learning to snowboard in america...for a month

PeakOutput

hey,

im proably going to be in the states from june for 9months. ill only be working until the end of september and was going to drive around for a few months but now im thinking id like to go skiing / snowboarding for a month

ill be in maine / new hampshire while im working and i know there is a alot of resorts in new hampshire, has anyone gone there before? id be able to spend a month there in october(does the season start that early?).i know a few snowboard instructors who work in the area so it would have the advantage of free / cheap accomodation and tuition and contacts in the area so it might be easier to get a job in a bar or something while im there

the other option is to be in colorado were i would probably end up in around december. id have to persuade some people to come with me as i dont know anyone in colorado but i know it has some great resorts so would it be worth the extra cost / effort to go to colorado?

my history is iv been skiing about 5 times plus some weekends in kiltiernan(sp) i tried snowboarding once in italy but didnt want to waste my week on the baby slopes when i could ski pretty well but if i was there for a month i wouldnt mind starting at the beginning with snowboarding

so bit of a long post but ...advice please?

Rhymenocerous

The season in Colorado starts early oct. with usually one run open per resort with man made snow. So it is not ideal. I'm not sure about east coast, but I know it's not as early, but still man made snow when their resorts do open.

PeakOutput

Rhymenocerous wrote: »

The season in Colorado starts early oct. with usually one run open per resort with man made snow. So it is not ideal. I'm not sure about east coast, but I know it's not as early, but still man made snow when their resorts do open.

thanks for the reply i wont be in colorado till december at the earliest and from the tiny bit of research iv been doing today instead of studying i think october / november is too early for new hampshire

hmmm decisions decisions

RATM

This what you'll be needing for Colorado. It is a season pass which covers Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly in Lake Tahoe ( highly recommended ) Its $629 at the moment but it started at $499 in September and hopefully will do again in September '09. Absolute bargain, a season pass for five huge mountains for less than $500. Unreal. Forget about doing a month to learn, stay till you're a pro:D

www.epicpass.com

PeakOutput

RATM wrote: »

Forget about doing a month to learn, stay till you're a pro:D

haha i wish but i would have to go back to work at some time......it meant to be college placement after all

hardCopy

I've skied in New Hampshire several times. I stay in North Conway and usually ski in Cranmore, Bretton Woods or Attitash. Cranmore is a fairly small family kind of resort but it tends to be good value, especially if you're a beginner. They do a lot of deals like if you arrive after 2pm you're next day's pass is free.

Bretton Woods would be my favourite of the bunch and tends to get more snow, it is more expensive and it's about an hours drive from North Conway. We usually rent gear from The Great American Ski Rental Company as they're cheaper than most of the on mountain rental places.

If you're in the area for a while check out the Threedom pass which is valid for Cranmore, Bretton Woods and Waterville (never been to Waterville myself)

Let me know if you have any questions.

PeakOutput

thanks hard copy so you reckon nh would be a good place to startfrom scratch? what are the locals like and the life off the slopes? if im there for a month id like to be in a place with a great atmosphere off the slopes too so i can meet new people

hardCopy

PeakOutput wrote: »

thanks hard copy so you reckon nh would be a good place to startfrom scratch? what are the locals like and the life off the slopes? if im there for a month id like to be in a place with a great atmosphere off the slopes too so i can meet new people

I've only ever stayed in North Conway and I've only ever gone with family. From what I've seen the night life in North Conway is fairly dead. New Hampshire is a semi-dry state. Bars close early and off license sales are heavily regulated. Shops can't sell anything stronger than wine, for spirits you have to go to state owned liquor outlets. We usually drank in the hotel bar which closes about 10:30 and then drank our own bottles of beer in the lobby.

The only real attractions during Winter are snow-sports and shopping.

Then again, I'm sure the locals must have house parties or something once you get to know some.