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What do you look for in a ski vacation?
- Thread starter ski diva
- Start date
My first consideration in planning a big ski trip is how easy it is to get there. I first check out the front range resorts in CO and also the Utah resorts. I then look at when we are able to go and figure out where we will have the best chance of good weather - good snow coverage.
Here is a good chart for checking likely ski conditions and choosing when and where to go:
https://webpages.charter.net/tcrocker818/fam_ski.htm
Tony Crocker posts on the Barking Bear Epic Ski forum quite often. He has done all sorts of charts concerning weather, snow totals, etc.
I lurk there a lot!
Here is a good chart for checking likely ski conditions and choosing when and where to go:
https://webpages.charter.net/tcrocker818/fam_ski.htm
Tony Crocker posts on the Barking Bear Epic Ski forum quite often. He has done all sorts of charts concerning weather, snow totals, etc.
I lurk there a lot!
Lola
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
When going for a week-long ski vacation, in my family, slope-side is mandatory. So we ususally get a slope-side condo.
A typical day goes something like this:
7 am: rise and shine, coffee, tea, breakfast
8 am: suit up, walk outside the door, and hit the slopes
Noon: rondevous at the condo, disrobe down to your skiing underlayer, throw anything wet into the dryer, soup, salad and sandwiches for lunch
1 pm: suit up, walk outside the door, and hit the slopes
3 - 4 pm: various skiers wander back inside based upon energy level
4 pm: cocktail hour, hot tubbing, showers, horderves
6 pm: dinner and dishes
8 pm: movies, board games, card games, etc.
10 pm: most everyone is fast asleep
We do this for 4 or 5 days in a row. Great fun with no hassles. No parking, no lodges, no boot bags, no ski locks, no crowds, no expensive crappy food, no pushing, no shoving - just great skiing with great people.
So for us, slopeside is the primary factor (other than variety of terrain and weather conditions). Of course, we tend to get a large condo (4 bedrooms if possible) and invite lots of family and friends. Sometimes we have so many people you have to be careful where you step because someone might be sleeping underfoot.
So anyone want to join us this year? Hey Lil, how many do we have room for?
Lola
A typical day goes something like this:
7 am: rise and shine, coffee, tea, breakfast
8 am: suit up, walk outside the door, and hit the slopes
Noon: rondevous at the condo, disrobe down to your skiing underlayer, throw anything wet into the dryer, soup, salad and sandwiches for lunch
1 pm: suit up, walk outside the door, and hit the slopes
3 - 4 pm: various skiers wander back inside based upon energy level
4 pm: cocktail hour, hot tubbing, showers, horderves
6 pm: dinner and dishes
8 pm: movies, board games, card games, etc.
10 pm: most everyone is fast asleep
We do this for 4 or 5 days in a row. Great fun with no hassles. No parking, no lodges, no boot bags, no ski locks, no crowds, no expensive crappy food, no pushing, no shoving - just great skiing with great people.
So for us, slopeside is the primary factor (other than variety of terrain and weather conditions). Of course, we tend to get a large condo (4 bedrooms if possible) and invite lots of family and friends. Sometimes we have so many people you have to be careful where you step because someone might be sleeping underfoot.
So anyone want to join us this year? Hey Lil, how many do we have room for?
Lola
Lola
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
tcarey said:
Terry, Terry, Terry . . . . I'm with you. We all need snow. You know once Labor Day weekend is over, thoughts of skiing come to mind. And this forum makes me want to ski even more!
I am currently awaiting the Pugliese Cermonial Right of Fall when the Thule roof box comes out of the garage and moves onto the car. Phil got a new Subaru wagon this year with a vanity liscense plate that says "Skibaru". What's the official definition of an obsession? :D
Lola
dburdenbates
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
We like to plan our vacations to areas that have multiple mountains to ski and explore, or one really huge area. Park City is one of our favorite destinations since we can ski so many areas. For the same reason we like Summit County. Price and some sort of apres-ski is also a factor.
I love the Skibaru tag! My poor Subaru is nameless. :(
I love the Skibaru tag! My poor Subaru is nameless. :(
Right now we have a condo for the season at Mont Tremblant. But when we were travelling we looked for: 1. Terrain 2. Ease of getting there - air, land travel, 3. price 4. availability. Hubby and I travelled quite alot with a group from the Ottawa area. So these items were all looked after for us. We did 7 trips that way. If Hubby had had enough of me he could always ski with someone else from the group.
Bonni
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
We look for easy access if we're flying, and price. I know we're cheap. I'd rather spend a week in SLC than a day at Vail.
For that reason, we love Salt Lake City! Easy airport access, reasonable accomodations ($240 a week for a kitchen unit), and more than enough terrain/mountains to choose from.
Second best is Summit County. The public transportation can't be beat if you can get there from the airport without spending what you'd spend on a rental car. That's the only downer. It pays to have friends, though! (thank you, dear friends!)
If we're skiing the East and travelling, we can get pretty much anywhere within 3 hours, but if we stay over and ski another day, we like to do bed and breakfasts. They're a little more expensive than a motel, but the amenities, quiet, atmosphere and Breakfast can't be matched anywhere! Two thumbs up!
