nicolefla

Some friends and I have decided to plan a ski/snowboarding trip for next year. We are all in our late 20s and early 30s and will be coming from Florida and Texas. There will be approximately 8-10 of us, and the experience ranges from slightly intermediate to advanced.

Since I am the one coordinating the trip... I don't really know where to start. We would like to try to stay away from CO, as a few of us have been and lived there before, though we are not totally against it. We would also like to rent a cabin/townhouse/chalet, but we don't want to spend a fortune (think $$-$$$). We also like to party, so the nightlife has to be decent. Here are the options I have come up with:

-Whistler, BC - I really want here, though it may be too expensive
-Park City, UT
-Lake Tahoe
-Jackson Hole, WY
-Mont Tremblant, QC

Any suggestions, help, opinions, and advice would be Greatly, Greatly appreciated!!!

GoTravel

For the first time skiers, make sure they take a half day lesson first day out and have ski pants that will keep them warm and dry. They'll spend most of their first day on their butt so if you are cold and wet you will be miserable.

nicolefla

There are no first time skiers, just some that have only been one or two times!! I know I haven't been in 5 years, so I will need a lesson or two.

lizziea06

Park City would probably be the cheapest to travel to from various parts of the country. Jackson Hole and Tahoe (if you fly to Reno) can be really expensive flights. These are the only three places on your list that I've been to, and out of the three, Park City and Jackson Hole were the most fun from a nightlife perspective. Tahoe was my favorite place to ski, and there are also casinos if you're into that.

I guess I'm not really helping you very much, b/c I haven't rented a place at any of the resorts (stayed with friends).

issy

Jackson Hole is a fantastic mountain, but it is quite steep. A slightly intermediate skier may find it to be too much.

Park City has 3 resorts with a variety of terrain. Great restaurants and good nightlife. Easy to get to. For your group, that would be my vote.

Whistler is a huge mountain, and has a terrific village with plenty of nightlife. One consideration, it's a little more difficult to get to from Texas and everyone will need a passport, which adds to the costs.

Never been to Tahoe or Mont Tremblant.

BarryK

Don't go to Tremblant - you'll freeze your butts off and it's eastern skiing (aka, ice.)

Been to Park City, liked it.
Been to Tahoe, but only in the summer. Looks great. You also have the casinos nearby if you're into that for a diversion.

Jackson Hole is great for expert skiers.
Otherwise, I'd suggest elsewhere.

Haven't been to Whistler, but I've never heard any negatives about it, other than the long trip from the east (fly to Vancouver, then drive ~2 hours).

Personally, I like ski destinations that can be gotten to with 1 plane (no transfers) and a relatively short car ride. Park City fits the bill best for that, though I've skied Summit Co., CO more than anywhere else (I live in PA.)

lizziea06

I should have mentioned that about Jackson. It's a pretty advance mountain, trails aren't that obviously marked, and it's easy to wind up in some pretty challenging terrain if you aren't paying attention. There aren't a lot of medium-level runs either.

I guess I would go w/ Park City or Tahoe for your trip, and lean more heavily towards Park City.

wliwl

Tremblant is fabulous! The skiing is REALLY good, and the base village is super fun. Lots of great French food too.

There are hotels or condos that are ski in/ski out. I'd recommend choosing one in the "pedestrian village" if you can swing the price. The ped. village is literally no cars. Just walking and skiing. All the shops and restaurants have ski racks. There are large outdoor common areas with fire pits, live entertainment, volley ball and lots of happy hour. There are hot tubs and pools outside (really fun).

If you don't want to pay to stay in the village we have stayed at a condo property outside the village that has a free shuttle back and forth to the center. (Plus it's easy to drive and park free.) It's called Cap Tremblant. The condos are very nice and they also have an outdoor pool and hot tub.

The only caveat about Tremblant is that it can get super cold. But really, you'll feel like you're skiing in Europe. It's fun.

Here's some pictures.

http://www.tremblant.ca/galleries/images/index-e.htm

wliwl

P.S. We have never had a problem with ice at Tremblant. They groom like crazy at night. We always go in February. Yes, it's cold.

nicolefla

I agree with the suggestions about making travel easier. Of course I will have to run it by the group... My family and I used to go to Park City every Thanksgiving, but it's been quite a few years, and I know it's grown since the Olympics and such. Any suggestions on where to stay? Park City? Deer Valley? I remember the skiing being amazing up in Solitude and Alta.

Dohlice

I can only comment on Jackson Hole – great place, great nightlife. But it is wildly expensive and very, very difficult. My husband and I are solid intermediate skiers and we were humbled, to put it mildly! We’re glad we went but if you’re looking to “conquer” a mountain it isn’t going to be that one. On the other hand, where else can you snowmobile to Old Faithful?

GREAT nightlife.

lizziea06

I wouldn't recommend Little Cottonwood Canyon (Solitude, Snowbird, or Alta). The skiing is phenomenal, however Alta doesn't allow snowboarders, and there is little in the way of nightlife.

