Need Help Planning Mini Ski Vacation

[rinsav]

Hello all -

I was actually going to post this earlier, but lost the courage because I didn't know if it was appropriate for this board. Then I saw Gail's posting about wanting follow-up from people's trips so I figured you all might not mind helping out a bit.

On a side note, I'm new to this board and cooking in general, but have really come to enjoy both. I must check this board a few times a day and appreciate all the smart, interesting, caring, and creative people out there. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Okay, on to my task at hand...My boyfriend and I want to take a mini ski vacation (about 3-4 nights) and we were thinking about Vermont or Canada (we're coming from the DC area so we don't want to fly too far). Any suggestions about either of these areas? Places to stay? Good ski resorts? We're intermediate skiers, out to have fun, and spend a romantic time away in the snow!

Thanks for any help you can provide!

[Leslie w]

Canada is great if you don't mind the cold!BBBBRRRRRR! I've vacationed in Vermont quite often but I have found it to be very expensive. We love N Hamphshire. You can get some fantastic deals on lodging and skiing. All the great mountains are off of I93. The furthest we have to drive is about 20 min. from our lodge. During the week they have great 2 for 1 specials. We even skied Wildcat on a Wednesday for $9!! Of course on the days they have these fantastic offers you have to deal with a larger crowd but it's not that bad. We vacation during off peak weeks, avoiding Presidents week when all the kids have off, not as crowded and better deals for skiing and lodging. I've have skied in Colorado and Utah too and I have found N.H. is the closest to skiing out west. The mountains aren't as developed and they look more like the Rockies. Unfortunately I don't know where the closest airport is. Don't get me wrong, VT can be very nice and romantic, just be prepared to pay more.

BTW if you really want Vermont, Okemo is a nice intermediate mountain. They have a pretty village too. Further south of Okemo is Mt Snow and Haystack (a personal fave) Mt Snow also has a nice lodge, hot tub and all. You can get a package where you ski both Snow and Haystack for 3 days. They're big mountains and nice to ski midweek. Avoid Snow on the weekends, bedlam!

[This message has been edited by Leslie w (edited 02-08-2001).]

[AndreaU]

I know you mentioned Vermont or Canada, but if you're open to suggestions... how about Lake Placid, NY? (host of 2 winter olympic games) Whiteface Mountain, a few miles outside the village of Lake Placid, has some fantastic skiing. As for flying in, there is an airport in Burlington, VT (about an hour+ away) or a tiny airport in Lake Clear, NY (about 15 miles- I think you'd have to connect in Albany). Anyway, I lived in the area for a few years and can't seem to stay away. Many hotels and inns have ski packages. There are some wonderful B&Bs in Lake Placid and the surrounding area (Saranac Lake, Wilmington, Keene, etc.) as well as majoy chains like Hilton, Holiday Inn, Best Western. The village itself is so much fun! There is a toboggan chute on the lake, the olympic speed skating oval (rent a pair of skates), great dining, a movie theater, shopping, bars, bobsled & luge rides, etc. As for dining specifics, I recommend:
*Nicola's in Lake Placid for Italian and Mediterranean specialties
*Casa del Sol in Saranac Lake (10 minute drive) for awesome Mexican- though get there early (before 6) or prepare to wait and hour or more!
*Steak & Seafood Company in LP for your basic, all-American fare
*Charcoal Pit just outside LP- great steaks, seafood & such (more formal than S&S co. above)
Just to name a few... I could go on, but I don't want you to drop dead from too much information (yet). Here's a website to get you started, if you're interested: http://www.lakeplacid.com (pretty simple!) Good luck with whatever you choose & have a great trip!!!

[HARRYET]

If you go to VT, I would recommend either Sugar Bush, Mad River, or Stowe. All great places to ski, though I haven't skiied there in 13 yrs. My SIL lives there and they love it. BIL is ski patrol at Mad River. My nephew just moved there from AZ and said the skiing has been incredible this year, and with the 12 -18 inches they just got on Monday i bet conditions are great!
you could fly into Burlington, it would be about a 45 drive to any of these resorts.

They do have great skiing in NH as well, Wildcat, Loon, Bretton Woods!
For NH you can fly into Manchester, not sure on driving time from there, maybe 45-60 mins?

You could try Sugar Loaf in ME, my brother loves it there.

Good luck with your plans, hope you have fun!

Ann

[This message has been edited by HARRYET (edited 02-08-2001).]

[Leslie w]

Ann, I thought about mentioning Mad River or Stowe but aren't they advanced mountains? "MAD RIVER GLENN, SKI IT IF YOU CAN!" rinsav said she and her husband are intermediate skiers.

[Kristilyn1]

Skiing! Yes, I remember once doing that......(before kids of course, lol)

We went to Stowe over New Years and it's a very romantic great place--llllloooonnngg drive though, assuming you fly into either Boston or Manchester. I have to add another vote for NH--as the skiing is as good as VT (with the exception of Killington, which has great skiing, but no really great places to stay)but NH is much cheaper. For a great "resort" type experience, I recommend either Loon Mountain or Waterville Valley. Both you usually can get deals. These are about 1 to 1 1/2 hours from the Manchester airport. Also I really love Attitash--I'm a sort of sucky skiier and my husband is pretty good--this has stuff for everyone and they even have the "ski out" mountainside rentals which are super. If you want lots of stuff to do, outlet shopping as well as skiing, then I suggest staying in North Conway which is near two mountains that are good, but who's names are escaping me. N. Conway is about 2- 2 1/2 hours from the Manchester airport. Either way, I'm sure you will have fun!

Kristi

[rinsav]

Thanks everyone! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

I'm going to look into New Hampshire options right now! I never would have thought of any of these mountains without your suggestions. If any of you have favorite places to stay, please let me know. Thanks again!

[rinsav]

I forgot to mention, AndreaU, that I'm going to look into Lake Placid as well. So many good suggestions!

[Kristilyn1]

rinsav-

I will probably be more helpful as far as the ones you find that have deals--I can tell you whether they are nice or not. So if you want to post some ones you find, I'd be more than happy to tell you what I know! (New Hampshire)

Kristi