thinking of branching out, alternate western ski destinations...

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I'm starting to look at alternate ski resorts for 2008 since this will be our second year in a row going to Park City. I have been avoiding the big Colorado areas since I would like something a little bit "down to earth," and am afraid of the altitude at Breckenridge as I am very sensitive. If you think I should reconsider, let me know.

I am the only family member not on the slopes, so I like somewhere with quaint shops/cafes/restaurants. I love Park City.

DS14 wants to go to Whistler. The flight is a bitch for us, but I am thinking about it. The canadian/US dollar ratio will help us out there, too. Big is better for us, the kids love the Canyons, and we need a place that can accomodate both the expert kids and their beginning/intermediate Dad..

Looking forward to your thoughts...

eta: I'm not sure if this belongs here or in the Canada forum. I d/n want to double post.

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

Whistler fits your criteria very well. There are many shops, spas, etc. My wife hates snow and cold and doesn't set foot on the slopes. But when she gets to Whistler she has a wonderful time strolling the village, doing shopping, and getting facials and skin treatment.

Whistler is well set up that way. Intrawest, who is the principal developer of Whistler Village, grasped the concept of making sure there was plenty of life and activity for non-skiers. Not only does that make Whistler more attractive as a location, but it also means that those non-skiers merely spend the money in shops instead of on slopes.

***

You also mention altitude. The base village at Whistler is only about 2000 feet above sea level. It's so low that the village stays pretty temperate and is actually snow and ice free periodically throughout the winter. If you visit in late March of in April, the Village is almost always snow and ice free.

[djyamyam Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close djyamyam]

Come to Whistler

I would be remiss if I didn't put in a strong endorsement for Whistler!

For your family, they would absolutely love it. There are actually two mountains, Whistler & Blackcomb. Here's the link. http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/index.htm. Each mountain in itself will take a couple days to cover. This year's snow has been absolutely phenomenal - they've had 19 ft of snow since Nov 1! Both mountains have a tremendous number of runs for the varying skill levels. Blackcomb mountain has slightly more difficult runs than Whistler mountain (might be the other way around). Something I learned to do when I go to a new ski mountain is use the moutain tours on the first day. They have guides that will take you out in small groups (varying on your skill ability) to cover the different areas of the mountain. This takes a couple hours and is very worthwhile as you get a good idea of where the different runs are and which areas you may want to go back and check out on your own. It sure makes for a lot more fun on knowing where you are and where the good areas are. It is essentially having a local personally show you the mountain.



For you, you get to relax and chill out in Whistler Village. It's very quaint with lots of shops and coffee places to hang out and relax. You can also go up the gondola to the mountain and see some great views from there (but not a lot to do otherwise). There are a lot of spas in the Village. A number of the TS are right in the Village while some other ones are on the outskirts.

While flights across the country will be a pain, not to mention adjusting to the time zone difference for you, I guarantee that you and the family won't be disappointed.

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

BTW - many timeshare travelers from the US heading to Whistler seem to find it easier (cheaper??) to travel to Seattle and drive up to Whistler from there. It's about a five hour drive.

****

There are ample non-timeshare accomodations in Whistler, including lots of fully furnished and equipped private condos. In fact, there are probably more condos than hotel rooms.

My favorite site for Whistler accomodations is www.alluradirect.com. Allura has lots of listings from private owners; because Allura is just a listing service, Alluras does not charge the 30% to 50% overhead charged by booking services such as the Whistler reservations center. Thus the rental rates through Allura are often less than similar accomodations through the booking services. Plus, since most of the rentals are directly by owner, you save the GST. (The booking services all collect GST.)

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

DS14 will be very happy to hear that you guys endorse his choice. Sounds perfect for me, too. And the time change works in our favor while we're there, the kids can get up early easily that way.

I always put the boys in either snowboarding school or a private group when we're somewhere 'big.' Will definitely get a guide for DH.

Ok, will have to start working on a trade... I need President's week so it may take some doing...

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

Ok, will have to start working on a trade... I need President's week so it may take some doing...

Ouch - President's week in Whistler is one of the hardest weeks in timesharing to land. It's also just about the most crowded week of the entire season at Whistler.

