USA/Canada end Feb/March 2013- where to go

A snowHead

Still got one more ski holiday this year but already planning next year! Very Happy

We have been thinking about a 2 week trip to USA or Canada last few years but not sure where.

Initially thought Banff- relatively easy to get to and seem to be good packages through TOs. My only concern is the daily bus trips- do they significantly reduce skiing time per day? Or is it worth it to cover the different areas

Had a look at Aspen which looks good- looks a bit of a nightmare getting there though- will have to go via London and then long transfer at other side. Also may bit rahter pricey. Like sound of nicely groomed quiet runs.

Had thought about Breckenridge but unsure due to risk of being affedcted by altitude.

We are intimediate skiers (blues to blacks). Enjoy biggish ski areas, preferably not busy runs. Will probably get some lessons and maybe do something a bit more adventurous.

Thoughts were we'd prefer a package deal so don't have to think about anything when get off flight- just get on bus and be deposited at accommodation.

Also probably ski for 10 days so would be looking for somewhere with other things to do/ places to go on non skiing days.

Any advice much appreciated..we've got planty of time to be thinking about it!

MCL

A snowHead

we are heading off to Whistler and Sun Peaks End of Feb and Early March for a week in both resorts. Reasoning is that we had looked at Breckenridge but were unsure about altitude as initially we were only looking for 10 days and everyone we spoke to said you need a few days to get used to the height

We have had friends ski Banff and love it but again same concerns as you re travlling

BTW there were some good deals on whistler no long ago

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

rob and sharon,

Hope you have a great time!

Yes I'd also been looking at Whistler too- looks a great ski area!

Let me know how you get on!

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

Hi MCL,

Whistler is the place for you given your brief. It's 600m above sea level so not going to offer any ill effects. Huge ski are by North America standards and certainly enough to entertain you for 10 days. There is plenty to do off the slopes, the resort is pedestrianised so no buses necessary. We've been the last 2 yrs and are returning in March for 15 nights. We use Ski Safari who book everything for us, we simply turn up at Heathrow, jump on the plane to Vancouver, we're then met by a bus and 2 hrs later we're in resort. Lift passes deposited at your accommodation's reception, equipment hire in hotel if needed. Easy !

PM me if you want specific advice.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

You'll need to Register first of course.

Obvious choices are Whistler (never been there myself) or Vail (suffered huge queues there several years back on a day trip from Breckenridge) as they're the largest areas in North America. But they (allegedly) also attract big crowds so I've tended to stay away.

Why not look at Big Sky instead: endless, completely deserted groomers with plenty of gnarlier stuff to upgrade to, but not a lot else to do there. You would get the chance to go for a totally awesome winter day trip to Yellowstone, though.

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

You could look for ski areas with clusters of resorts, e.g. Tahoe (California/Nevada border) and Utah. Just back from Park City, Utah myself, and a frequent visitor to the Tahoe area. Somewhere central in Colorado might be good too, though I've only been to one of the more isolated Colorado resorts. From what you say Tahoe might suit best, because you could have a couple of days in San Francisco at beginning or end of trip. Let me know if you'd like more info on Tahoe or Utah.

After all it is free

I'm far from an expert but I'll offer a few thoughts. If you rent a car and are willing to drive to resorts the Park City and Tahoe suggestions are pretty good. Park City is a nice resort town with quite a lot of off slope options. Salt Lake City is only a half hour or so on good roads. There are 3 resorts in Park City on the bus routes (The Canyons, Deer Valley (does not allow snowboarders), and The Canyons). All three are fairly large. Alta/Snowbird/Solitude/Brighton are 50-minutes to an hour drive from PC. Snowbasin and Powder Mountain are probably a little over an hour from PC. And if you want to spend a day at a very pretty, albeit small with old lifts, you're only about 35 minutes from Sundance (owned by Robert Redford). In short, tons of skiing with usually a very good snow record. I've not been to Tahoe but again it's an area with a cluster of resorts on the North and South Shores. Utah is usually very reliable with respect to snow, and while they've gotten pretty good snow in the past couple of days it's been a low snow year. By reputation the Tahoe areas are more feast or famine with respect to snow. Until just now Tahoe has had one of their worst snow years on record. None of that means anything for 2013. Never been to Aspen but I think it would be a solid choice. This is MY OPINION only - but I think the village at Vail is pretty soulless. Kind of a fake feeling purpose built village with an interstate running right through it. We enjoyed the skiing at Vail a lot. We've stayed in downtown Frisco and really liked it -- about 6 miles to Copper Mountain (convenient by bus), 10 miles to Breckenridge (doable by bus but we drove), 15 miles or so to Keystone (also doable by bus but even less conveniently), 18-20 miles to Arapahoe Basis (very high, gorgeous, retro, probably best on a bluebird day), 30 minutes or so by car to Vail, and a bit further to Beaver Creek. I'd keep Banff on your list -- a place I really want to go. Frisco is over 9000 feet and altitude issues are possible. Everyone I've talked to who has been say the scenery is stunning. I'm curious about how off putting folks find the buses as well because it keeps my wife from really being enthusiastic. And I'd consider Whistler.

