Recommendations for western XC lodge?
 

My wife and I are looking for a new lodge to visit, preferably in the
western states. This is what my wife wants:

- Not a big crowded downhill place. Quaint is good.
- Plenty of not-too-challenging, groomed XC trails.
- Ski out the door, or at least no driving required to trails.
- Scenic mountains.
- Really good food.
- Dogsledding, hot tub, sauna all big plusses.

We really like the Franconia Inn in NH, also the Gunflint Lodge in MN
was fun, but we'd like to try something different. Suggestions?

Thanks!
Bob

Recommendations for western XC lodge?
 

One place that comes to mind is Lone Mountain Ranch located near the Big Sky
ski area...but separate from it. I was there a few times back in the late
1980's and early 90's ..........you can ski right out the door....excellent
food......upscale gourmet kind of place. I am not sure about the snowpack.
It usually is good, but has become variable....like most places in the last
few winters. I have read some long range predictions that the Northern
Rockies will have a snowy cold winter. You can find their web site on
"Google".

Mark

"Bob Whitefield" wrote in message
om...
My wife and I are looking for a new lodge to visit, preferably in the
western states. This is what my wife wants:

- Not a big crowded downhill place. Quaint is good.
- Plenty of not-too-challenging, groomed XC trails.
- Ski out the door, or at least no driving required to trails.
- Scenic mountains.
- Really good food.
- Dogsledding, hot tub, sauna all big plusses.

We really like the Franconia Inn in NH, also the Gunflint Lodge in MN
was fun, but we'd like to try something different. Suggestions?

Thanks!
Bob

Recommendations for western XC lodge?
 

I forgot to mention that Lone Mountain Ranch is in Montana........also that
they have over 60km of wonderfully groomed trails.

Mark
"Mark Eastman" wrote in message
k.net...
One place that comes to mind is Lone Mountain Ranch located near the Big
Sky
ski area...but separate from it. I was there a few times back in the late
1980's and early 90's ..........you can ski right out the
door....excellent
food......upscale gourmet kind of place. I am not sure about the
snowpack.
It usually is good, but has become variable....like most places in the
last
few winters. I have read some long range predictions that the Northern
Rockies will have a snowy cold winter. You can find their web site on
"Google".

Mark

"Bob Whitefield" wrote in message
om...
My wife and I are looking for a new lodge to visit, preferably in the
western states. This is what my wife wants:

- Not a big crowded downhill place. Quaint is good.
- Plenty of not-too-challenging, groomed XC trails.
- Ski out the door, or at least no driving required to trails.
- Scenic mountains.
- Really good food.
- Dogsledding, hot tub, sauna all big plusses.

We really like the Franconia Inn in NH, also the Gunflint Lodge in MN
was fun, but we'd like to try something different. Suggestions?

Thanks!
Bob

Recommendations for western XC lodge?
 

Never been there, but you might check out the Methow Valley
http://www.mvsta.com/
Everything I hear is that its amazing.

They have tons of trail, definitely ski from your door. Not a big
downhill place.

Paul

Bob Whitefield wrote:

My wife and I are looking for a new lodge to visit, preferably in the
western states. This is what my wife wants:

- Not a big crowded downhill place. Quaint is good.
- Plenty of not-too-challenging, groomed XC trails.
- Ski out the door, or at least no driving required to trails.
- Scenic mountains.
- Really good food.
- Dogsledding, hot tub, sauna all big plusses.

We really like the Franconia Inn in NH, also the Gunflint Lodge in MN
was fun, but we'd like to try something different. Suggestions?

Thanks!
Bob

--
Remove the caps to reply
Nordic Nuts
http://barney.gonzaga.edu/~pbelknap

Recommendations for western XC lodge?
 

Try Sun Valley. Sun Valley lodge has some Condos that I think butt up against
the golf course which is where the nordic trails are. Vaire Vaire Nice.


Eric "Shmo" Chandler
Duluth, MN

Recommendations for western XC lodge?
 

Chequama Mama wrote:
Never been there, but you might check out the Methow Valley
http://www.mvsta.com/
Everything I hear is that its amazing.

They have tons of trail, definitely ski from your door. Not a big
downhill place.

