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Best USA/Canada resort for goodish intermediates..first time cross-Atlantic

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Whilst I have romantic notions about skiing Jackson Hole, it seems a long trek to go somewhere that has terrain where 50% might be unskiiable!!! Whistler has always been high on the list for the sheer variety and scope of the skiing and the easy transfer (long coach journeys don't appeal), plus the option to spend a few days in Vancouver. Never fancied Colorado for some reason but am willing to be converted. Suggestions? Puzzled
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
How about trying California? There are lots of resorts to choose from - Mammoth Mountain, Heavenly, Sierra-at-Tahoe, and I'm partial to Squaw Valley - lots of terrain to keep good intermediate skiers happy, and their ski school is excellent. There are direct flights from Heathrow to San Francisco, and then it's an easy, in that you won't get lost, drive to Lake Tahoe - takes 3 to 4 hours when the traffic is good (otherwise it's like the M6 on a bad day!). Heavenly is probably the best for apres ski - it's half in Nevada so there are the casinos, which aren't just for gambling, they all have shows too. Reno is about an hour away.
The other good thing about California is the length of season - we've already been skiing weekends since about October 23rd, and we expect to ski until the middle of May - just don't expect fresh powder for all that time!
Hope you have fun where ever you decide to go! Smile
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Thanks for that. Just had an amazingly cheap quote for 11 nights in Jackson in very nice accomodation including flights and transfers!!! Still a bit scared though!!!! How long is the flight to SF?
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Whistler or Tahoe eh?? - personally that would be an easy decision!! wink
(I'm doing a season in Whistler)

Not sure about Colorado or Utah, never been. The snow looks pretty good though so may have to try it one day. Jackson Hole looks interesting too snowHead


Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Tue 23-11-04 17:11; edited 1 time in total
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
My vote for Tahoe (based on the requirement for intermediate skiing), but then I know it better than anywhere else in N. America (in winter).
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At the risk of sounding boring, Canada is a good option. There are several threads already on a few Canadian resorts. I know Banff best and would recommend it to you. Loads of terrain for your (and my) level, good snow record, pleasant town, good people, cheap, good lift system. There are several other resorts nearby (by Canadian standards) including Lake Louise. It's only an hour and half or 2 hours from Calagary airport.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Once your on the plane going to the US it doesnt make much difference if your going to Jackson or SF . Theres no direct flights to Jackson so you would have to change so that consumes time .
INHO. If your going for two weeks you may find Jackson a bit restrictive. The skiing is fantastic but your a bit limited on the Apres .
Lake Tahoe is a good option . There are plenty of resorts to visit ( a car is a must ). ON the southshore Nightlife is centred around the Casino's .
To get the European style "ski holiday" you need to go to "skitown" like Aspen or quieter Telluride in Colorado . Mamouth is also a good option but a bit of a trek from LA.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
I'll echo richmond, as I'm also a great fan of Banff (as you'll see if you trawl back through the archives. (Mind you, I'm off to Whistler this season, for the first time).

However, if you're thinking of the USA - which is increasingly attractive as Dubya drives the US lira down to par with the Canadian dollar - you should think about Utah.

Park City, the Canyons and Deer Valley are all within a short drive (about 35 minutes) of SLC airport, so the transfer is pretty painless. There's a LOT of good intermediate terrain, and also quite a bit of gnarlier stuff: You've also got Snowbird Alta and Brighton within easy driving (or bussing) range, and you can do a back-country guided tour ("the Utah Interconnect") between some of these hills if you want to get off-piste.

Additionally, you don't have the high altitude problems that you can get in Colorado, and the snow is first-rate: I visited in January of the year before the Winter Olympics and had powder days on 3 of the 6 I spent there.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
mikehall58,
What are you looking for exactly?
I've been to Banff, Whistler, and Tahoe (North and South shores) and they are all very different. All have intermediate terrain.
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I only know Whistler, but I highly recommend it.
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mikehall58, Heathrow to San Fransisco is about 11 hours, and it's a direct flight. Tahoe City is 210 miles away, which I know sounds a long way, but this is the USA! Smile - big cars, and low petrol prices (well, sort of!).

stuarth, I wish I had the chance to do a season anywhere - I just have to make do with every weekend in Tahoe! Razz (and I do mean every weekend - life is so hard)

Oh, and I've driven to Mammoth in 6 hours from SF - but I don't advise you to try that - it was the middle of the night, and I didn't realise that there was a BIG drop off the side of the road - I drove back much slower!
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
If you're used to skiing in Europe, you might find many of the American resorts too small to keep you entertained for 11 days. If you don't want to split the holiday between two resorts, I'd suggest basing yourself somewhere where you can find some alternative skiing within easy driving distance. I think that Jackson's pretty isolated, although you might find some local ski areas where you could kill a day - anyone have any experience?

