Snow/Ski Town Destinations - Recommendations

[MoeFOH]

Scenario: I'm looking to take a trip with my kids (all basically adults... in age, anyway ) to a snow town destination one year. We have options here in Australia, but I'm talking going abroad. None of us ski at all, but we'll have a beginners's crack at it, I imagine... probably... well, maybe...  Ok, we'll more than likely just sit in a bar somewhere all day. 

So, assuming budget wasn't an issue (it is), what place, anywhere in the world, would you recommend as having something genuinely special to offer as a destination - with the skiing experience not the primary concern or not necessarily even part of the equation. 

Over to you... 

[Fuzz]

I have not traveled overseas for skiing, but a friend of mine who is heavily into snowboarding has gone to Japan for a snowcation several times and raves about it. He recently took his family to Abuta-gun Hokkaido (Rusutsu Resort) just after new year.

One of his pics of Mt Yosei from a ski lift.

[GoodStix]

Consider looking into Whistler/Blackcomb, BC, Canada.  About a 2 hr drive north from Vancouver.  Would allow you to enjoy the city as well as one of N America’s best ski destinations not far away.

[moneyneversleeps]

I have been going to Lake Tahoe, California every winter for years.  The scenery is breathtaking, there are casinos on the Nevada side, and numerous ski areas within driving distance.  We normally stay in Nevada and then drive to the various ski areas in California-Northstar at Tahoe, Kirkwood, Sierra at Tahoe, Palisades (formerly Squaw Valley), Heavenly, and Alpine Meadows.

[Pvalue83]

I would definitely recommend Japan (I visited Niseko Grand Hirafu) and it was awesome. The onsen alone make them a stand out destination, crab ramen for lunch (beats chicken fingers and French fries), they are on same time zone as AUS, and the monsterous amount of snow they get seals the deal!

I mean, to be completely honest, there are literally 1000’s of great places to go and you will have an awesome time but Japan is certainly one of the more unique experiences alongside the skiing.


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[bayala]

31 minutes ago, Pvalue83 said:

I would definitely recommend Japan (I visited Niseko Grand Hirafu) and it was awesome. The onsen alone make them a stand out destination, crab ramen for lunch (beats chicken fingers and French fries), they are on same time zone as AUS, and the monsterous amount of snow they get seals the deal!

I mean, to be completely honest, there are literally 1000’s of great places to go and you will have an awesome time but Japan is certainly one of the more unique experiences alongside the skiing.


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x2 - I went to Niseko Grand Hirafu for Christmas 2022

[MrBirdman]

2 hours ago, GoodStix said:

Consider looking into Whistler/Blackcomb, BC, Canada.  About a 2 hr drive north from Vancouver.  Would allow you to enjoy the city as well as one of N America’s best ski destinations not far away.

Second this. Been an age since I’ve been, but it’s truly a cut above. Unfortunately so are the prices, but if I was gonna splurge on a destination ski holiday it would be there. 

[BrightonCorgi]

Verbier is picturesque. Lift tickets are cheap. Being there is not so cheap.

[PartagasIV]

2 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Verbier is picturesque. Lift tickets are cheap. Being there is not so cheap.

AirBnBs are there! Stayed in one a few years ago and blew the rest of the budget on food/bev. Incredible skiing, enough terrain for a solid week, plenty of trouble to get into. Highly recommend Verbier.

If you want to be relieved of your life savings, can always try Aspen (Cloud 9 has twice daily lunches with champagne fights for dessert)...

[eaglebear29]

3 hours ago, MrBirdman said:

Second this. Been an age since I’ve been, but it’s truly a cut above. Unfortunately so are the prices, but if I was gonna splurge on a destination ski holiday it would be there. 

I 3rd This. Have been many times. Might be a tad bit on the expensive side but I've been going w/ family for 20 years and its amazing. You can find deals and the village below is pretty cool for family that doesn't partake in skiing or snowboarding or if you just want a day off there's zip lining, sleds (snow machines) tours, horse sleigh rides just to name a few.

