Whats the best value resort in the USA/Canada

[frog]

Hi all, my girlfriend and i are looking to do a trip to the states or canada next xmas, i was woundering what was everyones opinions on the best place to go???? we would be looking at late dec - early jan??? waht are the conditions like up there etc. We are from New Zealand????

[jibnot]

I don’t think “value” and “resort” belong together. Anyways Canada is cheaper and I would look into interior BC. What are you looking for? There are plenty of good cheap areas without the resort buildup. Good riding but no hanging out in the mini mall.

“Resorts” will have advertised package deals that might make things easer but you will pay for it and be locked in if conditions suck. I would just wing it at a broad location and find Mom and Pop lodging near areas that have snow. (Most travelers will be locked into the bigger resorts leaving plenty of space to harvest the smaller spots that dot the earth. Rent a car.

I would recommend a big NO to the Summit County areas in Colorado and Whistler.
Remember xmas is family ski trip time. Do crowds bother you? I’m jaded so maybe not the best for advice.

[MARK]

I'd reconsider the time frame as you generally won't be getting the best conditions then. Aim more for mid to late March to get good snow and less crowds.

[TBone]

Do you like park/pipe, powder, etc?

Wolf Creek in CO is pretty unpopular (and probably cheap?) from what I've heard, and can have great conditions at that time. They can also have horrible conditions as well, and jibnot can give you more info on things to do around there, but I think it might be a tad bit lacking on nightlife.

T

[canuck]

It totally depends on what you are looking for??! Type of terrain, type of hotel, restaurants nightlife...

And I agree with Mark, late Dec is pretty early on to guarantee good conditions...I'd move to mid-Jan through early-March

[frog]

Looking for somewhere for freeriding, the only reson for xmas time is that is when we have holidays.
Where else in the world could i go for good conditions????/

[Reverend SC]

Looking for somewhere for freeriding, the only reson for xmas time is that is when we have holidays.
Where else in the world could i go for good conditions????/

I'm kind of partial to North Tahoe, it's not as "resorty" as South Tahoe. If it were me, I'd stay in Reno and drive to the ski areas daily, rent a car. That way, if there's a day you don't feel like boarding, or thew weather stinks, you can just stay in town and hit the casinos. Plus, Mt. Rose is the closest ski area and it's really high, so it it's raining at other resorts, it could be snowing there. And from Reno, you're within an hour of about a dozen different mountains.

[Dr Pooh]

Do you like park/pipe, powder, etc?

Wolf Creek in CO is pretty unpopular (and probably cheap?) from what I've heard, and can have great conditions at that time. They can also have horrible conditions as well, and jibnot can give you more info on things to do around there, but I think it might be a tad bit lacking on nightlife.

T

I managed to goto WC about 10 times this past year.. it's my default resort mainly because they can retain powder in the trees up to a week out from a storm. I've never had a bad day at WC with snow conditions.

Great for riding trees and some decent steeps, but like T said, not much nightlife there unless you don't mind just hanging out in the hot springs in Pagosa Springs. However, keep in mind that Durango is just 40-50 miles away too. So you can base yourself in Durango and hit several resorts around the area including Durango, Wolf Creek, Telluride, Silverton, etc..

[Ripzalot]

Looking for somewhere for freeriding, the only reson for xmas time is that is when we have holidays.
Where else in the world could i go for good conditions????/

Ummmm.....the Alps? ;) Christmas is expensive and usually a little iffy. But January is normally good. I was in La Grave (France) last Jan early and it was going off. Lots of high altitude resorts guarantee good conditions.

[canuck]

so at Christmas time you can forget anything East of the Rockies.

Most years, early season conditions are best at Wolf Creek (already discussed) or Mt Baker (no on-hill lodging) and limited to zero night-life.

Whistler can be awesome in December, the later in the month the better, but count on gnarly weather (did I just write "gnarly"?). Oh, and it's super high season over the Xmas holiday so find a good deal early on....

I would think Tahoe is a crap-shoot in December but lots of locals can tell me I'm full of it )or not)??

[Tantrum]

It appears that Europe has received more snow than us here in the Rockies. Or maybe I'm just biased seeing all of Ripz' piccys.:D Our snowpack here in the CO is about 73% of normal so that should tell you what conditions in the Rockies will be like at Christmas. Plus, no locals ride during the Dec/Jan holidays as it is a zoo at Breck, Keystone, 'vail, etc with all of the tourists. You could probably do better than CO in Dec/Jan. Just MHO.:)

[Kevbeau]

Just to add on:

If you can be flexible in your schedule, avoid the Holidays (usually Dec 20th - Jan 5th) at all costs. You'll pay up to triple the normal costs and the crowds induce "snow rage." The time periods immediately before and after the Holidays are generally considered low season and pricewise are a good bargain. We've done a Whistler trip mid-December for the past three years and have had good conditions each time, although I admit there's a lot of hand wringing and webcam surfing leading up to it.

Having said that, I have found great deals in Banff (Sunshine, Lake Louise & Norquay) for New Years. Great town and a good time, although they're not known for their early season dumps, so count on conditions being somewhat sketchy. Plus, pack the extreme cold weather gear. Check out this website for package deals once the season rolls around.

http://www.skibig3.com/

Hope this helps.

[frog]

or what is the best out of the way place, that has good snow and few crowds early jan???