 Poster: A snowHead
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Ok - so my idea of persuading my husband to go skiing somewhere in Europe has failed miserably.
So looks like we will be going back to the USA/Canada skiing for our next trip.
Having been skiing to two different places now, we have more of an idea of what we like to ski (well at least I do - and if I have to organise the trip then it will be to somewhere I prefer..  )
We've been to Panorama and Winter Park and I prefered Winter Park to Panorama (being that there appeared to be more long cruising runs and more groomed trails).
I didn't dislike Panorama, and it brought my skiing on loads but you seemed to be back at the bottom of the lift in no time.
I am looking for somewhere with 'something' to do in the evening with a decent choice of places to eat (Panorama was definitely lacking in these).
For skiing I would like the resort to have long cruising runs where you can get some mileage in and not be back at the bottom of the lift really quickly.
Any suggestions?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Breckenridge? Really easy to get to - less than 90 minutes from Denver. You can also get to Keystone and A-basin on the free bus. Bustling town with plenty to do in the evening. Miles and miles of motorway pistes for you.
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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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Banff?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Hubby suggested Breckenridge - I don't know too much about it?
What's the skiing like there?
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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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v1cky24, whistler is good for all levels , though can be expensive. Been 3 times and each has been good
we are off to sun peaks ina few weeks and that is meant to be ok.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Why does hubby want the hassle/expense of travelling all the way to NA if not interested in powder/off-piste? Long cruising runs and nightlife are what the Alps do best. 
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v1cky24, Are you for real? Are you seriously asking what the skiing's like? Did I or did I not tell you? I wonder if Google could help...
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Alexandra, ooof..... 
I missed the last part of your reply obviously.
Thanking you.
hd, my OH is a spoilt brat who has food issues and thinks he can only be catered for in NA. I on the other hand would love to try somewhere in Europe because I reckon the nightlife will be much better
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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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hd, personally i find there is less hassle/expense in getting a decent ski trip in NA . . . but that might just be me
v1cky24, Jackson Hole? Lots of choice of places to eat (Billys Burgers was amazing, as was the Blue Lion, and some Thai place we went to several times). Nightlife was variable, somenights the bars were packed other nights dead, but the bus was free into town. In terms of other things to do we went to the ice hockey one night, out to the deer thingy another but we werent really looking for much beyond a good meal and comfortable bar at night. The skiing was good too. If you liked Panorama you'll like Jackson, you dont need to come back down to the bottom if you dont want just link around the top all day.
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Food, long cruising runs, night life... Sounds more Europe than N. A. to me!!!
There're plenty of resorts in N America that has longer runs than Winter Park. But I'm wondering if you're not better off going to the Alps instead.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Base yourself in Park City. Ski Deer Valley and Park City in that valley.
Take a day trip to Snowbasin.
More food choices than you shake a stick at. Cruising central.
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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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Alot depends on what you actually mean by nightlife....if it is a raucous party all night atmosphere, dancing on the tables etc etc then I guess you would be disappointed by a lot of NA places
But if you mean just a wider spread of places to eat/drink than 2 bars and a McDonalds, all of which shut down by 7pm, then , in my (limited) experience, you could do a lot worse than either Banff or Whistler
Both have more resturants than you will ever utilise in one trip, catering for all types of eater and drinker. Whistler village is more compact and walkable than Banff but even if you are at the furthest extremity of Banff Avenue from the townsite, it is not a major hassle as there is a bus or taxis or you can walk (I am assuming no young kids involved). Of course, with a bit of planning on your accomodation you can sort that out by choosing a centrally located hotel so the distances can be next to nothing.
The skiing at either can be what you want it to be, long cruises or steep and deep.....at Banff you can also add in Lake Louise (on a day trip or you can stay). Lovely place to ski, not sure about staying there as we didnt.
Downsides are Whistlers weather....a lot of snow but it can be cloudy and it can rain at resort level. That said I have skied a lot in Whistler and only once have I ever suffered rain at mid mountain .......maybe I have just been lucky. on the other hand I have seen a fair amount of rain in the village which is not a problem for me as I dont ski in the village and if there is rain there then there is snow higher up. Others may look at that differently. Banff on the other hand can be cold but wrap up and it will usually not be a big problem unless you are unlucky (maybe an idea to avoid January as well, but that is a generalisation as I an sure it can be fine then). We were there in early April and it was lovely, bluebird days and views to die for.
