Winter pad in USA

Where's a good place to buy?

[davec]

Hi All

With the $US so weak against the pound at the moment I think it's a good time to splash out on a ski/snowboard winter pad in the USA.

Does anyone have any initial suggestions of where would be a good spot to start looking, and ideally a ball park figure. Looking for a 2 bed (3 would be ideal) apartment, walking distance (or very easy transport) to the slopes.

Don't really have a preference where, but somewhere up and coming would be ideal. I'm based in the UK, but will be spending longish breaks over there, so flight time not a big issue, however near(ish) an airport would be good for when friends come over.

Over to you ... Thanks

[bettye51]

Do you want to stay on the East Coast or go out West where the mountains are higher and consequently the skiing more challenging?

[edited by: encyclo at 6:47 pm (utc) on Sep. 27, 2007]
[edit reason] removed quote [/edit]

[davec]

Open to any options, but a longer season with more consistent snow would be ideal.

[bcolflesh]

[en.wikipedia.org...]

[superpower]

This is a better wikipedia link:
[en.wikipedia.org...]

Skiable area: 3500 acres
Lift system: 28 lifts
Runs: 150 named

I second Mammoth Mountain. Great mountains, tons of runs. Usually excellent snow. Good places to stay. Decent amount in town (not sure how it compares though).

Also Lake Tahoe area and the Colorado resorts would all be good.

[bcolflesh]

Thanks superpower, I didn't realize the resort area had it's own page.

[skibum]

IMHO, Utah has the best skiing in the world and the best snow, bar none. Don't know what places cost out there but there are some places that tend to be more ski resorts than just places where its trendy to be seen and therefore much more expensive.

You should be able to get a 2-3br place at Killington on the east coast from 150K - 175K on up.

Kicking Horse in Canada is relatively new and has places that probably start around 300K CDN for a 2br.

[davec]

Thanks everyone. Going to shoot over for a couple of weeks this winter and have a nosy around.

[stever]

I was idly looking around Montana resorts recently at real estate and, for Euro-dwellers, the prices were incredibly cheap.

I agree with skibum about the snow in Utah resorts, although I wouldn't share the opinion that they are the best skiing in the world.

If you want the advantages of Utah, without having to live there, then try Steamboat Springs. Nice mixture of cowboy/oil worker/tourist town with excellent "champagne" snow (because it's the same side of the mountains as Utah) and a great variety of runs. I would put it at the top of Colorado resorts that I've visited.

A lot of development going on in Canadian resorts at the moment, and a lot of interest on the UK market, if you are considering resale as well.

[bcolflesh]

...then try Steamboat Springs

My cousin lives there, also a great place by her account.

[Rugles]

Vermont is also a great place and near the east coast, so it will save you a few hours of flying time.

[skibum]

You tend to get longer seasons at Killington because of their massive snow making system, they have great spring skiing up there in March/April and sometimes into May and June. The snow on the East just doesn't generally compare to out West, though maybe if you go all the way up to Maine it might come closer.

Tahoe CA/NV is a great area but probably more expensive than Utah, maybe around the same as Colorado. Tahoe has Casinos in some parts if that is any kind of a draw.

Whistler, BC is another one that may come up. It's pretty pricey, the snow can really suck up there or it can be really good. When I was up there it sucked but the village was cool. Heli-skiing is also available up there.

Fernie in Canada was pretty good even during a pretty bad snow year a while back. That was comparable to Utah skiing.

If you want a smaller mountain here in PA, you can get a 2br condo for as low as 60-140K U$ but it won't compare to anything farther east or out west.

[Rugles]

What a shock, skibum has some suggestions.

Whistler, BC is another one that may come up. It's pretty pricey, the snow can really suck up there or it can be really good. When I was up there it sucked but the village was cool. Heli-skiing is also available up there.

The village is the place to be. Lots of construction ahead of the Olympics going on around Whistler.

[davec]

Some good suggestions, thanks guys. Whistler would be fantastic, particularly with the Olympics there in 3 years, but not sure my finances can stretch quite that far!