An alternative to Whistler?

A snowHead

Hi, i'm hoping that someone can help me and my partner because we are REALLY struggling to decide where to go this year.

We took up skiing a few years ago and went for a week away in Andora - it was ok for getting through being a beginner.

Then last year and the year before we went for two weeks to Whistler and we found the skiing to be amazing and found ourselves a really nice instructor.

It turns out that i'm quite a nervous skier and although i have done some easy blacks, if i'm on a slope and i decide its too steep, i just freak out and am like a cat stuck up a tree

So, another reason we are tempted to go back to Whistler is for the familiar ski and the nice instructor.

BUT

We only ski for maybe 6 hours for maybe 8 days, 5 of which are lessons, and once we get off the slopes - we are bored.

We have been in ALL the shops a million times and have eaten in all the restaurants and we are dreading that aspect of returning to Whistler... so we are considering somewhere new but are scared we will hate it.

Criteria:
Anywhere in the world.
Long running slopes.
Plenty of Intermediate slopes.
A well established english speaking ski school.
Excessive number of runs.
Extensive chair lift systems.
Lots of Ski IN/Out accommodation.
More on the side of luxury.
Lots of restaurants and non ski equipment shops.
Preferably other winter activities available.

SO! Basically Whistler away from Whistler.

Please can anyone point me in the direction of a suitable resort?

Maybe you think we should stick to Whistler?

Thanks a lot to anyone who answers!

A snowHead

ARE Sweden. Trust me, thats where I first stood on skis and thats where I carved black slopes. Realy, really good!
P.S. I was tired at the end of their slopes. They are looooooooong!

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

How about banff? Doesn't tick all your boxes by a long stretch (like distance to slopes) but it is a real town and there are some good things to do outside of skiing- like skate on Lake louise, good restaurants, the hot springs, dog sledding, sleigh rides etc.

Gryphea

You need to Login to know who's really who.

ummm, judging by your criteria..... Whistler ... ??

I would also recommend Revelstoke, great skiing, but nothing else matches what you want.

Lake Louise is another good choice, but again no ski in-ski out, and the only thing close is the Fairmont, which is nice and luxurious, but you might bet bored with nothing else to do. Unless you also rent a car and drive to Banff each night (30-40mins)

Thats all I would recommend for BC.

Basically, Whistler is awesome, and continually gets good reviews for a reason, its hard to compete against, even when our snow isn't that good.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Aspen, Vail, Lech, Ischgl, Zermatt are just a few.

LK85,

Your def the only person I have ever come acros who got bored of the apres in whistler Shocked

You'll need to Register first of course.

It's hard to tick every single box in 1 resort, but a few suggestions out in Canada:-

Banff/Lake Louise - ticks all boxes except for ski in/out
Big White/Silver Star - ticks all boxes except nightlife/shops a bit limited

If you can live with not skiing to your door, then Banff would be your best bet for great skiing + shops/eating/other activities

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

wbsr, Revelstoke!!! Have you read their criteria and skier profile? It's about the last place they'd want to go.

After all it is free

Sun peaks?

USA all the way

Aspen, Beaver Creek, Telluride, Vail - Colorado
Big Sky, Moonlight Basin - Montana
Deer Valley, Park City - Utah

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

Why do you need an excessive number of runs? Surely you'd be better off at a resort with a range of good runs that you can improve on. Try Courchevel. There are shops there.

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

LK85, If it means anything my mate goes several ski holidays a year, including 2 weeks to Whistler at New Year. He loves Whistler and Lech in equal proportions. Think Whistler has more to do but Lech has that something special. We stay in Oberlech when we go with them, and has better ski in/out convenience that Lech

snow reports

Mike Pow,

Big Sky???? Shocked

Yes its an awesome ski area but they want shops and restaurants, nice village atmosphere etc Big Sky is not the place for any of that.

You know it makes sense.

why not take a trip out of Whistler in your free time? in half an hour you can be in Pemberton, home of the the most pure bred potatoes in the world!

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

If you want N.America then Vail is great - but more expensive than Whistler - especially with the appalling $rate at the mo. Lionshead end of Vail is cheaper and still fun - not as snotty as The Lodge!!, ski in/out and free bus to Vail village is great. We have been to both. Vail is one mountain - loads of good runs and pistes kept really well. Altitude may be a problem but take it easy for first day and stay well hydrated. Europe is good but the behaviour in the lift queues in France can leave something to be desired - especially in half term. Food better in Europe particularly on piste. Direct flights to Denver and 2.5 hour transfer.

A snowHead

or there's a Walmart in Squamish & an A&W for a bit of food variation..

