I want information on best places in the US for a child of 9 years to
learn snow skiing ( gentle beginners' slopes etc). If you can provide
several alternatives it would be very helpful. Also any links to
skiing resources would be appreciated. Please list all search terms
used.

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Request for Question Clarification by easterangel-ga on 28 Aug 2002 10:47 PDT

Would just a list of ski lessons for kids in the US suffice or you
would want a review of such schools.

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Clarification of Question by ratan-ga on 28 Aug 2002 11:34 PDT

Actually I would like to go for a vacation during Christmas to a ski
resort and I am looking for alternatives that would be suitable for a
child to learn skiing.   Thanks

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Request for Question Clarification by mvguy-ga on 28 Aug 2002 11:41 PDT

Do you have any particular geographic area in mind?

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Clarification of Question by ratan-ga on 29 Aug 2002 06:16 PDT

I hear that the Colorado area is nice. However, I am open to any place
in the continental US.

Hello Ratan,

I will suggest a couple general information sites first and then make
a couple of other recommendations.

Kidznsnow
  http://www.kidznsnow.com

has information about towns, ski areas, equipment and so on. The
listings for Colorado are pretty short (only two ski areas). In
Colorado, any of the larger areas in the Summit county area would be
good as well. The coverage for the West Coast and East (NH, VT, ME) is
far longer and has several good recommendations. I did a quick check
of ski areas I have been at and the information looks good. Don't
forget about other states such as Utah (Salt Lake) and Oregon (Mt
Hood, Mt Bachelor). My boys (10 and 14) really like these places as
well.

More general information with the focus on kids...
  http://www.skicentral.com/kids.html
Plenty of links to more information.

If you can, there are some facilities away from the slopes that train
young skiers as well. Here is one in Encinitas CA...
  http://www.adventureski.com/kids.htm
I have seen these machines at ski shows and they seem to provide the
opportunity to learn basic movements before reaching the ski area.

The last alternative I'll mention is to train the child yourself. I
did that with both of my boys. In brief...
 - teach them to walk first
 - ski with the child between your legs on a beginners slope
 - build up to short hills (with a long place to stop!)
and so on. You may want to mix regular lessons with skiing with you as
well.

  --Maniac

The above suggestions are excellent.  Just want to add a comment from
the sidelines...

If you want to consider an East Coast resort, Bromley VT has excellent
programs for all ages.  Okemo VT has a terrific program for the
pre-school set; I've never seen one better.

And for more information on teaching your child yourself, this is
geared for 5 to 12 year olds:

http://www.skiernet.com/ski-school.html

best regards