Where to stay & ski? Sugarloaf, Killington....???

[SUGARBOWL]

Yeah, lift tickets were a consideration. But we got the accomadations for such a good deal it more than makes up for our tix budget. Plus we figire we can cut & paste enough coupons together to actually save money. One of the attractions at Killington was the discounted lift tix we could have received. At Sugarloaf we didn't find any such deals (maybe we didn't look hard enough).

With the Ski NH coupon book there are many deals where my 10 year old can ski free, plus added benefits (like a free order of fires & a coke at the lodge). For anyone unfamiliar with the program, at the 4th grade school level the students can create any project they wish to illustrate skiing in New Hampshire, and my daughter and I created a paper mache mountain with the "Evolution of Uphill Capacity" as the theme, including a replica of the Cranmore Skimobiles and the Cannon Tram (glue and popsicle sticks can go a long way). In return we get a coupon book that allows the 4th grader to ski free at basically any NH mountain, plus added discounts. Quite an innovative idea - it worked at keeping my money in the state!

Now if they can only figure out how to solve this education funding dillema we have...

 

[SUGARBOWL]

one suggestion.... do wildcat last because it is the hardest... then youll get the most out of it

Your right - good suggestion! :lol:

 

[deadheadskier]

Man, wish I was booking a vaca right now. Oh wait a minute, I just did yesterday - I'm going to California in September. Then again, certainly doesn't bring the excitement that a ski trip booking does.

On a side note - I cut my teeth as a youngster in and around the slopes of North Conway. My father worked in Boston, so it worked very well leaving from the city on a Friday and heading up north to the region.

Does anyone know if Cranmore still has the ski mobiles going up the mountain? As a kid those were the biggest thrill to me - felt like I was driving a car up the hill.

 

[SUGARBOWL]

Man, wish I was booking a vaca right now. Oh wait a minute, I just did yesterday - I'm going to California in September. Then again, certainly doesn't bring the excitement that a ski trip booking does.

On a side note - I cut my teeth as a youngster in and around the slopes of North Conway. My father worked in Boston, so it worked very well leaving from the city on a Friday and heading up north to the region.

Does anyone know if Cranmore still has the ski mobiles going up the mountain? As a kid those were the biggest thrill to me - felt like I was driving a car up the hill.

The cranmore skimobiles came down years ago, but can still be found in the local "establishments". When they dismantled it many a local pub scooped a skiddo as a display/momento. I believe that a high speeder is now in it's place.

I didn't mention Cranmore because it's such a small vert., but it is really a pretty decent mountain for families/beginners. We went once last year on a day trip and had a blast. It's very warm and sunny too, which helps w/little ones. Also, nice tans can be gotten on the deck of the summitt watering hole they sport
8)

 

[riverc0il]

one suggestion.... do wildcat last because it is the hardest... then youll get the most out of it

Your right - good suggestion! :lol:

i actually think that is a really bad idea. after three four days of skiing, you guys may be physically tired and/or hurting. probably not in the best shape to take advantage of the hardest mountain. if i was skiing multiple areas in one week, i would save the easiest for last and just cruise around. that is just my preference though. the stuff i ski takes a lot out of me physically and i wouldn't want to be saving it up for the last day, but i guess you have to pace yourself one way or the other. your milage my vary though. plus, you won't be able to take advantage of $20 sunday afternoon cruise then reduced tix the next day if you don't do it first though two-fer is on wednesday, so financially it is in your best interest for either sunday-monday or wednesday-thrusday.

 

[bvibert]

I agree with Steve, do the hardest first. It would suck if you weren't able to enjoy some of the best terrain on your itinerary because you're too tired.

 

[awf170]

okay, nvm with my answer steves makes sense(being 16 i never had fatiuge skiing ) But after thinking i think wildcat should be second and third day. One day to warm up and then wildcat, but then u cant get the sunday afternoon deal... so steves idea is the cheapest

and for further reference SUGARBOWL dont listen what i have to say :lol:

 

[Geoff]

Yeah, lift tickets were a consideration. But we got the accomadations for such a good deal it more than makes up for our tix budget. Plus we figire we can cut & paste enough coupons together to actually save money. One of the attractions at Killington was the discounted lift tix we could have received. At Sugarloaf we didn't find any such deals (maybe we didn't look hard enough).

With the Ski NH coupon book there are many deals where my 10 year old can ski free, plus added benefits (like a free order of fires & a coke at the lodge). For anyone unfamiliar with the program, at the 4th grade school level the students can create any project they wish to illustrate skiing in New Hampshire, and my daughter and I created a paper mache mountain with the "Evolution of Uphill Capacity" as the theme, including a replica of the Cranmore Skimobiles and the Cannon Tram (glue and popsicle sticks can go a long way). In return we get a coupon book that allows the 4th grader to ski free at basically any NH mountain, plus added discounts. Quite an innovative idea - it worked at keeping my money in the state!

Now if they can only figure out how to solve this education funding dillema we have...

Sugarloaf should price out much cheaper than Killington. If you can get to any of the fall ski shows, there's usually good lodging + ticket deals to be found midweek before President's week.

 

[VermontSkier]

Vermont

Full list of ski areas with descriptions and stats:

skiing

 

[tree_skier]

Re: The results area in...

.D The savings on sales tax alone adds up to 2 or 3 lift tix.

Just what are you paying $100 + in sales tax. NH has a room and meals tax like VT and Maine. The tax on lift tickets (which at most areas is already included in the price of 6%) would mean you are spending $6000.00 on purchased items ie tickets, skiis, boots etc which seems like alot.

Also Vermont has a fourth grade passport program where your fourth grader gets free skiing.

 

[SUGARBOWL]

Re: The results area in...

.D The savings on sales tax alone adds up to 2 or 3 lift tix.

Just what are you paying $100 + in sales tax. NH has a room and meals tax like VT and Maine. The tax on lift tickets (which at most areas is already included in the price of 6%) would mean you are spending $6000.00 on purchased items ie tickets, skiis, boots etc which seems like alot.

Also Vermont has a fourth grade passport program where your fourth grader gets free skiing.[/quote

Correct about the tax, no intent to mislead but the difference is the specific place I found and the deal I recieved - private rental - which I could have also found in Vt but just didn't find the right match. :roll:

My 4th grader is a fifth grader this year, but she should recieve a follow-up bonus book this year (at least that's what happened to my oldest when she was in fifth).

It really came down to what I was able to find and the right match-ups this year. Both states have great skiing, and if a certain relative of mine still had the cottage in Wilmington, we'd be going there (though Mt Snow is not my fav) :wink:

 

[bigbog]

I wouldn't suggest Killington for your situation for the reasons mentioned above. Crowds, poor trail design and lots of quirky intersections would undermine the experience

You're right on as far as the "quirky intersections" being the troublespots for accidents with young kids, especially early in the season when the full staff isn't always there...those intersections near the bottom...with the young kids kind of losing it and the out of control Beg-Ints as the afternoon's conditions ice up as snow is scraped off....

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Ski the Valley

You could do a slopeside condo at the Bush and purchase a Ski the Valley ski package which is actually alittle less than a regular Bush lift package so you could ski both mountains at the Bush and MRG.

On the downside the lodging and meals tax in Vermont is very high(9%) plus at the Bush there is a "resort fee" they tack on for all packages.

At the Bush and I assume others you have to pay the sales tax in addition to the lift tick price for day tickets.