Looking to plan a ski trip in late December.........where should I go???

g4string · #1 09-24-2009, 01:26 PM

I am looking at going roughly the last week of Dec (around the 28th??) and would like to stay through the 1st of Jan. It would be nice to celebrate the new year on our trip......as far the duration, I am undecided. If we go to a town/state that has more to offer than just skiing, then maybe we can extend our trip. I live in N. Illinois......so we can always drive to the UP of Michigan, N. Wisconsin, or N. Minnesota. These are all great places to ski in Dec, however sometimes the snow isnt all that great on Dec (esp since none of these states have mnts!!!). Also, not much else to do in the north woods besides eat, ski, and drink (which is a good thing for me......although the wifey might get a tad bored. However, I am open to suggestions for ideas on where to go in WI, MI, or MN.

As far as other states, like Idaho, Wash, Colorado, Utah, etc, etc.......where are some great spots to ski (and have fun off mtn as well). Please keep me out of yuppie-ville.........I am NOT into that scene, nor can I afford it. My top budget (hotel/airfare) for the trip is $3000 (+/- a few $$).....however I would like to do it for $2000. Of course, if we stayed in the upper mid-west that would save some $$ since we could drive. Thanks!!!

unbridled · #2 09-24-2009, 01:40 PM

Come to Montana. Hit Big Sky for the skiing and take a trip through Yellowstone while you're here or ski Big Mountain and hit Glacier National Park. You could also hit the smaller ski areas where lift tickets are only about $20 a day.

Joe Gress · #3 09-24-2009, 01:51 PM

What kind of skiing you looking for? Do you have kids? Looking to do apres skiing?

Copper mountain is located 75 miles from Denver and is my favorite mountain. Every year my family takes a week long trip up there to ski. We get a condo right at the lift base, so we can do the ski in ski out thing. We usually get a kitchen with the condo so that we don't have to eat out the whole time. We also make sandwiches for lunch outside by the lifts since they have a big deck full of tables and chairs.

Some years we also stayed in Frisco Colorado which is 10 miles from copper, and I think 20-25 miles from Breckenridge. They have a bunch of condos and hotels to stay at, two supermarkets, restaurants, and whatnot. Plus they have a shuttle that goes to Copper. Any two or three day little trips that we take we stay in Frisco. We'll just keep the skis in our van, and drive up there after a nights rest.

For great deals on rentals, lodging, and lift tickets, call way ahead and see if you can get a combined price. Otherwise your looking at $85 and up for a day lift ticket to any of the Colorado resorts (except the smaller ones).

Are you military at all? You can get super great deals on rentals and lift tickets through the peterson or air force academy rec center.

Phalex · #4 09-24-2009, 01:54 PM

Not into Yuppieville huh? Well, I guess Tahoe is out of the question.

May I suggest Boyne Mountain Michigan? Not much of a mountain really (We don't have those here) but you'll see lots of flannel and I betcha the lodge has PBR on tap.

g4string · #5 09-24-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Gress

What kind of skiing you looking for? Do you have kids? Looking to do apres skiing?

Copper mountain is located 75 miles from Denver and is my favorite mountain. Every year my family takes a week long trip up there to ski. We get a condo right at the lift base, so we can do the ski in ski out thing. We usually get a kitchen with the condo so that we don't have to eat out the whole time. We also make sandwiches for lunch outside by the lifts since they have a big deck full of tables and chairs.

Some years we also stayed in Frisco Colorado which is 10 miles from copper, and I think 20-25 miles from Breckenridge. They have a bunch of condos and hotels to stay at, two supermarkets, restaurants, and whatnot. Plus they have a shuttle that goes to Copper. Any two or three day little trips that we take we stay in Frisco. We'll just keep the skis in our van, and drive up there after a nights rest.

For great deals on rentals, lodging, and lift tickets, call way ahead and see if you can get a combined price. Otherwise your looking at $85 and up for a day lift ticket to any of the Colorado resorts (except the smaller ones).

Are you military at all? You can get super great deals on rentals and lift tickets through the peterson or air force academy rec center.

forgot to mention that I am a beginner when it comes to skiing......wouldn't mind trying boarding as well

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

Not into Yuppieville huh? Well, I guess Tahoe is out of the question.

May I suggest Boyne Mountain Michigan? Not much of a mountain really (We don't have those here) but you'll see lots of flannel and I betcha the lodge has PBR on tap.

I guess what I am trying to say id that I dont want to be surrounded by a bunch of Dr's, lawyers, or poeple who think they are "elitists". Just looking to go somewhere were your "everyday-average person" can afford to go.

