Snowbird ski resort?

[skiwee1]

I know this is way OT but has anyone here ever been to Snowbird in Utah? I need to book a ski trip for this Christmas and time is running out. I have a hard time concentrating on any trip but Disney! So I have narrowed it down to this one. Anyone have any info on it? TIA!

 

[froglady]

Could you be more specific, please?

Do you want info on the hotels, the restaurants, or the skiing? Or all of the above?

I've been twice. The first time I was a beginner. It's not a lot of fun unless you're an intermediate skier, but Alta, which is a short shuttle drive away, has much better green slopes. With the exception of the "bunny" slope, the greens at Snowbird would be blues at most other resorts. I went to Steamboat the next season, and spent hours on blues, thinking they were greens.

The full service restaurants were very good, especially one up the road in Alta. However, they were generally pricey, and had the strange Utah drinking laws. People who complain about WDW prices haven't spent a whole lot of time at upper end ski resorts.

I've only stayed at The Lodge. The rooms are typical, but ours didn't have balconies; we were overlooking the bunny slope, which is also the main route for getting into and out of the hotel. There is a ski shop right in the hotel, along with a children's center. Lessons can be arranged at the hotel, if I remember correctly. However, you do have to head down the hill to meet your class (beginner) or travel over to Big Emma to meet the other classes. The rooftop pool is quite comfortable on a sunny day. The spa has massages, hair care, etc. available...at a cost.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Not to hijack the thread but - what kind of "drinking laws" does Utah have?

 

[jason]

Having been a former SLC resident ill try to explain the "crazy drinking laws". I'm not even sure if I understand them.

1.Everywhere that sells alcohal is called a "private club"
2.To drink you have to become a member of the "private club"
3.To become a member you have to pay $5
4.Once your a member your only a member for however long you are in the bar

The drinking law goes something like that. I think

BTW Watch out for those mormons

 

[tiggersmom2]

Originally posted by jason
Having been a former SLC resident ill try to explain the "crazy drinking laws". I'm not even sure if I understand them.

1.Everywhere that sells alcohal is called a "private club"
2.To drink you have to become a member of the "private club"
3.To become a member you have to pay $5
4.Once your a member your only a member for however long you are in the bar

The drinking law goes something like that. I think

BTW Watch out for those mormons

OMG! I don't think I could live in Utah!

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by froglady
Could you be more specific, please?

Do you want info on the hotels, the restaurants, or the skiing? Or all of the above?

I've been twice. The first time I was a beginner. It's not a lot of fun unless you're an intermediate skier, but Alta, which is a short shuttle drive away, has much better green slopes. With the exception of the "bunny" slope, the greens at Snowbird would be blues at most other resorts. I went to Steamboat the next season, and spent hours on blues, thinking they were greens.

The full service restaurants were very good, especially one up the road in Alta. However, they were generally pricey, and had the strange Utah drinking laws. People who complain about WDW prices haven't spent a whole lot of time at upper end ski resorts.

I've only stayed at The Lodge. The rooms are typical, but ours didn't have balconies; we were overlooking the bunny slope, which is also the main route for getting into and out of the hotel. There is a ski shop right in the hotel, along with a children's center. Lessons can be arranged at the hotel, if I remember correctly. However, you do have to head down the hill to meet your class (beginner) or travel over to Big Emma to meet the other classes. The rooftop pool is quite comfortable on a sunny day. The spa has massages, hair care, etc. available...at a cost.

We are staying at the Cliff Lodge and Spa. I was interested in the rooms and if they were nice. We have booked a suite which is a standard room and a deluxe room attached. Do all rooms not have balconies? Are there bad views? I was hoping not to shuttle anywhere else to ski. I liked that this lodge was a ski in/out deal. We generally start out on blue and onto black, venturing to double diamond within a couple of days. The older I get the longer it takes to heal a broken hip so I have tended to slow it down. Now that I have a 5 y/o dd that started skiing last year I am sure I will spend most of the time on bunny slopes. I just wanted your overall opinion on the resort in general. Is it a first class resort or just average? Would you stay there again? We are from Maryland and the only resort we stay at is Seven Springs. This will be a huge deal for us and we can't wait. Thanks!

