Ski Vacation...Advice Please

[Chip Vaughn]

Have any of you guys been on a good/bad ski vacation, or regularly go somewhere to ski?

Here is a little background and some expectations. My chick and I are going to plan a ski vacation the week after Christmas. I have been skiing very few times and she has never been skiing, but is excited about the experience. So, we are looking for somewhere very beginner friendly. We are also looking for something all inclusive, if that even exists in this situation. We are looking for a resort or lodge that is close to the ski lifts and close to the nightlife (dinning and shopping). We are also looking for transport from an airport to our destination. Since most skiing is away from the airports we were wondering if there were lodges that offer that kind of transport. I was also curious about lift tickets, equipment rentals, an any other stuff I may be forgetting.

Thanks in advance guys. My chick and I's New Year's Eve celebrations have lacked luster the last few years so this year we made a New Year's resolution to have a great New Year's Eve. We are both excited, but need some insight.

--Chip

:help:

[Lady Resin]

I'm not sure if you live in the NY/NJ area, but my nephew worked here year roound. I went there as a kid and they had a bunny hill for the newbies.

http://www.mountaincreek.com/index.htm

[Drunky McBetidont]

http://www.coloradoskipackage.com/Today.htm

[TheGameHHH]

If you're not skiing out West then you really aren't skiing. Colorado is where its at. Steamboat Springs.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

brrrrrr


how bout a Margarita on a nice winter cruise

[spoon]

Tahoe, CA

Seriously, it has it all, including casinos on the Nevada side. Stay at the base of Heavenly and you'll be a happy mofo!

[Drunky McBetidont]

brrrrrr


how bout a Margarita on a nice winter cruise

http://www.monacaron.com/images/large/titanic-sinking.jpg

[TheGameHHH]

Tahoe, CA

Seriously, it has it all, including casinos on the Nevada side. Stay at the base of Heavenly and you'll be a happy mofo!

Tahoe is a very nice place.......Steamboat Springs, CO still blows it out of the water. Even with the positives of having casinos, the powder at Steamboat is unlike anything I've ever seen.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

http://www.monacaron.com/images/large/titanic-sinking.jpg


still got my commission

back to sking

my friend rents a cabin in the Poconos, always used to 15-20 people drinking and then skiing hungover


But you can rent a hotel, there are many bunny slopes out there


Believe it or not I'm not that good of a skier

yeah I know you are shocked, but it is true I don't ski well

[ChrisBrown]

If you're not skiing out West then you really aren't skiing.

Amen. I am amazed at what passes as skiiing in the East Coast.

I would go with Whistler Mountain or Banff. US West Coast is great but either BC or Alberta are excellent.

[Chip Vaughn]

Thanks buddays

We have been looking out West towards Colorado. We've been looking at Keystone, Breckenridge, or Winter Park. Just curious about the level of skiing.

Are Tahoe and Steamboat Springs very beginner friendly? How about flying? Would I be able to get transport service and where would I need to fly in?

[TheGameHHH]

Thanks buddays

We have been looking out West towards Colorado. We've been looking at Keystone, Breckenridge, or Winter Park. Just curious about the level of skiing.

Are Tahoe and Steamboat Springs very beginner friendly? How about flying? Would I be able to get transport service and where would I need to fly in?

Both Tahoe and Steamboat are big mountains, nothing like you'll see on the East but there are beginner trails. Theres just not as many as you'd see over here. I forget where I flew into for Tahoe but I'm pretty sure for Steamboat you'd fly into Hayden Airport and its about a 45 minute ride to Steamboat. At Hayden there's like 1,000 vans waiting to escort passengers to Steamboat, so you'll be fine with transportation.

[Drunky McBetidont]

Both Tahoe and Steamboat are big mountains, nothing like you'll see on the East but there are beginner trails. Theres just not as many as you'd see over here. I forget where I flew into for Tahoe but I'm pretty sure for Steamboat you'd fly into Hayden Airport and its about a 45 minute ride to Steamboat. At Hayden there's like 1,000 vans waiting to escort passengers to Steamboat, so you'll be fine with transportation.

the thing about skiing in the rockies, the "champagne powder" is like a giant feather bed. when you fall you don't get hurt. (unless you crash into a tree like sonny bono) the ice hills of the east coast just don't compare.
my sister did a week in keystone last january and had the best time.

