Brad Tuttle: My son's only 1, so I'm not as on the ball on this issue as I'd like to be. But I've heard great things about Deer Valley in Utah and Grand Targhee in Wyoming.

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Lexington, KY: I am a brand new skier. Where in the Alps would be the best place for a second-time-on-skis-person? Thank you

Brad Tuttle: Probably not, though you could still have a ton of fun. But if you're uneasy on skis, you're going to want to stick to the easy terrain, which is usually at the bottom of the hill -- not up near the top, where the best views will be. I'd recommend getting a few more runs under your belt. The moment you can handle the intermediate trails, head over to Europe. You'll enjoy it a lot more if you can see the whole mountain.

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Anonymous: Where is the best place to ski if a wild nightlife is also a factor?

Brad Tuttle: Read my article posted on the site today. Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria, is the place to go. For something closer to home that's got the party atmosphere - and I don't know where your home is, Anonymous - try Whistler, Vail, Aspen, Squaw Valley, and in the East, Killington.

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Birmingham, AL: Hi Brad, I have always planned my group's (10-14 people) ski trips (CO, MT so far) and have gotten great deals searching out airfare and accommodations separately. The average length of the trip is usually 5 nights/4 days of skiing and we have averaged around $600 pp for air/lodging. Do you think I could get a better deal with a travel agent or doing a package with the ski resort or should I continue to do it on my own?? Thanks!

Brad Tuttle: It’s impossible to say without the specifics. It usually comes down to airfare. If you can book a flight for cheap on your own, it usually isn’t that difficult to find a reasonable place to stay, or go for a lodging/lift ticket package that so many ski area hotels and condos offer. But the air can be pricey. The only way to know if you’re getting a deal is to crunch the numbers. A good travel agent should be the way to go, but unfortunately some travel agents don’t do anything you can’t do yourself (and they typically add in a service charge).

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Corpus Christi, TX: Can you recommend an affordable ski area that offers beginning to intermediate skiing for two adults and kids ages 10 & 15 that does not require extensive driving from an airport, offers casino action nearby and won't break the pocketbook? What is the best source for finding discount deals...ski resorts, travel agents, travel websites, local ski area publications?