Ski the West

[WakeboardMom]

I think I'm going out west the first week in April. I have limited experience, but I know I love Vail. Before you jump on me for not being "core," know that this is a VACATION for me. I want it all. I want an indoor/outdoor heated pool, I want a nice restaurant, I want a choice of whether or not I want to be challenged on the slopes. I want to get up in the morning and walk to the Vista Bahn chair or to the gondola and then I want to listen to the cheesy piano player in the Red Lion apres' ski...! don't want to ski until I drop, grab a burger, go to bed and do it all over again.

I love the mountain, and I love the village at Vail. I know it's likely the bowls will be closed in April, but that'll have to be the trade-off for the cheaper rates. And the access from Denver is good; cheap, direct flights are now available out of Manchester in addition to the ones from Boston.

We were thinking about Big Sky instead, because we have the Boyne New England pass.
Any thoughts about that? I'm not liking what I see in the way of mountain-accessible lodging there, and I'm not getting a good feel for the town/village from the website.

Any other thoughts are welcome. (Sans criticism over the lack of "core," please...! : )

 

[JerseyJoey]

I think you are very pretty and very nice.

 

[wa-loaf]

Park City might be a good option.

 

[billski]

Marie,
Last Saturday. I had a really long talk with Brandon Bang, Director of Sales for Big Sky. I got really good vibes from him about the place, especially in terms of their offerings. I think you'll find the people to be pretty laid back and easy going. they have one ski show special (I have the code at home) offers lodging, with free skiing for 3-4 days. I really can't speak for the weather. I'd suggest you try this post at epicski.com, there are a lot more western skiers there.

 

[dmc]

I agree... For me - It's not all about hammering on the mountain from opening to closing... i tend to go for the nicer accommodations - unless there's fresh I don't push to go out early.. I love meeting up for beers and dinner afterwards.. not a big fan of cooking in the condo - I'd almost rather have a hotel room..

Big Sky is great..

I skied both Bigsky and Vail in early April and therre was tons open... And great snow..

 

[WakeboardMom]

You guys are awesome, thank you! Feel free to keep 'em coming. : )

 

[WakeboardMom]

Marie,
Last Saturday. I had a really long talk with Brandon Bang, Director of Sales for Big Sky. I got really good vibes from him about the place, especially in terms of their offerings. I think you'll find the people to be pretty laid back and easy going. they have one ski show special (I have the code at home) offers lodging, with free skiing for 3-4 days. I really can't speak for the weather. I'd suggest you try this post at epicski.com, there are a lot more western skiers there.

Thank you for the "good vibes" comment. I've never been to "epicski." Will try to check it out.

 

[amf]

They have all the things you want at Big Sky, just in lesser quantities. Your lodging options for walking to the lifts will really limit you to the two big hotels on mountain (both of which are very nice), and the town/village thing is pretty limited (some might say non-existent). That said, if you were to stay at a condo type unit with walking access to lifts, I can't think of a better place than Moonlight, just around the corner from Big Sky. The most stunning base lodge I have seen, great hot pool, but even less of a "village" scene than Big Sky.

 

[dmc]

And of course there's Bridger Bowl which is a kick ass little area...

 

[Black Phantom]

If you want "West", then go to Tahoe.

California sun can't be beat.

 

[billski]

If you want "West", then go to Tahoe.

California sun can't be beat.

Don't those area have to close early due to wildlife migration?

 

[Black Phantom]

Don't those area have to close early due to wildlife migration?

You are thinking of CO. Vail closes their doors around the 15th. Everyone else follows suit.


Squaw will be pretty much wide open thru mid May.

 

[dmc]

Don't those area have to close early due to wildlife migration?

I skied all those areas in April.. I don't think they close like Jackson does..

 

[4aprice]

I will be in Utah the 1st week of April myself. Last year we had about 3 feet the last 3 days we were there and finished my season with an 18" powder day. The Rocky Mountains are delightful in March/April. My favorite out there is Aspen and I would always suggest it but realize it is out of the way. Salt Lake is extremely convienient and it should be noted that at that time of year while the mountains are packed with snow the valley is usually full on spring and warm weather activities abound. I understand your wanting the amenities. Because of our connections we stay in a condo and my wife (who cooks for all of us) considers it a ski trip and not a vacation. I keep trying to get her to escape with just me (no kids) to Sun Valley for a few days and stay with all the amenities and get an actual vacation.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[midd]

I agree... For me - It's not all about hammering on the mountain from opening to closing... i tend to go for the nicer accommodations - unless there's fresh I don't push to go out early.. I love meeting up for beers and dinner afterwards.. not a big fan of cooking in the condo - I'd almost rather have a hotel room..

Big Sky is great..

I skied both Bigsky and Vail in early April and therre was tons open... And great snow..

This is totally my take on ski trips too. Constantly pushing to get the goods and go bell to bell induces unnecessary stress into a vacation.

Only reason I prefer a condo is for breakfast and to have an easy chair/couch to crash on after skiing.

 

[dmc]

Only reason I prefer a condo is for breakfast and to have an easy chair/couch to crash on after skiing.

true... But a lot of hotel rooms come with couches and stuff..

 

[WakeboardMom]

I will be in Utah the 1st week of April myself. Last year we had about 3 feet the last 3 days we were there and finished my season with an 18" powder day. The Rocky Mountains are delightful in March/April. My favorite out there is Aspen and I would always suggest it but realize it is out of the way. Salt Lake is extremely convienient and it should be noted that at that time of year while the mountains are packed with snow the valley is usually full on spring and warm weather activities abound. I understand your wanting the amenities. Because of our connections we stay in a condo and my wife (who cooks for all of us) considers it a ski trip and not a vacation. I keep trying to get her to escape with just me (no kids) to Sun Valley for a few days and stay with all the amenities and get an actual vacation.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

If I were taking my kids, I'd totally go the condo route, and I expect that to happen again in the future. However, since they're all grown and they're all better cooks than me, that's not an issue. They'll cook. I'm the dishwasher and happy to do it.

This one, however, is VACATION. : ) My husband and I only take one or two a year, so I gotta make it count.

(One a year, but every weekend is "away" so I'm not complaining!)

 

[AdironRider]

Jackson doesnt close for Elk migration. They close for the migration of their clientel to the golf courses in Westchester county.

Id look at Tahoe as well, but with a La Nina year they tend to do worse than the Northern resorts.

Whistler is an option as well. Open disclosure that I work for the company, but you can get your foot in the door at the Four Seasons there about as cheap as you can anywhere for the Four Seasons that time of year and theyll kill it on service. Like 2-250 a night with a solid chance at a stay 3 nights get 1 free. You want to be pampered, thatll do the trick for under 200 a night for 4 nights.

Something about the CO resorts gets ruined when you can see and hear a massive highway the whole time.

Tahoe has the lake and all the amenities, plus a ton of variety. Id look there if they have a decent year. Or in the spirit of RENO, let it ride and go all in.

 

[JerseyJoey]

If I were taking my kids, I'd totally go the condo route, and I expect that to happen again in the future. However, since they're all grown and they're all better cooks than me, that's not an issue. They'll cook. I'm the dishwasher and happy to do it.

This one, however, is VACATION. : ) My husband and I only take one or two a year, so I gotta make it count.

(One a year, but every weekend is "away" so I'm not complaining!)

You don't look old enough to have grown up kids.

 

[WakeboardMom]

You don't look old enough to have grown up kids.

Somebody in this thread said, "Aspen." That's two.

(Grown-up kids are cool. They have forgiven and gotten beyond one's inadequacies. [Is that a word?})