Recommendations for good ski destinations from Chicago?

Does anyone have a recommendation for a three-day ski trip (e.g.,
Thursday through Sunday) departing from Chicago? I'll be flying (or
driving) from here, and the destinations I'm looking at right now are
Royal Gorge (via Reno) and Mont Sainte Anne (near Quebec City). Both
have epic-sounding trail systems and on-trail accommodations are
reasonable. But the logistics of the flight times aren't great.

Does anyone have any thoughts on other destinations that would be
reasonably priced and, more importantly, have convenient
transportation options from the Midwest? Especially attractive are
those, like Mont Sainte Anne, that offer shuttle service from the
destination city, thus alleviating the cost of renting a 4WD that I
won't be using for much other than getting to the resort.

Thanks!

On Jan 11, 1:20*pm, Chi Skier wrote:
Does anyone have a recommendation for a three-day ski trip (e.g.,
Thursday through Sunday) departing from Chicago? I'll be flying (or
driving) from here, and the destinations I'm looking at right now are
Royal Gorge (via Reno) and Mont Sainte Anne (near Quebec City). Both
have epic-sounding trail systems and on-trail accommodations are
reasonable. But the logistics of the flight times aren't great.

Does anyone have any thoughts on other destinations that would be
reasonably priced and, more importantly, have convenient
transportation options from the Midwest? Especially attractive are
those, like Mont Sainte Anne, that offer shuttle service from the
destination city, thus alleviating the cost of renting a 4WD that I
won't be using for much other than getting to the resort.

Thanks!

From Chicago you may want to look into Devils' Thumb Ranch which is
reasonably near Denver. I was there last year during the holidays and
accommodations were NOT cheap but maybe it's more reasonable during a
less busy time. Very nice trails, very nice facilities. Not sure if
they have a shuttle from Denver airport or not, you'dnned to check
with them . Good luck and have fun!

Jim Whalen NULL wrote:
On Jan 11, 1:20 pm, Chi Skier wrote:
Does anyone have a recommendation for a three-day ski trip (e.g.,
Thursday through Sunday) departing from Chicago? I'll be flying (or
driving) from here, and the destinations I'm looking at right now are
Royal Gorge (via Reno) and Mont Sainte Anne (near Quebec City). Both
have epic-sounding trail systems and on-trail accommodations are
reasonable. But the logistics of the flight times aren't great.

Does anyone have any thoughts on other destinations that would be
reasonably priced and, more importantly, have convenient
transportation options from the Midwest? Especially attractive are
those, like Mont Sainte Anne, that offer shuttle service from the
destination city, thus alleviating the cost of renting a 4WD that I
won't be using for much other than getting to the resort.

Thanks!

From Chicago you may want to look into Devils' Thumb Ranch which is
reasonably near Denver. I was there last year during the holidays and
accommodations were NOT cheap but maybe it's more reasonable during a
less busy time. Very nice trails, very nice facilities. Not sure if
they have a shuttle from Denver airport or not, you'dnned to check
with them . Good luck and have fun!

I skied at Snow Mountain Ranch, just about 5 miles from Devils' Thumb
Ranch near Fraser, Colorado just before Christmas. The trails are nice,
as is the scenery. Just be warned that the elevation is above 8700 feet,
so you will feel the effects, especially if you live near sea level. It
is also a not inconsequential trip from Denver. Not far in time or
miles, but the shortest distance goes over 12,000 Berthoud pass and you
would feel more comfortable driving a 4WD vehicle there.

Another possibility is Bozeman. While there is a 3/day shuttle to
Bohart Ranch (5500-6000') on weekends, it would probably be better to
stay in town and rent a car (4wd helpful but not necessary) to travel
to other locations around the area (Lone Mtn Ranch, Bozeman local
options, West Yellowstone).

Gene

Chi Skier wrote:

Does anyone have a recommendation for a three-day ski trip (e.g.,
Thursday through Sunday) departing from Chicago? I'll be flying (or
driving) from here, and the destinations I'm looking at right now are
Royal Gorge (via Reno) and Mont Sainte Anne (near Quebec City). Both
have epic-sounding trail systems and on-trail accommodations are
reasonable. But the logistics of the flight times aren't great.

Does anyone have any thoughts on other destinations that would be
reasonably priced and, more importantly, have convenient
transportation options from the Midwest? Especially attractive are
those, like Mont Sainte Anne, that offer shuttle service from the
destination city, thus alleviating the cost of renting a 4WD that I
won't be using for much other than getting to the resort.

Thanks!

On Jan 11, 9:25*pm, wrote:
Another possibility is Bozeman. *While there is a 3/day shuttle to
Bohart Ranch (5500-6000') on weekends, it would probably be better to
stay in town and rent a car (4wd helpful but not necessary) to travel
to other locations around the area (Lone Mtn Ranch, Bozeman local
options, West Yellowstone).

Gene



Chi Skier wrote:
Does anyone have a recommendation for a three-day ski trip (e.g.,
Thursday through Sunday) departing from Chicago? I'll be flying (or
driving) from here, and the destinations I'm looking at right now are
Royal Gorge (via Reno) and Mont Sainte Anne (near Quebec City). Both
have epic-sounding trail systems and on-trail accommodations are
reasonable. But the logistics of the flight times aren't great.

Does anyone have any thoughts on other destinations that would be
reasonably priced and, more importantly, have convenient
transportation options from the Midwest? Especially attractive are
those, like Mont Sainte Anne, that offer shuttle service from the
destination city, thus alleviating the cost of renting a 4WD that I
won't be using for much other than getting to the resort.