Who goes shopping every night on a ski hol?

A snowHead

I'd also go with Colorado, especially Vail but exchange rate is crap. instructors are very good- Charlie Orandorff !! Lots of blacks which are quite steep but not too long and more cruisers than you need. Can bus to Silverthorne outlet malls for a day - absolute steals on Timberland etc and lots of really good ski gear, sales appear to start in January!

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

"We only ski for maybe 6 hours for maybe 8 days, 5 of which are lessons, and once we get off the slopes - we are bored." Puzzled

48 hours in two weeks ? I don't think that your problem is finding somewhere that measures up to Whistler, but that you simply aren't skiing enough. I think you could go anywhere by the sounds of it, because at your level, wherever you go you'll find some challenges. You just need to spend more time skiing ! wink

Here's a few clues to relieve the 'boredom'. Little Angel

1/. Get to the front of the queue for the very first lift of the day and make fresh tracks on any snow that takes you as far away from where you started as possible.
2/. Don't take an early big boys lunch.
3/. Ski until you think you're about to miss the last lift home and then some more.
4/. Enjoy your beers as soon as you get off the snow. That way, you won't get bored when you've finished skiing, you'll work up an appetite, soak up the beers, be in bed by 10.00 and most likely sleep until 7.00 a.m.
5/. Repeat daily.

You need to Login to know who's really who.

6 hours a day is pretty fair for most skiers - 9-12, 30 mins for lunch then through to 3.30 when the lifts shut in Whistler mid winter. Not sure that I'd take 5 days off out of 13 though - sure way to get bored

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Gastein, Austria.
Have casino, thermal baths, imperial architecture. etc
A lot to explore - area is extended.
Ski in/out - gondola arrives in central street, next to hotels... You may go from cable car station directly to thermals without going out..

You'll need to Register first of course.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

After all it is free

seriously, how many resorts in the world have significantly better dining and shopping (in terms of quality and choice) than Whistler? there can't be many

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

fess, is Are good? I've got loads of Swedish mates from Uni and I speak a bit of Swedish I was thinking about going there for a season as an instructor but haven't met anyone thats been there before. Have always loved going to Sweden when I've been there though.

I hear its really family orientated, I am 26 and single, looking for a mix of good skiing and good apres. What are your thoughts?

LK85, sorry to hijack your thread for something other than answering your question, honestly I don't know where to suggest to you, I'm heading to Whilster this season for the first time so am pleased to hear that you liked it. Good luck in your search!

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

snow reports

I like what "moffatross" had to say...

1/. Get to the front of the queue for the very first lift of the day and make fresh tracks on any snow that takes you as far away from where you started as possible.
2/. Don't take an early big boys lunch.
3/. Ski until you think you're about to miss the last lift home and then some more.
4/. Enjoy your beers as soon as you get off the snow. That way, you won't get bored when you've finished skiing, you'll work up an appetite, soak up the beers, be in bed by 10.00 and most likely sleep until 7.00 a.m.
5/. Repeat daily.[/quote]

But if you are not in shape to ski that hard of course those folks are going to hate the mountain (any resort) in short order. No matter how nice/handsome/sexy/funny the ski instructor may be. Get your Ski Lessons in before you go to the mountain.

Then enjoy the fall line and make your skiing fun.

I have had great experiences in Canada, Idaho, Utah, Colorado and California. I could point out a few resorts that I liked like Solitude or Snowbird but to really answer the original question...

Easy to ski. Fun place. Lots of stuff to do off the mountain...

Look up Northstar in Lake Tahoe. The ski slopes are very good for learning and getting plenty of Fun Runs in that all lead back to the same big bowl with lodging and meals etc. And when you get tired of the mountain drive down to Reno or over to the Casino resorts at Incline Village on North Lake Tahoe for a little gambling.

Northstar may not be worth the trip from the UK but... It is what an easy skier needs for a low stress ski vacation destination.

Sincerely Keith L. <"><

PS to get into shape and get ready for deeper and steeper and loose the "shakes" from being scared of the slope I highly recommend trying the workout and training that comes from www.VirtualSnowLA.com and the other locations. Send them an email and see if there is one near you.

You know it makes sense.

Thanks for all the responses guys Smile

I figured Whistler might be hard to beat but i'll certainly check out all the suggestions.

They have to do more than pump me full of booze to keep me entertained lol I like to enjoy other winter activities too and make the most of the hours in the day.

I'll let you know Wink

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

KeithMDR, The problem with Northstar is that it sells out on busy weekends and holidays!

LK85, Welcome to Snowheads!

