Skiers Please Help

[tim]

I want to take the family skiing over Thanksgiving (and want to put the kids in ski school). I first need to know which ski area will more likely be open during Thanksgiving week. I hear Breckenridge may be good for this as it is at a higher elevation. Either Colorado or Utah would work for us. Any advice? Next, which RCI resorts do you recommend I try to exchange into? In Breckenridge, Valdoro Mountain Lodge looks decent -- any thoughts? Thanks. Tim

 

[rickandcindy23]

Breck is a good choice.

As long as we are not having a draught in Colorado next year. We have had so many years with very little snow, though this year is a banner year and the snow was deep by early December, which was the first time our kids went up. Copper Mountain has a great ski school. Our daughter used to be a reluctant skier and wanted to get some basics before going again this year. She likes skiing more after her lessons.

Winter Park almost always has snow, even a little will be on the slopes in July! It snows in Fraser all the time, which is next to Winter Park, pretty often in June. That ski area is one of the tallest.

 

[Dave*H]

Unless it is a really bad year, most resorts will be open by Thanksgiving. The real issue is how much will be open. Last year at Thanksgiving, most resorts in Colorado only had a couple of runs open with man made snow. This year, most of the mountain was open. I can't speak for the resorts in southwest Colorado, but for the rest in Colorado, Loveland is almost always the first to open and Keystone almost always second. While Breckenridge is the highest in elevation and may get more early season snowfall, I don't believe they have the snow-making power that Keystone has. The resorts are only 20-30 minutes apart and the tickets are interchangeable so you could just get lodging at one and try both.

As far as Utah, it seems to go back and forth as to which has better early season snow. This year not much was open at Thanksgiving from what I heard. IMHO, Keystone is still your best bet.

 

[vicneo]

if possible whistler masy be your most reliable bet for thanksgiving skiing

 

[SilkRoad]

Keystone may unlock your problem

IMHO, you're looking at a 25% chance of a total bust. The probability of only limited terrain being open is much higher. However, if Thanksgiving skiing is your goal, I would agree with Dave H; your best bet is Keystone. They have, arguably, the best snowmaking in the area. Many people deride man-made snow, but if the alternative is dirt ...?

 

[nkosi278]

Nice to see the votes for Keystone!!!!
As Mountain Watch volunteers, we were on duty November 13, 2005...and the conditions were already fantastic........
...as they still are (I've skied 4 mornings this week, and would have today except I had to wait for the snow to stop, then cleared my driveway, and chatted to the snow-plow driver (who was clearing the street).
This has been a phenomenal season, Keystone's (early season) snow making and (all season) grooming are unbeatable, and if any resort in the USA has five north facing, perfect, blue cruiser runs as good as 'Spring Dipper, Dutchman, Frenchman, Wild Irishman, and Paymaster' please let me know (they are all still in wonderful condition).
nkosi
p.s. for the record, at 65 my motto is "no blacks, no bumps, no trees'

 

[ondeadlin]

Steamboat Springs typically has the best November/December snowfall in Colorado, but is harder to get to. Breck is also a good suggestion.

You need to remember, though, that Thanksgiving is a total gamble. No matter which resort you pick, it's very possible you could get stuck with nothing more than a handful of runs covered only by a thin layer of machine made snow (AKA the white ribbon of death to locals).