 Poster: A snowHead
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We're off to Lake Placid this year, as novice skiers we won't get past a blue run, my question really is, where in the States is the best value for money (forgetting the exchange rate)
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Some of the lesser known resorts out west.
For example, Solitude, Utah.
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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?
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Many small ski hills have low prices compared to resorts and still out west you will still get some very nice vertical, lift tickets at some $25-35 US.
Just in my area Turner, Lookout, Discovery, and Lost Trail all in Montana.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I think they want to know about Lake Placid maybe?
If so, then here's my opinion:
Gore has no greens besides ropetows and Sunway, which used to be rated a blue.
Whiteface has a tough green, which would be a hard blue at many ski resorts more south. But, it has a perfect learning area, also with a few very easy glades!
But, Gore has a gondola serving Sunway, along with a high-speed triple.
Whiteface is colder.
concluding, wimps do Gore. Real men do Whiteface. choose what you think is best!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Silver Mountain and Schweitzer, Idaho - fly to Spokane
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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The short answer is that anywhere famous in US will be more expensive. Additional general statements:
NY is not a bad choice for economy in New England skiing. New Hampshire and Maine are ok too for that. Vermont is generally the most expensive in the US East.
In the US West the big name areas in Colorado and California will generally be more expensive. Utah (except Deer Valley) and northern Rockies resorts are sometimes less expensive, for example the ID and MT suggestions above. Solitude was a also a good suggestion. Another less expensive/less famous place I like is Loveland ski area near Denver, Colorado. This is a nice low crowd/low cost area with scenic easy slopes at high altitude, and some tough stuff too. One of the prime ways to save money on any US ski trip requires access to a car or good mass transit (a rarity) and locate a few miles distant from your ski area(s) of choice, then commute each day to the ski area, as opposed to sleeping slopeside. This is, of course, a major reduction in convenience. Another money saver is going late in the season, which can still offer good conditions at places like Solitude, Loveland, and some of the ID and MT suggestions. Solitude and Loveland are near major airports.
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To be honest, I'm thinking of my next holiday, I've been to sugarloaf and massanutten and this year Lake Placid ( thanks for the info. looks like it'll be Gore for us!) so getting information from you that are in the know has to be the way to go!
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Thanks everyone for your help, you've given me some great options (all of which I've not heard of) to check out.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Don't know how travel costs to Salt Lake City Utah, Reno, and Denver would compare coming from across the pond. In terms of shear value I think it's very hard to beat SLC. There are lots of moderately priced lodging options in Sandy and Midvale; these are suburbs of SLC that are near the entrances to the Big (Solitude and Brighton) and Little (Alta and Snowbird) Cottonwoods Canyons. Lots of places offer packages where you can stay, get a bit of breakfast, and lift tickets to any of those 4 ski areas for around $180-$200 / night for two people. You'd also be no more than about 45 - 60 minutes to The Canyons, Park City Mountain Resort, and Deer Valley, though lift ticket prices would be higher. Additionally you'd be only about 1.5 hours from Snowbasin (very very nice) and Powder Mountain (sort of a quirky retro area that I really like a lot). Tons of skiing near SLC and very easy access from the airport. The downside is you're staying in a suburban American city that bears no resemblance to a proper ski village. There are strip malls, chain restaurants, car dealerships, more chain restaurants, etc. It's not at all seedy or dangerous, it's just ugly American urban sprawl. Park City is a fine ski resort village, but it costs more and, IMO, the best skiing is at the resorts outside of Park City. I will say that DV has great terrain for folks looking for on piste terrain. I've prices quite a few trips and from the East coast of the U.S.A. I just can't find better deals than to Utah. The Lake Tahoe area is somewhat similar (I've never been). Several resorts around the lake. The South shore is in the Reno, NV area with casinos, gambling, etc. Lots of folks seem to find good deals in that area. In Colorado you might look at the Frisco/Dillon/Silverthorne area which is near Copper Mountain, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin,, Breckenridge, Loveland, and 20-30 miles from Vail and Beaver Creek. It's high, you're sleeping at 9,000+ ft. I've not been able to find as good deals to that area as to Utah but it's a place that to which locals travel because they find good deals. Suggestions to look at some smaller places and not staying in resort towns will no doubt save money as well.
