Family Skiing

[Mauleflyer]

I'm looking to take the family to a different place this year. We usually go to Killington for a week and Sugar Loaf for a week. Still going to the Loaf but would like to try something different then Killington. Thinking about Stowe, Smuggler's Notch, or Okemo. There has to be all around terrain for my wife and daughter. Any suggestions on which is better? Also any lodging suggestions? Pool is important for the daughter.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[shwilly]

I would split your week between Smuggs and Stowe. They have a large variety of terrain, they're close to each other, and with that many days you can figure out which one is more your style.

 

[PA Ridge Racer]

Never been but Smuggs is supposed to be the "family" area. It seems they really market to families unlike any other of the major players.

 

[wa-loaf]

You can't really beat Smuggs for family activities. The have a couple teen activity centers/clubs with games and dancing. They'll send you a free DVD of all their amenities if you ask them.

 

[castlerock]

Smuggs is great as a family area, and has great skiing. Will it be a holiday week? If so, you could have long waits at the the antiquated lifts.

I'd put Sugarbush on your list. But I am partial. The beauty of Sugarbush is that it is in the Northern snowbelt, it has a great lift system, and two mountains to spread traffic on. Really no lift lines.

 

[bobbutts]

Okemo is good for families too unless some of the family are experts It beats the out of the other places if you want tons of groomed blue cruisers imo. Not for everyone, but great if you like that kind of thing. It loses big though for natural snow, steeps, non cruising terrain, etc.

Everyone says Smuggs is great for families.

 

[Mauleflyer]

Stowe is looking good. Any suggestions on where to stay?

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

SMUGGS....SMUGGS....SMUGGS, we just booked a week in Jan (supersaver week) and this is our 3rd year...they know how to do it, great terrain for all (expert **Robins Run etc** to gentle cruisers) We get up there on a Friday night and do not touch the car in 5 days...we get a slope side condo, so most meals are in the condo, i walk my 2yr old up to Treasures day care in the morning and you can ski right to the door during the day and check on them via 2 way mirrors..the day care is located half way up the ski slope (genius) and my 5 yr old has been in the ski school since she was 3 and all she talks about is SMUGGS!!! they love it....great base area, indoor pool/hot tubs/indoor fun zone for the kids....its a great time, PM me if you need more info, there are supersaver weeks that can save you a ton of cash,,,,,,,,STOWE and Smuggs is 45-1hr away and if you are traveling with little ones its a whole lot easier to stay right there at Smuggs...there is plenty of terrain that will keep your blood pressure up!!!! Great laid back, old school New England resort,,,,

 

[WWF-VT]

Stowe is looking good. Any suggestions on where to stay?

There are a variety of lodging options at Stowe. We have stayed at Mountainside Condominiums at Stowe. Offers two bedroom condos and has an indoor pool and is halfway between the village and the mountain. Grey Fox Inn is an alternate that also offes an indoor pool.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

alot will depend on the ages of your kid/s

 

[billski]

alot will depend on the ages of your kid/s

and how much you want to spend...

 

[Mauleflyer]

I really appreciate everyones responses. It is a great help. We plan to go third week of January so it shouldn't be hoilday time. That's when we usually go to Killington. I have had some pretty bad snow conditions at time of the year so I usually have my findger crossed. Price is important but its only a family of three. One bedroom condo would be great but not necessary. Hotels are also an option if it has a bar/resteraunt. Okema sounds good for the wife as she is a intermediate skier only. She will not even look at a black diamond. Wide trails are also important to her.

 

[xiangdang]

I am planning my first family trip to Sugarloaf for this Christmas holidays, and have done some research from k2trav site, which recommends Snowbrook or Snowflower condos. I am not sure whether the Snowbrook trail (to the Snubber base station) will be skiable by the late December, or I should choose condos at or above the Snubber midstation. Any advice?
Thanks!

 

[MRGisevil]

If you can manage it, try and spend a day out at Bretton Woods. Really great laid back, cruiser mountain with a nice family vibe.

 

[Brettski]

I love smuiggs

How old is the kid?

Just a word though...smuggs is out there

There's not really a lot once you leave the village

But if you want good terrain, great ski school, "funzone", pools, and want ski in ski out condos that are really nicely appointed, then it's smuggs

By all means go to the web site and ask for the dvd

 

[campgottagopee]

For family you really need to look hard at Smuggs. They make it easy for parents to have a good time knowing their kids are in good hands. Once at the Village you wont need to leave unless you want to. It's a real vacation.

 

[TeleMac]

Not to rain on the Smuggs parade, but the "slope side" condos are a bit of a misnomer for skiers of black diamonds and even blues. Yes, you can ski right on to the slopes, but 100% of the challenging trails are located on Madonna and Sterling, a tedious 20 minute chair ride or a 10 minute drive away. As a practical result, you cannot just "pop into the condo" for lunch or those that are doing XC. Similarly, all lessons for advanced skiiers are at Madonna and Sterling. So getting the experienced grommet to lessons involves the aforementioned schlep.

That said, the SuperSaver deal is a huge bargain. We were there for 3-4 days during St. Patty's week last year and found few crowds and excellent conditions. I would recommend splittng your time with 3 or 4 days at Stowe (we enjoyed the Golden Eagle resort -- great pool for kids and centrally located), Sugabush or MRG. In effect, Smuggs subsidizes your trip to those pricier areas.

TeleMac

 

[campgottagopee]

Not to rain on the Smuggs parade, but the "slope side" condos are a bit of a misnomer for skiers of black diamonds and even blues. Yes, you can ski right on to the slopes, but 100% of the challenging trails are located on Madonna and Sterling, a tedious 20 minute chair ride or a 10 minute drive away. As a practical result, you cannot just "pop into the condo" for lunch or those that are doing XC. Similarly, all lessons for advanced skiiers are at Madonna and Sterling. So getting the experienced grommet to lessons involves the aforementioned schlep.

That said, the SuperSaver deal is a huge bargain. We were there for 3-4 days during St. Patty's week last year and found few crowds and excellent conditions. I would recommend splittng your time with 3 or 4 days at Stowe (we enjoyed the Golden Eagle resort -- great pool for kids and centrally located), Sugabush or MRG. In effect, Smuggs subsidizes your trip to those pricier areas.

TeleMac

Just wondering what chair you're taking that takes 20 minutes?? Also, if you turn left out of the main entrance it's only maybe 2miles to the upper parking lot. 10 minutes??? mayde 3 at best.

 

[Brettski]

I timed it, and the longest chair is a 12 minute ride to the top of Madonna

From the Condo's, you pop out, ski down to the Morse lift, maybe a 10 minute lift

Get off lift make a lift and let the ski's run on the cross over trail

Boom, other side

Getting back?

No big deal, you do the same in reverse

back in Morse, lift up, hop off at the mid station,

Ski down to the condo

Or drive, which is more of pain if you want to come back for lunch

Or take the shuttle

Me, I ski

 

[TeleMac]

Race you!

Sensitive, sensitive. The cross-over trails back and forth are butally flat. And I thought the idea of ski-on condos was that you don't have to drive to the slopes. Ever. I stand by my comments. TM