[Chip196]

brrrrrr


how bout a Margarita on a nice winter cruise

I highly reccomend the Hippo Booked Cruise. I am sure there's one with a Water Skiing Excursion.

[DiabloSammich]

Thanks buddays

We have been looking out West towards Colorado. We've been looking at Keystone, Breckenridge, or Winter Park. Just curious about the level of skiing.

Are Tahoe and Steamboat Springs very beginner friendly? How about flying? Would I be able to get transport service and where would I need to fly in?



I learned to ski in Winter Park. It was very beginner friendly. And it was huge.

[Marc with a c]

big birch!!

beware THE FACE

[Chip196]

big birch!!

beware THE FACE

I think Heidi's Motel is all-inclusive ... "Putnam Valley Skiing, don't drive past it!"

[tele7]

Thanks buddays

We have been looking out West towards Colorado. We've been looking at Keystone, Breckenridge, or Winter Park. Just curious about the level of skiing.

Are Tahoe and Steamboat Springs very beginner friendly? How about flying? Would I be able to get transport service and where would I need to fly in?

Winter Park is the most beginner friendly of the ones you listed. I just love the atmosphere there too. Pretty cool bar at the bottom too, I forget the name though. We used to ski 7 areas in 7 days, and WP was by far my fave. It's about an hour drive from the airport, but they also have a ski train if you want to look into that. Breckenridge is more scenic and upscale, but the beginner slopes are shorter in length.

[patsopinion]

tahoe

complete trip
good socializing


and it doesnt seem like anyone went to kirkwood which is the best ski in the region(higher up then the tahoe basin) with busses leaving all the time
(half hour/hour drive up)
but well worth the trip

and stay at one of the casino's because youll get the best rates but book now

new years is a fucking zoo
but inna good way

[Jubjubs]

The only place "out west" I've been is Bridger Bowl (http://www.bridgerbowl.com/) in Bozeman MT. Fantastic snow, reasonably priced and beginner friendly. Not sure about major airport access, drove out there both times. There are condos for rent right on the mountain that are reasonbly priced and very nice.

[drusilla]

I'm not sure if you live in the NY/NJ area, but my nephew worked here year roound. I went there as a kid and they had a bunny hill for the newbies.

http://www.mountaincreek.com/index.htm

STAY AWAY!

this is not even close to what you're looking for, unless you're looking to spend all day avoiding asshole teeny bopper snowboarders who think they are shawn white


my favorite place to go is mont sutton in quebec. it's not all inclusive, but always a good time. there are a few hotels on the mountain (or just a 5 minute walk away from the lifts) but usually we get a chalet & on the way up stop at the grocery store so we can make some of our own meals if we don't eat out. up on the mountain its self there's a lodge with a nice cafeteria thats open for breakfast & lunch. we either cook dinner or try to order in. there is a nice town at the bottom of the mountain (not a far drive at all) where there are a bunch of nice places to eat. it's also not too far from montreal. so one night you can take a drive into the city & wander around & have dinner at reubens. great for steaks! there's tons to do there at night & most of its open pretty late. sutton is a great mountain. i learned to snowboard up there a few years ago. the bunny slopes are very nice & wide & not at all too steep. best part is that the mountain is never that busy & i'm always there on a holiday weekend. i actually can't wait to make my return this coming president's day weekend.

[skinnyhips]

I'd go with what Chip said. I fully support the west is the best mentality. Although from the sounds of what you want I would say Tahoe is ideal. Nightlife, great skiing, plenty of beginner stuff(specially at Heavenly). I did my first tahoe trip earlier this year and had a great time. Great accessibility to the mountain and the local hotels. Shitloads of places to eat, free booze to gamblers...say no more. Although i'd try and move it back about 2 to 3 weeks. that's usually when they really start to get the dump.

Also airfare is pretty reasonable to get to tahoe. you just fly into the reno airport. then either rent or take one of the cheap ass shuttles into town.

