Family Ski
Nov 5th, 2007, 01:14 PM
#21
I live in California.
I checked the Park City and Vail websites for 2008 lift ticket prices.
PARK CITY
Adult
2 of 7 days $158
3 of 7 days $237
4 of 7 days $292
5 of 7 days* $365
6 of 7 days* $438
Child
2 of 7 days $100
3 of 7 days $150
4 of 7 days $176
5 of 7 days* $220
6 of 7 days* $264
* 5 or 6 day tickets give access to express lanes at 5 most popular lifts.
VAIL
Adults
3 of 5 days $267
4 of 6 days $356
5 of 8 days $445
6 of 9 days $534
7 of 10 days $623
Child
3 of 5 days $162
4 of 6 days $216
5 of 8 days $270
6 of 9 days $324
7 of 10 days $378
Vail offers discounts if you purchase tickets in advance, but I didn't check how far in advance you must purchase or whether there is a cancellation/refund clause. (Our experience with Vail is no refunds but rather credit for use the next season.) Vail's advance-purchase prices are close to the Park City walk-up prices until mid-February, but after that the advance-purchase prices are significantly higher than Park City's walk-up prices.
Park City still looks cheaper to me for a family with two kids.
I checked the Park City and Vail websites for 2008 lift ticket prices.
PARK CITY
Adult
2 of 7 days $158
3 of 7 days $237
4 of 7 days $292
5 of 7 days* $365
6 of 7 days* $438
Child
2 of 7 days $100
3 of 7 days $150
4 of 7 days $176
5 of 7 days* $220
6 of 7 days* $264
* 5 or 6 day tickets give access to express lanes at 5 most popular lifts.
VAIL
Adults
3 of 5 days $267
4 of 6 days $356
5 of 8 days $445
6 of 9 days $534
7 of 10 days $623
Child
3 of 5 days $162
4 of 6 days $216
5 of 8 days $270
6 of 9 days $324
7 of 10 days $378
Vail offers discounts if you purchase tickets in advance, but I didn't check how far in advance you must purchase or whether there is a cancellation/refund clause. (Our experience with Vail is no refunds but rather credit for use the next season.) Vail's advance-purchase prices are close to the Park City walk-up prices until mid-February, but after that the advance-purchase prices are significantly higher than Park City's walk-up prices.
Park City still looks cheaper to me for a family with two kids.
Nov 5th, 2007, 04:29 PM
#24
OK, Park City vs. Breckenridge.
Breckenridge is owned by Vail and offers the same advance-purchase lift ticket program. Advanced-purchased tickets are comparable to Park City's walk-up prices for skiing before 2/15. After 2/15, advance-purchase discount is much lower. Here are the walk-up ticket prices.
BRECKENRIDGE
Adults
3 of 5 days $249
4 of 6 days $332
5 of 8 days $415
6 of 9 days $498
7 of 10 days $581
Child
3 of 5 days $129
4 of 6 days $172
5 of 8 days $215
6 of 9 days $258
7 of 10 days $301
Breckenridge is owned by Vail and offers the same advance-purchase lift ticket program. Advanced-purchased tickets are comparable to Park City's walk-up prices for skiing before 2/15. After 2/15, advance-purchase discount is much lower. Here are the walk-up ticket prices.
BRECKENRIDGE
Adults
3 of 5 days $249
4 of 6 days $332
5 of 8 days $415
6 of 9 days $498
7 of 10 days $581
Child
3 of 5 days $129
4 of 6 days $172
5 of 8 days $215
6 of 9 days $258
7 of 10 days $301
Nov 5th, 2007, 07:42 PM
#25
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Fly into Reno, NV and drive (45 minutes to Truckee,CA)) which will give you access to Northstar or Alpine or Sugar Bowl (started by Walt Disney) or Squaw Valley (Olympic site) or Homewood (spectacular Lake Tahoe views) or Incline. Heavenly (which is HUGE) is an hours? drive south in Tahoe. All great resorts with great family orientation. Northstar has great ski in/out accomodations..and a great new multi-100's of $millions village. If you're staying at a resort, they have shuttles from Reno.
Nov 6th, 2007, 02:32 AM
#26
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oregon has mt bacholor by bend oregon.has both xcountry downhill and maybe slede dogs or mushing close by,ice skating ,but no housing on mt,but resorts close by,like inn of the 7th mt. and sunriver
wa state has pass over I 90 with 3 ski areas x country,sledding,downhill snowshoeing,about an hour from seattle. good kid places.
My favorite whistler mt. in b.c ,but expensive during the holidays.very international .silver mt is another in b.c. lot of fun for kids.a nice pond to learn to play hockey,intubing,xcountry and downhill.
wa state has pass over I 90 with 3 ski areas x country,sledding,downhill snowshoeing,about an hour from seattle. good kid places.
My favorite whistler mt. in b.c ,but expensive during the holidays.very international .silver mt is another in b.c. lot of fun for kids.a nice pond to learn to play hockey,intubing,xcountry and downhill.
