obxxtreme

I'm not set on Vail, but it's probably first on my list. I'm open to suggestions. Wide range of abilities with myself and my oldest sons being very experienced... and the other three ranging from beginner (7 year old who has snowboarded for 2 seasons) to intermediate.

I would like to find a very nice condo (would like ski-in, ski-out, but Vail doesn't seem to offer too much of that), but was hoping to tie it into a package to save at least a bit.

Also, if we do choose Vail, there doesn't seem to be a concensus as to whether to fly into Denver or Eagle. I don't mind renting an SUV at Denver, but that may be squeaky with equipment and luggage. And then there's the weather.

Any advice would be realllly appreciated... even if for a different resort. I lived at Heavenly for a few years, have skied at Steamboat and loved it. That's the extent of my non-East skiing, I'm afraid.

Thanks!

Catbert

You probably won't go wrong whichever place you choose. Vail Resorts allow yo to ski all their properties on one ticket. That means you can try Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and A-Basin. (Heavenly is also one of the Vail Resort Properties) So you shouldn't get bored. Probably it will be easier to find ski-in, ski-out at Breck or Keystone, but each resort has free shuttle service and all have great condo accommodations.

If you do choose Vail, Eagle would be the best airport choice as long as you can get a decent flight. It's only half an hour from Vail, vs. 2 hours from DIA.

Vail is likely to be more expensive than the other choices, but not necessarily better. It all depends on what kind of vibe you're looking for.

obxxtreme

Thanks, Catbert. What I'm hoping to find is atmosphere, excellent snow, varied terrain, good kid's program for my 7 yr old. I can tell you that - from what I've read - Aspen is not the "feel" I want. I don't want glitz. I do want nice accomodations that are ski-in/ski-out - or close to it. As our time will be limited (7 nights including travel time from VA), I prefer a resort that isn't too far from the airport.
The atmosphere I prefer is what Vail appears to be... but more of a rustic feel is fine, too.
I'd love to hear suggestions for specific accomodations. With six, it's not going to be a room at the Sonnenalp.... so, it's proving a bit trickier than I though.
Beaver Creek appears to have decent accomodation that is more convenient to the slopes, but that may not be true.

skipop

If you go to Vail, I'm an advocate of flying to Denver and driving to Vail (as opposed to flying to eagle/vail) as long as you don't drive to Vail on friday night or saturday morning (when traffic can be bad). When you add up all the time waiting for your connection in denver, the additional flight, then the 30-40 minute drive from Eagle/vail to Vail, it's about the same time to drive to vail as flying to eagle/vail. While a snow storm can make driving rough, it can also cancel flights into eagle vail from denver. You can also stop in Idaho Springs at Beau Jo's for pizza.

For ski in/ski out, for a family of your size, I would try lions square lodge. It's by the ski school and the gondola.

Now, to confuse you more, why aren't you considering Solitude Utah? It's probably closer (time wise) than getting to Vail (since you have two flights to Vail), and less glitz than Vail. I love Vail, but if you want less glitz, ski in/ski out and convenient time wise, look into solitude.

Dayle

OB,

I was also wondering if you hadn't heard of Utah?? The airport is RARELY ever closed or even delayed, and there are 10 ski resorts within a 1 hr drive, max.

Park City offers 3 resorts, a whole "real" town and lots of other activities. All the ski in/ski out you could ever want.

Less espensive than Vail too.

obxxtreme

Funny you should say that. MY ideal would be Alta - again from what friends have told me and what I've read. I would love to go to Utah. However, I've also gotten the impression that there's not much else there to do... but ski. And that the atmosphere was nothing to write home about... unless you went to Deer Valley. Oh, also, my boys do snowboard, so I need a resort that is snowboard-friendly. Is it Alta that doesn't allow snowboarding? Deer Valley?
I suppose I'll need to check into Utah a bit more. I really never thought of it for a family trip.
Any particular recommendations for accomodation?

DebitNM

IF you are going to need info for Utah skiing...may I suggest that you do a new post with Utah Ski Info in title to get answers about Utah...

Hope this helps...
Debi

MaureenB

Have you Googled for ski packages in January? If you are coming out after the holidays, you will have a better chance, of course, for lower hotel rates. And check the ski areas for package lift prices. Believe it or not, if your sons are younger than 18, it may be cheaper to buy a season pass in some places. For instance, we bought the Winter Park/Copper Mtn. unlimited season pass for our son, and it was just about $160 this year. That pays for itself pretty quickly. Also, try the discount coupon books for two-for-one savings, like the EBook in Denver, although they will block out ski days in peak times.

Winter Park has a lot to offer, and is getting rave reviews from snowboarders. It's also a great ski mountain. Low-key town, but other things to do like dinner sleigh rides, etc. Not much shopping, except for mountain gear. You could fly to Denver, go downtown and take the Amtrak to Fraser. There's a free bus service throughout the town. Try DestinationsWest.com for lodging ideas.

If you don't like glitz, I wouldn't suggest Vail. IMHO Vail itself has more showy dispays of wealth than any other ski town. Plus, it's very expensive to buy anything there.

I think Park City could be a great pick. Not sure about snowboarding, though.

Lots of choices. Good thing you're looking early!
>-

Catbert

I'm sure I'm going to alienate some Vail fans, but I have to warn you that if you don't want glitz, you may not way Vail. I honestly think, for the cost, Aspen is less showy and more laid back. One afternoon in Vail we stopped counting after 50 full length fur coats. I understand completely what you mean about atmosphere. That's why I chose to live in Keystone. It's billed "the nature of the Rockies" and it is true to protecting the wild spaces. It is a lot less commercial and an excellent place for children. Breckenridge is a favorite for a lot of people but to me it's more about partying and it's so crowded.

Dayle

OB,

There are only 4 areas in the US that ban snowboards: Alta, Deer Valley, Taos, and one back east that I can't remember.

Yes, there is not much else to do in Little Cottonwood Canyon (Snowbird and Alta) other than ski. Most people don't have the energy to do anything else after a day on our mountains. Big Cottonwood (Brighton and Solitude) do allow snowboarding, but again no night life.

Park City has 3 major resorts and free shuttle buses everywhere. Park City Mtn Resort and The Canyons both allow snowboarding. Lots to do other than ski. Hot air ballooning, art galleries, live theater and movies, the Utah Olympic Park (DO NOT MISS), dog sledding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, animal tracking classes, spas, gourmet restaurants, etc. ,etc.

Check out www.parkcityinfo.com and the other resort web sites, snowbird.com, etc.

skipop

The only reason I didn't suggest Park City was because she indicated she as going in January. Just make sure if you're looking at Park City that the Sundance film festival (which is late January) isn't the same time your planning to go. Snowbird is great, but not the best for a beginner.

You could also try steamboat, but you'll have the extra travel time like Vail.

As for Vail and glitz ... who cares. Yes there will be some bognar-clad gapers but, so what? There are also some wonderful down to earth people there as well.

obxxtreme

Thanks so much for all of the info. As I'm now looking more into Utah, I think I will start another thread as suggested. In any event, I should have been clearer about the "other than skiing" comment. I have no interest in nightlife. I would, however, like a quaint, village feel to the resort... and some good restaurants for my husband and me when we leave the kids at the condo with a pizza :~) I don't shop, and clubbing isn't our scene either. Low-key, quaint, good skiing, good food, good condo very close to the ski school. That's it.
Again, thanks to all for the help! I'm looking forward to going solo to Alta sometime in my lifetime!