We're heading to Taos this year.


go big or go home

[Chip Vaughn]

just got back from the travel agent. looking hard park city, utah. any info about park city nightlife or anything. we are looking at park city peaks hotel. very attractive price and flight times. also it is only about half an hour away from the airport. thinking about using the shuttle service as opposed to renting a car.

any thoughts?

:unsure:

[jonyrotn]

<p>We don't have too many of your classic "ski" options persé, here in the Bronx but we do have some phenominal garbage trucks to skitch behind..</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Futhermore our ski mask selection is world class, you can find one to match just about every hand gun or sub machine gun available on the American market..</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Our local stick up kids are some of the best in the world and from what I've seen, our "snow" is to die for..</p>

[RhinoinMN]

Don't fall.

[Chip Vaughn]

We chose Park City, UT
Anybody have suggestions for dining or entertainment?
Any other little secrets or "lesser-known cool shit" you can fill me in on?

Thanks guys...
:thumbup:

[spoon]

The skiing is top notch, but not so begginer friendly in Park City. You pretty much need to invest in a helmet if you plan on hitting the slopes up there. I had a ton of fun on the slopes, yet the night life isn't that great due to the Mormon influence and crazy alcohol/club laws due to it.

[patsopinion]

The skiing is top notch, but not so begginer friendly in Park City. You pretty much need to invest in a helmet if you plan on hitting the slopes up there. I had a ton of fun on the slopes, yet the night life isn't that great due to the Mormon influence and crazy alcohol/club laws due to it.

TAHOE!!

[bigredd]

I really enjoyed Lake Tahoe. The lake is beautiful on its own but coming off the Heavenly run and staring down at it from 8,000 feet is awesome. There are casinos and the food is fantastic.

[Furtherman]

Ski Vacation...Advice Please

Be careful on the ski lifts.

Man left dangling upside down, pantsless after Vail lift mishap (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0106091vail1.html)

http://i.cdn.turner.com/trutv/thesmokinggun.com/graphics/art4/0106091vail1.jpg

http://i.cdn.turner.com/trutv/thesmokinggun.com/graphics/art4/0106091vail4b.jpg

http://i.cdn.turner.com/trutv/thesmokinggun.com/graphics/art4/0106091vail2.jpg

[ToiletCrusher]

Whistler, British Columbia. Maybe the best in N. America in my eyes. Been there 5 times and hopefully going back for a 6th this month.

[Duckie92]

Oh my gosh your gonna love it out here. I live in Colorado so I've seen it all. The mountain towns are so much fun. I don't really have a favorite, but I've heard Copper is great for beignner skiers. Check out www.summitactivites.com It has lodging, and all kind of activites you can do in copper, and the other mountain towns. I use it when i go there for winter break. Hope you guys have a blast!. :)

[topless_mike]

avoid the trees

[hanso]

Try to find extra wives.

[boosterp]

Do not take 2 flasks up on the slopes and not have a drink of water all day.

[jetdog]

just got back from the travel agent. looking hard park city, utah. any info about park city nightlife or anything. we are looking at park city peaks hotel. very attractive price and flight times. also it is only about half an hour away from the airport. thinking about using the shuttle service as opposed to renting a car.

any thoughts?

:unsure:

Park City is huge in terms of the number of different slopes and runs, but as a beginner you just won't be able to take advantage of that.

I think I would push for Tahoe. It's much more scenic than Park City, much more to do besides skiing also (casinos, breweries, restaurants, not as rich-prickish and touristy). Try Northstar (beginner and family oriented) and Squaw Valley as well as Heavenly.

[jetdog]

We chose Park City, UT
Anybody have suggestions for dining or entertainment?
Any other little secrets or "lesser-known cool shit" you can fill me in on?

Thanks guys...
:thumbup:

didn't see this before I posted. You'll have fun, powder puff snow.

There is a good mexican place in the center of town, but hell if I can remember what its called.

[WampusCrandle]

im gonna self promote and say go to Windham Mountain in Windham, NY. It's in the Catskills and the economy needs it. they are a hospitable bunch of people.

[IamFogHat]

I've been skiing twice, once with an uncle and once with my brother. Both times I was humoring them. I find it retarded.