I've been doing some research online, as well as trying to comb through threads here, so as not to ask for info that is so readily available (that being said, feel free to drop in links to threads here that might be helpful for me to read).
My wife and I take a ski excursion every couple of years (we live down south, so snow is an every-three-years experience, and then, only an inch or two usually). We have been to Winter Park twice and Squaw Valley (Palisades) in Tahoe, 3 times. I don't really count skiing in Gatlinburg, TN (2 times), as it really has only a handful of short slopes and almost always man-made snow.
We're looking for a mountain that has nice long greens and blue-greens (and me, long, not-so-steep blues). I would consider Winterpark again, but there is absolutely nothing else but skiing, and the greens are quite limited. We're not looking for night life, but we would like access to great dining, slope-side lodging and other things besides the skiing (mainly my wife, she'll ski a portion of the day, then she'd head off to Tahoe City or shop at Olympic village while I finished out the day). We would also like something that has pretty quick access from the airport (i.e., not driving two hours from the airport to get there). We'll probably shoot for a mid-January or very early February trip, leaving Birmingham on a Sunday, returning on a Friday, so we'll not be in the weekend rush of locals.
From my web surfing and reading here, these have surfaced as most mentioned options: Snowmass, Steamboat, Beaver Creek, Big Sky, Telluride, Copper Mtn and Breckenridge.
I've heard that Snowmass has a great shuttle/bus system, so there's really no need for a rental car, which would be nice (save a few $$). As far as cost goes, we're not looking to be outlandishly extravagant, as a ski trip, in general, is expensive any way you slice it, especially when looking for the combination of boxes to tick on our wish list.
Sell me on which would your first choice from my list above!
My wife and I take a ski excursion every couple of years (we live down south, so snow is an every-three-years experience, and then, only an inch or two usually). We have been to Winter Park twice and Squaw Valley (Palisades) in Tahoe, 3 times. I don't really count skiing in Gatlinburg, TN (2 times), as it really has only a handful of short slopes and almost always man-made snow.
We're looking for a mountain that has nice long greens and blue-greens (and me, long, not-so-steep blues). I would consider Winterpark again, but there is absolutely nothing else but skiing, and the greens are quite limited. We're not looking for night life, but we would like access to great dining, slope-side lodging and other things besides the skiing (mainly my wife, she'll ski a portion of the day, then she'd head off to Tahoe City or shop at Olympic village while I finished out the day). We would also like something that has pretty quick access from the airport (i.e., not driving two hours from the airport to get there). We'll probably shoot for a mid-January or very early February trip, leaving Birmingham on a Sunday, returning on a Friday, so we'll not be in the weekend rush of locals.
From my web surfing and reading here, these have surfaced as most mentioned options: Snowmass, Steamboat, Beaver Creek, Big Sky, Telluride, Copper Mtn and Breckenridge.
I've heard that Snowmass has a great shuttle/bus system, so there's really no need for a rental car, which would be nice (save a few $$). As far as cost goes, we're not looking to be outlandishly extravagant, as a ski trip, in general, is expensive any way you slice it, especially when looking for the combination of boxes to tick on our wish list.
Sell me on which would your first choice from my list above!
