My husband, daughter(6)and I are planning 5 night vacation in the spring. Being from hurricane stricken Miami we would like to see snow, but not necessarily skiing. We have been to Breckenridge and done the skiing thing, we also really liked the town. We would like a place with activities (snowmobiling, tubing and whatever else you do in the snow aside from skiing), a quaint town, good places to dine and shop, and as far as lodging could be a hotel or preferably a nice cabin or house in the mountains. We would also like a place that is less than a 2 hour drive from the airport.

We have been to Stowe, VT and loved it, so it could be in this vicinity or in the West.

By the way, we have nothing against skiing just thought it was okay.

Sorry for such a generic request, but we are open for suggestions.

Best bet would be to go to Montana. You can fly into Bozeman. You can snowmobile INSIDE Yellowstone Park and see the wildlife and geysers. These are very controlled/guided tours. If you're more adventurous, you can rent a snowmobile in the town outside the park (West Yellowstone). They will give you a map and point you to the west....where you can go *wherever you want*!!! You can stay on groomed trails or take off in the powder, it's up to you. A couple hours to the south is the town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming which is a very cool town. Outside of town is the National Elk Refuge where you can take another tour.

Steamboat Springs, Colorado....less than 20 miles from the airport in Hayden. There is tubing, indoor water-park, hot air ballooning and many companies do guided snowmobile tours. The town was an old west town before it became a ski resort so it's pretty neat.

Aspen, Colorado...has it's own airport essentially in town. Also maybe the BEST "mountain" town in existance. Tons of shopping and great restaurants. Tubing at Buttermilk or Snowmass Ski resorts 10-15 minutes away. An hour away is Glenwood Springs where you can soak in what I think is the world's largest mineral spring fed swimming pool. Doc Holliday is buried in town as well if you're a history buff.

Just to be certain, we're discussing Spring of 2006, right? There's been a RASH of posters here that cannot discern between next Spring being in 2006 or 2007. Honest. Similar thread subjects of skiing in Spring.

Aspen fits the bill. Check out www.aspensnowmass.com for lots of info on the area. Great food. Beautiful, authentic silver mining town.

Check out the Pine Creek Cookhouse where you park your car and take a sleigh pulled by draught horses (or crosscountry ski) to a beautiful log cabin for a fantastic dinner experience.

Check out Krabloonik for a dogsled ride and then lunch or dinner of local game. There are some good snowmobile tours to the Maroon Bells, the most photogenic spot in CO, IMO. I forget the name of the ranch that offers tours, Lazy 7 is in the name...J Lazy 7? something like that.


Your daughter is the perfect age for the tubing hill at Snowmass.

hi belli, i would second steamboat springs. also the grand lake/estes park area is known for snowmobiling and ass't. snow sports not involving skies. you might easily find a house to rent in steamboat or the rustic lodge thing in grand lake area. both are closer to 3 hours from denver.
in that you have only 5 nights i think aspen and montana/yellowstone will take too much travel time out of your vacation. aspen is about 5-6 hours drive from denver, mont an extra flight.
try to check out ski-joring if you go to steamboat. a horse and rider pull somebody on skies as fast as possible through a course of snowjumps and things to grab and go around. VERY exciting to watch.

You'd like Steamboat especially during Winter Carnival. Ski joring, The Lighted Man from Vernal Utah and the worlds only marching band on skis.

You'd also be able to watch world class athletes skiing off the 90 meter ski jump, now that takes some serious cajones.

Beanman

Winter Carnival is Feb 8-14 this coming 2006.

I have to get a vote in here for Park City, Utah. It is 30 minutes from SLC airport. They have all that you requested in activities plus the Utah Olympic Park where all the ski jumping and bobsledding is done (you can actually pay to go on a bobsled run, not cheap but what a hoot).

This is an old mining town with about 7,500 people as year round residents, plus wonderful dining. Easy to get around with a free bus system.

Ditto on Park City. In the East, Killington, VT. I hate it for skiing but it's got a lot going for it.

Estes Park, CO seems to fit the bill for all your requirements. Check out vrbo.com or estesparkrealestate.com (and go to vacation rentals) for a nice selection of cabins.

Sue

Don't forget the Northeast. NH has a ton to offer. Lake Winnipasaukee for Snow mobiling is the ultimate. MT Washington Hotel the Valley is a N.E. classic with every snow-related activity right out the door! Mountains and lakes galore and quaint New England towns all around. Great shopping too and definitely easier on the wallet than most ski villages or towns.

What about Quebec City. They have a fabulous winter carnival for about 2 weeks mid February. Not sure of the dates. There are all kinds of winter activities, skating, tubing, parades, ice sculptures. It is great for kids and adults. You can visit Old Quebec, lots of great french restaurants and quaint shops.

Banf is amazing,There are so many outdoor activities,dog sleds,snow mobiles,glacier visits.It is wonderful.
Check out the Banf posts in canada