Anybody heard of a "cheap" deal to ski USA?

Hi All, hope you are all well and like me looking at booking the first trip of the season, although I can see that some of you already have :)

I am contemplating trying the US for a change but it seems to be hugely expensive, I have found great deals to Banff in the past so trying to find similar to the US. I think the Air fares today are screwing things up !

Has anyone heard of any "deals" to the US at all?

TP

3 reasons why I haven't skied the US:

1. Its too long a flight for 6 days skiing, I can be in Europe in half a day start to finish.
2. It costs too much to get there, I can do Europe chalet board for well under HALF the price of self catering in the States (package)
3. Lift passes are very expensive (generally)

Have skied several times across the pond. In general, depending on where you go, snow conditions are usually as good as you will ever get to ski in. It is true that when the $/£ was good for us, we chose to take advantage.
It is certainly true that air fares have become more expensive, relative to european short haul.
Car hire is about the same. Condo rentals about the same but you get more for your money. Lift passes are VERY expensive~ but, you get a lot of lifts for your money, and the piste management is much better than Europe.

Thanks guys

I agree with everything you say, especially the time spent travelling, I dont think I will get a deal but will keep looking as my 7 year old daughter likes the idea of an "over exagerated" Christmas in the US. :)

Tony and all,,,,,

If you really are a "serious" skier, first do not think "cheap" think "getting your money's worth!

Then stop thinking like 'tourists" ! You know the full package deal where you are "herded' to plane, to bus, to hotel, to lift, to groups classes etc,,,,!!
I guide such "groups" and really no cheap deals there! I mean deals that really make your head spin!

I read often on this site "best deals" for holidays! Listen peak periods are peak periods and you will not get low prices! I feel all the tour agents, tour operators now breathing down my back! They will not like what, I will say now, but it is my opinion and observations !

Think outside the box! You want someone to "package" you? They will!

I read on some post that one of your regulars went to Tremblant last year! It was the worst season for Tremblant in 10 years! Too cold. Too icy! Too expensive ! What many skier do not know is that Interwest id having serious financial problems since they can not meet it [i]interest payments !
How does this translate to you the tourist skier! Well I was at Tremblant last year and saw; poor grooming, higher prices, etc,,,, Now that is my opinion! I am sure you will get many "other" opinions!

There are many USA ski resorts that are looking for skiers, that do not have huge marketing budgets yet have great skiing!

Be smart skiers. Read about places. Read about deals.

Let me give you an example of a ski center just bought by a skier. The center offers condo + ski lifts for $70 per day! This is not a small ski center. This center has 80 acres of glade skiing. That is non groomed serious tree skiing!
How many groomed runs? 60 !
Did I tell you that I do not work for this center!
I do not promote this center!


Now the issue of travel ! Yes Europe is great for that brief holiday! For the ski tourist!

But Tony, from your posts I see that you are,,,well past the ski tourist level ( if you are on this site in August,,,,,) Think at least two weeks of serious skiing at least once in your life!

It will;
make you a better skier
make you reconsider your life
make you happier
make you a better employee ( all your work frustration will be gone)

So Tony,, take the plunge! Save up your money ! Soon the US dollar will drop and you will ski for near free levels!

Oh,,,one last point! Now the tour people will really hate me! Never pay well ahead for a trip! The very best deals are for ski gypsies!

Pavel

I've skied in the USA, and now only ski in Europe, because I think Europe is way better. My personal experience of skiing in the USA is restricted to 10 separate resorts (hills), so there may be good, big resorts that are not Disneyfied, but my memories are of pseudo resorts with fake facades.

Now the issue of travel ! Yes Europe is great for that brief holiday! For the ski tourist!

But Tony, from your posts I see that you are,,,well past the ski tourist level ( if you are on this site in August,,,,,) Think at least two weeks of serious skiing at least once in your life!

Some of us manage to cope with skiing the whole winter in the tiny little resorts in Europe. I guess that the American pro skiers that have moved to Europe love the same feeling, ripping up little hills like Chamonix and La Grave. Big is not better, skiing endless acreage of the same pitch slopes will not make better skiers. European skiing is as serious as you want it to be.

Each to their own.

Tonypants wants a cheap deal to the USA. I think he should go, but unless he is a seasoned transatlantic traveller, he should get a package, as it's easier to cope when you are jet lagged.

I will get to ski ski the states some time or other but not for a seven day holiday it will have to be 14, but much like Val,Chamonix, Zermatt I can live without not skiing them.

I'm surprised you've not visited Chamonix by now Wickers, you being a Francophile and all ) I've not visited any other ski resort where a single mountain totally dominates a town. It is Mont Blanc after all :D