 

[danacara]

Anyone stayed at Hotel Monaco in SLC?

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by danacara
Anyone stayed at Hotel Monaco in SLC?

Never heard of it. I am just hoping the Cliff lodge is nice. For the prices they charge it better be!
Froglady do you know if all the rooms have no balconies? We got the suite which basically is a standard room and a deluxe but they term it a suite to make more of a rip. I wonder if the deluxes have a balcony and maybe the standard doesn't. I get claustrophobic and would love to have some fresh air. we also got slopeside so I'm hoping to sit out on the balcony and enjoy the view. Thanks for the details!

 

[Tea Please]

We have stayed at Snowbird at the Cliff Lodge and it was a little above average. While I am sure at Christmas it would be lovely and filled with families, the last time we were there it felt more "convention" like. I do not ski but my husband and kids enjoyed the skiing. Unless you have your heart set on Snowbird, there are a few nicer options. We abolutely love the Stein Ericksen Lodge click here and also we really like the Grand Summit Resortclick here Both are a little more upscale and the Stein has a fabulous spa. I am sure you are paying a premium for the holiday, but for just a little more $ I would choose somewhere other than Snowbird. JMHO. Feel free to PM if you have any questions.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by Tea Please
We have stayed at Snowbird at the Cliff Lodge and it was a little above average. While I am sure at Christmas it would be lovely and filled with families, the last time we were there it felt more "convention" like. I do not ski but my husband and kids enjoyed the skiing. Unless you have your heart set on Snowbird, there are a few nicer options. We abolutely love the Stein Ericksen Lodge click here and also we really like the Grand Summit Resortclick here Both are a little more upscale and the Stein has a fabulous spa. I am sure you are paying a premium for the holiday, but for just a little more $ I would choose somewhere other than Snowbird. JMHO. Feel free to PM if you have any questions.

www.steinlodge.com

Thanks for the info. I looked at the Stein lodge and I don't think my kids would like it. Maybe if it were just DH and myself. With my gang that range in age from 5 to 21, there has to be something for everyone. The Stein is much smaller then Snowbird and doesn't seem to offer that much for kids. I can see where the Snowbird would take on a convention atmosphere because it is huge. Hopefully it will be more family oriented as we are going right after Christmas and over New Years. I did bookmark it though just in case we go sans kids! Thanks!

 

[ScarlettO]

skiwee1skiwee1
TF's sometimes leave the best tags till last
Knows now that there have always been many TF's...and this one was responsible for both your tags

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Maryland
Posts: 2979
Well I just got off the phone booking a suite at Snowbird for this Christmas. That suite is costing $900 a nightand we are staying there 7 nights. Never did I ever think I'd pay that but it has what we want. Size, location, amenities, room service, spa, etc. It boils down to what you want and what you can afford. My DH makes almost double what you are making so that might help us

Gosh...for $900 a night that must be two VERY nice rooms! Last visit to WDW's Wilderness Lodge, I was able to tour the "Yellowstone Suite"...and it was only $800 and was out of this world!!!

 

[Liz]

Utah liquor laws:

Full liquor service is available in licensed restaurants, airport lounges, and private clubs. Patrons may order liquor by the drink, wine by the glass or bottle, and beer in bottles, cans and on draft. Packaged liquor, wine, and heavy beer (Over 3.2%) are available in State Liquor Stores and Package Agencies.

In restaurants, liquor and wine may be served from noon to midnight. Beer is available from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Patrons must be dining in the restaurant in order to be served an alcoholic beverage. Patrons may be served at their table or in a waiting area. There are approximately 500 licensed restaurants in Utah, and most are located in the Salt Lake, Park City, Ogden, and Provo areas.

In private clubs, liquor, wine, and beer may be served from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. and on Sundays and holidays from noon to midnight. Clubs sell alcoholic beverages with or without food, and patrons may be served at a bar or table. Many clubs provide live entertainment.

Although clubs are primarily for members, most clubs offer temporary "visitor" memberships for a nominal fee (usually $5 for two weeks, that allows the visitor and up to five of his/her guests to use the club). There are approximately 300 private clubs that offer full alcoholic beverage service. Over 200 are located in the Salt Lake, Park City, and Ogden areas.

