Recommend A Ski Area

[SnowRider]

If you were to have a chance to recommend one ski area whta would it be. This ski area needs to be for the whole family. Steep for the father and older kids. Blue squares for the younger daughter and wife. (NO OFFENSE TO ANY SKI MOMS!)

It will be intresting to see what people put down.

SnowRider

 

[SkiDog]

If you were to have a chance to recommend one ski area whta would it be. This ski area needs to be for the whole family. Steep for the father and older kids. Blue squares for the younger daughter and wife. (NO OFFENSE TO ANY SKI MOMS!)

It will be intresting to see what people put down.

SnowRider

East: I'd say maybe Okemo? Killington?

West: I'd say Brekenridge

 

[ALLSKIING]

Sugarbush fits the bill.

 

[Vortex]

Waterville if non skiing issues were important also. shopping no need for a car once you arrive. fireworks, sleigh rides, lounges, multiple dining options,arcade all at a base village. Shuttle to the mountain everything else you can walk to.

Ski Reasons 1 base area, Nice park system, Some steeps plenty of Blue runs. Shutlles come and go as you please even in the parking lot. Destination feel only 15 miles off a major highway.

I would not go here every time, but a nice get away.

I visit here on weekend nights even though I ski Loon.

 

[SkiDog]

oops I shouldve put Pico instead of Killington...all the trails funneling to one spot makes for easier finding of family members......maybe not the steeps at Pico..but it is a nice mountain.

M

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

If you were to have a chance to recommend one ski area whta would it be. This ski area needs to be for the whole family. Steep for the father and older kids. Blue squares for the younger daughter and wife. (NO OFFENSE TO ANY SKI MOMS!)

It will be intresting to see what people put down.

SnowRider

Are you looking for a day trip, weekend or week vacation? How far are you willing to travel?

 

[jackstraw]

EC...cannon
WC...targhee

 

[ChileMass]

You're in central Mass, so am I - so here's my opinion:

Near and cheap: Waterville. Good sized hill with some interesting terrain. Good family setup. Not cheap-cheap, but won't break the bank like some others.

Near and top-shelf: Mount Snow or Okemo. Either can be as plush as you want to make it.

Far and cheap: Whiteface (Lake Placid, NY) or Mont Orford, Quebec. Orford is the less expensive option, and is somewhat closer. There are accomodations in Lake Placid or Saranac Lake that are fine without being 4-star. And Lake Placid has so much great family off-mountain stuff to do.

Far and top-shelf: Tremblant or Stowe.

 

[loafer89]

Sugarloaf would fit the bill nicely, but it is not exactly close to anywhere. The place is very family friendly and has a self contained ski in-ski out village. I would not recommend visiting the place before mid-February to ensure above zero weather and good snow.

It'a a huge mountain with 2,600' of continuous vertical and challenge for all skiing abilities, without any of the crowds that come with comprable mountains closer to where you are.

 

[riverc0il]

Steep for the father and older kids. Blue squares for the younger daughter and wife.

Most major mountains over 1000' vertical would fit this bill (as you will have noticed by the answers so far of varying types of ski areas). I need more criteria and needs/desires of the family to make a recommendation.

 

[Zand]

Sugarbush is pretty good for this. Killington would also be good, but a cell phone or walkie talkie is a must if you want to find anyone again. I lost my Uncle there when I was 10 and believe me, it's not fun searching. Okemo and Stratton are good. In NH, Bretton Woods, Waterville, and maybe Loon fit this.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

I think BW would be a great choice but due to lack of steep/challenging terrain I think by noon Dad and the kids would be on the road heading somewhere else.
http://forums.alpinezone.com/gallery/data/515/MWH_BrettonWoods_lr.jpg

 

[awf170]

I think BW would be a great choice but due to lack of steep/challenging terrain I think by noon Dad and the kids would be on the road heading somewhere else.
http://forums.alpinezone.com/gallery/data/515/MWH_BrettonWoods_lr.jpg

Are you sure that isn't a golf course?:wink:

 

[RISkier]

I'd say Alta but would make the recommendation on some conditions. Alta has some very easy greens and some cruisy blues off the sugarloaf lift. There are groomed blues off every lift. The whole layout offers an opportunity for folks of almost ability level to dial in the difficulty level they want. The conditions: There's not much in Alta off the slopes, if you're staying there for several days I'm not sure everyone would be happy with the available off slope activities. There's not a lot of green terrain and if your the kind of folks that want to do lots of different runs it might not keep the groomer skiers happy for multiple days. The lodges are just day lodges, there's nothing fancy at Alta.

 

[thetrailboss]

Burke. Enough said.

 

[riverc0il]

Burke. Enough said.

That was my first thought as well, great family mountain. But does the family need nearby commerce for Mom? Near slope activities for the kids? Where is the family coming from and how long of a drive can the kids tolerate? How long of a drive can the parents tolerate listening to the kids? :razz: What time of year is the trip planned for? Are snow dependability and maximum snow making going to be a need based on time of year? Do the parents want Apres with available childcare or after ski activities for the kids? Posh lodging? I am still awaiting further clarification from SnowRider before putting in my two sense worth. No one ski area could possibly meet every family's needs.

 

[Ski Diva]

I agree with Ski Dog:

Okemo in the East, Breckenridge in the West. Neither are too crazy or extreme, both have good kids' programs, and both have a number of accessible base lodges if you want to stop skiing and take a break.

Here's one more: Smuggler's Notch. It's noted for its children's programs. I don't know this first hand, but that's its rep. It'd be worth checking out.

 

[kingslug]

I'd say Alta but would make the recommendation on some conditions. Alta has some very easy greens and some cruisy blues off the sugarloaf lift. There are groomed blues off every lift. The whole layout offers an opportunity for folks of almost ability level to dial in the difficulty level they want. The conditions: There's not much in Alta off the slopes, if you're staying there for several days I'm not sure everyone would be happy with the available off slope activities. There's not a lot of green terrain and if your the kind of folks that want to do lots of different runs it might not keep the groomer skiers happy for multiple days. The lodges are just day lodges, there's nothing fancy at Alta.

Then there's always Solitude, or head to Co. for Vail. If you can't find what you want at Vail then you aren't looking hard enough. A liitle on the big side if you get seperated though. Hunter and Belleayre would fit the bill for the east. Hunter has something for everyone.

 

[MikeTrainor]

Wildcat, staying in North Conway would be my choice. While not my favorite Loon would be another good choice

 

[SnowRider]

The family is willing to drive up to about the tip of Vermont. There does not need to be a lot of night life. They don't want a large mountain that is very crowded. Dad and kids would like some nice glades...

SnoRider