Mt. Rose (22222 Mt. Rose Hwy., Reno, NV, 800/754-7673, http://skirose.com, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., adults $48–62, youth $42, children 6–12 $17) has the most to choose from in terms of both variety and beginner routes. Lots of different ski school packages and private lesson options are offered for children as young as three on up to senior citizens who want to cut it up on a snowboard.

You can even sign your kids up for ranger-guided exploration programs and ski or board camps where they’ll have a great time, learn lots, and make ski buddies their own age.

Beware of the center of Mt. Rose, an area called Chutes with a morass of double-black runs with fun names like Detonater and Yellow Jacket. If you’re on your own looking for the green runs, park at the Main Lodge and then take the Ponderosa or the Galena chairs up to beginner territory.

For lots of great, long, intermediate tracks, start at Slide Lodge (the second access point for the Mt. Rose resort) and take the Blazing Zephyrs Six-Chair almost to the top of the mountain. You can grab a hot cocoa and a meal, or make a pit stop at either lodge.