Thanks!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text

West Yellowstone (via Bozeman) Rendezvous trail system is great - good
snow, nice grooming and. Elevation is moderately high.
http://www.rendezvousskitrails.com/

Several years ago we flew reaching Gozeman mid-day and took a shuttle
service to West Yellowstone. West Yellowstone is very walkable and
the Rendezvous trails are only a few blocks from the center of town.
You can also ski into Yellowstone NP.

The downside to Bozeman/West Yellowstone is time. The shuttle took 2
or 3 hours. If you get to Bozeman at night, you may want to over
night in Bozeman then get the earliest shuttle to West Yellowstone for
an afternoon ski for the first of your 3 days.

Most from outside the area head straight to West Yellowstone without
realizing there's some very good x-c (and alpine) skiing in and around
Bozeman, and at an altitude up to 1500' less than West. A car is
necessary, tho, except on weekends to Bohart, when there's a 3x/day
shuttle (Streamline). There are lower-priced motels and plenty of big
vistas, including from town (West doesn't compare).

Gene


wrote:

West Yellowstone (via Bozeman) Rendezvous trail system is great - good
snow, nice grooming and. Elevation is moderately high.
http://www.rendezvousskitrails.com/

Several years ago we flew reaching Gozeman mid-day and took a shuttle
service to West Yellowstone. West Yellowstone is very walkable and
the Rendezvous trails are only a few blocks from the center of town.
You can also ski into Yellowstone NP.

The downside to Bozeman/West Yellowstone is time. The shuttle took 2
or 3 hours. If you get to Bozeman at night, you may want to over
night in Bozeman then get the earliest shuttle to West Yellowstone for
an afternoon ski for the first of your 3 days.

On Jan 11, 2:20*pm, Chi Skier wrote:
Does anyone have a recommendation for a three-day ski trip (e.g.,
Thursday through Sunday) departing from Chicago? I'll be flying (or
driving) from here, and the destinations I'm looking at right now are
Royal Gorge (via Reno) and Mont Sainte Anne (near Quebec City). Both
have epic-sounding trail systems and on-trail accommodations are
reasonable. But the logistics of the flight times aren't great.

Does anyone have any thoughts on other destinations that would be
reasonably priced and, more importantly, have convenient
transportation options from the Midwest? Especially attractive are
those, like Mont Sainte Anne, that offer shuttle service from the
destination city, thus alleviating the cost of renting a 4WD that I
won't be using for much other than getting to the resort.

Thanks!

If you would prefer to drive, Marquette, MI in the UP has Blueberry
Ridge (site of National Masters) and the Noquemanon trail network
(many options), and it's not 'that' far from Chgo.

Lower Peninsula Michigan has Hanson Hills in Grayling, the Vasa trail
in Traverse City, Boyne Highlands (Petoskey) has fun great trails,
Black Mountain near Cheboygan, MI is a fantastic trail system, and
just 45 minutes north of the Mackinac Bridge you have Sault Ste Marie,
cross the border to Ontario, you have your pick of hotels in town, &
just outside of town you have Stokely creek (where you can stay & it
would be a fantastic weeklong stay itself), Hiawatha Highlands aka Soo
Finn Club, a past world cup site. All of these trails will feature
fine regular grooming & heap big snow esp this season.

DT

Royal Gorge (and nearby Tahoe Donner) are fabulous and worth the trip,
but you WILL want more than 3 days. It is a couple of hours drive (if
weather is good) from the nearest airport, a lot longer if they get 4
feet of snow the day you arrive like us.

For a 3 day weekend from Chicago I'd go to Michigan or Wisconsin. Maybe
make it a driving tour: ski Lapham Peak in Delafield then drive up to
Minocqua Winter Park to ski a day, then drive up to Ironwood and ski at
Wolverine and/or ABR before returning home.

Alternative is to drive up to the UP. Escanaba, MI is only about 5
hours in clear weather. More if you stop to ski on the way up. Lapham
would be one choice, Greenbush / Zillmer in North Kettle Morraine is
another. I am less familiar with skiing in the UP so listen to the
previous poster.

Sault Ste Marie is a really nice. 3 Days is not enough, especially if
driving. If the weather and traffic are good you can do it in 8 hours or
so, but it took us 13 hours going and 11 coming home because it was
snowing. We definitely want to go back again. Unless you are a
marathon skier Hiawatha can entertain you for a couple of days at least
and Stokely Creek even longer.

Have fun,
Steve


--
SteveT
Message Origin: TRAVEL.com

I thought Reno to RG was about 45 mins-1 hr and TD is 10 mins closer,
but I haven't driven that route in about 10 years.

Gene

SteveT wrote:


Royal Gorge (and nearby Tahoe Donner) are fabulous and worth the trip,
but you WILL want more than 3 days. It is a couple of hours drive (if
weather is good) from the nearest airport, a lot longer if they get 4
feet of snow the day you arrive like us.

For a 3 day weekend from Chicago I'd go to Michigan or Wisconsin. Maybe
make it a driving tour: ski Lapham Peak in Delafield then drive up to
Minocqua Winter Park to ski a day, then drive up to Ironwood and ski at
Wolverine and/or ABR before returning home.

Alternative is to drive up to the UP. Escanaba, MI is only about 5
hours in clear weather. More if you stop to ski on the way up. Lapham
would be one choice, Greenbush / Zillmer in North Kettle Morraine is
another. I am less familiar with skiing in the UP so listen to the
previous poster.

Sault Ste Marie is a really nice. 3 Days is not enough, especially if
driving. If the weather and traffic are good you can do it in 8 hours or
so, but it took us 13 hours going and 11 coming home because it was
snowing. We definitely want to go back again. Unless you are a
marathon skier Hiawatha can entertain you for a couple of days at least
and Stokely Creek even longer.

Have fun,
Steve


--
SteveT
Message Origin: TRAVEL.com