For that reason, we love Salt Lake City! Easy airport access, reasonable accomodations ($240 a week for a kitchen unit), and more than enough terrain/mountains to choose from.
Second best is Summit County. The public transportation can't be beat if you can get there from the airport without spending what you'd spend on a rental car. That's the only downer. It pays to have friends, though!
(thank you, dear friends!)If we're skiing the East and travelling, we can get pretty much anywhere within 3 hours, but if we stay over and ski another day, we like to do bed and breakfasts. They're a little more expensive than a motel, but the amenities, quiet, atmosphere and Breakfast can't be matched anywhere! Two thumbs up!
snowflake
Certified Ski Diva
My boyfriend and I look for someplace with great snow and great terrain, and what kind of deals they have. Then it's a plus if they have fun apre-ski. We usually go on ski vacations with friends so its usually skiing all day, showers, then drinks. Get up the next morning and do it all again. We can usually keep this pace up for a week or so.
Sadly for me, apres-ski is not high on my list. Now, having a Washer/Dryer in the condo is a must.
My kids' idea of apres-ski is sitting around in long underwear, eating sandwiches/soup/pizza and plopping in front of the tube watching channels like animal planet all night. I try to bring several good books and get in all the reading I never seem to be able to do at home. Now, when my husband (the only non-skier in the family) comes along- we let the kids do their lounging act and we go out for dinner/drinks. Still, we are pretty dull people when it comes to night life!
My kids' idea of apres-ski is sitting around in long underwear, eating sandwiches/soup/pizza and plopping in front of the tube watching channels like animal planet all night. I try to bring several good books and get in all the reading I never seem to be able to do at home. Now, when my husband (the only non-skier in the family) comes along- we let the kids do their lounging act and we go out for dinner/drinks. Still, we are pretty dull people when it comes to night life!
Shellski
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Snow quality and reliabilty are the most important factor. Coming from so far away we have to plan way ahead, so we need to know that the snow is going to be good.
Size is important, variety of terrain, I love a quality groomed run, but lift-accessed off-piste is a big factor also.
We don't care about a huge range of nightlife, but at least a few nice bars and places to eat, for the apres-ski 'strolling around the town' factor.
Shopping. :D
Size is important, variety of terrain, I love a quality groomed run, but lift-accessed off-piste is a big factor also.
We don't care about a huge range of nightlife, but at least a few nice bars and places to eat, for the apres-ski 'strolling around the town' factor.
Shopping. :D
HotChocolate
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
My requirements are similar to Lola's....ski in ski out is sooooo wonderful, 4 bedroom condo, 2ppl to a room and maybe someone on the sofa! I'm single so I must travel with a bunch of friends. We typically attend an NBS event and usually have a minumum of 500 attendees. The location is always chosen by the higher ups so I just go wherever they tell me. :p
On our way to the mountain my group stops at a grocery store, walmart and liquor store to stock up. Everyone has a job from being a chef for the night and creating tantalizing meals for the entire condo to flipping pancakes in the morning for a nice boost of carbs. Then of course the people who don't cook get to clean up. Everyone chips in and does their part.
My typical day is awake around 7am eat a big breakfast, hit the slopes, meet back at the condo for lunch somewhere between 11:30 - 1:00 usually a sandwich or left overs from dinner. Put the gear back on and hit the slopes again. Ski down to happy hour!! Flirt with cute guys, eat some snacks and have a few drinks, dance in my ski boots then back to the condo for a quick nap before dinner. Have dinner, then head out to a party either a planned function or at someone elses condo, back to my condo around midnight, pass out. Start all over the next day. I always take an afternoon off to sightsee, spa time, shop and recouperate. Somewhere in between I find time to soak in the hot tub and stretch in the steamroom. One day I'll be too old for all this!!! But man am I having fun now!!
On our way to the mountain my group stops at a grocery store, walmart and liquor store to stock up. Everyone has a job from being a chef for the night and creating tantalizing meals for the entire condo to flipping pancakes in the morning for a nice boost of carbs. Then of course the people who don't cook get to clean up. Everyone chips in and does their part.
My typical day is awake around 7am eat a big breakfast, hit the slopes, meet back at the condo for lunch somewhere between 11:30 - 1:00 usually a sandwich or left overs from dinner. Put the gear back on and hit the slopes again. Ski down to happy hour!! Flirt with cute guys, eat some snacks and have a few drinks, dance in my ski boots then back to the condo for a quick nap before dinner. Have dinner, then head out to a party either a planned function or at someone elses condo, back to my condo around midnight, pass out. Start all over the next day. I always take an afternoon off to sightsee, spa time, shop and recouperate. Somewhere in between I find time to soak in the hot tub and stretch in the steamroom. One day I'll be too old for all this!!! But man am I having fun now!!
Thatsagirl
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I'm resurrecting an old thread, since I just found it. ;)
My husband and I like going to remote resorts that don't have crowds. We LIKE taking that extra short leg on the plane to get to places like Big Sky, Big Mountain and Jackson Hole, or that longer drive from the airport to get to places like Red, Fernie and Kicking Horse. We know most people like to go to "convenient" places, so we do the opposite.
