Which Resort in VT?

[Skinner]

Hi - new member here...

I am trying to decide which resort to go to in VT for a week long vacation in mid-March. We have kids and our oldest is 4 so we will send him to the ski school for at least 1 day (depending on how he likes it). My wife and I each ski a half day (take turns) while the other watches the kids so slopeside lodging or short walk to slopes is preferable to maximize our skiing time. Oh, and it needs to be at least a 1BR condo.

Been to Stratton several times, which I love for the skiing but not much else, and would like to try something else. Have also skiied Killington, Okemo, Mount Snow/Haystack and not opposed to any of them. Smuggs interests me, but the slow lifts concern me since each of us will only have about 3 hours of skiing per day.

Leaning towards Okemo but would love to hear others recommendations or special deals out there that anybody knows about.

Thanks

 

[Talisman]

You may want to add Sugarbush to your list. Sugarbush has a number of condos in the base area at South and has two high speed quads out of the base.

Okemo is another choice with reliable snow making and grooming if that is importatnt to you.

A sleeper may be Pico as there are a number of condos in the base, two HSQ to ski from a less crowded than Okemo.

 

[Rushski]

I'll second Pico.

Smuggs would be great for the family, especially with their kid-friemdly atmosphere...

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

Smugglers Notch

I have a 4yr old (goes to Ski Camp--cant drag her away from it at the end of the day) and a 20mo old and goes to (Child Care-beautiful facilty)..they have it all for families up there..indoor Fun Zone/Indoor Pool/Hot tub, Ice Skating, Tubing (all free) we didnt toucht the car in 5 days.... This was our 2nd yr back and we already booked for next year.....we went in Jan and got the SuperSaver rates......great terrain (dont know what kind of skiiers you all are) for all levels....the child care is slope side, a bunch of ski in/ski out condos....its great.

 

[Brettski]

You don't say how many kids

Week long vacation?

Need a condo? How about slopside? How about the best ski school in the East?

Sounds like you want more off Mountain activity...ok, so that's a problem, unless you don't mind a 40 minute drive

In any case, a young family that want's to get into skiing?

Smuggs!!!!

Took my family there for 4 years in a row...I could barely get them to leave ski school...if it wasn't for the fun zone...

And hey, they have Mogul Mouse

Go to this web site, and register for the free DVD tour..it'll come in a couple of weeks

http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/the_beatles/i_me_mine.html

Sorry to sound like a commercial

The "downside" is the lack of overpriced glitzy shops/restaurants/ect....you are in VT

 

[Brettski]

Oh, and the condos are sweet

The master bedroom with the in room 2 person Jacuzzi and the floor to ceiling mirrors...

Um, never mind

 

[Newpylong]

Pico

 

[haines]

Smuggs,Smuggs

It's a real escape!

 

[Skinner]

Smuggs sounds and looks great. I am sure the kids (4, 2, 6mo) would love it. But I have heard that the lifts are very slow. Since our skiing time is limited (1/2 day each) I didn't want to be slowed down by the slow lifts. Is this a legit concern?

 

[wa-loaf]

"Go to this web site, and register for the free DVD tour..it'll come in a couple of weeks

http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/the_beatles/i_me_mine.html"


Um, are sure that's the correct link?:wink:

 

[Brettski]

For the love of....

Here it is

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

Why are you only going t ski 1/2 day?

Ski school is from 9-3 for the year old. the 2 year old and 6 mos will be in day care

I'd rather ski a whole day and take off another then ski 1/2

Slow lifts...hmmm, is 15 minutes too long?

Also you don't mention your ability level

You can't beat smuggs slopeside if you are on Morse

 

[Skinner]

We each ski half day each so the other can stay with the kids. Day care for 2 kids would be very expensive plus the fact that our oldest may not want to go to the ski school everyday.

Us splitting up the day has actually has worked out well. We ski much differently - we are both intermediates but I like to ski fast whereas she likes to take her time down the mtn - so I probably get more skiing in a 1/2 day by myself than a whole day with her and she gets to go at her own pace.

As for the lifts, I guess have gotten used to high speed lifts where it takes half the time to get up the mtn. Maybe I am overthinking it.......

Thanks all for the advice.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

actually ski school at smuggs is 9-4:30!!!!

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

dont know if they are running the supersaver rates (you can ask) but our daycare was 1/2 off the normal price...and the ski school is so good, your kid will not want to leave and will be begging to go back the next day.....I personlly like the lifts at smuggs and have no issue that they arent "high speed" it keeps the old new england charm of the place...you cant beat Smuggs....they are #1 for families for a reason.

 

[Talisman]

Smuggs is a great ski area and you should have decent base of snow by mid-March. Smuggs also has trouble recovering from a thaw and refreeze cycle because it lacks the snowmaking power of other places you are mulling over.

 

[TwinTips21]

I'm not sure about the lifts at smuggs but I feel skiing isn't great when I cant take laps on a high speed quad. So if you feel that way too don't settle for a place with crawling lifts, as you most likely will not enjoy yourself.

 

[MarkC]

Slow lifts = less crowded trails. I would go to smuggs.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

the lifts arent that slow and they are below tree line so they are not affected by wind...