Aspen or Vermont, please help!
 

I am trying to plan a winter getaway for the christmas season and both Aspen and Vermont are looking very appealing. We have been to the Poconos (2 hrs from home) many times, but we would like to try someplace new. I am torn between the two, although Aspen is much further away than Vermont, I am leaning towards Aspen, but I am not sure we can afford it.

It will just be my husband and I and he is a beginner skier, who loves to horseback ride and snowtubing. I like shopping, dining, sightseeing, and will snowtube as well.

I read that Aspen offers some of the best slopes for beginners, and has plenty else to do off the slopes.

Vermont ski resorts also get very good reviews.

I have already begun my research, what would be the place way to figure out which is doable and affordable, without breaking the bank. Fine dining is not high on our list, we do fine at a cafe, bistro, diner, or a nice hotel restaurant and bar with a lively atmosphere. We do splurge at least once on vacation for a nice dinner.

I know airfare will be more out of philly to Aspen, compared to Vermont, and it seems that its not that easy getting to Aspen.

Any help would be appreciated.

Oops, I forgot to mention, that we chose christmas time because of our schedules at work, when we are both off. Where ever we decide to go, we plan to leave December 22nd and stay for 4 nights, possibly 5. It all depends.

thanks

Aspen Mountain itself (aka Ajax) has no beginner runs. But in the area are Buttermilk (very good for beginners), Aspen Highlands, and Snowmass (so large it has terrain for everyone).

The snow conditions in Colorado are far superior to those in Vermont--less icy, more soft snow.

louise, just saw you have two of the same posts going.

Posted on your other thread.

In my mind, there is no comparison. Aspen should be your 1st choice, and Stowe only if you can't travel to / afford Aspen.

Nothing against Stowe, but not in the same league as Aspen.

Author: BeachGirl247 ([email protected])
Date: 01/08/2007, 08:15 pm

Aspen is a very expensive getaway and at Christmas even more so. You can have a wonderful time at many other Colorado resorts. There is another thread going right now for resorts with beginner-expert skiing.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34923181
Breckenridge, Keystone, etc.

Aspen is the height of luxury and fine dining -- bring your platinum amex card and your fur coats.

Those resorts that you can get to from Denver may be a better choice for ease of transportation and cost/accomodations.

Here's another post that may help you out as well, if you decide something other than Aspen.

Hi Louise:

I think you might need to do more research. Aspen is proably the most famous resort in the USA. It is the mecca for most skiers to get to some day! It is also quite expensive.
Vermont can be wonderful as well, especially Stowe, but it is not in the same league as Aspen.
Christmas is very iffy in Vermont....especially this year! But Stowe is special that time of year. Dont get me wrong, Stowe can be expensive as well. In fact most resorts use that Holiday week to make a dent in your wallet.
How about Mt. Tremblant. That might be a great place to go...but can be quite cold!
Give us more info for what you expect for this trip!
John

Thanks everyone for your quick replies.

It sounds like Aspen may be out of our league, just getting there is expensive. But I will have to do more research.

To answer your question John,

I know my husband expects to horseback ride, ski, and anything else looks like fun outdoors. I would like to do some shopping (small unique type shops) fun affordable dining, and sightseeing. Just being away in a nice place with plenty of snow, would be great. I was also checking out reviews on breckenridge.

But other than Aspen, Vermont, any other ideas??

Thanks

What's your style? Aspen and Stowe are two very different places. Aspen is much more see-and-be-seen, Stowe is more small-town. Aspen has more serious skiing & more sophisticated (& expensive!) shopping. Stowe has lots of fun-type boutique-y shopping, good restaurants, laidback atmosphere. If you're not in need of expert-level slopes, Stowe is a wonderful destination, imo.

You might consider Breckenridge. It's really lovely at Christmas, has some shopping, and is a short distance from several ski areas, including Copper Mountain, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, and Vail. There are also a lot of other outdoor activities, such as sleigh rides and tubing.

You really can't compare Colorado skiing to Vermont skiing, in my opinion. Colorado is much, much better.

I completely agree with claireg's recommendations. And whoever mentioned Snowmass as an alternative to Aspen was right on as well. It's close to Aspen, has great skiing for all levels and a free shuttle that runs to Aspen if you still want to spend some time there.

Hi Louise - is there a reason you are only looking at Aspen? If you can afford to and are willing to go out west, there are so many wonderful resorts.

Will you fly or drive to Vermont? You might be surprised how expensive it can be to fly into Burlington. We could really use a carrier like Southwest to bring our prices down. You'll save money
on airfare and a rental car if you drive your own car, obviously. If not, see if you can get a cheap airfare to Denver or Salt Lake City and go skiing by those cities. Vermont skiing can be downright FREEZING and icier than the western resorts.

BTW, I live half an hour from Stowe and just don't get the love for it.

I was just in Aspen and it is really nice with lots of great restaurants and adorable town, but the shopping was so high end and everything was was fur or skiwear. I love Breckenridge and also Park City. Went to Park City with girlfriends last year...loved the variety of ski mountains, restaurants and fun shops. It seems like there were many nice green runs. Plus it's so easy to get to. I also really like Lake Placid....lots to do, but Whiteface can be bitter cold and icy.

Hi Louise - first, I would pick western skiing over eastern. Don't think there's much of a comparison - and that's certainly true this year. Second, there are many good resorts in CO besides Aspen which have as much to offer but are much less expensive. BeachGirl has given you some good pointers - Breckenridge, Keystone, Steamboat, Crested Butte, etc. Breck and Keystone are near each other (and close to Vail) and the area has everything you've mentioned for both of you. Third, when you're doing your research remember that several airlines fly non-stop to these resorts without going through Denver - which can save a lot of time (and sometimes $) considering your location and schedule. Just one example: you can get non-stops to Steamboat/Hayden from NYC(Newark), Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Minneapolis and Salt Lake City during the winter.

Good luck.