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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006 General Board Posts >> American Skiing question
        
(Message started by: pubgirl on Dec 7^th, 2006, 8:18pm)

Title: American Skiing question
Post by pubgirl on Dec 7^th, 2006, 8:18pm

I am being told that America is the place to learn to ski (especially as Europe mostly has no snow!)

So where do we go?

The background:

7 year old son wants to learn to ski/snowboard
Husband doesn't want to ski, likes crampons and ice-axes and mountain walking (not serious mountaineering/climbing- he is a Monroe man)
I don't want to do ANY of it. I would like scenery, walks, food, wine.

We have a friend with a log cabin in Mad River who says there is skiing there and we can use it but I am clueless.

Any one here with good advice/hot tips of where to go and when?

Wendy

Title: Re: American Skiing question
Post by CaSS on Dec 7^th, 2006, 8:28pm

South Park Colorado.

Title: Re: American Skiing question
Post by Jonny on Dec 7^th, 2006, 8:35pm

MT Washington, New Hampshire.........its north of Boston and has mad skiing.

Plus, its on the east coast of the US so it will be less to get here.

Lots of bumper stickers around here that say "This car climbed Mt Washington"

Just a thought, babe :-*

Title: Re: American Skiing question
Post by broomhilda on Dec 7^th, 2006, 8:48pm

Ok may be I am biased, however Whistler BC has been rated number one for a while now and its got all what each of you need...

http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/index.htm

Happy Skiing ;;D

Title: Re: American Skiing question
Post by vig on Dec 7^th, 2006, 8:55pm

Vail, Colorado and Killington, Vermont are cool.

Illinois sucked

;;D

Title: Re: American Skiing question
Post by pubgirl on Dec 7^th, 2006, 8:56pm

That's interesting as one of the Mums here suggested Whistler because apparently the sking is quite easy for new people?

Wendy

P.S. I realise that this may waken regional loyalties but I am really clueless and shan't take the advice of an agent as they are probly just trying to sell me what they can't shift!

Title: Re: American Skiing question
Post by Racer1_NC on Dec 7^th, 2006, 9:01pm

Park City Utah area.......

http://www.skiutah.com/

Title: Re: American Skiing question
Post by broomhilda on Dec 7^th, 2006, 9:06pm

Wendy, skiing is huge here and many of my friends and family are avid in the sport, I will however say from my ONE personal experience that no its not easy, but its tons of fun...its kinda like riding a bike, you will fall off, you may get hurt but once you have the hang of it, you will not regret it!

Whistler has some amazing programs for kids as well, my friends 7 year old is learning to snowboard!

Enjoy wherever your adventures take you and make sure the hotel has a spa, just for you :)

Title: Re: American Skiing question
Post by pubgirl on Dec 7^th, 2006, 9:10pm

Like the idea of spa and shopping as well as snow!

Embarassingly girly I know :-[

Can we add those to the list?

Hubby would probably prefer to camp and build fires and fight off grizzlies probably but I am too old for roughing it!

W

Title: Re: American Skiing question
Post by broomhilda on Dec 7^th, 2006, 9:18pm

Wendy, my hubby is the same way, so we try to balance the holidays, one with hotel and one with tents LOL, somehow we missed our camping trip this year ;;D

Most places that have skiing and packages have great shopping, fireplaces, spas and of course wines to top off the day!

Best

Title: Re: American Skiing question
Post by Flounder on Dec 7^th, 2006, 9:59pm

I've skied just about every resort in Colorado, Park City Utah, Jackson Hole WY, Taos NM and I've skied Whistler as well.

For kids I would suggest Steamboat Springs CO. They have great snow (nice and light) and tons of great terrain for all levels of skiers. They also have a great kids program. Kids ski free and get free rentals as well. At certain times you can even get free airfare for kids. It's a great town with a good nightlife and lots of stuff for the kids to do. One thing I also like is that I can fly directly into Steamboat from Houston. I'll be there with my kids from Dec.28th-Jan.5th.

Whistler is a huge area and I enjoyed it but the snow is wetter and heavier than in the Rockies. The base is also at a low elevation and the lower mountain can get pretty crappy if they don't have tons of snow.

If I was skiing without my kids I love Jackson Hole because it has some crazy terrain with lots of vertical drop. Utah gets insane powder so I love going there as well.

Well that's my 2 cents. Hope it helps.

Mitch

Title: Re: American Skiing question
Post by Linda_Howell on Dec 7^th, 2006, 10:05pm

Mount Shasta...Northern California.