About the only place we love to ski that doesn't fit into this criteria is the Cottonwood Canyon resorts near Salt Lake City (Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, Brighton).
We also like to go to resorts where we can do unique non-skiing activities: a day at Yellowstone from Big Sky, zip-trekking at Whistler, mush your own dogsleds (several resorts offer this), canyon icewalks in Banff and Jasper, etc. Also, if we can get in a day or two of cat skiing or backcountry touring, that influences our choices.
For lodging, we like to stay in cozy lodges or B&Bs that have common areas where other skiers hang out after the ski day. It's a great way to meet other skiers and make new friends.
Our idea of apres-ski is a nice drink by a fireplace in a quiet location, whether that be in a bar or in our room. We like a hot tub, especially if it's outside so we can sit under the stars as our muscles get the much-needed bubble massage.
Thatsagirl
My husband and I like going to remote resorts that don't have crowds. We LIKE taking that extra short leg on the plane to get to places like Big Sky, Big Mountain and Jackson Hole, or that longer drive from the airport to get to places like Red, Fernie and Kicking Horse. We know most people like to go to "convenient" places, so we do the opposite.
About the only place we love to ski that doesn't fit into this criteria is the Cottonwood Canyon resorts near Salt Lake City (Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, Brighton).We also like to go to resorts where we can do unique non-skiing activities: a day at Yellowstone from Big Sky, zip-trekking at Whistler, mush your own dogsleds (several resorts offer this), canyon icewalks in Banff and Jasper, etc. Also, if we can get in a day or two of cat skiing or backcountry touring, that influences our choices.
For lodging, we like to stay in cozy lodges or B&Bs that have common areas where other skiers hang out after the ski day. It's a great way to meet other skiers and make new friends.
Our idea of apres-ski is a nice drink by a fireplace in a quiet location, whether that be in a bar or in our room. We like a hot tub, especially if it's outside so we can sit under the stars as our muscles get the much-needed bubble massage.
Thatsagirl
cyn
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Snow quality is what determines where my husband and I will go when we're planning our annual trip out west. We usually make our decision pretty late, because conditions are always changing.
We also look for uncrowded slopes, and reasonably priced, accomodations (usually a condo). It doesn't have to be luxurious - just comfortable and clean. Ski in-ski out is wonderful, but if there's a reliable shuttle, that's OK, too.
Airfare is another factor that can sway our decision. If we have a lot of frequent flier miles, we try to use them on that trip.
Nightlife is NOT a factor for us. We're too tired after skiing all day, and can barely stay awake long enough to eat dinner!
We also look for uncrowded slopes, and reasonably priced, accomodations (usually a condo). It doesn't have to be luxurious - just comfortable and clean. Ski in-ski out is wonderful, but if there's a reliable shuttle, that's OK, too.
Airfare is another factor that can sway our decision. If we have a lot of frequent flier miles, we try to use them on that trip.
Nightlife is NOT a factor for us. We're too tired after skiing all day, and can barely stay awake long enough to eat dinner!
SkiMonster
Certified Ski Diva
Right now, we try to avoid excessive crowds, and save money since I am in law school, and tuition is pretty darn scary/that means I'm not earning anything right now. It takes some planning, but between looking hard for good deals or ways to get free midweek tickets, and paying our bills on a credit ard that gets us points for hotel stays (and then paying right off to avoid interest - Hilton Honors btw, totally worth it if you are on the road a lot) we are able to make it work. Heading out West will be a pipedream for a while, but we'll get there someday, and for now we are able to enjoy ourselves plenty closer to home.
We just planned a trip around VT/Upstate to take up my spring break in two weeks, and the outlay in cash for six days skiing & hotels is going to be less than we could manage to pay for ONE day skiing & a hotel otherwise. We really want to ski, so we try very hard to find ways
We just planned a trip around VT/Upstate to take up my spring break in two weeks, and the outlay in cash for six days skiing & hotels is going to be less than we could manage to pay for ONE day skiing & a hotel otherwise. We really want to ski, so we try very hard to find ways
We base trips on challenging terrain, great snow, and few crowds. Actually, the lack of an apres-ski scene or any amenities whatsoever is typically a good sign for us. The only exception there is St. Anton - it's just so HUGE that it's an amazing place, and the drinking scene starts way early. We'd quit skiing, go to the Kangaruh, eat and drink until 7 or 8 and be back at the gasthaus early, in bed early, and able to get up early the next morning to do it again. I look back at it now and wonder if I wouldn't be driven insane by the lines... but we're planning a trip back to Europe before too long, so I guess we'll see. Our favorite ski trip destination in the States is Silverton.
KarenD
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I look for good snow (historically, since I have to plan my trips pretty far ahead) and reasonable terrain and accessibility. Nightlife is not important; all I need is somewhere to eat dinner. I'm happiest at smaller places where I don't have to keep consulting my trail map to figure out where I am and how to get to the lunch meeting spot.
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