Skiing in Iowa!??
Aug 13th, 2008, 01:02 PM
#1
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Skiing in Iowa!??
I was searching for kid friendly ski resorts and found one that looks great. It's called Sundown near Dubuque. Am I nuts for considering a ski trip with my 7 year old to IOWA?? I mean, I didn't even know they had mountains in Iowa!! Anyway, looks fun and inexpensive. Considering Presidents Day weekend in February. Anyone familiar with it?
Aug 13th, 2008, 01:43 PM
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I agree with abram...how far are you traveling? Are you nearer to South Dakota? There is skiing in Sioux Falls which is about 6 hours from Dubuque.
http://www.greatbearpark.com/
http://www.greatbearpark.com/
Aug 13th, 2008, 02:01 PM
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No I'm flying from Florida. I really see your point, but the website looks great, especially for kids. Maybe I AM NUTS!!!
http://www.sundownmtn.com
http://www.sundownmtn.com
Aug 13th, 2008, 04:36 PM
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I've never skied in Iowa and I live in CO so I'll admit I'm biased, but what looks great about that resort compared to resorts in CO, UT or CA? Please take another look at the photo of their hill - err "mountain" - before booking a ski vacation.
www.sundownmtn.com/ourmountain/index.html
www.sundownmtn.com/ourmountain/index.html
Aug 13th, 2008, 04:59 PM
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I love to ski, and do it every Saturday at the little bump in the road near us. But there's no way I'd fly to a resort like that--what a waste.
All of the big resorts are great for kids. Pick someplace near where you can fly non-stop. For example, Park City, the Canyons, and Deer Valley are within 45 minutes of the Salt Lake City Airport.
All of the big resorts are great for kids. Pick someplace near where you can fly non-stop. For example, Park City, the Canyons, and Deer Valley are within 45 minutes of the Salt Lake City Airport.
Aug 14th, 2008, 05:05 AM
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If you are looking for a smaller resort, try Blue Mountain near Toronto:
http://www.bluemountain.ca/
http://www.bluemountain.ca/
Aug 14th, 2008, 06:06 AM
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Thanks guys. I think I'm straight now. I was looking for something kid friendly and economical. Airfare to the west (Utah, Colorado, WY, etc) is twice as much as in the east. Toronto would be too expensive as well.
Aug 14th, 2008, 06:22 AM
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I don't know where you are in Florida, but you could hop on Spirit or USA3000 to Detroit for not too much. You would then have to drive about four or five hours, but you would have Blue Mountain and all of northern Michigan available to you. There are many great resorts in Northern Michigan. I know Homestead is one of them:
http://www.thehomesteadresort.com/
as is Boyne
http://www.boyne.com/
http://www.thehomesteadresort.com/
as is Boyne
http://www.boyne.com/
Aug 14th, 2008, 07:18 AM
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attyWSW - if the airfare to IA was within your budget, try Lutsen Mtn Resort on Northshore of MN. Fly into MSP or DUL. We usually ski in CO, but went to Lutsen one year (relatives close by). Was surprised how good it was - very kid/family friendly and costs were about half of CO.
www.lutsen.com
www.lutsen.com
Aug 14th, 2008, 09:07 AM
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I've skiied Sundown several times and yes it is a kid-friendly resort. The "mountains" obviously aren't Colorado caliber (I've skiied in CO, CA, IA, WI and MN) so have a good idea what is out there. It's a great little weekend ski trip. That being said there is not a lot to do around the area and certainly no "resort" to stay at, just chain hotels in Dubuque. Chestnut Moutain in Galena has a resort on site but there is no way I would fly from Florida to vacation at either one. Check out some of Wisconsins options for a get away on the cheap, better hills and you could fly in to Madison.
Aug 14th, 2008, 09:27 AM
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North Carolina ski areas get a lot of Florida business, and we have real mountains. But chance of real snow is iffy these days. www.skinc.com or http://www.skisoutheast.com/ for a broader list of Southeast ski resorts.
Aug 14th, 2008, 12:31 PM
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You are a bit nuts for considering this place.
If you're flying all the way to the midwest, go to Michigan's UP or Minnesota's North Shore (as others have already suggested). Bigger hills, better snow and more to do in those areas. Sundown is likely to have lots of man-made snow/ice.
From FL, I would say your better off staying closer to home. There have to be kid-friendly resorts in the Northeast. I wouldn't fly all the way out west - I'm sure they will have the best conditions, but along with that will come higher altitude and bigger crowds. Holiday weekends will be a bear at any real resort, so you're better off picking something smaller and a little off the beaten path.
If you're flying all the way to the midwest, go to Michigan's UP or Minnesota's North Shore (as others have already suggested). Bigger hills, better snow and more to do in those areas. Sundown is likely to have lots of man-made snow/ice.
From FL, I would say your better off staying closer to home. There have to be kid-friendly resorts in the Northeast. I wouldn't fly all the way out west - I'm sure they will have the best conditions, but along with that will come higher altitude and bigger crowds. Holiday weekends will be a bear at any real resort, so you're better off picking something smaller and a little off the beaten path.