If that is the only week available to you and you need to make definite plans, I suggest that you strongly consider the rental market instead. I can steer you to a wonderful 2-bedroom (sleeps 6) place that we rent almost every year in April. Their rate for Presidents week is $CAD 225/night.

Another option is to try to swing a direct exchange with someone who has a unit in Whistler. A Raintree Vacation Club owner at the Platinum level or higher might also be able to land something.

If you also have school vacation in April, you might consider a trip then. The mountain is less crowded, and rates (both accomodations and lift tickets) are much less. Exchanging is also much easier.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Ouch - President's week in Whistler is one of the hardest weeks in timesharing to land. It's also just about the most crowded week of the entire season at Whistler.

If that is the only week available to you and you need to make definite plans, I suggest that you strongly consider the rental market instead. I can steer you to a wonderful 2-bedroom (sleeps 6) place that we rent almost every year in April. Their rate for Presidents week is $CAD 225/night.

Another option is to try to swing a direct exchange with someone who has a unit in Whistler. A Raintree Vacation Club owner at the Platinum level or higher might also be able to land something.

If you also have school vacation in April, you might consider a trip then. The mountain is less crowded, and rates (both accomodations and lift tickets) are much less. Exchanging is also much easier.

If the rental is in the village, I would like the info. I can easily rent my Park Plaza week for that or more. I have also posted a direct exchange ad. This April break we are heading for North Lake Tahoe, and in 2008 to Morritt's, since it's later in April and I want some beach for a change. We spend all winter in the snow, it will be my turn by then

[Guest Close Quarterbore]

I wish you would reconsider a trip to Killington in 2007 or 2008... My wife has plans that are going to make skiing in either year impossible for us.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I wish you would reconsider a trip to Killington in 2007 or 2008... My wife has plans that are going to make skiing in either year impossible for us.

Ken,

We are coming to Killington for New Year's in 2007/2008, staying in a 1 bedroom at Killingtown Townhouses. I wish we could use your week 6 but we are limited to school vacations. I would book MLK weekend there next year if something came up at the right price. I might also consider shorter weekend(s) if I could get a Friday checkin... we also like it up there in the fall... how far are you from there? maybe we can at least meet in person

DS14 wants to go skiing for his bday weekend too, but I'm pretty sure it falls in week 5 and I am probably going to pick up a cheap EV or use an AC for that one...

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

It's real hard to get a timeshare any closer than Santa Fe but Taos, NM was one of my favorite out west ski resorts. Uncrowded and the town is very fun.

My cousin was raving about Angel Fire, NM when we were with him and his family in April. There are timeshares there.

One of my favorite Colorado mountsins is Copper.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

It's real hard to get a timeshare any closer than Santa Fe but Taos, NM was one of my favorite out west ski resorts. Uncrowded and the town is very fun.

My cousin was raving about Angel Fire, NM when we were with him and his family in April. There are timeshares there.

Angel Fire looks nice, I will show it to DS. Taos d/n allow snowboarding

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

Glitter,

If you are looking at Angel Fire, NM, you might also look at Fairfield Pagosa in Pagaso Springs CO. The skiing is at Wolf Creek Ski Lodge about 25 miles away.

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

One other thought. Think about the Arizona Snowlbowl at Flagstaff. You have a choice of staying in Flagstaff or in Sedona.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Glitter,

If you are looking at Angel Fire, NM, you might also look at Fairfield Pagosa in Pagaso Springs CO. The skiing is at Wolf Creek Ski Lodge about 25 miles away.

Thanks, Mike, but I would prefer not to drive 25 miles to the mountain, I am a picky chauffeur. Since I drop everyone at the mountain and then pick them up later if we're not staying on site, I try to get a place as close as possible to cut down on my driving. If we were all skiing, I probably wouldn't mind.

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

Glitter,

Did you also see my post about Flagstaff? There's a Fairfield Flagstaff and the Arizaon Snowbowl is just outside of town. We're heading there this Friday for Christmas.

Sedona would be too far to drive on your criteria. But it would be good shopping.