Where to go 1/22-1/25, Suggestions wanted.

[prisnah]

My girlfriend and I both have a long weekend next week. Our passes at SR are blacked out on the 24th and we both wanna hit somewhere different. Right now I'm looking at Saddleback, Jay, Sugarloaf, and Stowe (MRV is an option too, just haven't looked into it too much). We're trying to keep it under $800 or so for lodging and tix. Saddleback is gonna be about that and I can get some $ off at the Loaf because we both have passes. I'd prefer Jay or Stowe, but Jay seems to only have condos available those days and that's too pricey for my wallet and we all know about $towe.

That being said, I would prefer to stay on mountain because she doesn't like getting out there till 10 or so and I'm a first chair to last chair type of guy. But, it all boils down to cost so I'm looking at area lodging as well, but having trouble finding places that have ski and stay packages. We would also like to be walking distance to good bars and restaurants if possible. Any suggestions or deals out there I don't know about? B and B's I haven't heard of? Discounts, promos, whatever? Anyone got anything?

 

[tipsdown]

Saddleback is still probably your best option from what I can tell. The Loon Lodge normally has a great value for a ski and stay in Rangeley (and it's a nice, cool place) and is about 10 minutes from the base lodge. I think you can book it right through the mountain. And it's tough to beat the overall value when you factor in the skiing. The snow is great up there right now too. So you'll have some top notch terrain to pick from. Plus, it probably won't be as crowded as Stowe or Jay.

 

[prisnah]

Thanks, I was looking at the Loon Lodge actually, good to hear the conditions are good up there now , I really wanna check out the new lift up there too. Although, I'm a little hesitant to commit to Saddleback because it's somewhere i regularly have a chance to get to being a fairly short drive from Bethel, whereas the others aren't.

It's looking more and more like Sugarloaf at this point since it's about 50% cheaper than Saddleback and there's more to do at night.

I should mention that I'm not concerned about crowds at all, especially at Stowe and Jay because theres so much slackcountry there, not to mention there are never crowds in the trees anywhere. Long liftlines suck, but I find they're only long at very specific times of day and are fairly easy to avoid anywhere.

Keep 'em coming folks....I'm hoping someone knows of a decent inn/B&B that has a sweet ski and stay package and is within 5 miles of SL, Stowe, Jay Peak, Saddleback or the MRV.


*just to add, I have been to all of the above, however, my girlfriend has not yet been to Stowe, Jay, or anywhere in the MRV. She has been to Saddleback and SL with me within the last year.

 

[from_the_NEK]

I'm not even going to say Burke since no one ever takes my advice :roll:.

The Lynburke Lodge (motel) is a decent cheap option. No frills (not a B&B) but it is close to the largest town in the area. They have a pretty good ski and stay package which looks to be about about $500 for both of you to ski three days and stay three nights.http://www.lynburkemotel.com/packages/index.html

Only problem is that there is only one restaurant/tavern within walking distance.

Other options:
Moonlight Inn B&B (No Ski and stay packages but affordable) walking distance to one bar.
http://www.moonlightinnvermont.com/index.html

Lyndon Motor Lodge (again not a B&B but affordable) No bars within walking distance.
http://www.lyndonmotorlodge.com/specials.html

 

[prisnah]

hmmm...never been to Burke and it's definitely somewhere I'd like to check out, just concerned there wouldn't be quite enough there to keep me entertained for 3 days. There's some good BC around there if I'm thinking of the right mountain though??, and I suppose we could stay in Lyndonville and ski Burke 1-2 days and hit up Jay the other since it's less than an hour away...I really didn't wanna do any driving if possible however. Something to consider for sure though, thanks.

Keep 'em coming guys. Still looking like the Loaf is the best option to meet our specifications.....that very well may change if Hotel Jay has open rooms they aren't listing on their website though, or if someone has a short $ lodging option at Stowe. Ticket prices aren't really an issue since I get discounts through mountain sports club or I can pick up an issue of TransWorld for cheap Stowe tix.

Edit: As of last night Saddleback is out...probably be there for a day trip this Saturday if we feel like driving from Bethel, otherwise i'll be at Mt. Abram since I'm blacked out at SR that day.

Edit #2: The more I think about it, Burke is certainly a solid contender.