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

Thanks for the suggestions eveyone. Lots to looks at!

I like the look of the ski safari. Think we would be happy driving bertween a few places- assuming big roads and easy to get about.

Currrently drawn towards places accessible from Calgary as can fly from Manchester (meaning no addiotional flight to London).

Like the look of the Rockies Loop on Ski safari- maybe 5-6 days in banff and doing the ski resorts accessible from there (would have to put up with daily commute)and then a few days each in 2 other places- Kicking Horse, Fernie or Panorama. doesn't look too long a drive between them either.

Whistler ski safari looks great too!

If only I had loads of money and didn't have to go to work! rolling eyes

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

MCL,

What's with the aversion to bus trips? Everyone seems to think it's a negative point about the Banff area ski hills, but personally I 've never found it a problem the 6 times or so that I've visited this area. I've certainly never considered it a negative point.

If you get the earliest bus (and it's very easy to get up early after the East>>West flight and time differential) you'll be at the hill before the lifts open even if you go to Lake Louise (45-50 minutes). The Sunshine bus is only about 20 minutes, and the Norquay bus about 10. - Then at the end of the day, you can get the last bus back (after the lifts close), and take in the scenery (spectacular).

What ARE negative points are:

Under-occupancy supplements in TO deals - most of the Banff accommodation is based on hotel rooms with 2 beds, but the TOs specify these rooms as accommodating 4 people, and impose an extra charge.

Changes to the bus schedules - these have been the subject of some concern, lately(there's an old thread about this, somewhere. No doubt someone who's visited more recently than I can update you on this), so your choice of accommodation might be quite important in ensuring a convenient transfer.

The ongoing legal dispute at Sunshine Village between the management and their ski patrollers (again, see threads passim): do you really want to support a ski area ownership who treat their staff like this?

snow reports

MCL, Another vote for Whistler here. We keep looking at going somewhere else but we ended up going back 5 years in a row. It is not a bad flight and direct from Heathrow. If you do I would use Air Canada over BA as you arrive earlier in the day so there is time to get the gear and settle in before early bed. The village is great for walking round as it is fully pedestrianised with many restaurants/bars

The mountain is huge but it all goes up from the same place (if you are in the village) there are 2 others for Blackcomb and Creekside. No hassle about getting round or back to whee you started. They do a thing called Ski Esprit which is 3,4 or 5 days long in groups of 6 to 8 matched to capability at a very good price. Cross between a guide round the mountain and helpful teaching. You also get priority on the lifts.

As there are no cars in Whistler there is no point in getting anything else than a transfer (just over 2hrs) or you will be paying huge parking cost.

Then there is Vancouver to have a look at if you wanted that non-ski time. We generally go a little later than you are thinking of and at that time the valley trails are all tarmac but I guess they will be snow covered when you are there. You can "walk" them with snowshoes if you want a day off skiing (but why would you).

Cheapest deals finish end of Nov if you are doing things direct but if you want a TO there will be deals all the time as they think they can't sell something. We usually use Ski Independence but last year Virgin beat them and even though "they will match any price" they declined too ! You may find some mileage in DIY if so check out Alura.com for rentals - I think for a 2 week stay it may work out cheaper.

Hi all...Qs for those who have skiied in Whistler...

- Roughly how much is the total spending for a 12 or 14 night holiday (inc. air fares, transfers, accomodation, ski hire (inc boots), ski pass, food, etc)?

- Is it suitable for beginners??? OH is still not relaxed in the slopes....

- Is Ski Esprit the same as group lessons (ESF similar)???

Would really appreciate you thoughts....

I am itching to squeeze another week skiing in March 2012 if new employer agrees with another week off work Toofy Grin

You know it makes sense.

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

A snowHead

A snowHead

Help!!

USA/Canada end Feb/March 2013- where to go

snowHeads Forum Index >>> Resort Reviews and Trip Reports