Abby43

Hi-
If this were my friends and me I'd want this: ski in/ski out condo with good nightlife so people could come and go as they please and it will be easy to meet up later. Say 2 people want to get up and out earlier but you have to drive somewhere? Then what will the other people do? This way you can just ski out of the condo and make plans to meet up later either at the condo or on the slopes somewhere. I've done ski houses where we are all driving to the mountain and trying to meet up was such a pain, mainly because of traffic and parking issues.

That being said, if you are also looking for lower cost then Canada may be the way to go. Mont Tremblant has totally been renovated and is gorgeous! Now, I was there over Xmas and it was cold but I"m used to it b/c I grew up skiing in Vermont. The cost of the dollar is a bit less and it's a great village with heaps of restaurants and nightlife.

I also think Breckenridge is a good bet. I was just there and there are several places to eat and party that were not very pricey. There are brewpubs, irish bars, pizza places, etc. It's not as posh as Aspen or Vail but it's still a really cool town. There are many ski in/ski out condos. But, you said you didn't want Colorado. It's really easy to get to Breck b/c you can all fly into Denver and just drive 1.5 hours out there straight on I-70.

Now, I love Whistler. It's the best! The village is totally rocking and the skiing can be great. However, it's a hike just to get there and it can be chaotic. Maybe save it for another time?

Park City is a lot of fun but if you go to Deer Valley there are no snowboarders allowed. I was under the impression that PC was kind of expensive (not Aspen expensive) but again, easy to get to and you can always hit Alta and Snowbird while out there if you want to rent a car.

Tahoe is also fabulous-I skied at Heavenly, Squaw, Alpine Meadows, Kirkwood, Sugar Bowl about 3 years ago. We complained because it was so hot out but the snow was still good. There is great nightlife there but again, you have to drive to get to the mountains if you want to explore around the area and that can be costly and a pain.

That being said, places like Steamboat, Telluride, and Crested Butte are awesome but really hard to get to. You have to fly to Denver and then take a smaller plane. More times than not the plane can be cancelled or your luggage left behind because the plane is small. I LOVED Crested Butte. The town is so cute and a lot of fun! It is, however, a very challenging mountain and if you haven't skied in 5 years it could be tough.

I say go to Breckenridge. Again, I know you don't want Colorado but it just seems like the easiest solution.

Call my ski guy-his name is Michael and he is AWESOME. He plans all my ski trips and trust me, I ski all over the world. I wouldn't book with anyone else.
[email protected]

Good luck!

nicolefla

Abby43 - Thanks so much for your input! I am leaning more towards Whistler...it just look amazing, and none of us have ever been there before, so it would be a unique experience. As long as we take time to plan the trip and have enough days to travel I think the hassel would be worth it. I will definently give Mike a call...sounds like he knows what he is doing!

Abby43

You need 2 full days for travel. The trip to Vancouver will be a few hours, then you need to get your luggage and the bus up to Whistler which is a 2.5 hour drive. Once you are there it's totally worth it. I"m dying to go back but my friend just bought a place in Breck so we go there...for now!

Definitely get in touch with Michael and tell him Abby from New York sent you. He is the best.

PScott

Although I have never been to Park City, I have heard wonderful things about it and if you all can get SW flights, you should be able to get there easily. That being said, although I know you said you wanted to chose someplace other than a ski resort in Co, if you haven't been to Telluride, I would seriously consider it. You can fly to Montrose (which is 1 hr. and 15 minutes away from Telluride) and take the shuttle (which 90% of the people take and is very, very well organized since most of the people on your plan will be taking it) to Telluride. If you stay in town or anywhere near the Gondola, you do not need a car at all and there is lots of night life and nice restaurants to chose from.... It's a great old mining town. Lots of beginner, inter. and advanced slope. The only disadvantage is that a few of the people in our various parties over the years have had altitude problems.

squawski

Squaw valley is the best in my biased opinion, especially if you decide on the Lake Tahoe area. If you want personilized info but don't need ski lessons then check out hangwithalocal.com , they will set you up with a local expert who can give you advice on which trails to ski, gear needed, lifts open...

cocontom

I did Tahoe over New Year's weekend 2000/2001- we were less than impressed, most of the (pretty thin) snow was man made, and there were several places where it was like skiing in a margarita. We didn't do our research (we were visiting a friend who moved there), and apparently this was pretty par for the course for that time of year, so be sure to check out the usual conditions for that time of year.

crefloors

Normally, I'd say Tahoe area, but to be honest, there isn't any snow. Well, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but our snowfall this year has been dismal at best, so the skiing won't be great. At Squaw Valley they have beginner or intermediate runs up on the higher part of the mountain, but for sure Colorado seem to be where the snow is this year.

cabovacation

Whistler, if you can afford it.

Otherwise, Park City is so easy!

Telluride is a blast, but so hard to get to.

Tahoe - if there is snow - is fun but not as easy as the other areas. There are several ski areas and you have to do a lot of driving. If you stay at one resort - ski in, ski out - you might not find as much night life.

Jackson Hole is fun at night, but tough skiing.