For being the biggest resort in the North America it seems it could get a little packed on the runs but surprisingly there's plenty of room, have found plenty of locations on the mountain when it was "full" with untouched hidden runs or more like just overlooked. I personally found most of the times I've been to have more gone over runs on Whistler, so I'd go right over to Blackcomb (my fav) and find more of the good spots.

What's great to if your new (or have a group of newbies) is I've had family get lessons either private or in groups that can really help. I'm sure you might even be able to book a teacher for your whole group to help your fam moving up the bunny hill onto more of the mountain. 

https://www.whistler.com/skiing/trail-maps/

https://www.ourwhistlerretreat.com/maps/village-map/

[joeypots]

I’m thinking Lake Tahoe fits the criteria you lay out best. Loads of first class skiing. A big lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at about 6000 feet and is about 20+ miles across. The tallest peaks are close to 11,000 feet. Half the lake is in Nevada so there are plenty party spots and gambling. It’s a year round resort area and if you get sick of the snow there are plenty of things to do at lower elevations. 

[Cigar Surgeon]

I'd be in trouble with the Tourism Board of Canada if I didn't plug Whistler / Blackcomb and Banff / Lake Louise. Not only is the skiing really good (there's 3 different mountain options around Banff). You're close to Calgary, you're close to Canmore (which is another cool mountain town) and the vistas in Whistler and Banff are both out of this world.

[Chibearsv]

Heavenly Valley Lake Tahoe - Take the gunrunner chairlift down the mountain for the most spectacular view you may ever see on a ski mountain. That, and you get casinos, decent restaurants, and some nightlife. Skiing isn't bad either.

If you want to actually learn to ski, I don't think there's a better ski school than Winter Park Colorado. Very sleepy town though and a very busy mountain.

Shopping, nightlife, restaurants, and ok skiing - Vail

Coolest ski place I've been to - Wengen,Switzerland. Basically a great base town to visit Jungfraujoch and the Eiger. Gondola from town direct to ski slopes or cog train to Kleine Scheidegg and then "the top of Europe"  Stunning place.  

The "Top of Europe"

 

[joeypots]

Banff is beyond beautiful. But as I look at Moe’s request I think apres ski is at least as important as the skiing/boarding. Banff apres is ok but not the chit. Aspen is the bomb and if money is no concern go for lessons are all day for the family.  Buttermilk (there are 4 separate mountains at Aspen Ajax, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands, and Snowmass) is a fantastic beginners mountain that caters to the novice skier. There may not be a better place to learn to ski/ride than buttermilk. Last I knew a day lesson was 800$ and Aspen is the type of place where clients reserve a week with an instructor well in advance year after year. As has been mentioned the slope side condos at Snowmass are some of the best. The town of Aspen is wonderful and has plenty of apres and shopping. One can easily access by bus all 4 mountains. Ajax and Highlands are best left to experienced riders/skiers. 

My old friend, Angus taught at Snowmass for years. More than ten years ago he told me that the average family of 4 would spend 15,000 $ for a week at that mountain. I bet it’s 20K now. 

As it happens, I’m heading to Aspen at the end of this week. We made reservations in August and my bed will be 1150$/with breakfast for 7 nights. I have an Ikon pass and all we need to cover now is food which will be a light lunch and dinner before we crash. Aspen is fantastic, but it’s pricy compared to other resort areas. It can be done on the cheap, sort of, for Aspen. And, very important, the town of Aspen sits at almost 8000 ft. It’s no joke and there’s no telling how tough you’ll find acclimating to the altitude. Coming from sea level it can be a real bitch acclimating.

[joeypots]

13 hours ago, Chibearsv said:

Heavenly Valley Lake Tahoe - Take the gunrunner chairlift down the mountain for the most spectacular view you may ever see on a ski mountain.  That, and you get casinos, decent restaurants, and some nightlife.  Skiing isn't bad either.

If I was Moe I’d go to Heavenly in S Lake Tahoe. The altitude is easier to take than at higher destinations.

[Chibearsv]

24 minutes ago, chasy said:

Somehow always a plug for casinos with @Chibearsv. "A great spot for a ski trip is Vegas! Shit skiing, but great casinos!"