Nov 6th, 2007, 07:54 AM
#27
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mraparis,
You might also look at Snowmass, which is (more or less) part of the Aspen area.
It has a wide range of difficulty levels, many ski in-ski out condos, restaurants and shops.
It also has shuttle service into Aspen, which, of course, offers restaurants, shopping, and glitz all in an old silver mining town setting.
We have skied more than once at almost all the Colorado areas, and most of the them are very family friendly.
Have a wonderful time!
Byrd
You might also look at Snowmass, which is (more or less) part of the Aspen area.
It has a wide range of difficulty levels, many ski in-ski out condos, restaurants and shops.
It also has shuttle service into Aspen, which, of course, offers restaurants, shopping, and glitz all in an old silver mining town setting.
We have skied more than once at almost all the Colorado areas, and most of the them are very family friendly.
Have a wonderful time!
Byrd
Nov 6th, 2007, 09:49 AM
#29
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Loki---which makes the $59/$29 (adult/child) ticket for the chairs at Snowbird look all the better.
Ah, the old Utah/Colorado debate. But since mraparis expressed a preference for Utah, does it make sense to keep recommending other places?
I will repeat my recommendation for Snowbird, which was perfect for my family when the kids were the age of yours. Snowbird is higher than Park City and generally (sorry you Park City fans) has better snow. And Alta (right next door) has the best of all.
And despite beachkomer's comment about being "isolated" up there, we have never felt that way. Yes, there is no nice little town like Park City there. But when we go on a ski trip, we go to ski!! Not to shop, walk the galleries, or restaurant hop. There are plenty of facilities---small shops, nice restaurants, swimming pools & hot tubs, etc.---to keep us busy after a full day of skiing. Most of the units there have kitchens, so you can at least make breakfast and lunch (and dinner if you wisy); an important savings feature with a family. There is a little store at Snowbird Center, or you can order groceries to be delivered from the Smith's store at the bottom of the canyon.
It is a 30 to 40-minute trip from the airport, unless the roads are really bad (which we've never seen). You don't need a car once you are there. You can ski both Alta and Snowbird; they offer a combined ticket. Between them, they offer plenty of varied terrain to challenge all levels of skiers. And all can be accessed from the chairlifts--you don't need to buy a tram ticket.
Ah, the old Utah/Colorado debate. But since mraparis expressed a preference for Utah, does it make sense to keep recommending other places?
I will repeat my recommendation for Snowbird, which was perfect for my family when the kids were the age of yours. Snowbird is higher than Park City and generally (sorry you Park City fans) has better snow. And Alta (right next door) has the best of all.
And despite beachkomer's comment about being "isolated" up there, we have never felt that way. Yes, there is no nice little town like Park City there. But when we go on a ski trip, we go to ski!! Not to shop, walk the galleries, or restaurant hop. There are plenty of facilities---small shops, nice restaurants, swimming pools & hot tubs, etc.---to keep us busy after a full day of skiing. Most of the units there have kitchens, so you can at least make breakfast and lunch (and dinner if you wisy); an important savings feature with a family. There is a little store at Snowbird Center, or you can order groceries to be delivered from the Smith's store at the bottom of the canyon.
It is a 30 to 40-minute trip from the airport, unless the roads are really bad (which we've never seen). You don't need a car once you are there. You can ski both Alta and Snowbird; they offer a combined ticket. Between them, they offer plenty of varied terrain to challenge all levels of skiers. And all can be accessed from the chairlifts--you don't need to buy a tram ticket.
Nov 7th, 2007, 01:01 PM
#30
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Well, just my opinion, but I like a little ambiance and variety in my travels. After skiing at Lionshead near Vail, it was great to get on the trolly and go into town and see something different than the condo each evening.
I did visit Snowmass for dinner, and it was soooo quiet and after I left there and we headed back to Park City, I was glad we were in Park City just for the more exciting town.
Just an opinion.
Everyone looks for something different! That's what makes travel so fun!
bc
I did visit Snowmass for dinner, and it was soooo quiet and after I left there and we headed back to Park City, I was glad we were in Park City just for the more exciting town.
Just an opinion.
Everyone looks for something different! That's what makes travel so fun!
bc
Nov 7th, 2007, 06:26 PM
#31
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Beachkomer, are you sure we are discussion the same area? Loinshead is more than near Vail. It is Vail. The is no skiing at Lionshead because it is all the same mountain. Lionshead is the shopping area/condo at the base of the gondola. There are no trollies in Vail unless you are using that term for buses.
Snowmass is one of the four ski area around Aspen. While I am sure you could go to dinner there it is about 385 miles from Park City. You are correct that Snowmass is very quiet. Most of the action is in Aspen.
.
Snowmass is one of the four ski area around Aspen. While I am sure you could go to dinner there it is about 385 miles from Park City. You are correct that Snowmass is very quiet. Most of the action is in Aspen.
.
Nov 7th, 2007, 09:05 PM
#32
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I think beachkomer means Snowbird, not Snowmass. Yes, it is quiet in the evenings. That is why some of us love it there.
