Help! Need Ski Resort Suggestions
 

Hello All--

First of all, I need to say that I love this website. Have gotten some wonderful advice over the years and now I am back asking for more.
After many years of going to Telluride with our family to ski, my husband would like to try another resort. Most likely, we will be going in mid-March (spring break)with our 2 boys (10 & 15). Although the altitude has caused a few problems some years, I have LOVED Telluride because we don't need to rent a car and can walk everywhere. There are lots of places to eat and we have enjoyed all of the condos we have stayed in over the years. That being said, my husband thinks we should try another resort this year.
Any suggestions regarding a ski resort that is within a 90 min. drive from the airport and one that has a town associated with it like Telluride (so that we do not need to rent a car and can walk everywhere once we get there) would be appreciated.
One of the very best aspects of Telluride for us what the fact that you could take a shuttle from the Montrose airport (they are very well organized) and get to Montrose within 75 minutes and never need a car for anything. The grocery stores, restaurants, spas, etc..., were all within a 4 block radius of our condo so we were spoiled!
Are there any other ski resorts like this (I know, I am being very picky) that people would recommend and if so, please recommend nice lodging in-town near the Gondola.
Thanks so much!
PScott

A couple of suggestions to get you started. In Colorado, Breckenridge or Vail would meet your critera. Aspen and Steamboat are more than 90 min. from the Denver airport although you can fly to both places on smaller airlines. You'd still have to arrange transportation to your lodging. I'd stick with either Breck or Vail. Vail covers a large area but does have shuttle bus service. I'd try to stay as close to the main lifts as possible. Lionshead is next to/close to a gondola, but construction there has been on-going for some time. I'm sure they're not finished yet, but it may be better than it was last summer.

Park City in Utah would be another possibility.

Jackson Hole is another option. I'd stay at the Four Seasons.

Most of the Utah ski resorts are within 30 minutes of the airport. I know there is very good shuttle service to Alta/Snowbird and Brighton/Solitude because we have used it (Canyon Transport). I believe there is a similar company that will take you to Park City or Deer Valley.

We think the best skiing is at Alta/Snowbird, but there is no "town" there. There are a number of condos (with pools), a small shopping center at the lift base (including a small grocery), and five decent dinner restaurants, plus several more coffe bars and pizza places, all within a short walking distance of each other. That has always been enough for us.

Brighton/Solitude are a little smaller and low-key, but there is a small village complex at Solitude.

If you would like a real town, consider Park City. It's an old mining town turned ski town. I've never skied there, so hopefully someone else can advise you on the skiing. But it's a nice place to stay, with lots of dining and shopping choices, as well as condos.

Park City meets all of your criteria. Super easy to get to from the airport. Cute town with shopping, art galleries, bars, restaurants, even a day spa. Lots of skiing options (3 resorts in the immediate vicinity).

I have a recommendation for a really nice private home in Park City. It's one block from the Park City ski area and a 10 minute walk to Main Street. Email me at dmlove51 at hotmail (my public email address) if you want more info. We stayed there 3 years ago with our then 21, 20 and 18 year olds. FWIW, I don't ski, and I LOVE Park City. Note that Park City has a shuttle, too, that goes all over town and to all the local ski areas.

Aspen also meets your criteria. You may have to fly through Denver, but and on a smaller airPLANE, but not a smaller airLINE (meaning United flies to Aspen). The ski mountain is right in the middle of town. The airport is about 4 miles outside of town. In town are many hotels, condo developments, incredible shopping and restaurants. It is pretty high on the bling-factor, though. I didn't find Park City that way at all.

Thank you all so much for the feedback.... My husband is leaning towards Breckenridge and I am leaning towards Park City but am wondering about the conditions in mid-March. (I realize that every year is different....but generally???)
Also, was wondering about Crested Butte? I have heard that the terrain is more for intermediate skiers (which for the most part we are -- although husband blew out his knee two years ago and now considers himself a adv. green slope guy).
Does anyone have suggestions about CB or Breck or PC in mid-March?
PScott

I'd vote for Breck because the skiing is better than Park City IMHO and you can also get free shuttle service to Keystone and A-Basin (maybe Copper too?). With that said the town is @ 9600' so altitude can be an issue but that is also why the skiing is so good. Breck has more of a ski town vibe than Park City which is more or a scene.

As you even mentioned, trying to predict snow conditions is difficult,but assuming the snowfall and temperatures have /are fairly normal,mid-March is an excellent time for all areas suggested.

Crested Butte is great for skiing , but it really consists of two areas. The ski area which has the usual array of hotels,condos, restaurants and shops and the town of Crested Butte about a mile down the road. It also has some restaurants, shops and condos. I prefer the town as it has a more interesting and authenic ambience,more akin to Telluride, but I find both somewhat lacking in facilities compared with the previously mentioned areas. C.B. does have a distinct advantage as it tends to be less crowded and it may well be the most scenic of all. If you do decide to go to C.B., stay in the town and take the shuttle up to the ski area.

I was going ot mention Crested Butte as well but got a bit worried about your mention of altitude problems. CB is quite high, and the ski mountain and the town of Mt. Crested Butte even higher. I love Crested Butte and it is a funky little town and a great place to spend a couple of days. The restaurants are fantastic and the skiing great without any lines. It's an easy 30 minute trip from Gunnison and you can catch Alpine express from the airport.

I haven't been to Park Cities, but I would take Crested Butte over Telluride and Aspen adn Vail any day. But that's just me, I like the fact that the crowds are not in Crested Butte but yet the town just buzzes during ski season and everyone is nice and friendly.

Hi PScott,

I live in Park City and the March skiing is usually great. This, coming from a die hard Snowbird fan.

