Ski trip questions...

[BucksandDucks]

I've been wanting to go on a ski trip with the wife but things haven't worked out for us. However, we now have a group (5-8) planning on going next year. I've got a few questions though b/c I've never been or looked up stuff to go. Figured I'd ask yall here for a little advice.

-Where is the best place to go for beginners? I want to go out west but have no clue where. I want it to be enjoyable and not to hard of slopes. Telluride, Vail, Jackson hole... will be women involved so prolly some place to shop or sight see would be good too!

-When would be the best time to go? I was thinking next February but may make it over new years or something. Don't want to mess up to much of the hunting season.

- Which of those choices would be the cheapest? or how much am I looking at spending?

- How many days do we need to plan to be there? I know a few will be taken up with ski school and such so I want to have time for us to enjoy ourselves.

- What type of clothes and stuff do you need to take with you? I figure cold weather clothes, goggles, tobagin, gloves...can you get all the ski stuff you need out there?

- Is it best to search around and do the bookings yourself or would you all go through a travel agent?

I'm such a rookie at this I don't even know what other questions to ask, so help me out anyway you can...Just want this to happen and trying to get a jump start on it for next year.

Thanks ahead of time!

[the tree]

Try and avoid Presidents Day celebration, very crowded. Try and stay a week allowing 4-5 days for skiing. If/when your legs get tired, it takes a lot of fun out for beginners. Get private instructors for the group first two days. Instructors are expensive but a great investment. As beginners we enjoyed Deer Valley in Park City Utah. Drive from Salt Lake was short. At the end of the day, avoid drinking alcohol during long soaks in a hot tub.

[Smoke68]

My first time skiing I went to Aspen but stayed out of town a little ways so it wasn't too expensive. For beginner skiers you can't beat Aspen. They have 3 mountains that can be used with a single lift pass. Buttermilk is like 80% beginner slopes, Snowmass is mostly intermediate, and Aspen Mtn. is mostly Intermediate/Advanced. Stuff for the ladies to do is everywhere there.

Steamboat would be my second choice. It's a single mountain with lots of snow and a good mix for all levels. Great town, too.

As far as instruction, do a group class for a 1/2 day. Figure out how to not kill yourself and go have fun. No need for private instruction much less 2 days of it IMO. If everyone is a bit apprehensive about trying it maybe do the full day. Past that and you're just going to be practicing over and over which you can easily do without an instructor.

If you want to stay closer to the slopes I'd prolly go Steamboat.

I agree with scheduling at least 4 days to be there, 2 days to travel. Your legs will get tired. When I went to Steamboat we did a guided snowmobile tour. It was amazing and a great rest for the legs. I'd say do it on day 3 of a 4-5 day trip. And definitely do a guided trip if you can because unguided trips they just turn you loose in a snow covered pasture to cut donuts. Guided it's more like a trail ride and you get to see great views, plus they have intermediate stops where they cut you loose in a field to have some fun.

[deltadukman]

I just got back in from Steamboat last night! Been out therer at Music Fest since last Saturday. I love it out there, and it is not as crowded as the places closer to Denver, but I would say its a little more aggressive than some of the more touristy places like vail, copper,, snomass, and breck. Lots of blues, but they are steep.

This time of year its going to snow more often and it can get downright frigid. It can be fun, but if you're not used to it, it can be miserable. I would say the spring is more comfortable for a beginner as they have all the snow, but the temps are more mild. Anything above 20 is fairly comfortable and the sunshine makes it seem even warmer. Even though it looks cold on the weather, doesn't mean it is. Also, just because its 20 and sunny one day it was comfortable, 20 and cloudy and spitting snow can be freezing cold.

As far as clothes, you need layers and it will take some experimenting to figure it out. Also, there can be 20 degree temp differences between the base and the top. I dress to be a little cool on the lift ride so I don't burn up when on the mountain. Moisture is your enemy. My typical dress is Patagonia Merino wool base layer, thin tight micro fleece pants and light fleece pullover, and uninsulated mountain hardware pants and northface shell jacket. That will do me down to about 15 degrees. After that, a wool pullover or something a tad heavier. I did wear it when it was in the -3 to 5 degree range and was cold at times, but not when I was skiing. Also, stay away from bulky insulated clothes. Another must for layering is a windproof fleece vest. On your lower body, you don't want much more than your socks and a base layer in your boot or your feet will kill you. Get a few pair of smartwool socks and be done with it. You don't want big bulky socks in your boots. Rule of thumb is get the best stuff you can afford as it will make it more enjoyable. You want stuff that is warm without the bulk to stay comfortable and able to move around easily. Merino wool is better than under armor, but both will work. Wool insulates while warm, and wicks moisture. Rule of thumb is if you want to be comfortable, it costs more $$$. You can buy what you want on the mountain, but it will be full price. Visit REI, Moosejaw, or backcountry.com You can usually find good deals. I bought those Mountain Hardware pants on there for like $90 and they retail for $200.

