screen_name

Starting to think about a ski trip for next winter, preferably out West.

I am looking for recommendations for an atuhentic town that exists AT the mountain, not miles away.

I have been to Breckenridge twice so that is king of what I am looking for. Restaurants, accomodations, shops, bars within an easy walk from the slopes.

I have also been to Jackson Hole..so that is exactly NOT what I want...the town several miles from the slopes.

Any insight is greatly appreciated!!

JerseySue

I don't know about out west - but Mont Tremblant just north of Montreal was the best !! The town is all up and down the slopes and the accomodations were the best we have ever had - real log type cabin/condos - heated floors, huge stone fireplaces and you can't beat the price !!

repete

While it might not fit all of your needs, there's the Park City town lift that dumps you off right at main street.

As a ski town, PC is hard to beat -- and the Utah snow is the best in the West (and almost needless to say, far better than anything in the East.)

MaureenB

Aspen, CO.

mabella101

I vote for Whistler. It's our west albeit in Canada. It's a gorgeous 2(?) hour drive from Vancouver. And with the exchange you'll be saving money. Check it out!

JungleCat

Park City, definitely. Restaurants, shops and bars (though the latter has some mormon style hoops that are easy to get over). There's a slightly upscale Mexican restaurant on the main street that is worth the trip there itself.

I'll take it a step further than repete and say that Utah resorts might have the best snow in the world because of low water content (making it light and fluffy) and consistency (they get the most snow in the lower 48).

In fact, I'm considering hopping a JetBlue flight out from NYC to SLC since Snowbird is still getting hit with snow - over 600 inches this year with 30 this week.

BTW, you didn't like JH? I found it pretty easy getting around.

screen_name

Thank you for all your comments, I will look into each and every suggestion.

JungleCat - I liked Jackson Hole and was ~charmed~ by the western ambiance...but I prefer not to have to take a shuttle or drive between the slopes, my lodging and dinner, etc.

I really enjoy a true town experience...strolling to the slopes, strolling to happy hour, window shopping, strolling to dinner...having all that street life and vibrancy right at the bottom of the ski slopes.

astein12

I second Whistler... although it is a bit of 'planned' resort town (like most Intrawest resorts), it's fun with lots shops and places to eat/drink.

You can also try Heavenly. South Lake Tahoe is kind of a small town, but you can take the lift right from the casino now. You also have the option of driving to another 8 or 10 ski areas within about an hour.

Grasshopper

I agree with Maureen. If you liked Breck you will love Aspen. It's more the kind of town you're looking for.

michaelcrane

Telluride is exactly what you are looking for.

jette

Steamboat Springs. Tons of history and year round resident skiiers.

abram

Whistler!! Great mountain and great town right at the base.

Vail.

I love Steamboat, but the town is a 15 minute bus ride from the mountain.

justme22

telluride colorado. real town, plenty of places to stay within walking distance to slopes, if you don't want to carry your skis there are ski lockers for overnight rental about 5 bucks?

screen_name

thank you, thank you for all your suggestions!

Just another example of the power of this forum.

wliwl

I second Mont Tremblant -- although whether the town is "real" or not is debatable. It certainly does have lots of restaurants, bars, shops, hotels, etc though and fun places to hang out.

MaureenB

For Colorado, I agree that Aspen and Telluride are your best bets to find an authentic town at the base of the mountain. The nice thing about Aspen, too, is that there are three other mountains to which you could take a shuttle if you want more terrain. If you liked the feeling of Breckenridge, you'd probably like the Victorian feel of these other two towns also.
Steamboat isn't at the base, as someone else pointed out, although it's a cool town.

PlumeriaTattoo

Have you looked into Lake Tahoe?