two-hour ($225 per person), and three-hour ($325 per person), one-on-one private lessons that move at your own pace. Please be aware that these prices don't include a lift ticket or rental, so you'll have to buy those separately.

Does the whole family need some skiing pointers? You can book a private family lesson for $425, which includes four to six people. The classes last 90 minutes and are adapted to the skill level of the most inexperienced skier or snowboarder in the group. If it's just the kiddos that need help, drop them off at SkiWee & Snow Explorers for 5- to 12-year-olds. For $130 per child, they'll get an all day lift ticket, equipment, and three hours of instruction and fun.