ski trip: utah or colorado
 

I am looking for suggestions to plan a ski trip to either Utah or Colorado from Newark, NJ. Will be going with one non-skier, so would like to find an area with other options (snowshoeing, some shopping, whatever would keep him occupied while we ski). The other two of us are green trailers, maybe easy blues, so would like an area with a decent amount of easy runs. Not looking for budget accommodations, but not the Ritz either. If possible a 2 bedroom condo, close to the mountain, ski-in/out would be my preference, but have no idea how wallet friendly/unfriendly, that would be.

Also, someone told me most places have 'mountain guides', that you can meet up with in the morning and they will take the group down the mountain. I am definitely interested in looking into this as the other person I am going with may end up not skiing and I really don't went to spend the day skiing by myself.

Sorry this is SO long, but would really appreciate any assistance you Fodorites could give. Thanks!

P. S. thinking very late February/mid-March, but again am open to suggestions.

I think Vail has the mountain guides--maybe others. It would certainly have all the activities you are listing for a non-skier.
For you green skiers, PLEASE take lessons at least 2 days. You will be thrilled and amazed at the progress you make in your skiing abilities and enjoyment. AND if you are skiing alone for a day--take a lesson then.
Copper has great skiing, and it "segregates" its easier slopes to one side of the mountain. Lots to do at the base, and in nearby Frisco (cute little town), either by bus or if you have a car. AND LOTS to do and choose on down into Silverthorne--major shopping outlets.
All easy to access from Denver (2 hours).
There are also discount lift tickets available for a number of the Summit County areas.

Breckenridge is good for greenies. I'm one and can ski happily there. Its blues tend to be fairly tame too - tamer than some greens in Taos. Plus the instructors are good.

And if you go on a lesson, you won't ski by your lonesome.

Thinking it's less costly than Vail and has a town with shopping, areas to go snowmobiling, etc. I've heard good word on Copper too.

First experience was at Copper. Relaxed atmosphere. I was sick for 3 days with altitude sickness, but DH, who had never skied before, loved it after a private lesson the first day.

The next adventure (I stayed home) was at Breckenridge. They enjoyed the skiing, but the waits for restaurant seatings was not a happy time.

This year, they are going to Brian Head, Utah, so will see how that compares.

I like Breckinridge too.
(Am wearing a Breck fleece sweatshirt right now).

There are direct flights from Newark to Vail/Eagle Airport. Colorado Mountain Express operates shared shuttle services from the airport to Vail, Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch and Avon with a discounted rate for 3+ passengers. (CME also operates between Eagle Airport and Aspen, Snowmass.) You wouldn't need to rent a car and pay parking fees.

http://www.coloradomountainexpress.com/eagle-airport

The cost of ski-in/out accommodations would be expensive to me, but I don't know what you consider "wallet friendly." Perhaps if you stated an actual dollar amount....

You've left it late for finding what I would call moderately-priced lodging. (We've been booked in Vail for the last week of February and first week of March since last October.)

Vail's complimentary guided tours are offered to skiers at intermediate and above levels. If you're not comfortable on skiing blue runs only, I'd hire an instructor for a half day lesson.

http://www.vail.com/mountain/explore.../MountainTours

Check elsewhere on the vail.com website for multi-day ticket options and definitely buy in advance. You can also do a lodging search on the website and/or call the 800 number and talk with a human.

FWIW, I love Vail and have been skiing there every year since 1977. There are green runs even at the top, and one run (Lost Boy) has what I think is one of the best views on the mountain.

You could also fly Newark to Salt Lake City and take a shuttle service to Park City. Again, no need to rent a car. There are three mountains to ski (two now owned by Vail) and a charming town for the non-skier to explore.

Your chance of finding ski-in-/out lodging is, I think, a little greater. Lodging costs are, overall, cheaper than Vail. Not sure how the cost of lift tickets compares.

Watch for the cost of shuttles to ANY ski area. They are now pretty astronomical, to me, if you have a number in your party.
We ALL love ski in/and out. We had it for many years at Manor VAil and Lionshead. Couldn't do it now, I'm sure!! Just get on the bus and be left off at the base!!

