We have been doing a ski vacation 1x per year mostly in January to various western resort towns, mostly on the EPIC system. I'm starting to think that a timeshare, for the right price, might be a more cost effective way to getting out west. We typically spend quite a bit ($5k+) on accommodations for fairly short periods of time (~4 days).
A few quick searches on resorts seemed to point towards Marriott as these seem to be a better match for our towns. Would appreciate any advice if this is correct or if other options would be better. If MVC is the right match, what resources should I use to get up to speed on the systems? Where to look for reasonable deals and how do you even know if a deal is reasonable?
1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?
- EPIC system towns, mostly in CO - Breckenridge, Vail, Beaver Creek; Also - Park City, Whistler
2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time, or do you want to trade more than half the time?
Probably would be fine with home resort > 50%, especially if it were Breck, Vail or Beaver
3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?
- Other Ski Towns
- Hawaii
- Mexico
4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?
- Typically travel with our 2 younger kids - 14 and 18; Sometime our adult children (23 and 26) travel with us. So 4-6
5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?
- Still mostly tied to school schedules (both high school and college). We like to ski right after New Years, when the calendars work well. Sometimes ski during spring break (March).
- Note that this is changing for us as our kids get older and independent
6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
- Yes
7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?
- Yes, for the right weeks
8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?
- Love 5 star if it's available, but OK with 3.5 or more. Wife is happier with 4+.
9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
- $20k; would value (and pay more for) upfront costs that reasonably held their value
10) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year?
- $3-4k; more than this would make me question where the value would be vs. renting
11) Are you a detail oriented planner?
- Yes - I'm the guy that sets his watch 24 hrs + 1 min the day before a Southwest flight to get the best free seat group possible!
12) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do?
- Yes, I've learned that much so far at least! This said, I'd value resale and would be willing to pay a little more to get something that I could sell in 5-10 years if we didn't end up using it.
A few quick searches on resorts seemed to point towards Marriott as these seem to be a better match for our towns. Would appreciate any advice if this is correct or if other options would be better. If MVC is the right match, what resources should I use to get up to speed on the systems? Where to look for reasonable deals and how do you even know if a deal is reasonable?
1) Is there a vacation destination you wish to visit most of the time or on a regular basis? if so where?
- EPIC system towns, mostly in CO - Breckenridge, Vail, Beaver Creek; Also - Park City, Whistler
2) Do you want to visit your home resort at least half the time, or do you want to trade more than half the time?
Probably would be fine with home resort > 50%, especially if it were Breck, Vail or Beaver
3) What are your 5 top trade destinations?
- Other Ski Towns
- Hawaii
- Mexico
4) How many people do you usually travel with - total, including yourself?
- Typically travel with our 2 younger kids - 14 and 18; Sometime our adult children (23 and 26) travel with us. So 4-6
5) Can you travel any time, or are you locked into the school schedule?
- Still mostly tied to school schedules (both high school and college). We like to ski right after New Years, when the calendars work well. Sometimes ski during spring break (March).
- Note that this is changing for us as our kids get older and independent
6) Can you make firm plans 12 or more mos. in advance?
- Yes
7) Can you vacation for a full week at a time?
- Yes, for the right weeks
8) What level of accommodations do you prefer on a scale of 1 to 5 stars?
- Love 5 star if it's available, but OK with 3.5 or more. Wife is happier with 4+.
9) How much can you afford to spend upfront, without financing?
- $20k; would value (and pay more for) upfront costs that reasonably held their value
10) How much can you afford to spend every year for a maintenance fee that will come due right after Christmas, and increase each year?
- $3-4k; more than this would make me question where the value would be vs. renting
11) Are you a detail oriented planner?
- Yes - I'm the guy that sets his watch 24 hrs + 1 min the day before a Southwest flight to get the best free seat group possible!
12) Do you understand that once you buy a timeshare, it may be very difficult to sell or give away, and you are responsible for all fees, until you do?
- Yes, I've learned that much so far at least! This said, I'd value resale and would be willing to pay a little more to get something that I could sell in 5-10 years if we didn't end up using it.