I know you've said that you don't fancy Colorado, but the cluster of resorts west of Denver - Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, A-Basin, etc - would address the problem of going down the same run 437 times..
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Jonny Jones, Absolutely. Tahoe's gots lots of resorts within easy distance too.
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Tahoe looks interesting and am still thinking about doing a Whistler trip and tying in Vancouver sightseeing. Surely Whistler has enough for let's say 8 day's skiing???? Don't think my old knees could take any more! Shock
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
I stayed in Salt Lake City last season, £15pppn motel but top class restaurants every night, and skied 10 resorts in 13 days, all within an hour drive of SLC. As far as I know there's nowhere else in the US, and certainly not in Canada, that comes close for sheer amount of good skiing close to a big city.
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
mikehall58, Yes Whistler can easily keep an intermediate amused for 8 days, and Vancouver is close enough that you could break the ski part of the holiday in half, with sightseeing in between.
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
mikehall58,
Having been to Whistler 3 times (reasonable intermediate the first time).
There is enough skiing that there that I've decided to spend 4 months there (though not necessarily cruising the blues!! snowHead ), so for 8 days you should be good!!
The ski school there is first class. Let me know if you decide to go and I can point you in the way of some good instructors/courses.
We've previosly done as Cymru am Byth suggested for a rest day. Vancouver is nice, if you want a bit of action and time things right you can catch a hockey game in the evening on the same trip (you can get organised trips from Whistler that can combine both) - the energy, speed, and violence is outstanding!! Twisted Evil snowHead
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
I lived in Canada for a year in the early 80's so have always had a soft spot for the country. I skied for a terrifying morning at Marmott Basin in Jasper (it's a long story) and I'd never put boots or skis on before! I didn't ski again until my first proper time in 1996. Have been 10 times now and at that plateau which only a month doing nothing but would improve me. At my age and with my knees that's never going to happen.

The attraction of Whistler is direct flights to Vancouver and a short transfer. It's looking fave at the moment and I'm assuming early March might be best.....not too cold and maybe a bit of sun??? Just have to sort a long wekend beforehand now!
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mikehall58, we're off to Whistler mid-March, really looking forward to it.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
See you there Helen! I know from your posts that you're a snow fiend!!!! snowHead
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mikehall58, seem to spend far too much time on here.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I'm even worse on my football team web site!!! Razz If I wasn't my own boss I'd sack myself Confused
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
I've been to Breckenridge twice, and the second time it certainly felt smaller. By comparison, Winter Park & Steamboat, which both quote a slightly bigger area, seemed more varied, and Vail is bigger yet, with lots of variety. 3 out of my 4 trips to Colorado have had lovely powder snow - the first time was so frustrating as I was too inexperienced to cope, but just fantastic after I (sort of) got the hang of it!

Had some powder in Sunshine, too, but although I enjoyed the Banff area, I'd return to Colorado out of preference.

When I went to Whistler, it rained and was unpleasantly slushy on the bottom of the mountains, though they have enough height to still have great snow up top. But I felt I'd only want to go back to Whistler if I could arrange at short notice, with some knowledge of weather forecast for the week or so ahead. There seem to have been reports of crowded slopes at Whistler, too.

Wherever you choose, I think you'll be impressed by the North American service! Meanwhile, back in a French lift "queue", people will be helpfully scraping off that brand new shiny finish on my skis, which I suppose makes them less likely to be nicked!

Derek
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
mikehall58, Just to make Tahoe a little more interesting - we got three inches of fresh powder this afternoon - I skied today from 9am to 3pm, the snow started around noon. More is forcast for Saturday. I generally ski at Squaw Valley which has 4000 skiable acres. Heavenly is slightly bigger! I think you would find plenty to do for 8 days, especially mid-season when the mountains are fully open!

kered, I agree fully with you about the North American service - it's usually a bit more than just "have a nice day"!
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Quote:
I've been to Breckenridge twice, and the second time it certainly felt smaller


I had Breckenridge in mind when I warned about the size of resorts. It's not a small place by US standards, but I'd feel a little claustrophobic if I had 11 days there. 5 days would be great, though snowHead
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Winter Park Colarado (nr. Denver), Low on nightlife - but I went to ski, so it wasn't a huge priority. However the best snow I've ever skiied on, they call it champagne powder.
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Lorraine Agass,

Wooo, hooo! I've just booked my accomodation and lift tix for my trip to WP this January.

Everyone:
On the size of US resorts, check out this thread on epic:

http://forums.epicski.com/showthread.php?t=20610
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Jonny Jones, if you went to Breckenridge, why would you only ski Breck? There are so many other great areas nearby: Loveland, A-Basin, Keystone, Copper, Vail, Beaver Creek, Ski Cooper, even...

Come play in the Colorado Rockies...! snowHead
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