skiing

[kaymak]

Where is everyone's favorite place to snow ski. I have only been once in my life and that was to Keystone Colorado. We will have young children who we would like to let try ski school. Is there anyway to go skiing without breaking the bank?

 

[skiwee1]

For every year trips we love 7 Springs. It is a family resort in PA. Here is the site:http://www.7springs.com/ It is very cheap and the hotel is great! There are plenty of different restaurants, pizza palors, and diners to fit all tastes. There is a roller rink, mini golf, pool, and a bunch of other stuff all indoors. We went to Snowbird in Utah last year and were really disappointed in the overall atmosphere and amenities. They have nothing compared to good old Seven Springs. We will be there again this year in a few weeks.

 

[Priorityonecb]

We live in Colorado...our favorite ski resort is Copper Mountain. It is absolutely the best for family trips! Their learn to ski program is fantastic and my daughter was skiing on her own by mid afternoon! Once you are in the resort, there are buses that take you all over. There is shopping, resturaunts, ice skating, tubing, skiing, concerts...and it's all in one intimate place. We absolutely love it! We go every summer as well...they have tons of activities in the summer as well.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

This is a grest question. DH & I were looking for a ski resort to visit last year. Snowshoe Mtn., WV seemed perfect for what we're looking for in a ski resort. The only problem was that the closest airport was way too far away. That could have meant a very long ride on snowy, slick roads. We're Floridians & it's been years since we lived in NC, & my DH drove in snow. Believe me, the friendly people in the Mountain State don't want us up there driving around in the winter. The resorts I could find in Colorado & Utah were very expensive for a short getaway. What we're looking for in a ski resort: A nice lodge where DH & I can sit around watching it snow & sipping hot chocolate, while our DS(13) takes skiing lessons. No skiing for us. Transportation to & from the airport. Everything (restaurants, shops, etc.) within walking distance, or acessible through their transportation. Plenty to do to entertain us w/o leaving the resort area. In a nutshell, we're looking for what everyone imagines, when they think of a ski resort. Of course, we would like this in the Snowshoe price range rather than the Aspen price range.

OP,
I hope you don't mind me piggybacking on your thread. Hopefully, we can learn from each other's questions.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

You don't say where you want to go. If you are driving I'd probably pick the North Carolina mountains. Flying obviously the sky is the limit. I would probably pick a Tahoe resort just because there would always be something to do at night. Surfing the web looking for ski related websites would probably be a better bet than looking here. The bigger resorts are more likely to have things to do such as winter carnivals and what not.

I'd recommend Sliding on the Cheap (http://www.slidingonthecheap.com/).
Unfortunately they don't have any information on the southeast but its a start.

PS. You might want to check out Smuggler's Notch (www.smuggs.com) This is a family oriented resort in both the summer and winter. The runs are pretty good and I believe they have kids activities.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

What we're looking for in a ski resort: A nice lodge where DH & I can sit around watching it snow & sipping hot chocolate, while our DS(13) takes skiing lessons. No skiing for us. Transportation to & from the airport. Everything (restaurants, shops, etc.) within walking distance, or acessible through their transportation. Plenty to do to entertain us w/o leaving the resort area. In a nutshell, we're looking for what everyone imagines, when they think of a ski resort. Of course, we would like this in the Snowshoe price range rather than the Aspen price range.

What about Heavenly / Stateline, NV? I think you'd probably have to fly into Nevada rather than Sacramento but with the casinos there must be transportation directly from the airport. There is a lift that runs directly from downtown to the mountain.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Family Fun magazine had an article on this not too long ago, you might find some info on their website for good places to take kids. www.familyfun.com

 

[kaymak]

Thanks for the replies. We would like to fly somewhere out west to ski. I was thinking it would be Colorado or Lake Tahoe. We have always driven to our destinations and would really like to fly somewher nice but still be able to afford to ski!

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I have been skiing my entire life, when I don't want to deal with all the people that comes with the resorts (mostly busy slopes and waiting in line for the lift) and want to keep it cheap, I always ski at Loveland in CO. I get tickets for $25.00 at the beginning of the season and then pack a lunch. I have my own equipment so it is $25 for tickets and some gas $$$, no lines for anything!!!

 

[Priorityonecb]

tarheelmjfan you just described Copper! We get a room (one bedroom, kitchen, fireplace, balcony). My youngest dd and I do not ski, we spend the entire day sipping hot cocoa, ice skating, walking around the resort, watching the skiiers. We drive in, and take food and cook in the kitchen so meals are practically free. Once you are in the resort, everything is within walking distance or bus service. There is an indoor pool with hot tub, and each section of the resort also has an outdoor heated pool (we've swam while it snowed on us many times!) and hot tub. There are always packages and specials going on and nowhere near Aspen's prices. I can't do websites here, but if you put up Copper Mountain in your search engine it will take you to the site. It has maps of the resort and everything you might need.

 

[poohj80]

We have done most of our skiing in CO and would not recommend Loveland for the beginning/child skier. We do enjoy Breckenridge and Keystone, but our favorite so far has been Big Sky, Montana. No crowds, ski in/out resorts, no long lines for lifts, and good green slopes for the beginners in the group. It's not much for nightlife (if that's an interest), but we now go there whenever possible over CO. A day trip down to Yellowstone for some snowmobiling or just to see the geysers makes a nice break.

 

[Piecey]

This is a grest question. DH & I were looking for a ski resort to visit last year. Snowshoe Mtn., WV seemed perfect for what we're looking for in a ski resort. The only problem was that the closest airport was way too far away. That could have meant a very long ride on snowy, slick roads. We're Floridians & it's been years since we lived in NC, & my DH drove in snow. Believe me, the friendly people in the Mountain State don't want us up there driving around in the winter.

