Dec 16: Killington v. Stratton v. Mt. Snow

[gores95]

Hey guys I asked a question regarding Kmart in mid-December a few weeks back. This is a FAMILY trip and I just want to get opinions on how conditions should be in mid-December at these three resorts. I know all three of these resorts get maligned a bit on this board, but remember this is for a family trip with an 8 and 3 year old in tow! Wife doesn't ski much and 8 year old is able to go down most blues and easier blacks.

I know Kmart will have the most terrain available but should the other two have at least decent coverage by then? Or are they just too far south for mid-December? I know weather is obviously the factor but I am asking about a typical year.

We are going to stay for two nights and this is the weekend before Xmas so packages and prices are still very reasonable. Mt. Snow (Grand Summit Hotel) would be cheapest, followed by Stratton (Long Trail House)and then Kmart (North Star Inn).

By the way we are coming in from NJ and I would rather not drive any further than Kmart.

Thanks,

Marc

 

[ALLSKIING]

I would say Stratton. Since it sounds like your wife won't ski much and you have a 3 year old Stratton offers alot of things off the mountain. Stratton would also be a good mountain for your 8 year old since most trails are wide and not to steep. They also have 90% snow making.

 

[tirolerpeter]

Which Mountain in Dec?

As one of those "Least of three evils" type questions go, I guess Stratton is the place. None of these three "resorts" have much going for them in early Dec in terms of snow, or in my opinion, anytime as far as a good "family vacation" is concerned. I strongly urge you to look into Mt. Tremblant in Quebec. I know it will add about 5 hours of drive time, but the area is incredible for "family value." They will have the snow. They have a terrific recreation programs for kids and non-skiing adults. They have a tremendous range of accomodations, many of the ski-in ski-out type. They have great restaurants, both in the resort, and in the nearby village. My wife is a non-skier, and this is really the only place she has ever gone with me that she enjoyed (and that includes Vail!). And, not to be forgotten, our dollar is still very strong against theirs! Give it a look.

 

[tree_skier]

At that time of the year I would say Mount Snow for a couple of reasons.

The Grand summit is truely ski in/out. You won't have to haul gear and family a long distance.

The outdoor pool is great (my kids love it).

At that time you should have good coverage and not be very crowded (thus the low rates) compared with the other two.

There is plenty of things for the family in the deerfield valley.

 

[ctenidae]

Of those three, I would suggest Stratton (good base area, nice programs, excellent snowmaking), but second the Tremblant suggestion. I've neveer skied there, but a friend of mine has been twice, and siad "For the skiing, it sucks, but for everything else, it's fantastic". (On the skiing comment, he's a 10-year PSIA veteran and may be a bit biased away from groommers, which actually makes his reccomendation work for your case.)

 

[gores95]

Thanks for the replies! Actually all three places we chose have an outdoor heated pool (big with the kids!) I am leaning towards Stratton because like Tremblant (both Intrawest) lots of shopping, etc. do on the mountain for my wife. We were actually thinking of Tremblant in Feb/March. Its just too far a drive for this trip.

Anyone else with opinions?

 

[castlerock]

If you are worried about snow conditions, there is no need to book anything now, you will be able to get any deal you want at the last minute, anywhere. So if that is the decider, make your call then.

 

[Geoff]

Killington on a mid-December weekend will not be family friendly. With the $349 season passes that black out Christmas week, everybody and his brother will be there and there typically aren't enough acres open yet to spread out all the people. They'll likely have twice the terrain available of a Mt Snow or Stratton but there will be way more people there skiing it and many of them will be quite agressive.

Everybody makes snow 24x7 in December to get as much open as possible for Christmas week. As long as the weather cooperates, you should find plenty of terrain at Mt Snow or Stratton.

Other data:
The Northstar at Killington is almost 3 miles from the lifts towards the bottom of the Access Road. It has a smallish outdoor pool but it's otherwise a fairly basic place. I tend to point people there when they're asking for inexpensive access road lodging on the bus route so you don't have to deal with DUI issues after your bar crawl.

The least expensive rooms at an eatern Grand Summit are studios with a murphy bed and an inexpensive pullout couch. Uncushioned indoor/outdoor carpet. A little kitchenette with cheap cabinets and countertop, a few square feet of vinyl flooring, a couple electic burners, a smallish korean fridge, and a korean microwave. The bathroom fixtures are Motel 6. The walls are sheet rock and steel studs with no known sound insulation. The door is hollow core. If you're unlucky with your neighbors, you can have noise issues. The common areas are really nice with a killer outdoor pool and the location is superb if you have a family. Just don't expect your room to look like what you'd expect to find at a destination resort.

 

[WICKEDBUMPER]

a friend of mine has been twice, and siad "For the skiing, it sucks, but for everything else, it's fantastic".

yep.
skiing = think Mt.Creek with more ice and less snow.
everything else = ABSOLUTELY GREAT.
cant knock the place on anything but the skiing itself.

 

[tirolerpeter]

Tremblant?

Thanks for the replies! Actually all three places we chose have an outdoor heated pool (big with the kids!) I am leaning towards Stratton because like Tremblant (both Intrawest) lots of shopping, etc. do on the mountain for my wife. We were actually thinking of Tremblant in Feb/March. Its just too far a drive for this trip.

Anyone else with opinions?

The reason I would suggest Tremblant in Dec vs. Feb/Mar is the brrr..temperature...brrr in mid-winter can be brutal at that latitude. As for the drive, you are talking about really great highways all the way to the area that make it a cruise. Also, where you might get rain in Dec in VT, that would most likely be snow in Canada. Finally, the French/Canadian ambiance of the Tremblant area is a nice cultural experience for both you and the kids. Regardless of where you go, doing it with your kids is a winner! I know, I did it with my (now grown) three kids, and they and I agree, that those were some of our best times together. BTW, if and when you do decide to go to Canada, pick up a copy of the tax laws that apply to tourists as you enter. Then, plan your spending in such a way that you maximize your refund of taxes when you return to the US. Also, for anybody, check on our "new and improved" homeland security passport rules. You may need a US passport to get back into the USA.

 

[riverc0il]

i am going to pipe in here with a vote for kmart for fairly simple reasons: mid-december usually has a freeze/thaw effect going and some R**N usually gets tossed in for good measure. i say best to get as far north as possible for best chances of snow and least chances of the dreaded NCP and thaw. kmart will also have the most available terrain.

if your family is looking for easy ski in/ski out and a one stop shop base lodge then kmart may not be the answer. killington is fairly spread out and you can spend a lot of time zipping around the various peaks. stratton may be a better option if you are looking to be poking in and out of a single lodge a lot whereas killington will get on to MUCH more terrain.

also, killington does have one of the best snow making systems in new england and once they get a few cold weeks, killington can expand very rapidly. it is a complete crap shot, but if you are going to book a vacation in advanced not knowing what the weather is going to be like, might as well go with the mountain with the best snow making system that also happens to be the furthest north and has the highest elevation. december is such a roll of the dice, at least in november you expect things to be complete crap. but by december you really have your hopes up and want some good snow. best of luck what ever you decide.