I ski with a back pack full of stuff to carry me on the mountain. Water, extra head stuff, extra gloves, snacks. I also have my ski gloves, but carry a pair of wool filson lightweight gloves for running around town and other stuff where I can use my hands but keep them warm and not have on big bulky gloves.

I agree with everyone that 4 days is a minimum and take a half day lesson if you've never skied before. Its worth it. Also, I cant stress how important it is to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. That thin air and you working trying to ski will dehydrate you before you know it. If I think of anything else, Ill let you know. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

[Jrh215]

^^this...i've been to crested butte, and steamboat several times and liked steamboat the best. There's stuff to do in town as well. Ski lessons are certainly helpful but i don't know if 2 days are necessary. i went the group instruction route for a full day the 1st time i went and i think we had 10 or so folks in the group so you may end up with a semi-private lesson anyway if you go the group route depending on how many folks end up going with you. Definitely suggest the snowmobile ride, i haven't done it but i still kick myself for not doing it, i decided i'd get brave that year and take up snowboarding (a.k.a. sliding down the mountain on my rear end and spraining my wrists all day) instead of the snowmobile rides. Mom and Dad did the snowmobile ride and LOVED it. the pictures they showed me were amazing. definitely the trail ride version though. not much help on the booking stuff since i never had to handle that piece of it. Be sure to pack you a back pack with some water and snacks, you'll work up an appetite quick and the restraunts and lodge at the base of the mountain are not cheap...have fun its probably one of my favorite trips.

[Sbroadus]

Getting some really good advice on lessons and I agree 1\2 day lesson will be fine for most. One thing I can not stress enough if you want to have an enjoyable ski trip is be in shape for it. If you want to see how ready you are put your back against a wall and slide down till your legs are parallel with the floor and stay there. It will show you which muscles you are going to be using. I vote for Steamboat also. Stay at a ski in if can. Makes life much easier. Lots to do on the mountain and a great town too. We use to go second week in February and weather and snow was good.

[deltadukman]

Stay at a ski in if can.

Chateau Chamonix. Room 111. Best place we've stayed at on the mountain at Steamboat. Just don't tell them you know us . Could ski right up to the porch, clip in and ski down to the Gondola. Had to take them off and walk a small piece to the Christy Lift.

Also, read reviews if you are doing ski in/out. Just because it says it, doesn't mean it really is, or is easy. Found this out one year at the "Ski Inn".

One great thing I like about steamboat is the transportation. City Shuttle, and the others that take you to and from your condo's.

Start running now and conditioning your legs(the whole lower body). Ski boots aren't exactly easy to walk it and if you aren't in shape, it will kill you. Your calves and quads mainly are what take the brunt of the pain. Thin air isn't a Mississippian's friend either. You usually are adjusted by the time you leave.

[Sea-Donkey]

Ski school is a waste of time. Our group tried it the 1st time I went and we were drop outs after 30 minutes. The 2 of us that had sense enough to bail skied a black diamond at the end of the 1st day while the ones that stayed in school were still "snow plowing" down green beginner slopes.

It isn't rocket science. Go down a green hill. Begin with snow plowing (the "pizza" if you're teaching kids) and QUICKLY learn to shift one ski over into a turn. Don't spend longer than 2 minutes snow plowing down the slope...you learn nothing that way. Try turning one way and then the other. Turning sideways to stop works much better. Heck, you can't even stop using the snowplow method on a blue slope. Just get out and do it...don't be intimidated. It's not hard to figure out with a little effort.

Other advice you've been given is good, but don't waste the time or $ on ski school.

[BucksandDucks]

Thanks yall...keep them coming! A lot of things that I wouldn't have thought of have been mentioned.

Where do you all fly into that go to steamboat springs?

[deltadukman]

Where do you all fly into that go to steamboat springs?

Hayden(HDN). Its not worth the risk trying to make the pass flying into Denver and trying to drive. It can get sketchy. Airport is about 30 minutes away from resort.

[the tree]

with regards to ski in-ski out, make sure you bring your ski boots inside at night

[Dux Be Us]

LOTS of GREAT skiing out west. Fly into Reno and ski Tahoe, really nice. Gotta highschool friend that lives outside Salt Lake City...he swears by Snowbird. Veil as mentioned, is real nice too. Sun Valley Idaho...freakin' awesome. I've heard Virginia has some nice skiing as well... My friend in Salt Lake follows the weather channel and goes where the snow is...that boy has WAY more money than sense however...y'all have fun

[the tree]

When choosing the state where you plan on skiing, just remember Colorado legalized recreational use of weed!

[MudHog]

Angel Fire or Red River in New Mexico are good ski places. Angel Fire is close to Taos, NM and lot to do in Taos. For Colorado, I would suggest Copper Mountain or Keystone. Steamboat Springs as mentioned is nice, but I would rather go to Estes Park if I was going that far north into Colorado. Certainly stay out of Breckenridge. Way to commercialized and very much so a party town.

[yankee]

Steamboat...still one of my favorites too.