Ski resort options?

[Renee']

We're planning a ski trip for January of '03. We've never taken the kids to see snow and hubby and I haven't seen it since we were kids. I'm looking for any help with specific lodges in Colorado, Utah or up to the NE in Vermont. Have any of you stayed in any of the Concierge Collection locations? Any opinions, experiences or advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jimbo]

I visited the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Park City Utah this June, although I didn't spend the night there. And I obviously wasn't skiing in June either. Anyway, it's a really cool resort, and it is a member of the Concierge Collection. We had a meal and a drink at the bar, and liked both. Park City is where most of the skiing, luge and bobsled events are to be held in the '02 Olympics.

Conde Nast Traveler just put out their annual Gold List of resorts, and this resort got a very good ranking. I don't have the magazine handy, but I remember one comment: "the staff pre-warms your boots for you." Now that's service!

 

[WDWguru]

The Stein is VERY swanky and I was quite impressed to learn I could use my points to stay there. Deer Valley, the resort it borders, is also the "Aspen of Utah". It's fantastic and they'll definitely fall all over themselves for you.

If you're planning to ski there, be aware that Deer Valley is the most exclusive resort in Utah (they close it off at very low capacity and groom it to within an inch of its life) but you pay the price. It's upwards of $60 a day for a lift ticket this season. It's well worth it, but the good news is, if you don't want to spend that much there are a dozen other fantastic resorts within about 30 miles.

Park City Ski Resort is just down the street and is just a little less pricey. Your best bet is to head over to the Cottonwood Canyons and hit Alta, Solitude or Snowbird. All three get more snow than the Park City resorts and are much cheaper. Alta is probably the best skiing in Utah and is only $37 a day for a lift ticket. Solitude is probably second and is $44.

No matter where you go, you can't go wrong skiing in Utah. We've lived here 8 years now and it just gets better every year! We've had tons of snow early this season and even with the Olympics coming all the resorts are advertising that they'll be open for skiing during the games. Can't wait to go up for our first trip this season next week!!

I'm right here in Salt Lake, so if you have specific questions just ask. I'll be happy to answer or to find out if I don't know!

 

[Jimbo]

You're right, Kim, the resort was in Deer Valley not Park City. That's what I get for drinking at altitude!

 

[Dean]

Keystone is another that comes to mind. There are also many great ski locations that would be accessible through II at a lower cost in points but possible more uncertainty. There are members of this board that have stayed there. Stein Erickson is a high class place to be sure, I've seen 2 specials on the Travel Channel including one that just focused on the food options there.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Are any of the exchange options ski in / ski out? I like to have accomodations right on the slopes to be able to take nice breaks in the middle of the day. Seems like that is an important point, but I haven't seen it in our exchange options.

Maybe we need an exchange option that offers ski in / ski out. Snowshoe?
7 Springs?

 

[WDWguru]

The Stein is ski-in ski-out, located mid-mountain at Deer Valley. From their site: "Ski-in, ski-out access to the exhilarating slopes of Deer Valley Ski Resort." - more info at http://www.steinlodge.com/

(I'm starting to feel like Ski Utah needs to put me on their payroll! LOL)

 

[BillPA]

Will be trying The Grand Timber Lodge in Breckenridge in just over 2 weeks. I'll let you know more about it after the trip. I did an II swap, 7 nights in a studio, for 55 points. This is a new timeshare resort, that is a ski in/out at the base of the Snowflake lift.

Here is a link to their site:
http://www.grandtimberlodge.com/

 

[dbond]

We are returning to Keystone this year using our DVC points. Last year we stayed in the River Run Village. It wasn't ski/in/out but the village is a short stroll from the base of the gondola which gives you access to the rest of the mountain. This year there is a new condo unit, The Timbers, that is even closer to the Gondola and is considered a ski/in/out. We have a 2 br reserved using points in January.

 

[Beth]

dbond

Do you mind telling us many points it took to reserve that vacation?

