My son was off and running, but I was returning to the sport after 30 years! The boot staff was really helpful to make sure I had the right size and that they fit properly. We decided on the Swiss Valley because of the Sunday deal (includes rental, lift and a lesson for a very low rate from 3-7 pm). The whole resort is very forgiving for beginners.We are from the Lansing, MI area so we have several ski resorts within 2 hours drive. The lift stops a lot:) This is good and bad- you feel really secure that if you are the one that falls, you won't get trampled, but if you are not the one falling, it may be a bit annoying that it keeps stopping. Lots of people fell getting off, and there is a person who immediately stops the lift for safety reasons. The lifts: the smallest 'blue square' lift was apparently for beginners. They do have a terrain park - looked small from the lift- but since I didn't venture out that way I can't comment on it. Also a very advanced skier or snowboarder would probably be disappointed. I think that teenagers could get bored if you went there for all day (we there 4 hours and it was perfect). Their rental equipment: it was not new, but it functioned very well for me:) We were so enjoying the skiing that neither or us went to the snack bar, so I can't comment on that. I was able to buy the very boots that I had spent the afternoon skiing in so I knew they were perfect. I liked the experience so much that I bought some used ski equipment from their shop so that I can do it again without renting. The flip side of that is that the hill marked as intermediate was much easier than I expected, and my son who normally doesn't venture off the intermediate hill was on the advanced hill (so- bottom line- if you've skied other resorts perhaps Northern MI these will seem a little easy compared to others with the same designation). The tow rope seems to be a bit faster than most I've seen, and the top of the beginner hill is a little more steep than others I’ve seen. Obviously very diverse group, but John was good with all of us and we felt comfortable on the beginner hill and he even took us for a few runs down the intermediate hill using the lift. We had two little kids (about 6 years old or so), one college kid, and one 50 year old woman. They didn't seem to start at any particular time, just started when a few people were ready for them. Then, on to the ski area! After personal questions like how old I am and how much do I weigh, I had skis that were set for me! I was told that most people don't use poles anymore (especially beginners) so I skipped that station and onto the lesson. The area to put on boots had mostly very low benches, but a few high (normal height) ones for adults. We are from the Lansing, MI area so we have several ski resorts within 2 hours drive.

Shush mountain mi