my family has people from ages 12 to 50-- some skiing and some boarding. we're all at different levels so we need beginner slopes and steep slopes. we think colorado but we're up for ideas.

Keystone, Colorado and Crested Butte, Colorado have a large variety of different type of slopes that will appeal to all. Both also have excellent lessons. Crested Butte also used to be used for the Winter X Games, and is the home of some of the best snowboarders nation wide. Plus, it is a very nice little town.

Just about anywhere. All resorts offer a mixture of terrain.although some less than others.

Research ur resort first, make sure boarding is allowed. There r a few scattered here & there where boarding is not allowed. l believe Colorado is okay in that regards though. Deer Valley & Alta (Utah) do not allow boarders.

Although, since l live in Utah, l gotta plug the skiing here. l moved here because the snow is so awesome. Colorado is ok, but it does not really hold a candle to the quality of riding available here.

l might recommend something like Snowbird, Powder Mountain, Solitude, Canyons, or Park City.

Snowbird & Alta can be ridden on one ticket (more expensive obviously), so if u have someone who really likes to explore, that skis, they can spend days exploring both mountains, while Snowbird really offers enough challenge around for boarders & skiers for the others. Free shuttles, & a chairlift, connect the two mountains.

Colorado has much better night life, but if u r just there to ride, l recommend Utah. The snow is better, the weather is better, & for the most part, lift lines r smallish, especially on Sunday when all the good people go to church.

if you are from the NYC area, l have a trip for you.Telluride Colorado. All inclusive package (air, nice hotel and lifts, breakfast too) 1300$ per person. Feb 3-10. skibears.org l have room for seven people .

A good place to go with the whole family is Utah. It is pretty out of the way & inexpensive & there r resorts all over the place. l grew up there & my family has skiers & boarders & we all do just fine. This site will give u links & information about each of those resorts (there r 13).

http://utah.com/ski/resorts/

My personal favorites r the ones up in Park City, about 45 minutes from Salt Lake City. These r Park City Mountain Reort, The Canyon Resort, & Deer Valley (skiing only).

The resorts in the Cottonwood Canyons, about 20 minutes from Salt Lake City r beautiful & the snow is always fluffy & powdery & easy for beginners & experienced riders.

l will warn you, East Coast skiing & West skiing r very different. In the west, some of the green runs r similar to the blue runs on the East Coast. Just a word of advice.

l hope u get to go to Utah, l grew up there & l learned to snowboard there & l would not go anywhere else now that I've skied Utah.

Give Whiteface a look (Lake Placid/Wilmington, NY).

whiteface.com

It is a GREAT place for families.