HD333
New member
Im also still wrestling with that $25k number. I know you could do a season of lodging and season passes for a lot less than that.
I agree $25k is a bunch of $. Take the passes out of the equation, Okemo for 4 of us is just shy of $3900 with early purchase, and your talking around $20k. If anyone can show me a 2 bedroom or one plus loft ski in/out condo for less than $14/15k before security ($3k) and utilities ($2.5k) on a Mountain similar to Okemo in size/# of trails please get me in touch with the owner/rental agent.
Off mountain I agree is a different ball game and you could do a rental for much less. We did off mountain for years, we went from basically zero $ for lodging (our own place) 30 minutes from a smaller mountain to where we are now, we didn't ski nearly as much or as long, it was too easy to bag going to the MT Sunday for example.
The ability to NEVER have to go to the base lodge or hop n a shuttle for anything has its advantages in my opinion. We stop by the condo during the day for quick breaks, add/drop a layer, eat lunch. If one or 2 want to quit for the day, fine, "here is the key see you at 4:00 get a fire going and have a beer waiting for me"
To each their own but for a family, at least our family, I think a season long on mountain rental creates better memories than taking a few trips a year out west and then dragging your stuff all over New England for a few road trips. Plus we can host friends throughout the season. It would be much easier to stay home if we didn't have a home base and we wouldn't get nearly as much skiing in during the season.
I just wish I was up there now and not typing this in my office!!!