Favorite Resort?

[St. Bear]

What is everyone's favorite ski area that they've been to, and why? Not necessarily the best, but their favorite.

I admit I haven't been to many of the top resorts, but for myself, I would say Wildcat. I think Sugarbush is a better mountain, but there's something about the combination of snow, terrain, and vibe at Wildcat that I love. I've never seen the sky while there and 3 out of the 4 times I've been were during snow droughts, but I've always had a blast. I also admit that a small small part is because it's in NH, and I'll always have a competitive streak against VT.

 

[Black Phantom]

sundown

 

[deadheadskier]

I'll only vouch for the East as I haven't been out west in a decade and outside of one adult trip, it was all while very young visiting out there.

Stowe.

Best combination of terrain, natural snowfall, slack country and a town with great restaurants and bars. It certainly has a reputation for being expensive, but I have ways of making it affordable.

 

[cannonist]

Cannon because of the good terrain and vibe

Sunday River (despite all the crap it gets) because of the snowmaking, grooming, and good food.

 

[billski]

St. Anton am Arlberg

Nothing beats the out of body experience skiing down the Vallugabahn or the all day and night drinking and eating scene.

 

[Warp Daddy]

Resort = big mtn w/ + full service disneyland vibe or do you really mean Fav Ski area

Resort = Tremblant : Plus side: Great hill , beaucoup skiing variety / downside == did u say COLD ?? plastic Disneyworld village vibe and way too many party skiers. ""Sometimes the Quebecois can be a beotch in terms of custom service ( too many vacant stares ) especially if French is not your language of choice . I had a friend get his brand new truck "boosted" by car theives while in a secured lot. -- go figure. The Mtn draws me back NOT the resort


Fav Area = Gore why : great hill beaucoup skiing variety , little or few party skiers mostly hardcore skiers . and walk on lifts for the most part . Plenty of reasonable off hill lodging within 30 min and decent restaurants

 

[St. Bear]

Resort = big mtn w/ + full service disneyland vibe or do you really mean Fav Ski area

I mean ski area.

 

[ERJ-145CA]

Bromley. I like the old shool vibe and they have good family programs for our annual trip with the kids. I guess it's nostalgia too because I learned to ski there when I was a kid and it's much as I remember it but with a detachable quad to the summit and better snowmaking.

 

[Vortex]

Only been out west twice both times to steamboat. That is my favorite. In the east I like the River. Vibe, snowmaking, grooming and slopeside lodging. Nice for families.

 

[snowmonster]

Same thought. To me, ski resorts mean the ski area plus the on/off-mountain services which may not necessarily matter to most of us but matter to those who want a luxurious experience (e.g., dining, lodging, spas, non-skiing activities, entertainment, etc). A ski area for me is more bare bones -- the mountain (terrain and snow), lodge with a bathroom, a ski repair shop and a cafeteria -- and caters for people who just want to ski.

Having said that, I think I would agree that Stowe would be the best resort in the East because it has just about everything you can ask for from a resort. That new lodge raised the bar for resorts here in the East. I f you strip all the non-essentials and concentrate just on the skiing, Mansfield's combination of snow, terrain and off the map skiing are hard to beat. I have to give props to my home mountain though, Sunday River. It's not a "we've got everything" resort (it's close). But, it's a great combination of value (on a season pass), reliable snow, long seasons and great customer service. And, somebody said something about the vibe. Yeah, it's real and quite great.

Ski area? Mad River Glen. Skiing stripped down to its essentials with a mountain that will consistently kick your butt.

 

[frozencorn]

Resort: Stowe
Area: Wildcat

 

[4aprice]

My favorite resort has always been Aspen and my favorite mountain Snowmass (has everything). That being said I haven't been there in a while and I hear its changing. May have to look at Telluride, Butte, and Purgatory in the future. Family connection has me going to Utah these days and my favorite there is Alta and no resort. I would like to take the wife to Sun Valley sometime.

In the east it would be Smugglers Notch.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[Smellytele]

Cannon, MRG and Wildcat in the east.
Only been to 4 in CO - fav was Copper
1 in Utah - Snowbird
4 in Tahoe - fav was Squaw
Loved skiing Vallee Blanche in France

 

[riverc0il]

I don't know if I could ever just pick one "favorite" as it depends what aspect of the resort is my favorite. For character of the trails and culture of the mountain it would be Mad River Glen. For powder it would be Jay. For spring bumps, it would be Wildcat. But if I could only ski one area for the rest of my life, I don't think I could possibly go with any other mountain besides Cannon.

 

[WWF-VT]

Resort: Sugarbush
Area: Mad River Valley

I am fortunate that the two mountains that I have spent the majority of my days skiing at are Sugarbush and Stowe. As a family we have enjoyed both mountains and resorts in both the winter and summer. When we committed to a full time "home" mountain Sugarbush and the Mad River Valley were the best choice for us.

 

[campgottagopee]

Whiteface---it has it all

 

[jm99]

Sunday River. Best conditions, good terrain, good glades. Little to no ice every time.

 

[Grassi21]

sundown

yeah! me too!!!!!

 

[zinger3000]

Warp Daddy beat me to it, but I really like Gore. Big mountain (2300' vertical) without all the big mountain BS. If you go midweek, non-holiday (when they don't have the preferred parking), it's a short walk from your car to the lifts. No "village" to walk through. Great views on a clear day. No corporate attitude like you would find at mountains even half its size. Lots of variety to keep me entertained all day. The placement of lifts there lets you mix up short runs and long runs as you wish. Overall, a fun place to ski and a personal favorite of mine.

 

[tmcc71]

depends on time of year and snowfall

Powder day: magic, B east or tenney

Groomer day: ragged or wachusett (before 10 am)