Would like to take a week but on the cheap. I can only handle easy blue terrain so far. Salt Lake is my guess for packages anyone else know of site that would have great deals. Oh yes I am looking to go out west from the East Coast.

Try Unitedvacations.com, continental vacations etc. I also saw expedia had a ski sale. Southwest also has some good packages out west. If you are going to SLC check into flying Delta and staying somewhere in Salt Lake with shuttle service such as the Best Western.

thanks skier but isn't SLC like 45 minutes from the mountains? Did check united not seeing anything without air which seems to make the trip cheaper.

Found good air deals but other accomodations and lift tickets are coming out high. Probably just not hitting the right sights. I can combine air but was looking for a sweet deal.

ANY BODY ELSE???

Go to google.com, type in Lake Tahoe Ski Vacations and you will find lots of sites offering ski packages in the Lake Tahoe area.

Try www.skitops.com. This is a web site of ski tour operators - from there you can link to tons of package operators, like lynx, moguls, and ski.com.

I have used ski.com in the past.

I have also booked ski vacations for myself by doing all the research myself, and actually come out cheaper. Find cheap air fare, then find lodging that has a skier's rate or skier's package that includes lift tickets. Actually, you will probably find a lot of these in SLC. SLC isn't a bad base for Utah skiing; you can stay at a lodging that has its own shuttle service or is on the ski bus route, if you don't want to rent a vehicle. Or stay in Park City & just hit those resorts. For the Salt Lake City area resorts, try www.skiutah.com.

The other thing that helps in saving costs, is to stay in an area where you can use shuttles instead of renting a vehicle. I know this is possible in SLC, and in the Tahoe area. I've done Jackson Hole without a car, and found it really easy to get around. Might also try Whistler or Banff areas, with the nice exchange rate - if you can get a good flight.

Good luck - you'll love western skiing!

How is Tahoe in comparison to SL area. Can I find moderate Intermediate to beginner intermediate? Thanks so much for your suggestions that sounds great?

do I fly into SF for Tahoe or is there a closer airport. I would be coming from East Coast but may blend this trip with a trip to Hawaii. Might be dreaming the flights seem great right now. Tahoe much more expensive?

Reno is the closest airport. Sacramento is the next closest. As a ski area, Tahoe has a wide range of accomodations. There is also shuttle services available. Although all areas have beginner/intermediate areas, particularly great places to ski for a beginner/intermediate are Sierra Tahoe and Northstar.

Closest airport to Tahoe would be Reno, Nevada. If you're trying to combine this trip with one to Hawaii, then your airfare may be cheaper if you use SFO as a stopover and drive to Tahoe. I believe it's about a 4 hour drive. From Reno, it's about an hour to hour and a half drive depending on which ski area you're headed to. Northstar (www.skinorthstar) on the north shore of Lake Tahoe is a great ski area for low intermediate skiers. However staying in Northstar village can be expensive unless you can stay midweek or off-season. The South Lake Tahoe area has more budget accomodations. You can check the Heavenly resort website(www.skiheavenly.com) for lift & lodging specials. I've never skied Heavenly so I'm not familiar with the terrain. Hope this helps.

Thanks everyone you have given me a lot to ruminate and explore.

Anybody been to Utah and Tahoe I wonder how they compare? I could probably take a bus from SFO, yes? I don't drive. I know here in NY there is all kinds of transportation to Resorts that are only 4 hours away.

Just got back from a week in Whistler, B.C. Really great terrain, tons of long green and blue runs! This is the site we used and they have a package area. Good luck.

http://ww1.whistlerblackcomb.com

Oh Wendy I have heard wonderful things of Whistler and I just assumed it was for the big kids. Thanks!!!
Was it reasonable? Where did you fly into? Could you see if public transport was possible?

I don't know of any shuttle service from SFO to the Tahoe ski areas. From Reno there's shuttle service available. Casino express (www.tahoecasinoexpress.com) is the one that goes to South Tahoe and it runs about $35 roundtrip. I believe there are scheduled shuttles to north Tahoe areas too although I've always driven.

Whistler/Blackcomb is a great ski area with good green/blue runs with Whistler mountain being a little better than Blackcomb for low intermediates IMO. The closest major airport is Vancouver. From YVR there are shuttles to Whistler. Whistler itself has a pedestrian village and once there, you don't need a car. There's also local bus service if you need to get around the immediate area outside of the village. Try www.skican.com for packages.

Here's the site for one of the YVR-Whistler shuttles www.perimeterbus.com (prices in Canadian).

Kit, I hadn't skiied since high school and was with some beginner snow boarders. We had a ball! We stayed on Blackcomb only because it was so close to our condo. The bus that loops around the village is free and runs every 6 mins. As Patty said you fly into Vancouver. The exchange rate is really great right now! We like to think of it as the Canadian peso haha! I rented and it cost me $58USD for 3 days. Full day lift tickets were $45USD. The thing I liked best was you could go all the way to the top and still have green and blue runs all the way down!

The best terrain in Utah for a beginner is at Park City. There is bus service available from the SLC airport. There are a variety of accomodations available.

I know you want to go out West, and I think you should, but some one of these times take a look at going to Europe. From the East Coast it's about the same cost and is an entirely different experience. Not necessarily better, but definitely different. Much more laid-back, with focus on the entire experience - mountain restaurants, outdoor lounge chairs, less keeping track of how much vertical you got today, etc. Nightlife in many resorts that literally goes until dawn (not what I'm looking for, but again, a real difference). We tried it several year ago and never looked West again.

I'm sure you could take Greyhound from SFO to Tahoe....but, I can't imagine how long it would take. I live in Sacramento, CA....It is 2 - 2 1/2 hours from SFO to Sacramento. Sacramento to South Shore Lake Tahoe is another 2 1/2 to 3 hours. That's 4 1/2 - 5 1/2 hours total. Now, consider, that is without bumper to bumper traffic (which we get), and completely clear roads from Sacramento to Tahoe. If is snowing and/or chain control...it can be another couple hours. Also, on a bus, that thing is going to stop constantly....

This is great and I have only skimmed but thanks everyone for the commment. Soo Helfpul!

Dick I did a year abroad, and have been to Europe many times. I have not been out west. Don't know anything of the majestic beauty you see in Car Commercials. I have been to Switzerland/Austria/Northern Italy but I was too poor to ski at the time.

I want to see the west and possibly hop over to Hawaii. The west thing is kind of nauing at me. But I understand the alure of cultural influences of Europe.


Thinking out loud here if you did not notice. I worry about the lack of safety precautions in Europe. Just for my ski level. But I guess I would get a guide. Do you get the wide open experience in Europe that you get in the west? I have only been to New Mexico and was totally taken with this experience.

Patty and ChildCare lady thanks for your hints and stories. Love talking skiing! Heading to Vermont today were I expecting subzero temperatures, the sunny West is calling me!

Continental airlines usually has lots of package deals to ski resorts at www.continental.com