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Whistler is pretty much th eonly place that can compare with euro apres, and skiing is amongst best around. Park city/Deer/Canyons suggestion is a good one too, as is Jackson if you want a bit more challenge. Sun Valley has best cruising on continent and excellent nightlife in Ketchum if you go peak season. Lake Tahoe too - but can only report on that when i go in 2 weeks ...
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You know it makes sense.
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Consider Snowmass, Colorado for long, pretty ski runs, ride bus to nearby Aspen for extraordinary nightlife. Whistler and Vail also great for your interests. All three rather pricey. 
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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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Tahoe. Pretty much has everything, depending on where exactly you stay and ski. For most Americans nightlife is drinks and dinner which starts when the lifts close and finishes about 9pm (unless you night ski at Squaw). 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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mountainaddict, I made it to the top yes, and when coming down 1000 peaks and founders ridge it takes a fair while to get to the bottom, but these were not my favourite type of runs. I like the trails off the champagne chair and seemed to be back at the bottom of it really quickly i.e. skyline, world cup way, rollercoaster, millenium.
Same for the sunbird chair, you were back at the bottom in no time.
Front runners now are probably banff, whistler, or california, maybe somewhere in 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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Aspen.
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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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You could try Sun Peaks. I think you would like it. Loads of lovely sweepeing groomers. Viallge at bottom is way bigger than Panorama, although clearly not Banff or Whistler size, but you could eat out somewhere different every night.
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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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Whitegold, Is aspen really as expensive as they say? I seem to have this impression that only celebs can afford it... ok, maybe a slight exaggeration 
gryphea, Will look into Sun Peaks, sounds promising. I was a bit disappointed with the lack of eateries in Panorama, sounds like Sun Peaks is better. Where exactly is it? Is it accessible from Calgary?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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snowmass/aspen. can be done on the cheap, can be a little hard to get to but its so worth it , something different to ski day and eat every night !!
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v1cky24, I hope this is not a silly suggestion but for long cruising, great food and spectacular scenery the Dolomites in Italy beat the USA, Canada and most of Europe hands down - IMHO of course
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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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v1cky24,
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Where exactly is it? Is it accessible from Calgary?
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If you have a hire car, and fancy driving around 7 hours. Better to fly into Kamloops and drive from there, around an hour I think. It will have to be an internal flight from Calgary.
If going for a 2 week trip and hiring a car, you might as well sample other resorts close by  Revvy 2-3 hours away, and Silver Star a couple of hours away.
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v1cky24
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Front runners now are probably banff, whistler, or california, maybe somewhere in utah
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You wouldn't come back disappointed from any of them .
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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CP,
Agree- we watched racing in cortina at the weekend and it reminded us what a great time we had in dolomites.
v1cky24,
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Where exactly is it? Is it accessible from Calgary?
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Not ideally................. WE had a bit of a journey back. Highway 1 was shut between Sicamous and Revelstoke for avalanche clearing. Not altogether a rare occurance. Tolerable for us, but not for anyone flying back from Calgary. Best stick to Kamloops.
All those Okanagan resorts have tubing, skating etc too.
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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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I'm very interested in this Sun Peaks place, been on the website - looks interesting!
I guess cost would be a factor now then, Sun Peaks strikes me as a DIY jobby.
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You know it makes sense.
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rob and sharon, thanks for that! Appreciate it. Hope you enjoy your trip 
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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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Hmmmm long crusiers, good food, nightlife?
The Park City mountains seems good for you... but your asking for more like Europe. You probably wouldn't want to head to LCC because places like Altabird just don't groom their runs. But whistler seems like the best but it's just really expensive. But over 5k vertical is great! But if you want the long cruisers w/o the nightlife you could go to the new mountain, Revelstoke, which I heard is amazing!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Sun Peaks you can diy from UK no problem. Canadian aff to Calgary/ vancouver and then fly to either Kamloops 50mins from SP or to Kelowna about 2-2.5 hrs. Transfers can be booked on line. You could drive from Vancouver but IT SNOWS and the roads can be closed due to snow and avalanche risk. We have done it now we don't. You can fly to Seattle and then fly on from there to both Kelowna and Kamloops.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I'd recommend Sun Valley, ID. Baldy mountain is simply amazing, with slopes that just go down, down, down (no traverses/cat tracks, etc) and a decent night life in Ketchum (3 min's free bus ride). The most awesome part? There's almost noone there!
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FAQ