Hey, I listed the scenery first 😁  You are correct though, you give me a place to enjoy my cigar in peace, a casino or a racetrack nearby, and good eats, I'll be on my way.  The benefits of the empty nest.

[joeypots]

My favorite ski resort is Big Sky Montana. This is the old tram, there’s a new one this year. It was more like a big two car gondola. The skiing is fantastic but the resort is isolated and restaurants/night life are limited compared to others. Not that it’s bad, just no real towns close. This lift is terrifying. 

 

 

[ChangBang]

Just a note, if you're planning on a NA trip - I think a lot of mountains these days participate in a season pass or like a multiday lift ticket pack that are on sale from the April - Oct?  Do yourself a favor and buy a season pass or a 4 pack.  With single day lift tickets at $269($280 w/tax at Vail in Colorado right now), you could cover the cost of the season pass in 3 or 4 days.  The season passes that incorporate a lot of resorts are called "ikon pass" and "epic pass".  Hell I think the epic pass still has an Australian resort included too.

[foursite12]

20 hours ago, GoodStix said:

Consider looking into Whistler/Blackcomb, BC, Canada.  About a 2 hr drive north from Vancouver.  Would allow you to enjoy the city as well as one of N America’s best ski destinations not far away.

Concur. 2010 Winter Olympics site with nice (albeit planned) town area and a breathtaking gondola. Build at least 2 days of Vancouver into your plans.

[Ford2112]

Lake Tahoe is amazing. I don't ski...

[El Hoze]

I ski alot (snowboard mostly) and we like to travel to different spots. I am lucky over the years I have been just about everywhere. In an average year I’ll do 40-50 days skiing. Last year I was in between jobs and managed 130 days. If money was no object and you wanted beginner slope options, 100% Aspen. Nothing compares to Aspen in my mind…the views, the restaurants, and you have an entire mountain dedicated to beginners (Buttermilk). Aspen is actually 4 mountains, Snowmass is another great family option. The other two mountains are a bit challenging. In fact, a room at the Aspen Inn at the bottom of Buttermilk can be had for a reasonable price if you time it right. You won’t run into Bezos and his catwoman in the lobby but it is perfectly nice and you’re 7 min from downtown Aspen. 

Closer to your side of the world, northern Japan is a special place for powder hounds. I prefer Niseko. Amazing food, and the quality of the snow is generally unbeatable. Soft, fluffy powder. My two favorite things are skiing powder and eating sushi. Hokkaido is where it all meets. 

Less of a ski trip and more of a vacation while skiing, Cortina in Northern Italy.  Skiing one minute and enjoying rabbit ravioli with a 20 year old Barolo at the top of a mountain the next minute. The food is absolutely spectacular. I was drunk as a skunk ready for a nap by 2pm every day. Heaven. Conditions can vary a lot though.

*By the way all three of these are on Ikon Pass. For ~$1,200 US you could ski a week at each destination in one year.  

Lunch at the ski lodge in Italy, no plastic tray:

 

[El Hoze]

16 hours ago, chasy said:

Was recently in Steamboat - first time in 15+ years - and it was really great. Totally different vibe than Aspen / Vail in my opinion. Smaller mountain, smaller town, great snow. Also very picturesque. You’ll struggle a bit with food / nightlife as there aren’t nearly as many options. I think Steamboat great for younger families - just very little shenanigans.

Steamboat is our home mountain. We own a place just to the right of the terrain park as you’re heading up that 6 pack from the bottom. We love it. I have a 5 year old little ripper and it is ideal for us. I am also a Dead Head and love that at basically every lift line they have the Grateful Dead playing. Definitely more my “vibe” vs. Aspen but we always ski our week on Ikon pass at Aspen. We get bored of the restaurants in Steamboat (we are there 3-4 months a year) but I would say I rate the food in Steamboat an A- by mountain town standards. Super good sushi spot (Tahk, we eat there 3x a week) and there’s really no bad food in town. Nightlife is a different story but I struggle to stay awake until 8pm anyway, especially when out there as I operate on east coast time. With the new Wild Blue gondola, and the new terrain (Pioneer/Mahogany Ridge) I think Steamboat is way overlooked. I hope it stays that way, other than by FOH members. Cheers!