Okay Where
- Thread starter IAHawk
- Start date
Admin":2tshi1u4 said:
I would second that. If a significant other is a non-skier I think your biggest priority should be making her/him happy, whatever that takes (since I imagine you would want to go on more trips in the future). So, scouring for an Aspen deal would perhaps be the best initial course of action (regardless of how bad a snow year they're having). As said above, it's hard to argue for a more complete resort for a non-skier in the States than Aspen, and it doesn't have to be expensive (but it's pretty tough to make it cheap)...
Aspen is doing about average. It's the places farther East and closer to Denver that are way down on snow. March is the prime month for Aspen, so I agree with all the above comments. My friend Richard can vouch for the attractions of Aspen to his non-skiing wife. Face value lift tickets and rack rate hotel rooms are very expensive, but package deals should be available, especially with the soft economy.
I don't know that lodging is necessarily cheaper in Snowmass than Aspen. With the non-skiing spouse I'd try to stay in Aspen.
I don't know that lodging is necessarily cheaper in Snowmass than Aspen. With the non-skiing spouse I'd try to stay in Aspen.
Snowmass has the ambience of an early shopping mall. These guys are from the old world. We want then to see the best our country has to offer. Aspen is worth the extra $25.
Sun Valley was giving away lift/lodging packages when I stopped by last March 12th on my way back to Seattle. I imagine Aspen would have to do the same. $400 Front Range season passes siphon off the Denver skiers; Aspen has to look towards the destination travelers, travelers who have many options AND who are less likely to take a ski trip in this economy.
If there aren't any great deals now, buy the plane ticket and wait. The deals will have to come. Las Vegas has slashed its rates to keep people in the rooms. Ski areas will follow the lead. I mean, is there anybody out there who thinks that the slopes are crowded? I have skied Whistler, Baker, Crystal, Alta, Snowbird, and Targhee this season. I am still waiting to wait in my first liftline (O.K., I missed the 17" day at Alta last week, I heard about the lines).
Sun Valley was giving away lift/lodging packages when I stopped by last March 12th on my way back to Seattle. I imagine Aspen would have to do the same. $400 Front Range season passes siphon off the Denver skiers; Aspen has to look towards the destination travelers, travelers who have many options AND who are less likely to take a ski trip in this economy.
If there aren't any great deals now, buy the plane ticket and wait. The deals will have to come. Las Vegas has slashed its rates to keep people in the rooms. Ski areas will follow the lead. I mean, is there anybody out there who thinks that the slopes are crowded? I have skied Whistler, Baker, Crystal, Alta, Snowbird, and Targhee this season. I am still waiting to wait in my first liftline (O.K., I missed the 17" day at Alta last week, I heard about the lines).
Marc_C
Active member
Read more closely. That was $125 for the entire condo at Snowmass, and $150 per person in Aspen. We don't know the OP's budget, but if he wanted to save significantly on an Aspen trip, then staying at Snowmass is an option. BTW, that same Snowmass condo during regular season ran $450/night at the time. If money isn't an issue, there are the standard rooms at the Aspen Ritz-Carlton that run $1250/night.Skrad":3byivpkv said:
Marc_C
Active member
Fares aren't quite what you think. They certainly aren't what I thought they might be. Just did some quick searches for round trip flights from ORD for the 3rd week in March. Very approximate fares are:rfarren":3gjd69zv said:
Grand Jct CO (90 miles from Aspen): $375
Aspen: $475 ($595 for a non-stop on United)
Vancouver: $650
Denver: $300
Reno: $400
Again, we don't know the OP's' budget.
Sun Valley was another place Richard's non-skiing wife liked.
I say steamboat as well. Town is great, food, shops, spa, plus hotsprings, horseback/sliegs/tubing, snowshoeing. And really good weather with a low altitude. Great groomers and less crazy terrian then other areas but consisitent snow. Price may be a bit high though. And you can fly direct from Chicago on American Airlines.
Yes the base is a bit blah, but the town is great and there are some fun places to stay. Really get that away from it all feeling there. Anyway Steamboat gets enough snow to build a good base for March skiing, and does get plenty of wintery powder days thrown in. Coming from Iowa some good spring skiing may be what the doctor orders. A couple of years ago when the got over 500in they closed in april with over a 100in base.
Can't believe nobody has suggested Banff. Easy access from ORD to Calgary + 1.5 hr drive into Rockies. Banff is an awesome town with lots of dining, nightlife, shopping, diversions (wildlife, snoshoeing, XC, dog sledding, hot springs). Also happens to have the most scenic skiing in N.America @ Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Norquay. Most ski packages include bus to/from all 3 ski areas with frequent scheduling. Lake Louise itself is big enough for an intermediate for a week. Sunshine has killer snow. Norquay is a nice 1/2 day option.