There is a saying that some people go skiing to ski, and some go for the apres-ski (and, I guess for the shopping). As a card-carrying member of the first group, I am firmly in favor of Snowbird/Alta over Park City.
Isolated? From what? It is about 25 to 30 minutes from the big city (Salt Lake) if you need the bright lights. (And yes, Salt Lake does have those). But afte a hard day on the slopes, the resort itself provides all we need for a cozy family evening---hot tubs, swimming pools, and nice restaruants. For ambiance, we can walk outside and gaze at the gorgeous scenery in the moonlight. That is the best kind of ambiance, in my book.
If I want a European village, I'll go to France, not Vail. And if I want to ski, I'll go to Alta.
(And if I want both, I'll go to Whistler. But that was not the OP's question).
There is a saying that some people go skiing to ski, and some go for the apres-ski (and, I guess for the shopping). As a card-carrying member of the first group, I am firmly in favor of Snowbird/Alta over Park City.
Isolated? From what? It is about 25 to 30 minutes from the big city (Salt Lake) if you need the bright lights. (And yes, Salt Lake does have those). But afte a hard day on the slopes, the resort itself provides all we need for a cozy family evening---hot tubs, swimming pools, and nice restaruants. For ambiance, we can walk outside and gaze at the gorgeous scenery in the moonlight. That is the best kind of ambiance, in my book.
If I want a European village, I'll go to France, not Vail. And if I want to ski, I'll go to Alta.
(And if I want both, I'll go to Whistler. But that was not the OP's question).
Nov 8th, 2007, 09:42 AM
#33
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Yes,I did mean Snowbird.
And yes, we did ski at Lionshead
near Vail. Yes, it was a bus, not
a trolly.
SORRY! GEEEEZ!
Now I know why people just read posts and never respond.
We are all entitled to our own opinion, and just becasue YOU like something doesn't mean that is the "best" vacation for everyone.
The tone people take here is really annoying sometimes.
Lighten up.
bc
And yes, we did ski at Lionshead
near Vail. Yes, it was a bus, not
a trolly.
SORRY! GEEEEZ!
Now I know why people just read posts and never respond.
We are all entitled to our own opinion, and just becasue YOU like something doesn't mean that is the "best" vacation for everyone.
The tone people take here is really annoying sometimes.
Lighten up.
bc
Nov 8th, 2007, 12:08 PM
#34
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I think the point that someone was trying to make is that Loinshead is not a separate skiing area. It is East Vail, Gold Peak, Vail, Lionshead, West Vail -- it is all Vail. Unlike like Aspen which has four separate skiing areas -- Aspen, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass. The idea is to provide accurate information and not confuse people who may not be familiar with these areas.
Nov 8th, 2007, 12:36 PM
#35
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beachkomer - I do agree that people take annoying tones here sometimes, but your posts are confusing. Your last one seems to imply you left Vail, ate at Snowmass and then went back to Park City (?)
Nov 8th, 2007, 01:55 PM
#36
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I'm sorry if I sounded rude, but as you said in your own words:
<<<<< We are all entitled to our own opinion, and just becasue YOU like something doesn't mean that is the "best" vacation for everyone.>>>>
I don't believe I said Snowbird/Alta was the "best" for everyone; I simply explained why we (a family) like it there, and why it is good for families.
And it bothered me that you would dismiss Snowbird, after someone else suggested it, because in your opinion it lacks "ambiance". Well, everyone's definition of ambiance is different---just because you prefer lively towns doesn't mean everyone else does. And the topic is family skiing, but you didn't even ski at Snowbird---you went for dinner and then returned to Park City. So how much weight is your opinion worth?
Then you suggested Lionshead/Vail. I'm sure Lionshead is very nice, but mraparis asked for a "reasonably priced place where we could walk from the hotel to the ski lift". For a family, with children ages 7 to 10. And in Utah. So Vail didn't really fit.
OK, I'll lighten up now.
<<<<< We are all entitled to our own opinion, and just becasue YOU like something doesn't mean that is the "best" vacation for everyone.>>>>
I don't believe I said Snowbird/Alta was the "best" for everyone; I simply explained why we (a family) like it there, and why it is good for families.
And it bothered me that you would dismiss Snowbird, after someone else suggested it, because in your opinion it lacks "ambiance". Well, everyone's definition of ambiance is different---just because you prefer lively towns doesn't mean everyone else does. And the topic is family skiing, but you didn't even ski at Snowbird---you went for dinner and then returned to Park City. So how much weight is your opinion worth?
Then you suggested Lionshead/Vail. I'm sure Lionshead is very nice, but mraparis asked for a "reasonably priced place where we could walk from the hotel to the ski lift". For a family, with children ages 7 to 10. And in Utah. So Vail didn't really fit.
OK, I'll lighten up now.
Nov 18th, 2007, 12:16 PM
#40
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Thank you for all the information! My husband hope to make a decision in the next few days. I'm feeling the pressure since we want to ski the week of Jan 21. My husband is leaning toward CO and I'm still thinking about Utah. I appreciate all your help.
