SKIING in US next season.....
 

I am an experienced skier from Europe and will be doing a ski season somewhere in the States next season. I have been to Aspen before for a holiday but am looking for somewhere a little less glamourous with a younger clientel. <BR> <BR>What resort/state would you recommend and why? <BR> <BR>I am also interested to hear about any experiences skiing in Alaska and any advice of how to research this. <BR> <BR>

I loved Telluride and Crested Butte, both in Colorado. I also liked Whistler/Blackcomb in British Columbia.

you might enjoy park city, utah. there are several resorts within a one-hour drive (park city, park west, deer valley, snowbird, alta, solitude, brighton and more), and each is very different, both in terms of "personality" and in terms of terrain. groomed runs, bowls, "off-piste," you name it, it's there. <BR> <BR>you'll also find other activities (like snowmobiling and hot air balloon rides) and great restaurants -- whether you want a good meal yourself or are looking for a job where the tips are good. plus, there's a major airport within an hour's drive. <BR> <BR>and if you're into celebrity watching, the sundance film festival brings the independent movie stars into town for a few days ....

Harry, <BR>The only Alaskan ski resort I can think of is Aleyeska. It is located between Seward and Anchorage. It's a quite place, not too much night life. <BR>I have not skied there. Too dark for me. I ski mostly in Maine, at Sunday River. The two above post are great places for skiing and loads of young skiers. I like places where your wardrobe doesn't have to cost more than your equipment.

I would recommend Steamboat, Crested Butte, Jackson Hole or Taos. Park City will be expensive and popular because of the winter games. Jackson Hole has tons of expert trails as does Taos.

I live in Park City Utah and until recently worked at one of our hotels here. IMPORTANT NOTE:

Sorry, computer hiccup. People are under a serious misconception that Park City will be crowded and expensive the whole year of 2002. WRONG,WRONG,WRONG! Exactly because of the Olympics and this common misconception, Park City will be a bargain for all but the month of February. Check into it and you'll find great rates. Also, the skiing won't be crowded DURING the Olympics, because everyone will be at the games....

I live in Park City and have for 20 years..and concur with Dayle who I assume lives in Park City also...Park City will be great in an Olympic year in all months but February....You have the most convenient airport on earth to fly into in terms of skiing destinations..and besides Park City..within one hour drive of Park City there are 9 other resorts..Deer Valley, Canyons, Solitude,Brighton, Snowbird, Alta, Snow Basin, Powder Mountain, & Sundance. Each of thses ski resorts is differentin a different way. You can run the gamit from glamorous at Deer Valley to a younger clientel at Park City. Try it you will like it .

If it's gotta be in the US, then I'd agree that Park City is a decent choice - the town is pretty nice and you'll find a mixed crowd age-wise. The skiing at the Park City Mountain Resort is good, lots of grooming, with a great lift system. There is better skiing to be had about a 45-minute ride away around Salt Lake City, at Alta, Brighton, Snowbird, and Solitude, but those mountains don't offer the slopeside village experience. <BR> <BR>Jackson Hole is nice, with extreme terrain, and a great town - it does have a little of the glamour thing going on, but there are also alot of serious skiiers/riders around. <BR> <BR>But if you want to have major fun, a young crowd, awesome drinking, eating, nightlife, and lodging - AND killer skiing (!) then your answer is absolutely Whistler/Blackcomb. Of course, it's not not in the states, but maybe you could make an exception in this case?

If you want more of a challenge than what's available out west, head to the east coast. Skiing in Vermont is what skiing's all about. You'll also find a younger crowd there, too. Try Stowe.

Vail, Colorado is the best ski town I've been to. Great nightlife with lots of bars with people of all ages. The mountain is huge with many trails. Plenty of hot little snow bunnies running around. I'd try to go during the Christmas or Spring break when more college people will be there. <BR> <BR>Heavenly at Lake Tahoe, NV was also very fun since you can gamble. Not too many bars and clubs though. Older crowd. I enjoyed the mountain but not as much as Vail. <BR> <BR>Never been to Park City or Whistler but have heard a lot of good things aobut both as you can see.

The problem with Whistler is the snow can be wet and heavy, if you want decent powder go elsewhere.

News flash: Alta &amp; Snowbird have just announced that they will offer a combined lift ticket for next season. This is MAJOR news, something we thought would never happen. This allows Alta skiers to access Mineral Basin, the backside of Snowbird that was opened 3 years ago! A new lift will be built to return skiers to Alta from Mineral Basin. BUT: still no snowboarding allowed at Alta - so it's skiers only! <BR><BR>PS: Not enough challenge in the West? Obviously, you haven't skied here.

Would have to agree with the above post about Whistler/Blackcomb. Because of it's north western location there is a good possibility that you will have some wet conditions. I spent the first 3 days of our trip there in rain! <BR><BR>Had to laugh about the poster saying that if you want a challange, ski in the east i.e. Vermont. Vermont is beautiful, with that I agree, but there is no comparision to the skiing in the east vs the west. The eastern mountains do not have the elevation to compare with the Rockies...you also need some sharp edges to ski all that ice in the east :0)<BR><BR>Try Jackson Hole, Snowbird Utah, or Taos for some serious vertical skiing. All in all for great snow(powder), easy to get to (45 minutes from the airport) and varied terrain try Utah. Lots of different mountain a short drive from one another. <BR>Never been to Alaska...