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I liked the thought of SLC, but the flights from England are a nightmare, so, it looks like the west coast is out. Can you recommend me some places on the east coast?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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"Nightmare flights" to SLC but well worth the trek.
We took 3 flights from North East England to SLC and I think you could do it in only 2 from the deep south. Not too bad?
We're taking 3 flights next Feb (LHR-Chicago-Gunnison) and spending 24 hours  travelling (and that's only once we get to Heathrow) to Crested Butte (and then on to Telluride) in Colorado for a 6 day trip but have read such rave reviews about the places that I'm sure it will be worth it..... They are a bit difficult to get to, so are (reputedly) deserted - even at half term/Presidents Weekend.
Alta in Utah has to be the best place we have ever skiied (out of 100+ resorts) for consistent powder and challenging terrain. It should (IMHO) be on every skier's "to do" list.
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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.
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As someone living in east coast of US, I go to Europe for a week instead of skiing locallly, even though it's obviously cheaper skiing in NY. So, "value for money" of any east coast mountain isn't very high in my opinion, period.
You didn't say what attracts you to the US. So there's not much for us to go on to recommend. I can suggest MANY mountains that are cheap both in cost and in facility. But I'm not sure what is it you're after.
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You know it makes sense.
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Bertie B
Skiing in Europe? Really?
But, on a serious note, as Mrs C is a teacher we are stuck with school hols and are a bit tired of dodging the half term Euro crowds and taking our life in our hands on the packed slopes of the Alps (feels like 1.3m skiers sometimes....) Half term trips to the USA/Canada mean that, by contrast, we often have ski runs to ourselves - a pheneomenon we haven't experienced too much in Europe. We experienced deserted runs last year in Winter Park, the year before at Silver Star and, before that, Alta.
Also, and ironically, it can be cheaper for us to do a Transatlantic DIY trip than a package to the Alps. £1200 for a self catering shoebox for 2 in Val D'Isere, anyone?
Those who can "choose their weeks" may think we are bonkers - but 3 flights and 24 hours travelling are a small price to pay for quiet ski areas. It's not bad on the way out, anyway, as you gain 7 hours - meaning you get straight to bed, become unconscious and wake up raring to go after a great kip!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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John Crawford, I take my hat off to you! I live 40 mins from Heathrow, 2 flights to SLC with a nine hour wait for the second is too rich for me. Why do I like skiing in the US? I love you yanks and can't stand europe. What sort of skier am I? absolute rubbish, I had to walk down a blue run cos it was too rich for me! but so what? we've all got to start somewhere haven't we?
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Poster: A snowHead
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just back from SLC,
flew from LGW to Detroit (about 9 hours), then DTW to SLC (4 hours) - elapsed total about 24 hours.
Going west, the jetlag isn't tooooo bad.... don't expect to be too perky on arrival (got into SLC about midnight local time, having left home about mid-day UK on the 'same' day.
note - daily lift prices in SLC are around the $80 mark (can get 'apex' 6 day passes in advance for about $420, look for the '3 resort superpass', can provide details if required).
resorts were deserted on Xmas day (1 foot of fresh), mobbed on Boxing day (another foot of fresh).... c'est la vie!
h.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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biskum, Not sure about value for money but you could consider Lake Tahoe next year - quite easily reached by a direct flight UK to San Francisco and then hire a car. Resorts include Heavenly, Squaw Valley, Kirkwood and others. Snow conditions are very good as the Sierra Nevada is the first bit of high ground that catches all of the moisture from the Pacific storms.
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