Title: Re: American Skiing question
Post by georgej on Dec 7^th, 2006, 10:28pm

Well, in Idaho, there's:

Sun Valley, Idaho
Tamarack Ski Resort, Cascade, Idaho
Soldier Mountain Ski Resort, Idaho
Pomerelle Ski Resort, Idaho
Brundage Ski Resort, McCall, Idaho
Bogus Basin Ski Resort, Boise, Idaho
Targhee Ski Resort, Eastern Idaho
Schweitzer Ski Area, Northern Idaho

Probably others I've forgotten.

Lots of other places to go if you're doing Nordic skiing rather than Alpine skiing.

Most people under thirty or so snowboard now, though--they hurtle past and sneer at us old guffers on sticks.

(My snowboarding daughter figured I ought to add that last. She snowboards "goofy", though, so take it for what it's worth....)

Best,

George

Title: Re: American Skiing question
Post by Karla on Dec 7^th, 2006, 11:59pm

I learned to ski aprox 10 years ago. My brother and sister in laws are ski patrol for a hill called "Christie Mountain" in Bruce WI. They took us skiing for free for one weekend and tought us to ski on beginner and advanced hills. We fell in love with the sport!!! We bought the family skis and there is a place 20 min from where I live in Madison WI called Cascade Mountain. On mon night is family night and we can ski, the five of us, for $50 (that is lift/rentals, and supper.) It is 5 lift 5 rentals. for those in your family. I love skiing there. All the places mentioned are excelent places to ski and most are highly recomended in ski magazines. Good lluck in making your choice.

Title: Re: American Skiing question
Post by MJ on Dec 8^th, 2006, 1:43am

Wendy some great ski reccomendations here.

Jackson hole, my favorite, possibly has some of the most challenging skiing as well as some good beginner runs.
The ski area has good nightlife and the town of jackson has a lot of shops, spas and restaurants.
The area borders the Grand teton national park and above that is yellowstone park. Awesome outdoor winter activities and Grizzlies too. Depending on snow levels the parks may be closed to cars but are accessible by rental snow vehicles and tours.

A short drive over the mountain is grand Targhee, mentioned by george, where snow is guaranteed if Jackson hole fails.

All the ski areas on the western side of the Rockies generally have great snow. The eastern side areas are a little more hit and miss for snow but generally darn good skiing throughout the Rocky mountains.

Another favorite of mine is Durango colorado, old west feel and relaxing.

If mad river is the one in Wisconsin, nearby is indian head ski area. A little smaller hills but good skiing. lacks for much more though.

I could go on

Ex hard core ski bum.

Title: Re: American Skiing question
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Dec 8^th, 2006, 2:55am

I doll,
I grew up on the east coast and skiied all of the big ones in Vermont. Now I live in the Pacific NW, and skiing in the Cascade Mountain range is much more awesome.
Whistler is awesome, its a little north of me, and Mt Bachellor in Bend, Oregon is probably the best skiing i have ever done. Mt Hood, near Portland is about the only mountain that has skiing all year.

I have also heard Utah and Colorado is awesome, but I have never been there. The east coast is near the bottom of the totem pole for serious skiing.

Have fun!!!
B$

Title: Re: American Skiing question
Post by bauhmer on Dec 8^th, 2006, 6:32am

sunday river, maine

Title: Re: American Skiing question
Post by JeffB on Dec 8^th, 2006, 11:02am

on 12/07/06 at 22:05:45, Linda_Howell wrote:

Mount Shasta...Northern California.

Yeah, Baby!

Title: Re: American Skiing question
Post by nosnowmen on Dec 8^th, 2006, 2:08pm

I grew up skiing Jackson Hole, Grand Targhee, and Big Sky. Eighther if these is bound make a snow lover out of anyone. Next I would say BC.

Title: Re: American Skiing question
Post by Charlie on Dec 8^th, 2006, 5:05pm

Quote:

MT Washington, New Hampshire.........its north of Boston and has mad skiing.

Good idea Jonny. Mt. Washington is a purdy place too. New England has some beautiful areas. Probably a bit cheaper.

The west has the big resorts though.

Adirondacks in New York is good as well. We even have small ski areas here in Western, NY. There are some in Pennsylvania too. http://www.netsync.net/users/charlies/gifs/ski roll.gif

Charlie

Title: Re: American Skiing question
Post by lskilly on Dec 8^th, 2006, 7:43pm

UTAH,,

Ski shop just about anything you need. Park City Brighton Alta all just a few minutes from downtown SLC. Oh take O2 the smog is terrible in the valley.