My family and I learned to ski at Sol Vista. The instructors were excellent and teach a parallel method that is far superior to the typical snow plow taught to beginners. We all took different classes but got the same quality (superior) instruction. This was 3 years ago and we've never had to take another lesson!
After reading the comments posted here, I watched the check-in process yesterday to make sure it hadn't changed in the years since we used the learn to ski program. Kids were checked in quickly and efficiently. After spending time on the tiny slope designed just for instruction, the instructors always stayed with the group on the slopes. The lifts are often slowed or stopped as kids from classes get on and off as to accomodate their needs.
I am not skiing this trip but often sit at the base and watch the kids come down the mountain. There is no better place for a family.
We have skiied Eldora and Winter Park this year and while Winter Park has longer and more challenging trails, it's impossible to keep track of your family. Sol Vista is a great place!

User Photos (click to enlarge)

March 24-26, 2008

My parents and I chose Sol Vista for a first ski experience for my three children. The gentle terrain was perfect for the purpose and the tubing hill was great, but there were significant concerns, especially about the ski school. They were ill-prepared. Check-in took forever, and had a 'we've never done this before' quality about it, even now at the end of theh season. The biggest deal: They lost one of my twin five-year-olds. He removed his ski school vest and left on one ski. He got in the lift line and rode up alone in a chairlift, with no previous experience on a lift. As he later explained," It bumped me in the butt and I flew away very high. I was scared and I held on tight. At the end, it threw me off." the ski school still had not noticed he was missing when my mother and 12-year-old daughter spotted him in the snow while they were (later) riding the same chairlift. He was about halfway down the (fortunately, Green) run under the lift, and frustrated that he couldn't ski on one ski. After my mother and daughter reached the top of the run, they skied down to him. The first the ski school knew that he had been away was when we returned him, then decided to pull him out for the rest of the day, so he could ski with my dad. At least it was the twin in a helmet who had the adventure. After making a (legitimately) big deal about requiring that parents either provide or rent a helmet - and we chose to rent a helmet - my other son was sent out to ski with his class without a helmet, because "they ran out before they got to me, so they put a hat on my head and then I lost the hat." Considering that Sol Vista positions itself in the market as a learn-to-ski area, it is doubly inexcusable that there should be such disorganization and laxity about safety and security in the ski instruction for children.

My wife, three young kids and I, chose SolVista for Spring break March 15-22nd, primarily because it had been recommended as a quiet, family oriented and somewhat unknown destination. On the positive side, the staff was very nice and people were generally quite friendly. However, the secret is out on Sol Vista, as it was very busy.

They seemed totally unprepared to handle the Spring Break crowd. The lines for everything were excruciatingly long. Ski school was the worst. First you wait in line to register (30 minutes minimum), then come back and wait in line to drop the children off ( additional 30 minutes minimum). They cut school off every day we were there, because it was full. Those in the back of the line with small children in need of school were "up the creek".

I was also glad to have been early in the extremely long rental lines as they also ran out of ski equipment to rent. Parking can be a challenge due to the construction at the base.
Though the lines, ruined everyones mornings, my kids were able to learn to ski and had a great time. If you want challenging skiing stay away. If you want a small mountian to easily keep track of your group Sol Vista may be for you.

SolVista is a GREAT entry-level ski resort which also poses enough challenge to keep the more experienced members of your party entertained. We skied there and stayed at Mountainside the first week of February. It was a dads and daughters trip. (Dads forty-something, daughters both nine.) The kids ski school is top notch. Both kids have skied before, but I decided to put my daughter in for a refresher. It was well worth it. No time wasted learning how to put her skis on. Straight to the slopes. Great staff.

One of the best things about the resort is that all trails end at the lodge. This was important for me because nine year olds want to explore a bit on their own. There is no way for them to get lost at this resort. Did I mention that I did not wait in a lift line one single time in seven days? That was certainly a first for me.

Overall, a great experience and Winter Park is just up the road if you want a day or two of excess terrain. Not a whole lot to do apres-ski, but again Winter Park is just up the road.

We had a great time. I have a 6 and 7 year old who learned to ski in 2 days. The ski school was reasonably priced. The kids had a blast. It was not crowded and the staff was friendly. I loved the ski on/off accommadations so much that we are returning this year. The lift tickets are a bargain compared to Winter Park. Also, the grocery store is just 2 miles down the road and a couple of nice restaurants located in Granby.