I've been skiing 4 times in my life with the last time being 15 years ago. I'd like to go on a Wed-Sun trip with 3 days to ski, stay at a ski in/ski out place, and likely snowboard at least one of those days. The wife has been one time, and it wasn't the most fun she'd ever had. She's not a big fan of cold weather, and there's a good chance she wouldn't ski one of the days. I need to go where there will be plenty of other things she could do during the day if she doesn't ski, enough beginner runs, snowboarding allowed, fairly easy access flying in from Houston. I've been to Anglefire in NM, Copper Mtn and Steamboat in CO, and a mountain I can't remember in North Carolina. I liked Colorado more than New Mexico. I like having numerous different runs to choose from.

What are some of your favorite places to ski and why? And what is your preferred part of the season to ski?

Go to Utah. Snow there blows away Colorado. We went to Solitude, but there are several other resorts nearby (Brighton, Alta), or you can go to Park City, which is on the other side of the mountain range.

I was wondering about Utah. I've always heard good things about the snow. I guess you fly into Salt Lake City and then drive to wherever you're going?

Hard to beat Breckenridge for skiing plus other stuff to do.

In Colorado:

Breckenridge for width of runs and the town.

Keystone for night skiing and that's where my Dad started taking me at age 5 so I always spend a day or two there.

Copper for the bowls.


Those are my preferences.

(My family is too "low class" for Vail, etc.)

[This message has been edited by AgResearch (edited 12/23/2011 6:59a).]

The Vail and Associate Rankings for Colorado are
1a Vail
1b beaver creek


2 Breck


3 keystone


Vail and beaver both have the shortest lines and the most diverse terrain. They also have the most skier friendly climate and conditions.

Keystone gets the lowest snow stick total and ices first. Breck gets a ton of snow, but it's affectionately known as breckenfridge for a reason. It's COLD and even though they get alot of snow, it too ices quickly.

Vail and BC ice up the least.

Another downside to the front side slopes are that keystone and Breck get a LARGE amount of business from out of state clients. That means the level of skier is often much lower at Breck and keystone (referred to as Texan skiers by the locals) and the result can be extremely frustrating to those who are good skiiers.

If it was me, I'd rent a place in Avon or the Weston, take the gondola up to the bachelors gulch lift, and enjoy. The westin is great (has a wonderful in house chef and spa) and has reciprocity with the BG ritz. Thus you get access to the ritz grotto lounge and spa on the hill and the westin activities just off the hill. They also will help orchestrate snow mobile rides etc. Staying off slope and getting to the lift won't be an easier elsewhere and if I'm paying $97 a day for a V&A ticket, I'm not gonna spend it at keystone or Breck.

Avon has a good night life too, it's close to Edwards and ege and minturn and most other little vail valley mountain towns.

If you decide to go to V&A route, email me. We can help you get 20-30% of skiis and full day tickets for the half day price! (better than a sharp stick in the eye)

Username @ gmail.com

If you don't mind the drive from montrose, you could look at telluride. Beautiful area but a PITA to get too. We have a VRBO for telluride and V&A if you are interested.

What is your total price range?

[This message has been edited by Testingeffectag (edited 12/23/2011 7:45a).]

Telluride.

Sugarbowl in Tahoe. Built like a European ski village.

Deer Valley

For what you describe you're looking for, I'd skip Utah and recommend somewhere in summit county. You'd mentioned having been to Steamboat- I'd put that in the mix also. Depending your comfort costwise, I'd say Breck if more budget minded, but Vail or BC if you can afford it.

It's not my favorite ski resort, but it might work for your circumstances. You might research Heavenly Valley, which is located in the town of South Lake Tahoe. This town sits on the CA/NV state line. On the CA side you have numerous outdoor activities associated with both the ski resort and the lake (not all ski resorts have a beautiful lake), and on the NV side you have the casinos and all their assorted activities. There are also numerous other places around the lake such as Squaw Valley that would provide both indoor and outdoor activities.

You can fly directly into SLT, or you can fly into Reno and rent a car. It's a very easy 60 mile or so drive from the airport to SLT. Driving to or from, you could also stop and see the historic mining town of Virginia City.

I really like Winter Park, but that's been eons ago. I couldn't tell you what it's like now.

Best ski-in ski-out place I've been to is easily Beaver Creek, Colorado. Many lodges there have lifts right outside of the lobby and plenty for your wife to do. Granted, it is somewhat pricey, but im sure you can find deals. Difficult mountain in some places (birds of prey--yikes) but plenty of easy to moderate slopes for family ventures.

Taos is still my favorite and go to mountain when the snow is good. Not what you're looking for though.

EDIT: Keystone and Breck are great, have hiked and skied the peeks. I'm pretty sure that's the smallest my nutsack has ever been--as it was in the negatives up there. Tried taking pictures with the phone but it flashes a "temperature" warning and shut off.

