Where to go?

[Gurus]

Here is the setup...my buddy and I are coming up to VT March 5 - 7. Neither of us have ever been to VT, so we are clueless as to where to go. Our initial plan was to stay in Rutland and ski Okemo, Pico and something further North. Rutland was picked as I get a discount at Holiday Inn, there is one there and it seemed like a good central location.

Further research really has us interested in places such as Smuggs, Stowe, etc. My question is, if you were us and had three days to ski in VT, where would you ski?

-He is a skiier, I am a boarder.
-He is a solid intermediate that loves making big, fast turns on groomers and less steep glades, I am solid intermediate and pretty much enjoy the same.
-Bumps are not part of either of our repetoires.
-We both loathe crowds and typically ski mid-week exclusively.
-On mountain dining, services, etc. do not matter

If we stick to Rutland, google maps have the Northern resorts 90+ minutes away. I can get a discount in Burlington, so that could be option.

Any help would be appreciated!!!!

 

[billski]

If money was no object, I'd do a world tour:
Sugarbush, Stowe, Jay

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

i'd go to Burlington and Ski Stowe/Smuggs.....

 

[nelsapbm]

Stay at the Comfort Inn in St. Johsnbury. They have special ski packages. From there, ski Jay and Burke. The next day, head over to either Smuggs or Sugarbush. Grab a room somewhere after that for the night (Burlington area would be a good bet).
Burke hardly gets mentioned as it's not a "big name" - it's a great ski area and if you're a solid intermediate you'll love the place. Awesome cruisers, nice woods, and very small (if any) crowds.
Have a great time whatever you decide.

 

[Gurus]

Thanks

thanks for all the info folks....keep 'em coming!!

 

[wintersyndrome]

If money was no object, I'd do a world tour:
Sugarbush, Stowe, Jay

I'll second the motion
...all in favor...

 

[Brettski]

Where are you coming from?

You can't get to smuggs through the pass in the winter, you have to around the Mountain

I would stay in Burlington...good town

My picks would be Smuggs, Stowe, Jay

You have better access from that location to these Mountains...Rutland's a haul to these places

And KMart on a weekend would be a zoo

What have you skiied before for comaprisons?

My guess is you're from Jersey somewhere

 

[Gurus]

Brett...

We'll be coming up from Harrisburg, PA.

Burlington sounds like a good pick...plus the Holiday Inn discount makes the rooms cheaper there than in Rutland.

Yea, Killington was never on the radar....we'll be skiing Mon - Wed so crowds should not be a factor, right?

Our home mountain is Ski Roundtop....Tougher Eastern mountains skiied would include Hunter and Blue Knob. Our trip last year was summit county CO. Enjoyed Loveland(Zip Basin area, especially), spent a bunch of time in Blue Sky Basin at Vail, also the less steep tree sections on Peak 7 at Breck

 

[Brettski]

Well it's gonna be a haul either way

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/...z=&2y=US&2l=&2g=&2pn=&2pl=&2v=&2ffi=&2ex=&2n=

Ever think about Lake Placid? Great town and Mountain..saves you about 1 hour...you could even stop at Gore onthe way up

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/...2v=&2n=&2pn=&2a=&2c=Lake+Placid&2s=NY&2z=&r=f

 

[Gurus]

funny thing

This trip started as an Adirondack trip but somehow morphed into VT.

 

[nelsapbm]

Since you are staying in Burlington...if you're at the Holiday Inn on Williston Road go next door (practically) to the Alpine Shop and pick up discounted lift tix to Sugarbush. The next day head ot either Mad River (unless you are on boards), Stowe (be ready to shell out big bucks), or Smuggs. Jay is also an option from Burlington.
If you'd like restaurant/bar recs for Burlington as well, let me know.

 

[billski]

discount?

Since you are staying in Burlington...if you're at the Holiday Inn on Williston Road go next door (practically) to the Alpine Shop and pick up discounted lift tix to Sugarbush. The next day head ot either Mad River (unless you are on boards), Stowe (be ready to shell out big bucks), or Smuggs. Jay is also an option from Burlington.
If you'd like restaurant/bar recs for Burlington as well, let me know.

How much do they discount the Bush tix?

 

[nelsapbm]

Tix are $59.

http://www.sugarbush.com/skiandride/cm.asp?pn=discounttickets&pid=132&nid=82

Looks like you can buy them right at the Holiday Inn too.