A place with some decent shopping might be nice. I am sure the wife would enjoy a shopping day as opposed to being on the slopes the entire trip.......so some place with some retail would be nice for the lady!!

Phalex · #6 09-24-2009, 02:13 PM

I'd hook up with Atoz if I were you. He's kinda old, and he likes to snowboard. You could probably keep up with him! He looks a little like this:

**baba** · #7 09-24-2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

Not into Yuppieville huh? Well, I guess Tahoe is out of the question.
.

Not at all! You just need to go to Kirkwood. The best skiing in Tahoe and very low on the yuppie factor. Stay away from Squawllywood.

XtreO · #8 09-24-2009, 02:34 PM

Come to Norway, the home of skiing

Atoz · #9 09-24-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

I'd hook up with Atoz if I were you. He's kinda old, and he likes to snowboard. You could probably keep up with him! He looks a little like this:

Thanks for your support, man.

Yep... Utah's pretty awesome for skiing/boarding.

6jase5 · #10 09-24-2009, 02:42 PM

Another nod for Kirkwood near Tahoe, great place to board. Yuppies are easy to spot, they have 2 independent skinny things on their feet while the cool people have only one big one strapped together (mwah ha ha). Kidding.

If you are new you may want to avoid our Sierra Cement of Cali then go for pow in Utah (usual assumption), but it's all about the weather either way.

If you are new to boarding, don't waste too much money on an amazing mtn that you won't get to use. I would put that towards the end of your week as well since you'll be testing your butt pads all day.

Pilgrim · #11 09-24-2009, 02:49 PM

#1 ski tourist town in the US: Breckenridge, Colorado. Not cheap, but a great experience.

Plenty to see and do, and slopes for everyone from beginner to expert.

http://www.breckenridge.com/

Blueszilla · #12 09-24-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

#1 ski tourist town in the US: Breckenridge, Colorado. Not cheap, but a great experience.

Plenty to see and do, and slopes for everyone from beginner to expert.

http://www.breckenridge.com/

+1. I was gonna comment on Joe's post, he's right some of the best acreage to be had, but Summit County is one of the most expensive places around. I have a work buddy who owns a place in Dillon, on a golf course no less. I've been to Copper a number of times (Breckenridge and Winterpark too), great mountain, tons of terrain, friendly folks, but if we didn't have discounts, it would be out of my range. But, it is skiing in America, not cheap by any means.

Someone mentioned Montana and I know I read about how good the deals there are. Do the comparison, maybe buy discount tickets before the season. I did that for my family several years ago in Taos and we saved hundreds.

Good luck, have fun and bring back lots of pics!

Blueszilla · #13 09-24-2009, 03:33 PM

As another option, I give you Taos Ski Valley, in beautiful northern New Mexico. After years of shunning the 'boarders, they are now welcome.

Joe Gress · #14 09-24-2009, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueszilla

+1. I was gonna comment on Joe's post, he's right some of the best acreage to be had, but Summit County is one of the most expensive places around. I have a work buddy who owns a place in Dillon, on a golf course no less. I've been to Copper a number of times (Breckenridge and Winterpark too), great mountain, tons of terrain, friendly folks, but if we didn't have discounts, it would be out of my range. But, it is skiing in America, not cheap by any means.

Definitely. We do skiing on the way cheap, and alternate between Copper and Winter Park. We get transferable season passes for $220, and use my dads travel points for hotels and whatnot (one perk to traveling a bunch).

Also, to me Copper mountain has one of the best Ski Schools around, and you can get a combo lift ticket/lesson price that is quite a deal.

warwick.hoy · #15 09-24-2009, 06:40 PM

Bridger Bowl has quite a bit of mellower terrain for beginners/novice.

http://www.liftopia.com/ski-resort-i...ges/406003.jpg

Scweitzer Mountain in Sandpoint Idaho is nice too.

http://www.skitown.com/gfx/trailmaps/id17tm02f.jpg

nortonrider · #16 09-24-2009, 07:36 PM

.

Wolf Creek, Colorado.
They seem to get plenty of snow early and are usually one of the first in the rockies to open. A pretty nice place.
.

DigMe · #17 09-24-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nortonrider

.

Wolf Creek, Colorado.
They seem to get plenty of snow early and are usually one of the first in the rockies to open. A pretty nice place.
.

I was going to suggest that as well! It's not an expensive yuppy place at all. It's the opposite of that and they typically get the most snow of any skiing mountain in Colorado. Prices are comparatively pretty good compared to other CO resorts. You can stay in Pagosa Springs and there are some things to do there. In the other direction is South Fork. My wife and I prefer South Fork because it's a bit more of a getaway that feels less touristy but there are fewer restaurants and things to do there.

bc