But do compare shuttle costs to the car rental plus overnight parking charges. Personally, I would only rent a 4WD/SUV at that time of year. If you have to add ski racks, it gets very expensive very fast.

Or Subaru.

A ski-equipped 4WD/SUV for a week through Hertz at DIA would be $1300. Through Avis at Eagle County Airport, slightly higher.

Our lodging in Vail charges $15/night for parking (if/when available). The public parking lots charge $25 per 24-hour period.

What is a non-ski equipped? (for those renting skis on site)

Suzie,

Most of the larger ski resorts have mountain guides, or similar. Usually if the group is large enough, they will divide up according to ability level. This is not a free person to ski with all day.

It's a tour of the mountain to get a first time guest familiar with the layout, lift locations, on mountain restaurants/restroom locations, an an idea of runs appropriate for their experience level.

Most of the tours are about 1 - 2 hours, start mid morning or mid afternoon. During busier holiday weekends, and again depending on the size of the resort, they will have both morning and afternoon tours.

I know Snowbird, Park City and Deer Valley all have them.

A shuttle up from SL International will take 30 minutes to Park City and should be reasonable for 3 people. Cheaper than a rental car that you won't use once you are here anyway. Park City has a free shuttle bus system that goes everywhere you want.

I'm a non-skier who has gone with skiers to Park City, Aspen, and Breckenridge, and has also visited Vail, Beaver Creek, Copper and others. They'd all be great - I particularly like Park City and Breck because I like the towns themselves, but Vail Village is also great (can't beat the restaurant selection, except maybe in Aspen), Beaver Creek is very nice (although there's less to keep a non-skier occupied within the resort), and Copper has the advantages Gretchen noted above. The one area I'm not a huge fan of is Snowmass (but my skiers love it - I just don't find it appealing for non-skier, I'd rather be in the town of Aspen than out at Snowmass Mountain 20 minutes away).

starrs, each rental company has their own equipment add-on options. Usually, ski racks and, minimally, all-weather tires. I don't know if any company offers snow tires. I also don't know who's responsible for providing chains which are sometimes required for Vail Pass, Eisenhower Tunnel, Loveland Pass, etc.

We have skied many times and rented cars--and been caught in blizzards getting back to Denver and have managed fine without the cost of a 4WD. AND we have brought our own chains and never had to chain up.
I would agree about Snowmass for the non-skier--but for cruising blues it is great. Nearby Aspen Highlands would be great for the greens.
BUT it is also a 4 hour drive rather than 2 from DIA.
Our family (the part not in Denver) has stopped bringing equipment and rent on the mountain, or nearby. The cost of bringing has gone up with the baggage rates!!
Breck is very cute and fun and good skiing.
What was said about the mountain guide is true--not an all day activity. Couple of hours.
Group ski lessons will be the best investment you can make at a Colorado resort--you'll improve by leaps and bounds in a day if you are already on light blues!!

<<We have skied many times and rented cars--and been caught in blizzards getting back to Denver and have managed fine without the cost of a 4WD. AND we have brought our own chains and never had to chain up.>>

We got caught in a blizzard en route to Breck in a Nissan Altima. But I can drive a normal car in snow and handle the tiptronic shift like it's a regular stick. If you're not a snowy driver, get something more robust.

Jean, we rented Subaru Outbacks, just like we drove at home. I felt comfortable with their AWD.

both are amazing, i prefer colorado, especially winter park!

Thanks for all the great feedback. I plan to stay in today and make some phone calls...

I have skied both the Park City area and Colorado for years. I still prefer the Colorado area. From you description, Breckenridge would work well for you. There are lots of property along 4 O'clock run and Snowflake lift that are ski in and out. Breck also has an excellent free bus system that makes it is easily to get to the lifts if it is not a true ski in and out. And there are many places in Breck that are ski in but not out.

