Hitting the bunny slopes at 5 Southern California ski resorts

Snow Valley

Generations of Southern Californians have learned to ski at this little resort half an hour west of Big Bear. With its terrain as well as its website ( www.snow-valley.com), it continues to be a welcoming and satisfying destination for first-timers.

Chair 6 is one of the tamest you'll find anywhere, top to bottom maybe 300 yards of wide and gentle slopes. Two hours here and you should be good for Chair 13.

Snow Valley offers one of the best setups for the youngest beginners, with a gentle little hill and movable sidewalk at the children's learning center. It is reserved for students and instructors. For 4- and 5-year-olds, it's probably the most welcoming of all the beginner slopes. Snow Valley, like many resorts, suggests children 6 and younger take ski lessons first before learning to snowboard.

Best beginner chair: 6

Best deal: $59 buys you a lift ticket, equipment rental and a 90-minute group lesson Mondays through Fridays.