Ski Resort Advice
 

Family of 4 will be flying from Newark, NJ. Probable travel dates will be Dec.22 to Dec 27. Looking for:

--Relatively easy access from Jersey
--moderate cost
--nice ambiance
--great holiday decorations--very festive
--would prefer a "western" town environment, but a "village" like Snowmass would be OK.

Am hoping to avoid most of the C'mas crowds by coming in before the holiday and leaving shortly after. Is this a likely scenario?

Any and all recs are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Big Mountain, Montana

I can tell you I was shocked by the lift ticket prices in Breckenridge in March of this year - $93 per person per day. I think most of the surrounding areas have similar prices, so beware....IMHO, skiing and "moderate cost" do not jive.

Ditto sf7307's comments. I'd research all transportation costs (not just air fare), lodging at holiday rates, lift prices and, if necessary, equipment rental costs and then decide whether you can really do this for an overall cost that is "moderate" to you.

If you went to Utah, you could at least take advantage of discounted lift tickets for sale at four Canyon Sports stores. Presumably the same offers in this link will be available for the 2010-11 ski season.

http://www.saltlakecityutah.org/skiutahlifttickets.htm

The Christmas rates (and crowds) often start a week before Christmas.

I think the closest ski areas to a major airport are in Park City--it's less than 45 minutes from Salt Lake City. It wouldn't surprise me if you could fly non-stop from EWR to SLC.

Multi-day tickets (3 or more) are significantly cheaper than single day prices at Breck.

If you will be there over Christmas, you will experience the absolute highest prices for lodging - no getting around that if that's the time you have to come. If you can wait until just after New Year's, the lodging costs do go down.

However, if the economy is still in the toilet come the end of this year, you may be able to find some package deals that include lift tickets and lodging. It's most likely too early for that now, but keep your eyes out during the summer.