Telluride

At Telluride 24 percent trails and four areas are ideal for beginners. The main beginners area is Meadows and Lift 1, with gentle green trails that will boost the confidence of any new skier. Also, Lift 1 is an enclosed gondola, which first-time skiers and young children will find much easier than chairlifts or T-bars. Once you’ve mastered Meadow’s, progress to Lift 10 with its long, rolling trails. There are double green trails, long in distance, allowing for more skiing and less lift riding.

The Enchanted Forest also provides beginners and intermediates with the chance to test their skills in beginner tree skiing. Gorrono Basin, accessible from Lifts 7, 4 and 5, is primarily laced with friendly blue trails and a couple of greens too, and is very family-friendly, especially as it’s in close proximity to Mountain Village’s amenities and the Gorrono Ranch restaurant. The new Prospect Bowl terrain with its dramatic mountain backdrops and spectacular views is accessible for beginners via Ute Park—a beginner’s and low intermediate’s dream, with meandering green and blue trails nearly two miles (3.2 km) long.