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They may not be the most famous resorts, but here are 10 top learn-to-ski and ride programs that know how to teach.

Are your toddlers ready to catch air with Shaun White or Bode Miller? Are your teens ready to humiliate themselves as beginner skiers or riders? Is your husband or wife ready to give up the golf clubs for an ultralight snowboard? Take your novice snowsportmen away to someplace their friends won't be watching. Most beginners dream of the rugged Rockies, but the New England resorts have plenty of captivating scenery too. Wherever you go, plan to devote two or three days to the learning effort, with time between lessons for relaxation and off-slope fun.

Just think of the excitement when everyone comes home an expert!

Best for Beginner Programs

According to Tim Mueller, co-owner of Vermont's Okemo Ski Resort (800/78-OKEMO) since 1995, several factors have contributed to making the Beginner Experience a better one. He cites shaped skis as the most important tool in easing the learning curve for skiers, and the new twin-tipped skis as what has brought the youth culture back from snowboards to skis for terrain park fun. Mr. Mueller notes that Okemo is only one of many resorts where Learn to Ski and Ride programs have become more flexible and accommodating to beginner's various needs and interests.

Overall, he adds, "mountain resorts are more user-friendly." Any family shopping for a winter holiday will note many examples: informative web sites that explain to beginners more clearly what to expect (see mountaincreek.com); on-mountain 'ambassadors' offering daily trail advice and easy-to-decipher trail maps (at Killington and Vail resorts); high-tech innovations like lighted signage on runs indicating wait times at various lift lines or at cafeterias (Keystone and others), and other communication improvements.

The best news is that the industry has been reducing the fees for learners’ packages - with lift ticket, equipment, and lessons all included in programs like the popular "First Tracks" -- in order to bring newcomers into the sport and develop life-long fans.

Out West Resorts

Most beginners love the West for the fresh powder and deep snowy base that cushion those early tumbles. The region’s long history of snowsports, combined with many towns’ acceptance of the ski bum lifestyle, mean you’ll often come across excellent resident instructors who have been teaching for years.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming
One of the Wild West's most popular spots, Teton Village (888/DEEP-SNO, or 307/733-2292) in Jackson Hole has extreme terrain, gorgeous beginner's areas and a fun and funky town to roam when you're done with the slopes. It boasts 2,500 acres of terrain and a vertical drop (top to bottom height of runs) of 4,139 feet! The resort has long been known for its expert terrain, but novice skiers and riders can roll in the legendary powder from age 3+ with their Rough Riders camps. Adult novice, full-day Learn to Turn packages are also available. Jackson Hole's famous "Steep and Deep Snowboard Camp" offers a challenging course and expert coaching for intermediate and experienced snowboarders ages 25+. In the wake of its popularity, the resort has opened a series of Roundup Camps for younger intermediate skiers and riders, 7-14-years, that focus on developing skills in multi-day sessions with the same coach. Extra fees apply to all learning programs.

Grand Targhee, Wyoming
At the Idaho/Wyoming border, the compact, friendly Grand Targhee Resort ( 800/TARGHEE) in Alta boasts 500" of snow per year blanketing 2,000 acres of scenic beginner, intermediate and expert terrain. Their terrific nursery watches out for infants and toddlers and offers snowplay; learning programs begin at a later age and pair beginners 6+ (to ski) or 7+ (to ride) with pros in a safe and reassuring environment. If you're arriving with little experts though, Targhee has an unusual Little Deers program geared just to ages 4 and 5 who already have their snowsports skills down pat! Skiers 6-16 will love their kids-only clubhouses in the Powder Scouts and Teen Adventures programs.  Targhee's adult Beginner Package includes one group lesson, a Shoshone lift ticket and full-day rental package for a reasonable price. Lodging rates are reasonable too, for many types of ski in/ski out accommodations at the resort's base.

Snowbird, Utah
Snowbird (800/232-9542) in Utah thinks of snowsports instruction in the context of Life. To quote their teaching philosophy: "Participation in Mountain School at Snowbird will involve you and your pro in a total mind, body, and spirit experience." Mountain School beginner group classes are geared to ages 3, 4-6, and 7-15 years, with evening programs two nights a week (in the Cottonwood Children's Center for your preschoolers, and around the lodge for older kids). Starting with the tender 3s, Snowbird gives them one-on-one attention, with a one-hour private lesson for each half-day of daycare in which the child is enrolled. Skiers and riders above age 4 are enrolled in daylong group sessions or with private coaches and flourish in the pristine powder. Their beginner Get Your Wings special enables adults to package one, two, or three sessions. The resort's noted Snowbird Mountain School runs annual clinics specializing in improving technique at all levels, as well as themed programs for women, riders only, and more.

Breckenridge, Colorado
More than 20 years after they introduced, developed and popularized snowboarding as a sport, Breckenridge Ski Resort (800/789-SNOW or 970/453-5000 ) in Colorado has become a favorite of freestyle snowboarders and skiers, as well as participants of countless other winter activities. Tots can begin their ski career in small class group lessons at age 3, and riders can start becoming shredders at age 7. Although it's best known for its 457-foot-long Freeway Terrain Park and Pipe (home to World Cup events), toddling beginners and novice adults will appreciate the chance to learn on Breck's mid-sized and smaller pipes. Skiers of all levels will also appreciate the terrain parks designed with learning-size, small, and mid-sized features. Now you can bring Grandma and Grandpa along to join in the fun because Breck also accommodates older novice guests with its Prime Time program, an instructional program for skiers over 50. Of course, you can never stop learning, and for the first time, Breck has turned its attention to experts. The new Imperial Express Superchair lift (the highest in North American at 12,840-feet) makes 400 acres of double black diamond terrain available for expert clinics. Good off-mountain packages in the funky town mean you can stay in nearby hotels for cheap prices; Breckenridge also offers frequent web specials at nearby condominiums, townhomes and hotels with lift tickets bundled in the rates.