If money is no object...

[roxie]

Where would be the best place to stay for a beginning young family of five in Stowe?

Or where would be the best place to ski/stay in VT?

Thanks

 

[Brettski]

A beginning family...I highly suggest Smuggler's Notch

What are the ages?

But I would wait until we get some snow

Now smuggler's is not going to be as glitzy as Stratton, Sugarbush, Stowe, and there is precious little off mountain...it has a very local feel. But they have the "fun zone" for the kids, and they entertain a lot at the mountain...

For me a ski week is about skiing and family. We also like to cook in out own condo (all slopeside) instead of eating out...usually to toast anyway...but that's just me

And in any case, it's one of the best ski school programs around....

Now, if skiing isn't the emphasis, and you want more "stuff", try the other places

Go request a free dvd

http://www.smuggs.com/pages/winter/request-brochure.php

 

[roxie]

I don't disagree with you as I've been to Smuggs for 5 years in a row but I'm asking for a friend that does want the glitz of a Stowe or Stratton. I've never stayed at any of the high end lodging at these places and was looking for some suggestions.

 

[gores95]

If money was no object in Stowe then the Green Mountain Inn, Topnotch or Stoweflake. All three very nice though not right on the mountain.

If money was really no object for a family and you wanted a true family mountain closer to the big cities I would vote for Jackson Gore at Okemo or Rising Bear Lodge and Long Trail House at Stratton. Both are very pricey but newish and nice.

Smuggs is also VERY expensive, with pricey all-inclusive packages (not food) but harder to get to. Not sure where you're traveling from.

Can't go wrong at any of these.

 

[nelsapbm]

In Stowe, my choice would be the Trapp Family Lodge. No doubt.

 

[ccskier]

If he really wants the Glitz and Glam. You can already start renting some of the mountain Cabins on Spruce. They are not resort like, but are pretty amazing. I used to work at the Stowehof, pretty decent, scandavian type of place. Great food. Topnotch is nice, but kind of over rated. I would lean more towards Stoweflake over Topnotch. Same glitz slightly less expensive.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

SMUGGS!!! We went last year (wife/me/3yr old and 1yr old) the facilities are top notch, the staff is fantastic, the ski school is unbelievable, the day care is ridicilious, and the terrian is great too!! we are headed back in Jan.....great family spot,,,we didnt touch the car in 5 days

 

[Gpaul]

Aspen, Vail, Beaver Creek and Sun Valley. Better yet, Yellowstone private club.

St. Moritz, Zermatt, Cortina.

Just kidding..... How about Tremblant?

In VT, for glitz, and a good mountain to boot, Stratton.

Cheers!

 

[RISkier]

In Stowe, my choice would be the Trapp Family Lodge. No doubt.

Though not real convenient to the slopes or other village restaurants and amenities, I'd second the Trapp Family Lodge. The lodge seems to be pretty child friendly. We've been spending a week in one of the time shares there every year (not one of the high end Villas). Whenever we go up to the actual lodge we always see lots of children. My wife and I were not impressed by the village at Stratton but it would no doubt be more convenient for skiing than someplace like Trapp Family Lodge. Smuggs always gets rave reviews as far as family programs. The little we've been there we've noticed many things that are really designed for children. Of course, given that I'm kind of an old scroodge, I think of it as kind of a Disneyesqe feel.

 

[JD]

Von Trapps. The family from the sound of music that has a really nice scene on some of the nicestest realestate in VT. Von Trapp Family Lodge.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

No place does it for little kids like Smuggs. Family vacations are the niche they've carved out for themselves and they've done it very well.

 

[Brettski]

Well they've dismissed smuggs and have been there ffor 5 years.

For a young beginner family, I'm not sure how you can say beginner if you've done that, and after 5 years, I would say the youngest must be 9 now...my kids after 3 years of ski camp at smuggs are now tearing up the NE...diamonds at Jay, you name it...

So.....


We need some background as to the age of the kids (not you of course) and their level of ability, and from where you hail (live) to give you a better idea of where to go...

Me personally, I'd go to Lake Placid

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

suck it up and head to Deer Valley.....

 

[FridayHiker]

Well they've dismissed smuggs and have been there ffor 5 years.

For a young beginner family, I'm not sure how you can say beginner if you've done that, and after 5 years, I would say the youngest must be 9 now...my kids after 3 years of ski camp at smuggs are now tearing up the NE...diamonds at Jay, you name it...

I think you misread it? Roxie said that he/she agrees that Smuggs would be good as he/she had been there five years in a row, but was asking for someone else who definitely was looking for glitz. That's how I read it at least.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

just curious, why is 'glitz' important??

 

[Jean-Pierre Skier]

Why glitzy? I started a rant, but pulled back. Let's give the new family the benefit of the doubt. By glitzy, I'm thinking they mean they'd like to ski at an upscale resort that has activities other than skiing and drinking beer out of mason jars. Personally, that sounds like the perfect vaction to me, but different strokes...

If walking around in ridiculous furry boots is what they're looking for, Stratton is the best bet. They have a nice base village, decent restaurants, good beginner terrain, great ski instructors, and convenient, ritzy lodging. Plus, Manchester is a short drive away with lots of shopping and restaurants.

 

[deadheadskier]

as someone who lived and worked in Stowe off and on for eight years, I think I'm pretty qualified to answer this question.

If I was taking a family, but also had a need to appease an interest in glitz and night life, I'd choose the Stoweflake. The restaurants there have better food for families than Trapps for the money and the accommodations are more centrally located to the night life. They have a spa that equals that of Top Notch as well as a decent game room for kids.

While Trapps does have a certain ambiance due to the Sound of Music ties and amazing architecture, I think the Stoweflake does a better job at being all things to all kinds of clientele. The location is its biggest advantage, especially with the trolley service in town.

If I was just going as a couple though, my choice would be the Stowehof hands down. That place has the most character of any ski lodge you will find ANYWHERE and fantastic food. Of course, I'm slightly biased having worked there for several years.

For families, I say Stoweflakes the choice

 

[Jean-Pierre Skier]

What nighlife is at Stowe. Someone quoted some ski industry rag that suggested Stowe was numero uno for nightlife. Have these people ever seen the Killington Access Road??? Other than the Rusty Nail, what else is up there at Stowe for nightlife? Just curious.

 

[RISkier]

What nighlife is at Stowe. Someone quoted some ski industry rag that suggested Stowe was numero uno for nightlife. Have these people ever seen the Killington Access Road??? Other than the Rusty Nail, what else is up there at Stowe for nightlife? Just curious.

That would be my take. Stowe has terrific restaurants and we think the Matterhorn is a terrific after ski bar. But, except for the Rusty Nail, I think the sidewalks roll up fairly early. Don't think of it as "

 

[ccskier]

The Rusty Nail has changed over the years. I left the area about 5 years ago, just after that there was a change in ownership. The old owner had a decent booking person to get some talent in there just about every weekend during the season. Now nothing. Matterhorn is more relaxing place.

As Deadhead and I both mentioned Stowehof would be nice. It is owned by the Grimes family now and they are very attentive to ones needs. Their food is excellent, but my be kind of iffy for the kids. Just order them a pizza from Pie Casso and the husband and wife will have a great meal and a very extensive wine list, pretty "Glitzy"