Here's a link to the full info: http://www.alcbev.state.ut.us/Liquor_Laws/liquor_law.html

I hope you have a wonderful stay in our beautiful state!!!

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by ScarlettO
Gosh...for $900 a night that must be two VERY nice rooms! Last visit to WDW's Wilderness Lodge, I was able to tour the "Yellowstone Suite"...and it was only $800 and was out of this world!!!

It better be for that price. I wouldn't pay that much for the WL though. I paid $150 an night there and that was too much for that place. Never saw the suite though! I'm paying $4100 for 5 nights at Snowbird. It might be due to being during the peak season. Actually it doesn't sound that bad considering I am bringing all 3 kids so there will be 5 of us for two rooms. It also includes transfers from the airport. I guess I'll find out if it's worth it when I get there!

 

[minniepumpernickel]

I've been to Solitude and Alta. It was one of the best places I've ever been. It was Christmas and the place looked like a Winter Wonderland. Tons of powdered snow, like nothing I've ever skiied before.

 

[hydster]

OMG! I don't think I could live in Utah!

On to Snowbird...if you are paying $900 to stay there in our opinion you are getting ROBBED! I wouldn't pay $500 to stay there! You'd be better of staying in Park City rather than at Snowbird since there are MANY MORE Things to do at night in Park City than anytime at Snowbird! There are several condo's and lodges that offer ski in/out services up there as well.

Snowbird is it's own self contained little "city" meaning that once you are there it's all owned by Snowbird and there is NOTHING else there! At least in Park City there is something to do besides sit in your hotel room.

Also to danacara--We've stayed at Hotel Monaco for a night out from the kids..what do you want to know?


Heidi

 

[clutter]

Are you absolutely hooked on Snowbird? I skiied it for a day and loved it, but it's a skier's mountain. No beginners slopes, lots of powder and bowls. We went there from Park City, so I didn't see the accomodations. For a five day trip, I'd love to try Snowbird, but only if it was a bunch of really good skiers. I can think of a number of other places I'd recommend for a group of mixed skiers for 5 days.

 

[skiwee1]

We are all good skiiers. Well all but the 5 y/o. We don't want to have to travel outside the resort to do anything. I think that is what attracted us to Snowbird. I like a completely self contained little city. We are not night owls or drinkers so the nightlife doesn't have to be there anyway, As far as condos we do not want one of those. I don't do condos on vacation. I want a hotel room. I guess it is like my trips to WDW. I pay too much and then I never leave for the entire trip! LOL!

 

[hydster]

Sounds like you already made your decision then.

 

[ScarlettO]

Originally posted by skiwee1
It better be for that price. I wouldn't pay that much for the WL though. I paid $150 an night there and that was too much for that place. Never saw the suite though!

As WL is my fave resort....you are officially "on notice"-I've paid over $200 at X-mas and there's no better place at Christmas at WDW for that holiday feeling-IMO.


The Yellowstone Suite is where many WDW bigwigs and movie stars stay(Rosanne Barr had stayed there when her show filmed a two-parter at WDW)and is "knock your socks off" fab-u-lous...kitchen, huge bar with stools, living room fireplace ,two walls of windows that look at the pool and lake(7th floor) bed made of rustic twigs/logs-in enormous Master bedroom and second bedroom/bath can be added.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by ScarlettO


As WL is my fave resort....you are officially "on notice"-I've paid over $200 at X-mas and there's no better place at Christmas at WDW for that holiday feeling-IMO.


The Yellowstone Suite is where many WDW bigwigs and movie stars stay(Rosanne Barr had stayed there when her show filmed a two-parter at WDW)and is "knock your socks off" fab-u-lous...kitchen, huge bar with stools, living room fireplace ,two walls of windows that look at the pool and lake(7th floor) bed made of rustic twigs/logs-in enormous Master bedroom and second bedroom/bath can be added.

I'm glad you like WL. With me hating it that leaves more room for you and all of those big wigs. LOL! Don't get me started on why I hate that place. I am sure the suite is lovely but as long as it is located in the WL, that is the only reason I need to avoid it. Anyway this was about snowbird, not bashing the WL so back to thread................