re: Family Ski Trip Ideas

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H2O Tiger
Thisll probably get downvoted to hell but, ski resorts in Europe are so much cheaper than the states when it comes to lift tickets, etc.

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Anyone who has skied in Austria knows this. It is an absolute fact. You can also get nicer accommodations for less money. Shorter lift lines. Food is amazing. A great cultural experience for your kids.

I've skied Copper Mountain, Keystone, and Park City, and three different areas in Austria. I'll take Austria anytime. Now remember that places like St. Anton's and Lech are more expensive. But you can find outstanding ski areas where the skiing is just as good and spend less money than the US.

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They'll be 7.5 and 4.5 once we go so we'll see.

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I took my son to Austria when he was not quite six. His ski class had eight kids, and the instructor had them on the chair lift and up on an intermediate run the second day. Their line looked like a snake, slowly making its way down the mountain.

Austrian ski schools are great for kids.

Ya, the hurdle will just be participating in the first place.

I imagine once they commit themselves to do it they will have fun and learn. I think leaving them to themselves will help with that. Little kids seem to listen to teachers and copy each other when you're not around, which will help out. I'll be excited if they get into it.

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you can find outstanding ski areas where the skiing is just as good and spend less money than the US.

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Any specific recommendations? We've skied Colorado the last 4 years with 3 kids and would love a change of scenery/price. Thanks

I've done some pretty comprehensive pricing for North America and Europe ski trips over the years.
Here's what I've found for costs: Family of 4 with 2 kids.
The cheapest/easiest place is Keystone.

A big portion of the cost variable is flight and lodging.
Most lifts will be through either epic/ikon session passes.
Most rentals are roughly the same.

Prices include: Flights, Transfer, Lodging, Lifts, Rentals, & Lessons.

Keystone - $5654 - Denver $268
Winter Park - $6501
Heavenly - $6506 - Reno $397
Copper - $6576
Jackson Hole - $6616 - Jackson (includes $400/pp flight credit from resort)
Crested Butte - $6698

Whistler (Canada) - $6702 - Vancouver $470
Zermatt (Switzerland) - $6967 - Flights around $571.
Val D'isere (France) - $7779 - Flights around $693.

For refrence: Steamboat $6805, Breck $6850, Park City $7050, Snowmass $7750, Vail $7750, Telluride $8150.


Advice: Whistler is the best value (and arguably overall) of the north american resorts. They have alot of the olympics infrastructure there (you can bobsled). Best moutains. Enough of each type of terrain difficulty to be a good fit for everyone. And, it is roughly the same cost as small niche spots like Keystone, Crested Butte, and Copper.
The drawback is the travel time. It is 11 hours versus the 6 it takes to get to Breck, which is roughly the same cost.

Jackson would be fun for the wife. Whistler/Zermatt/Breck would also.
There's not a ton of stuff to do at Keystone, Winter Park, Copper, and Crested Butte. Although Keystone does have Frisco near it.

Cost/Travel - Keystone
Overall - Whistler
Activities/Town/Nightlife w/ good skiing - Breck
Best Western Town + Difficult Terrain - Jackson
Vacation Adventure + Skiing - Zermatt

Grand Targhee on the west side of the Tetons. Stay in Driggs, ID - 30 mins from Jackson Hole, WY. No crowds, better snow, half the price of teton village.

Other smaller options:

Bridger Bowl - 30 mins from Bozeman

Bogus Basin - In Boise proper and good, cheap skiing. The best non-profit ski hill in America. Boise is a great town for your wife, as well.

Tamarack / Brundage - McCall, ID is a great resort town and only a couple hours from Boise. Skiing would be 1 step above Bogus Basin.