Unless you are very experienced with driving a 4wheel drive in snow, I would never recommend getting a 4wheel drive. One reason that 4wheel rentals are so expensive is that inexperience drivers but then in the ditch all the time. I remember coming down from Eisenhower/Johnson into Denver in some very bad weather a few years with about 10 cars off the road. Everyone was four wheel and need to be towed.

The requirement is "chains or adequate snow tires/all season." I have not seen a car in chains in years. If it bad enough for you to need chains - park it!!! Only truckers are chaining up. Rental cars will have adequate tires.

One problem with inexperienced 4WD drivers is that they consider themselves invincible--and on ice, (which can be just below all that slush!!) it is of no more use than regular drive.
Agree about the chains--now in the NC mountains, we have indeed been there done that!!
We have skied Snowbird and it was fun and beautiful--what ski area isn't. But I prefer Colorado for the variety and length of the runs possible on the blues and greens. Our kids are the black runs--not us!!!

I was just flipping some channels and saw the "X-Games" was just held at Aspen (Colorado). I do know that there is a good bus service from Glenwood Springs up to Aspen (41 miles).
I have spent a couple nights in Glenwood Springs after getting off the train (California Zephyr).
I tend to do my snowshoeing in the Cascades of Oregon.

You can always take a shuttle from Denver to your ski town and leave the driving to someone else. We had a winter meeting at Keystone one time and most took the shuttle (I rented a car).

A few thoughts on Breck, we were up there for a week mid-January. As fmpden says, they have a bus system called "Free Ride" that actually ran on a schedule. On the route is a great rec center(used by me, the non skier). They have many machines & a great variety of exercise classes.

The restaurants can be busy but we either make reservations or go early. MLK weekend the town was very crowded but by Monday it was pretty quiet. I imagine the crowds picked up for the International Ice Sculpture event so watch when events are scheduled.

If you need overnight parking & it is not included in your rental, there are a couple of public lots on the bus route which charge $5/night. Info is on the Town of Breckenridge website.

Hope that helps.

"International Ice Sculpture event "
We were there for that one year.

Just a couple thoughts after returning from a skit trip to Vail last week. There is so, so much terrain that is great for "greenies/easy blues", that I had a wonderful, if very tiring, time. The price of lift tickets, however, took my breath away - $145 for a one-day pass at the window, and $135 for 3+ days. Ouch!!

I like all the places mentioned, and would also suggest considering Steamboat and Telluride in Colorado and Jackson Hole Wyoming.

I love Park City for the easy access and convenience to so many mountains.

I think Aspen/Snowmass is probably my favorite in Colorado for the variety of terrain and the town. Breck and Vail are great, but can get crowded. Telluride is pretty isolated, but about scenic as it gets. Steamboat is great, and might even have direct flights from Newark. I really like the local feel of Winter Park even if the town isn't as charming as some of the others.

Jackson is amazing and a snow mobile tour through Yellowstone in the middle of winter is truly magical.

Bottom line, you can't go wrong at any of these places!

All these areas will be scenic, no doubt. But some will be better for a non skier.The problem with Steamboat is that the town is separate from the mountain. Is this best for the non skier? I have heard Jackson is very expensive.

Starrs, we have also been to Breck for the Ice Sculture Competition. It is very cool & worth weathering the crowds to see.

Jackson is not a green ski area and neither is Ajax at Aspen.
There is good bus service between Copper, Frisco and Dillon--and Breck.
Jackson is also really isolated.
Copper has shops at the area, and Frisco and Silverthorne are 15 minutes away--by bus, if desired.

I would put Jackson Hole on your list. It is a great ski area but not for beginners. Most the greens at Jackson Hole would a middle blue elsewhere and it goes up rapidly from there. Grooming can be a issue because of the steepness.

Did you mean "NOT" put it on your list? Just wondering in the context of what we both said.

sorry- misread the part about "easy blues". While Jackson has terrain for all levels of skiers, and the apres-vous side of the mountain especially has lots of blue cruisers and a great (but small) true beginners area towards the base, it certainly doesn't have the abundance of easy blues you can find at most of the other spots mentioned.

still an amazing place!

I did.

Well ???? What did you decide?