In answer to one of your questions, the town of Park City has 3 major ski resorts - Deer Valley, Park City Mountain Resort and The Canyons. All are very fun places to ski and offer all ability levels.

Park City is 40 minutes drive (or less) from Salt Lake International airport - which is RARELY closed. Aspen airport, on the other hand, is closed frequently, off and on, very dependent on weather due to location, etc.

The free shuttles in Park City are terrific! They go to all the resorts and stop all over town. Park City also has one unique feature over any other ski area in the west - the Utah Olympic Park where you can watch the athletes train on Nordic jumps, bob sled, luge and skeleton. You can even take a ride on the bob sled with professional drivers. Best $200 minute you'll ever have!

If you have loved the skiing at Telluride, Snowbird and Alta will have comparable challenge for you.

Utah has 11 ski resorts within 1 hour of the airport, most are less than that.

I like CO skiing too.

I can't compare your choices, as I've only skiied in Colorado (but not in Telluride). As mentioned before, conditions at all the resorts are generally quite good in mid-March.

Also consider the spring break crowds - they're pretty huge at Breck; they may be smaller at places like Crested Butte and Telluride, which are a little further out of the way.

If you've had some altitude issues, keep in mind that Breck is probably the highest in elevation the those you're considering - the town is at 9600 feet, and the ski resort is (of course) higher than that. (The top of the Imperial lift is at 12,850, but you probably won't be going up there).

I think Breck has a lot of intermediate runs (I'm an expert skiier). The resort is known for being windy and cold, because of its elevation, but that's in comparison to nearby resorts. And in March, it's usually warm, at Breck and the other resorts too.

Breck is a former mining town, so has some of that feel, and there's definitely an actual town there. You can walk pretty much everywhere, and there are several shuttles as well.

Of all the places listed I think the town of Telluride is the most similar to Park City. One major old time main street, gondola in town, very walkable. As others have mentioned Park City has the advantage of being a shorter ride from the airport and you also have two other ski resorts, Canyons and Deer Valley very close with several others not that far away either.

While I love Breakenridge, it is the one resort I have been to that everytime we go someone in our party has issues with the altitude.

I would encourage you to look again at Steamboat which is a short drive from Hayden airport which is big enough to handle 737 and 757 size jets. Great skiing, fun town, free shuttle, only drawback is the sulfur smell from the springs.

Truthfully, you can't go wrong with any of the suggestions. Make a list and go to a new place each year!

Realistically, you need a car for Steamboat. Park City or Breck fit the OP's criteria better.

I just got back from my umpteenth trip to Vail and I think it would be great for your family. The village has all that you need and you can easily walk from a condo or hotel room to the Vista Bahn lift. I'd stay in the village as opposed to Lionshead.

I've also skied all over the world and agree that Breckenridge would be another good option. The town is terrific and the skiing is pretty good too. Park City is pretty big and there is a good bus system for which to get around, but it would be a shame to go there and NOT ski Deer Valley, The Canyons, Alta, Snowbird, etc. For that you need a car.

Personally I'm psyched more than ever because I'm going to Telluride for the first time in February and it sounds better than ever!!!

What about Whistler??? It is a 2.5 hour drive from the Vancouver airport but you can take a shuttle and once you are in the village there is no need whatsoever for a car. It's my favorite place ever and trust me, I've skied almost everywhere!!! Have fun.

Skiergirl, the Park City shuttle goes to Deer Valley for sure and possibly The Canyons as well.

Regarding Whistler, isn't the "village" a manufactured ski resort, as opposed to a "real" town?

Taking the shuttle to the other Utah resorts is an option but that takes TIME. Hence my suggestion for a car.

Whistler is great and that's my opinion. It's a walking village which is what the OP wanted. Why stomp all over it? You don't even ski sf7307 so get over it!

Geez, skiergirl, why the hostility? I happen to love ski towns whether or not I ski. As I mentioned before I LOVE Park City. I like Aspen. I like Tahoe. It was a QUESTION -- is Whistler a ski village as opposed to a town? Snowmass = ski village. Aspen = town. Park City = town. Northstar = ski village.

Thanks again to all who made suggestions and gave advice... all very helpful.
Interestingly enough, we have had a number of family and friends go to Whistler and they just loved it as well.... I would love to go there someday but trying to get from Alabama to Whistler is more than I want to deal with this year (both from a time and monetary standpoint), so we are leaning towards Colorado or Utah. We went to Big Skye a number of years ago and just loved it but again getting there involved 2 plane changes (both of which were delayed which resulted in one excruiatingly long travel day for us) and then a long shuttle ride (or so it seemed at 1:00 in the morning...) to the resort so that is why Colorado or Utah are probably are best bets.

After all the wonderful advice, I'm now leaning towards Park City, although I bet my husband reads the posts and votes for Breck. Meh. What can you do?
Thanks again for all the great advice.
Oh, and Skiergirl, you will have a grand time in Telluride. Lots to do and so easy to get around if you stay in the town or even up in Mtn. Village. Again, only issue with Telluride for some of our family and friends over the years has been altitude problems. Drink lots of water and ask the locals what to do...they give good advice. Have a great time.
PScott
PScott

We have been to Whistler a couple of times. It is a great resort when the conditions are good but it gets a lot of rain. We live in Atlanta, and it is quite a trek to get there from here (door to door with change of planes, etc.- 10 hours). You can get comparable or better skiing in Utah or Colorado, and they are only half the distance. Whistler's "village" is much larger than what is at Northstar, or Snowmass, but it is not a "real" town in the sense that Breck or Park City are. I still think you would like Jackson Hole but it would involve a change of planes for you.