Ski resort for a quick weekend?
 

Looking for some input on ski areas that are easily accessible. Because we're limited to departing on Friday and returning on Sunday, I'd like to find a location that requires minimal transfer time from the airport to the resort. We're intermediate skiiers and have skiied Salt Lake City (which is a contender for proximity), Steamboat, Tahoe, Mt. Hood, The Homestead, Wintergreen and Vail. I've never skiied in New England so any input in that region is appreciated. Lodging options close to the ski area is also important. Cost probably isn't a factor.

We're departing from farmlands in the midwest, so unfortunately driving to a resort isn't an option.

If you fly to Boston, Loon, Waterville and Cannon are about a 2.5 hour drive. If you fly into Manchester, NH, you're an hour closer.

If you fly to Burlington, VT, you've got Stowe, Smuggler's, Mad River Glen and Sugarbush all within an hour.

Or, fly into Montreal and go to Tremblant (2 hours). The exchange rate is very favorable in CA, but I don't know what air fares might be.

VT is considered "big mountain" skiing in the east, and is generally more challenging than NH. I can't comment on Tremblant.

For Vail, Beaver Creek, you can fly into the Eagle Airport. (EGE) Its about 30 minutes to town and the slopes - factor in waiting time for luggage, sfers or rental cars, however, because its a small airport, waits are much less than large metro airports.

For Steamboat, fly into Hayden. I believe its about the same amount of time from airport to Steamboat.

For Tahoe - if skiing in S.Lake Tahoe - fly into Reno, its about 1 1/2 hrs on a shuttle. I think you can fly into some Calif. airports and drive to S. Lake Tahoe in about the same amount of time.

For the Northeast you want to inquire as to wether a slope is groomed. Sugarbush is very poorly groomed as is smugglers notch. Killington is wonderfully groomed and close enough to NYC that you could fly in a drive 4-5 hours.

www.epicski.com for more seasoned answers

Here's one idea if you're willing to put some stress on your bodies. Fly to Seattle on an early morning flight and drive to Whistler (about 2.5hrs.). Ski that afternoon if possible, Saturday and Sunday - take the red-eye home on Sunday night. Canada is very well priced now, snow is good, etc.

Fly into Glacier International airport. Big Mountain is 20 to 25 minutes away. Northwest, Delta, Horizion and Big Sky air all fly into Glacier. Snow is excellent right now. Temp today is high 30s.
For more info on Big Mountain;
www.bigmtn.com

Forgot to mention---Big Mountain is in Whitefish Montana.
Happy trails

In general I think you will find New England ski areas to be less 'resorty' feeling than the big ones out west - Killington however may be the exception.
Eastern skiing has less powder, can be a little icy, and can be very cold. On the plus side there are lots of scenic villages, nice places to stay and eat, and some very challenging trails. I'd recommend flying into Burlington Vt and heading to Jay Peak, or into Manchester NH and heading to Waterville Valley.