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#1
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Where to go in North America (non-skier) ?
I'll be on vacation next March (probably west coast USA) and I want to
add a few days skiing at the end of the trip. Trouble is I'll have my non-skiing wife with me (and early-intermediate kids) and I need some suggestions on where is best to go. None of us have ever been skiing in North America before. I'm not too worried about the overall size of the resort but there needs to be enough to keep the wife happy for two or three days. And she doesn't drive. Since we're flying over from UK we could consider almost anywhere (East or West, North or South). Thanks in advance. James. |
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#2
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Where to go in North America (non-skier) ?
"icicle" wrote in message
m... I'll be on vacation next March (probably west coast USA) and I want to add a few days skiing at the end of the trip. Trouble is I'll have my non-skiing wife with me (and early-intermediate kids) and I need some suggestions on where is best to go. None of us have ever been skiing in North America before. I'm not too worried about the overall size of the resort but there needs to be enough to keep the wife happy for two or three days. And she doesn't drive. Since we're flying over from UK we could consider almost anywhere (East or West, North or South). There is a bit to do in South Lake Tahoe though not much (unless you can afford to send her to a Casino for a week!). There's almost no shopping there to speak of. Try www.skiheavenly.com for information. The weather in March can be very variable - could be absolutely freezing in early March & the last time I was there 2 years ago at the very end of March it was 60+ degrees & disgustingly hot up on the mountain. Non Skiers can ride the Gunbarrel Cablecar up to a restaurant & also can take the new Gondola up to a spectacular viewing point as well (though I don't think there is a restaurant up there). Depending on the age of your kids the ski school is pretty good but not cheap. The Embassy Suites place is good for families & has an indoor pool - but not cheap. It is right beside the Gondola though. www.embassysuites.com Squaw is kinda cut off from anywhere - its just a huge ski complex though there will be a hotel with a pool etc but very little else for a non Skier. Nearest town is a good few miles away. Kirkwood is a small resort on the west coast of the lake & nice for kids - the lift system is a bit antiquated. Never been to Northstar but I think its pretty much the same with regards to entertaining a non-skier. Driving up the west side of the lake is not guaranteed (certainly not in Early March) depending on the weather - the road is quite often closed for weeks at a time (though its always been open when I've been there!). Trying to drive the other way around the lake is a very long way! Expect to be a bit shocked by the price of Lift tickets, Ski Hire & Skischool in comparison to say Austria. A One day lift ticket at Heavenly is about $60 now I think. That said, there is very little that comes close to the views you can see from the top station there. HTH I. |
#3
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Where to go in North America (non-skier) ?
My recommendation is Salt Lake City, Utah. There are major ski
areas(Snowbird, Alta, Park City, Deer Valley, etc.) within an hour of downtown SLC. You can get discount lift tickets at the supermarkets in town. |
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Where to go in North America (non-skier) ?
"Joseph Feng" wrote in message
om... My recommendation is Salt Lake City, Utah. There are major ski areas(Snowbird, Alta, Park City, Deer Valley, etc.) within an hour of downtown SLC. You can get discount lift tickets at the supermarkets in town. There's also some quite reasonable skiing just outside Portland in Oregon (Mount Hood Meadows) which is not a bad place - good shopping & eating. |
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Where to go in North America (non-skier) ?
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#6
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Where to go in North America (non-skier) ?
Dan Morgan wrote:
We're going to Whistler this year and it looks as though it will be a much nicer town. Whistler may suit your needs better, but it isn't really a town. It's Intrawest's idea of a mountain village. Shops, restaurants, hotels, condos, night clubs, all in a pedestrian-only enclave. Not that it's a bad thing, it's just not a town. Truckee, CA is a town. Park City, UT is a town. Jackson Hole, WY is a town. Aspen, CO is a town. Whistler is a theme park. -- terry morse Palo Alto, CA http://www.terrymorse.com/bike/ |
#7
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Where to go in North America (non-skier) ?
Terry Morse wrote in message ...
Whistler may suit your needs better, but it isn't really a town. It's Intrawest's idea of a mountain village. Shops, restaurants, hotels, condos, night clubs, all in a pedestrian-only enclave. Not that it's a bad thing, it's just not a town. Truckee, CA is a town. Park City, UT is a town. Jackson Hole, WY is a town. Aspen, CO is a town. Whistler is a theme park. Point taken, but as long as I don't have to trek miles to get to places I'm not fussed! |
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Where to go in North America (non-skier) ?
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#9
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Where to go in North America (non-skier) ?
All of the other replies suggested western areas. Here is a plug for
some eastern areas. The Lake Placid area has all kinds of non-skiing winter sports available while the skiers are at Whiteface. The Conway area has great outlet shopping while the skiers have their choice of Attitash, Wildcat and a number of other resorts (that are smaller). Quebec City offers one of North America's most quaint cities, while being close to Mt. St. Anne, La Massif, etc. Happy skiing, Joshua Segal |
#10
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Where to go in North America (non-skier) ?
Thanks to all the info.
So we've got : 1. South Lake Tahoe 2. Salt Lake City 3. Portland, Oregon 4. Whistler 5. Jackson Hole 6. Lake Placid I'm suprised that nobody mentioned any Colorado resorts - I did have Aspen in mind, but it seems extreeeemly expensive - but then skiing the big resorts anywhere in North America costs about two or three times more than Europe. Maybe its best to find a smaller resort near to a big town - Portland, Oregon perhaps? Any other suggestions ? Salt Lake City sounds interesting (but again expensive) does anyone know of any smaller, quieter resort nearby ? I've heard Whistler described as "Disneyland on snow" and it sort of put me off. Is there enough for a non-skier to do (after shopping and a trip to the spa) ?? Thanks again, James. |
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