Need suggestions for Christmas skiing

I'm looking for suggestions for myself and my brother for where to go
skiing over Christmas. We're both in our late 30's. He's been skiing a
bit over the last few years and is probably advanced intermediate. I
used to be the same, but it has been 10 years since I last skied. I'm
hoping for about a week of skiing from a little before Christmas until
a couple of days after.

Anywhere in North America is workable. We are both travelling from the
east coast. I'd prefer a resort with lots of long, interesting runs.
I'll try challenging runs at a slow pace after I get my ski-legs back.
:-) Not really looking for bars and such at night, but good, not overly
expensive restaurants are a nice plus. Other options could be nice
instead of staying in every night, though.

We would also prefer not to spend a fortune on accomodations. And any
suggestions for comfortable, non-smoking rooms would be appreciated as
well.

So far, I have thought of maybe Breckenridge, Salt Lake City Area, or
possibly Whistler. Since I have no idea how crowded or expensive things
get at that time of year or where the better snow is likely to be, I
would love suggestions. These locations are just ideas, not limits to
possibilities.

Thanks,

-Rodney

Hi Rodney:
You can find information on all of the resorts you're considering
including lodging deals, cheap air tickets and up to date conditions
at: www.SkiTown.com.
Breckenridge is a good choice, you can find cheaper lodging right down
the road in Frisco, Dillon or Silverthorne, but check www.SkiTown.com.
good luck

Rodney Somerstein wrote in message ...
I'm looking for suggestions for myself and my brother for where to go
skiing over Christmas. We're both in our late 30's. He's been skiing a
bit over the last few years and is probably advanced intermediate. I
used to be the same, but it has been 10 years since I last skied. I'm
hoping for about a week of skiing from a little before Christmas until
a couple of days after.

Anywhere in North America is workable. We are both travelling from the
east coast. I'd prefer a resort with lots of long, interesting runs.
I'll try challenging runs at a slow pace after I get my ski-legs back.
:-) Not really looking for bars and such at night, but good, not overly
expensive restaurants are a nice plus. Other options could be nice
instead of staying in every night, though.

We would also prefer not to spend a fortune on accomodations. And any
suggestions for comfortable, non-smoking rooms would be appreciated as
well.

So far, I have thought of maybe Breckenridge, Salt Lake City Area, or
possibly Whistler. Since I have no idea how crowded or expensive things
get at that time of year or where the better snow is likely to be, I
would love suggestions. These locations are just ideas, not limits to
possibilities.

Thanks,

-Rodney

I think the Eastern Resorts look more
"Christmasy" like the Norman Rockwell
type scenes. The western resorts have more
newer condo type accomodations that don't
seem to have the same Christmas "look".
In the East you have to go pretty far north
to be assured of good conditions, like Stowe
which has a nice winter beauty. Stowe runs
tend to be shorter and steeper. Okemo Mtn
has a lot of long rambling intermediate runs
but its further south and lower in elevation
so good conditions at Christmas are more iffy.
Okemo has nice little town (Ludlow) at the
base which is a fun place. I'd avoid Killington
at Christmas due to crowds. Bretton Woods
New Hampshre has a lot of longer intermediate
runs. Its across the valley from Mt Washington,
so you get a spectacular view. I beleive the
Mt Washington hotel is now open in winter
but its quite expensive, but you can also
have dinner there. There's a neat place
down the road from Bretton Woods called the
Notchland Inn which is an old stone mansion
converted to an inn. Definitely worth checking out.

Thanks to everyone who replied. I decided to put this trip off until
February to keep the costs a bit lower and hopefully cut down on the
crowds a little bit as well.

-Rodney