 

[dbond]

Beth, I can tell you the points needed for The Timbers. We are staying 4 nights in a 2 br condo, 312 points. I'm sorry I can't remember,nor can I find my records for last year at River Run. I can tell you that River Run was considerably less, I think it was about half the points. The Timbers is a brand new condo unit that has all the amenities of a concierge level hotel. We decided to splurge this year and try out the new place. River Run is very nice, the condo units are well stocked just like our DVC resorts and the village is a wonderful place to stay and really only a very short walk to the lift.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Marriott's Mountain Valley Lodge in Breckenridge is on the exchange list and is located at the base of one of the lifts. The location was great. However, Breckenridge is pretty spread out and it requires a few lift rides to get from one end of the resort to the other. The Marriott property is at one end. I stayed there 2 years ago and it was very nice.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

The Stein is ski-in ski-out,

Kewl. Thanks.

 

[Renee']

Thanks everyone for all the information. I'm going to take my question one step further. Would you recommend any resort over another? My expectations are rather simple. Snow, snowmobiles, fireplaces, jacuzzis & drinks I think I'll find this anywhere though so I'll focus my quest for somewhere that the kids will have fun too. The kids will be 7 and 10 with none of us ever skiing before. Are some resorts more children friendly than others?

In advance...thanks again!

 

[WDWguru]

I've only been to Deer Valley a few times and don't have kids, but I can pretty much assure you ANY resort in Utah is going to be kid-friendly for obvious reasons - lol! Alta has a highly acclaimed kids program but the runs are weighted toward the advanced. However, all the resorts offer lessons and have "bunny slopes" for beginners. We've had great luck teaching friends and family at Solitude by ourselves.

Look up trail maps online - you'll want somewhere with lots of green and blue slopes as those are easiest. Some resorts are geared more toward intermediate or advanced skiers. Somewhere that grooms a lot would also be good. Deer Valley is pricey, but they DO have fantastic service on and off the mountain and they do LOTS of grooming to make their runs smooth and easy. Not necessarily a good thing for advanced skiers, but great for you guys.

Snowmobiling is something you'll have to do outside the resort. I don't know of any that will let you do it as it tears up the slopes. However, there are lots of tours out there that will take you out into the backcountry to ride around. Plan on at LEAST a half day, if not a full day to do it. By the time you load up, get a quick lesson on driving, ride around and come back you've killed several hours.

You've got a tough decision ahead, but it sounds like you're planning a fun trip!!

 

[DisneyKidds]

If you are considering the Northeast, any of the Stowe, VT properties would be a good choice for families. I think Top Notch at Stowe is available - very nice. I think I also saw the Trappe Family Lodge (yes - the von Trappes from the Sound of Music) - also very nice. Niether of these is ski-in/ski-out.

Stowe is very close to Smugglers Notch which gets accolades every year for it kids programs and family friendly atmosphere. Stowe and Smugs are also way up north in Vermont so you have a decent shot at good snow coverage. Also, Stowe is the picture perfect post card New England ski town.

If you can find Ski or Skiing magazine issues in the library or elsewhere, back in the fall they all evaluated their "Top" resorts in every category, including family resorts. If I recall correctly, Smugglers Notch may have been number 1 in the family resort category in some of these reviews. Go to www.skimag.com and you can find resort info as well, including reader survey results rating the best resorts in all categories, including family.

I am from the east and love many of the Northeast resorts. However, from Florida you have to get on a plane, and IMO, if you have to fly you might as well fly out west. The scenery and size of the resorts blows the east away - and typically they will have more snow in early Jan.

Good luck with your decision. We hope to plan a ski trip out west in March 03 .

 

[Allan]

We have 5 nights in a 1BR at Keystone reserved in March for 120 points. We are really looking forward to it!

 

[Nick Beecham]

Allan

Please can you tell me:

1. Is a 1BR at Keystone supposed to have roughly equivalent space to a 1BR at, say, BWV?

2. Was this for a ski in/ski out unit?

Many thanks in advance
Nick

 

[Allan]

Nick

This is our first trip to Keystone, so I'm not sure about the room size but from what I gather on their web site I suspect the 1BR at Keystone will be a little smaller. I know that it has a full kitchen but no washer and dryer in the room. Also, we aren't in a ski in-ski out area but it is available for more points.

 

[Nick Beecham]

Thanks Allan

I hope you have a wonderful trip. It would be great to see a posting from you after you come back. I am hoping to go to Keystone too.

Nick