Question: Tahoe (Heavenly) vs. Colorado (Keystone)

[khill84]

Trying to plan a trip out west with my Mom for mid-March and can't decide between Keystone, CO or Tahoe (right by Heavenly). My Mom is an advanced skier and I'm intermediate, but we both like pretty intermediate terrain and prefer rolling blues over double blacks any day . Can anyone speak to which location would suit us better for a mid-March weeklong trip? Thanks!!

 

[SueBobTexas]

Trying to plan a trip out west with my Mom for mid-March and can't decide between Keystone, CO or Tahoe (right by Heavenly). My Mom is an advanced skier and I'm intermediate, but we both like pretty intermediate terrain and prefer rolling blues over double blacks any day . Can anyone speak to which location would suit us better for a mid-March weeklong trip? Thanks!!

Depending on which week you are going you will need to watch out for Texas Spring Break. Sad to say the Texan's tend to take over Colorado during the second/third week of March most years. For some reason not as many go to Tahoe - If you are going the first or last week of March that should not matter.

Another consideration might be altitude. I find Tahoe easier than Keystone for altitude sickness consideration. I don't have problems in Utah either - it just seems to be Colorado although Beaver Creek last year was not too bad.

If you are on the South Side you can still catch a bus to Squaw or Kirkwood to ski in addition to Heavenly. Both are excellent mountains with great Black/Blue options close together. Bus to Kirkwood was $5 last year and I think Squaw bus was free - don't know about this year.

You may want to consider Utah also - they have a great selection of slopes close together - nice for a change if you are going somewhere for a week.

 

[abc]

Heavenly any day over Keystone!

Scenery is way better at Heavenly, that million dollar view of Lake Tahoe from Heavenkly... nothing to write home about at Keystone.

There're many other resorts in Colorado, depending on your preference, that might be worthy competition of Heavenly. I think Vail is great for intermediate to advance skiers. Beaver Creek also got lots of well-groomed cruiser (and more). Those would be my most favorate if I'm in the mood of easy cruising. But Keystone is not one of them.

Sorry, I'm biased. Keystone is simply my least favorate amoungst all Colorado resorts. Heavenly also have tons of intermediate cruiser. It does get busy on weekends though.

 

[khill84]

Thanks for the extremely helpful advice!! We would be staying on the south side of Tahoe right by the Heavenly gondola. Is that a good area to be for dining and other activities aside from skiing? Thanks!!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Is that a good area to be for dining and other activities aside from skiing? Thanks!!

Absolutely! It's surrounded. I did this some years ago, was one of the most fun ski vacations I ever had. We also did Sierra-at-Tahoe and Kirkwood. Totally awesome ski trip. And I actually came out ahead $1.00! (the gambling is everywhere on the NV side - beware!) Could be some "name" entertainment at one of the casinos while you're there as well - do some online checking! Hope you choose this - if so, let us know how it was.