Paul

Bob Whitefield wrote:

My wife and I are looking for a new lodge to visit, preferably in the
western states. This is what my wife wants:

- Not a big crowded downhill place. Quaint is good.
- Plenty of not-too-challenging, groomed XC trails.
- Ski out the door, or at least no driving required to trails.
- Scenic mountains.
- Really good food.
- Dogsledding, hot tub, sauna all big plusses.

We really like the Franconia Inn in NH, also the Gunflint Lodge in MN
was fun, but we'd like to try something different. Suggestions?

Thanks!
Bob


The Methow Valley is about 4-5 winter hours from Seattle, depending on
weather and traffic. Winthrop is a 'tourist town' - lots of
cute--quaint shops and stores, with the 'real' town across the bridge
and down the road a few blocks. The MVSTA maintains an unbelievable
trail system up there.
Lodging:
Upper end - Sun Mountain Lodge
Lower end - several motels - the MVSTA can point you to good ones. The
Virginian is owned by a really great guy who can wrangle MTB trips in
the summer, too.
Middle - lots of B&Bs

Favorite places to eat - The Duck Brand Hotel & Cantina.
(Have the breakfast potatoes).
Favorite places to ski - any of the trails that have been groomed!!!


Marsh Jones
formerly a Methow frequent visitor.

Recommendations for western XC lodge?
 

Bob -

I'd suggest the Wilderness Lodge at Royal Gorge in California, but
apparently it burned down a couple of weeks ago. I'll stray outside
the norm a bit here and suggest Canada - perhaps the
Canmore/Banff/Lake Louise area. Also consider Silver Star, BC - I was
there a couple of years ago for a Thanksgiving Camp and there was
skiing from the door. Bring your windbriefs if you're planning on
going in mid-winter.

bt

Recommendations for western XC lodge?
 

Thanks for all the responses, folks! This is very helpful.

I hadn't considered Methow, looks like a great area.

Bob

Recommendations for western XC lodge?
 

If you are considering Canada, I recommend that as well as the areas
mentioned you should also look at 100 Mile House, B.C. The Hills Health
Ranch, at 108 Mile (8 miles north of 100 Mile House) has rooms and chalets
in a rustic ranch setting with a good restaurant, spa facilities and cross
country ski trails right at the door. The trails interconnect with the 100
Mile community trails so you have access to about 200 km of groomed,
trackset trails. Here is a link.

http://www.spabc.com/Winter/winter.html

Scott Elliot
http://www3.telus.net/selliot/

"sknyski" wrote in message
om...
Bob -

I'd suggest the Wilderness Lodge at Royal Gorge in California, but
apparently it burned down a couple of weeks ago. I'll stray outside
the norm a bit here and suggest Canada - perhaps the
Canmore/Banff/Lake Louise area. Also consider Silver Star, BC - I was
there a couple of years ago for a Thanksgiving Camp and there was
skiing from the door. Bring your windbriefs if you're planning on
going in mid-winter.

bt

Recommendations for western XC lodge?
 

I second the nomination of the Hills Health Ranch located near 100 Mile
House B.C. I didn't actually stay there, but at the nearby 108 Ranch (I
think that was the name). I was there during an exceptionally snowy, good
cold winter....and found that track system a total delight. I generally
skied over to the Hills Ranch for lunch...food was great...I wished I had
actually stayed there. I did hear that the particular winter I was there
was unusually reliable. I think it was back in 1991/92can't quite remember.
Because of the relatively low elevation of the area...compared to other
western settings....they can suffer from low snow cover. I'd watch the
weather and check carefully to see what Mother Nature has in store for this
winter. My impression is that most of the North American continent....as
well as Europe at the moment are under a mild airflow......with some cold
snaps of short duration here and there.

Mark
"Bob Whitefield" wrote in message
om...
My wife and I are looking for a new lodge to visit, preferably in the
western states. This is what my wife wants:

- Not a big crowded downhill place. Quaint is good.
- Plenty of not-too-challenging, groomed XC trails.
- Ski out the door, or at least no driving required to trails.
- Scenic mountains.
- Really good food.
- Dogsledding, hot tub, sauna all big plusses.

We really like the Franconia Inn in NH, also the Gunflint Lodge in MN
was fun, but we'd like to try something different. Suggestions?

Thanks!
Bob