[This message has been edited by Keithstone (edited 12/23/2011 9:34a).]

Telluride and it's not even debatable . Stay on the mountain. There is a free gondola to take you into town. You wont need a car to get around. Plenty of things to keep your wife busy while you ski. Great mountain, amazing scenery, and great night life.

Wolf Creek is my favorite place to ski. Great snow, great runs, not crowded.

Lots of good info on here so far. My only comment about Breckenridge would be to prepare for altitude. Its higher than most others and you'll notice it since you'll be sleeping each night at 9,500+.

Wife and I are going to Breckenridge in mid January, does anyone have a lead on discount lift tickets or rentals?

[This message has been edited by mneisch (edited 12/23/2011 10:52a).]

+1 Winter Park

I have skiied all over Colorado and I agree with the Beaver Creek recommendation. Easily the best in the state.

My top 3 anywhere are:

1. Whistler, BC
2. Jackson Hole, Wyo
3. Beaver Creek, Co

Anyone been to AngelFire, Nm in a while? Going there for valentine's day weekend.

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ghollow
posted 6:46a, 12/23/11



Hard to beat Breckenridge for skiing plus other stuff to do.

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+1

Or, if you can afford it, go to Aspen.

Crested Butte has a great little town with stuff to do. Not a huge fan of the mountain, but all around its a great place.

Steamboat

Thanks for all the info! There's quite a bit for me to consider. If I was going with a group of guys, or basically didn't need to have my wife entertained, I would be focused primarily on the skiing, and would go for the more challenging stuff. But it sounds like Beaver Creek is the most widely recommended place for my particular situation. Nice range of skiing levels, plenty of non-skiing stuff to do, solid ski-in ski-out mountain, and if I believe everything the advertising poster says there's a combo of no lift lines, knee deep powder every day, and short sleeve shirt ski temps!!!

What's the best part of the season to go to Summit County as far as snow is concerned?

I can't believe I didn't think about Tahoe. Sounds like I'll be choosing between Beaver and Tahoe. I like casinos. The people that mentioned Tahoe didn't say anything about the skiing, so I'm assuming it's not as good as Beaver cr. I haven't looked at prices yet, so it's possible I have a sudden change of mind and go with the value-oriented resort. That would mean NM and driving.

I'll keep bothering everyone as I research it more. Thanks again.

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The people that mentioned Tahoe didn't say anything about the skiing, so I'm assuming it's not as good as Beaver cr.

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I can't compare Tahoe to Beaver Creek, but I can say that the Winter Olympics have been at Tahoe (Squaw Valley), and the skiing might have had something to do with the decision to hold the Olympics there.

^
l
l
l
Tahoe is starting to sound better.

mneisch,

For cheap lift tickets and/or rentals, I usually hit up Blue Valley Sports in Silverthorne. Their rentals are dirt cheap, but it's a pain to have to take your stuff all the way back to Silverthorne on your last day.

I'm going in the first week of Jan and will be getting my lift tickets from there and my rentals from Blue River Sports in Breck.

[This message has been edited by Txaggie05 (edited 12/23/2011 2:13p).]

Considering the OP's requirements, I would not pass up Winter Park. Easy to get to from Denver the green-blue runs are fine. Sounds like you are not going to run the bumps. Down side not much to do at night.

Summit Co is good, done Breck, Copper, Ks, Arapahoe, Vail and BC from Frisco, each an easy drive. BC is a favorite.

Given a three dayer Reno-Tahoe is a bit of a haul as is SLC. But Heavenly is good, stay at Harveys, s. Tahoe..usually have good deals. Best night life of the choices.

Tahoe is awesome. Most of places listed in Utah are awesome. Phenomenal skiing, scenery, nightlife, lodging, etc.

There are some places in Colorado that are pretty good too. Crested Butte, Vail, Durango, Telluride, etc as already mentioned - but all are notch below Tahoe and Utah.

Angel Fire. For no other reason it's we're my buddies and I went when we were poor college students. Shared a condo with a group of girls from SWT. We drank a lot and had a lot of unprotected sex.

Just got back from heavenly yesterday. It is a ton of fun, lots of runs open and good man made snow, as far as other things to do the snowmobiling isn't due to lack of snow but there are plenty of shops and spa places for you wife!

quote:

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so it's possible I have a sudden change of mind and go with the value-oriented resort. That would mean NM and driving.

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What's everyone's opinion of Ski Apache in Ruidoso? That's the only place I've ever been, so I don't know how it compares to Taos, Angel Fire, or Breckenridge.

Telluride. End of thread.

Telluride. It can be a bit difficult to get to but is very much worth it.

I'd show up with any resort with topless snow bunnies decorating the hot tub.