Hey... I live in WV Were you looking to fly into Charleston or Beckley?
I'm not a skiier myself (is that even how you spell it?) but I think Snowshoe is GREAT! It's weird to me that someone from Florida wants to come up here. Hehe..

I know I'm from the state so I'm relatively used to snow, but they're pretty good about keeping the roads really clear- especially to popular places like Snowshoe (One of the few tourism draws we have!) So I guess my entire point is just that I wouldn't worry TOO much about the snow- I mean, after all- that's why you're coming, isn't it?

*Edit*
I just took a look at the Snowshoe webpage and saw that it doesn't list Beckley, WV as having an airport. It's definitely a smaller one (like the airport in the town I live in) but worth looking into if you're interested in Snowshoe.
I think it's a lot closer than Lewisburg... Not sure why they didn't list it?

 

[ohiominnie]

After deciding that the one ski resort by us was unsuitable to teach the kids to ski (horrible Ohio snow/ice conditions and crazy middle school ski club groups) we took the kids to Peek 'n Peak in New York. The ski school there is WONDERFUL and if you can go during the week it is practically private lessons, not group lessons!! The kids skiied there for a few years taking ski school in the mornings and then skiing with us in the afternoons. I can't say enough good things about the ski school and the instructors there.

Last year we went to Holiday Valley to get bigger hills. The kids both know how to ski well enough that they did not do ski school at all. Again, during the week it was dead (except for the ONE day where they had some sort of promotion for the locals)

We're not taking our ski trip this winter and now I'm missing it!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll take a look at all of them.

Piecey,
I don't remember where the airports I checked were located. How far are the 2 you mentioned from Snowshoe? I wonder, if there's transportation to the resort from either of them. We'll definitely be hoping for lots of snow, once we get there. We just don't want to take a chance of having to drive in it.

 

[Piecey]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll take a look at all of them.

Piecey,
I don't remember where the airports I checked were located. How far are the 2 you mentioned from Snowshoe? I wonder, if there's transportation to the resort from either of them. We'll definitely be hoping for lots of snow, once we get there. We just don't want to take a chance of having to drive in it.

Okay, so I got a little bit confused but I did a little bit of digging and realized I was confusing Winterplace and Snowshoe- location wise, anyway.

Snowshoe is about an hour out of the Lewisburg airport (LWB). US Air is currently the only Airline that flies out of there (As I've found is the case with most of the tiny airports in this state...) It looks like the hub is Charlotte.

Not sure about any buses, someone at the actual resort might be able to help you about that. I would assume there is SOMETHING though- Lewisburg is beautiful and all, but I don't see an airport surviving down there without all the local tourist attractions...

 

[TnTWalter]

Wow!
Trish

 

[tweedlewtwinsmama]

For every year trips we love 7 Springs. It is a family resort in PA. Here is the site:http://www.7springs.com/ It is very cheap and the hotel is great! There are plenty of different restaurants, pizza palors, and diners to fit all tastes. There is a roller rink, mini golf, pool, and a bunch of other stuff all indoors. We went to Snowbird in Utah last year and were really disappointed in the overall atmosphere and amenities. They have nothing compared to good old Seven Springs. We will be there again this year in a few weeks.

We are heading here tomorrow It will be my first time here in the Winter but we have camped near here. We also have been to Holiday Valley and Snowshoe

 

[Disney1998]

What about Heavenly / Stateline, NV? I think you'd probably have to fly into Nevada rather than Sacramento but with the casinos there must be transportation directly from the airport. There is a lift that runs directly from downtown to the mountain.

Ahhh....skiing at Tahoe. We have taken a couple of trips to Tahoe. I have to say hands down it has to be one of the most scenic areas I've skied at and I've been to Jackson Hole, Whistler/Blackcomb, Utah, and Colorado. We haven't been in a few years, but we skiied a smaller mountain called Homewood and the views we breathtaking. Don't get me wrong, we skiied Heavenly also and the view was outstanding, but Homewood's mid-wk price was much cheaper. Also, a much smaller mountain. Ahhh, the smell of the pine trees and the snow glistening... Tahoe also has snow mobiling, paddle boat rides and other activities. There are also a range of lodging options also. But the color of the water of the lake is like the Caribbean. They saw you can see a white dinner plate something like 90feet down, that's how clear it is. Did you get I like Tahoe yet???

Many places cater to families now. I have heard good things about Smuggler's Notch in Vermont also, but in my honest opinion, skiing on the west coast doesn't compare to skiing on the east coast. I would give up a whole ski season on the east for a week out west.

Hope this helps!!! Good luck making your choice.

 

[Mom21]

Can anyone recommend any nice, family friendly ski resorts in Aspen? I don't ski so I'll be having a brewski by the fire....LOL. My husband used to ski, but hasn't in years as we live in Florida. My dd has her heart set on Aspen next March for her birthday. She wants to see snow (poor underpriveleged little Florida child), learn to ski, go tubing, and ice skating. Thanks.

 

[Spartan]

I'd like to second the vote for Copper Mtn in Colorado. I've been to a few places in Colorado and Utah, and I liked Copper the best. Small crowds, quaint little village, and the mountain is laid out very nice in that most of the runs for the different experience levels are natually grouped together. Pretty nice distribution of greens, blues, and blacks without a lot of criss-crossing of them. Not much in the way of night-life compared to the bigger ski areas, but nice for families, and everything is very compact and easy to walk to if you stay at the resort.