Although I'm biased I'd say have a look at the Tahoe region as a whole - it has pretty much everything in the way of winter activities somewhere around the lake, and on the Nevada side you can gamble to your hearts content 24 hours a day! Nearly all the ski areas have a high percentage of intermediate runs, and all have English speaking ski schools. And I know instructors at Heavenly, Kirkwood, Diamond Peak, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Northstar, Alpine, and Squaw. Squaws' group lessons are good, and not bad value for money - in the intermediate and above lessons there are very often only one or two people in each group. The lessons are basically 2 hours long and are offered every hour, on the hour! But to really utilise the area you will need to hire a car.

If you get too bored you can always take a trip down to the wine country, and it is less than a 4 hour drive from San Fransisco (which may sound a long way, but it isn't in US terms).

A snowHead

Apart from ski in/out Banff would suit your needs. Aspen is another consideration which has plenty to do off slope and the variety of four ski hills - although ski in/out again can be limited. The efficent bus service does make up for it. Theres also Vail which has plenty to offer, combined with Beaver Creek - and for shopping get yourselves to Silverthorne and shop 'til you drop in the outlet stores.

Tahoe area is great in terms of variety and as its worth having a car gives plenty of scope when not skiing. Also as you are driving to and from different resorts this can eat into your ski time, but again not a problem it seems. The area is beautiful and plenty of touristy things to do - including shopping in Reno if desired. Theres plenty of quiet resorts to suit an intermediate, including Homewood, Sugarbowl and Mt. Rose as well as the others mentioned by pollittcl, They are all different and weekdays are very quiet.

Having fun where ever you go is the most important thing Very Happy

A snowHead

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

A few people have already chipped in with Lake Tahoe suggestions. You can find accommodation at some of Heavenly's base areas and there is a free shuttle bus into town, but the area around the Heavenly village and the Gondola provides walking access to the Gondola at the start and the end of the day and is right in the middle of town.

I'll grant you that South Lake is no quaint Alpine village, but once your up the mountain me of the views of the Lake are pretty special. The plus side to the development at the Stateline is lots of choice in Restaurants etc, and the bars are open 24/7 in the Casinos! Cool

Specifically looking at your criteria:

Anywhere in the world. > Lake Tahoe was last time I was there!
Long running slopes. > Heavenly has 3500ft of vertical
Plenty of Intermediate slopes. > Yes, one criticism levelled at Heavenly is it's a bit too cruisy in bits for more advanced riders.
A well established english speaking ski school. > Yes (if you can understand the Aussie accents Wink

)
Excessive number of runs.
Extensive chair lift systems.

^ Heavenly covers a fairly sizeable area for a US resort. Also if you stay in South Lake Tahoe you can get shuttle buses to other resorts in the region from there, so it's possible to do a fair bit of resort exploring without the need for a car if you stay right in the heart of SLT. There used to be a ski boat that sailed across the lake to connect to buses to Squaw - can't find info online though, anyone know?

Also Kirkwood is famed for it's steeps, but it's possible to get around the majority of the mountain without any hair raising double blacks. Even if you were sticking to blues worth it for at least a day for variety and to get the scenic journey up there.

As for a car, I'd say if your spending a block of your time at Heavenly you don't need it. But get one for a few days so you can explore more freely.

Lots of Ski IN/Out accommodation. - There is a fair bit around the Stagecoach Lodge in Nevada, and some quite close to the California Lodge by SLT. However I'd opt for being close to the Gondola Base, you can either take the gondola down or ski down to any of the other bases and ride the free shuttles back to the Gondola at the end of the day.

More on the side of luxury. > Within a few minutes walk of the Gondola you have every conceivable range of accommodation on offer. From your cheap budget motels (some of which are actually fine) to the Casino Hotels to the full service resorts like the Marriott in the Heavenly Village.

Lots of restaurants and non ski equipment shops. > It would take a while just to work through the Restaurants in one of the big Casinos. Heavenly's website lists 170 in the area!! If you go to Kirkwood DO EAT IN the Kirkwood Inn!

Preferably other winter activities available. > You can do snow showing, nordic skiing, ice skating, snow tubing, snow mobile rides, some resorts do cat tours, some do cat skiing. There's the Heavenly Flyer, a zip ride with about 500ft descent! Shocked

Also fly in via San Francisco and spend at least a few days there if your wanting some non skiing holiday time.

You need to Login to know who's really who.

What I read was upscale and lots of red runs. Deer Valley and Beaver Creek should fit the bill nicely.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

You'll need to Register first of course.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

LK85, yep, I'll drink to that being a good choice

Help!!

An alternative to Whistler?

snowHeads Forum Index >>> Resort Reviews and Trip Reports