Filed under: tarareidtopless.com
What are some of the best/most popular resorts?
Which resorts are particularly good for younger children?
Some detailed info on the features of these places, i.e. ski-in, ski-out; ski school; dining; airport accessibility... What are prices for each resort?
I am responding to your question regarding ski resorts in North America. I have listed websites for the top ten ski resorts in North America and I have selected a few of these to go into detail. I selected Mont-Tremblant in Quebec because Mont Tremblant has been voted #1 Ski Resort in Eastern North America for the 9th consecutive year by Ski Magazine. They also have a snow school and day care. There are several websites that list and review ski resorts, including the About.com site, which are hosted by guides who are knowledgeable in the topic and research and review resources. I include their "Travel with Kids" guide's subtopic site on Ski Resorts, with links and descriptions of programs, prices, how to get there and distances from the nearest airport and other transportation. A similar resource I include is Pamela Lenier's Family Travel - FamilyTravelGuides.com - Skiing with Kids.
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Top ten ski resorts in North America by Forbes.com:
All the resorts included here, however, have been selected as much for the comfort and luxury of their lodges as for the quality of their ski runs.
http://www.forbes.com/2001/11/08/1108feat.html
This site is from Forbes listing the top ten ski resorts in North America:
"If what you really want to do is go skiing in the French Alps but don't want to travel that far, visiting the Mont-Tremblant in Quebec is the next best thing. Situated at the foot of the Laurentian Mountains, the lodge overlooks a pretty little village full of ersatz-Gallic charm and cobblestones. Part of the Fairmont chain, the lodge also capitalizes on the region's historical association with French fur trappers, with plenty of snowshoes and animal pelts hanging artistically from the walls. The lodge offers ski-in/ski-out capabilities to its guests, who are literally able to walk out the back door and find themselves being whisked to the top of the ski run within minutes."
"Resort Information
Average Snowfall 381 cm
Summit Elevation 875 m
Base Elevation 265 m
Skiable Area 246 hectares
Vertical Drop 644 m
Expert Runs 25%
Advanced Runs 25%
Intermediate Runs 33%
Beginner Runs 17%
Total Runs 92
Total Lifts 13
http://www.forbes.com/2001/11/08/1108feat_7.html
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From the official Mont Tremblant site:
"More than 300 professional ski and snowboard instructors! With Tremblant's Snow School; you're sure to find a weekend program that meets your needs.
Choose the one that's right for you, and get ready for a great season at Tremblant. Your success is important to us! http://www.tremblant.ca/rentalsandlessons/snowschool/seasonal/index-e.htm
Kids can also experience Tremblant!
The Kids Club is the meeting place for 1 to 6 year-old non-skiers. Treat yourself to freedom and peace of mind while we care for your children. Guaranteed fun and safety. Early reservations are recommended. http://www.tremblant.ca/activities/kidz/index-e.htm
Glide into winter 06/07
Our BIGGEST and BEST deal of the year is back!
Save up to 30% on both your lodging and your lift tickets! It's simple, make your bookings by November 15, 2006 and take advantage of HUGE savings on every trip you book to Tremblant for the upcoming winter season - as long as you make your booking by Nov. 15, 2006.
This offer includes:
Minimum 3 nights lodging
Minimum 3 days of skiing
Guided tour of the mountain on skis or snowboard
Parking
BOOKING DEADLINE : NOVEMBER 15, 2006
Early Booking - Deal of the Year
SAVE 30% on Ski & Lodging
Valid from opening to December 21, 2006
Regular price: $129 CAD ($125 USD)
Starting from
$89 CAD
$85 USD
/pers./night
Double. Occ.*
For prices:
http://www.tremblant.ca/offers/winter/package_00/index-e.htm
You can fly into Montreal or Mont Tremblant airport:
Air Travel and Flights to Mont Tremblant
Mont Tremblant is located just 90 minutes north of Montreal. You can easily get to the #1 Ski Resort in Eastern North America with any flight to Montreal or directly to the new Mont Tremblant International Airport. http://www.tremblant.ca/gettinghere/air/index-e.htm
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Travelers Digest has listed the worlds top ski resorts:
Food is key after partaking in the activities that really make Whistler legendary. Whistler quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the strongest contenders for the much-disputed title of "world's greatest ski resort." Over the past decade, Whistler was consistently voted "Best North American Ski Resort" by North Americans & the Japanese repeatedly rank it as their favorite international destination.
Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside was voted the best Whistler Ski Resort location by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine. This award-winning hotel offers an intimate luxury ambience with well-appointed suites complete with kitchen, fireplace, balcony, and spectacular views of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Amenities include outdoor heated pool, outdoor hot tubs, fitness centre, spa, and steam room. http://www.britishcolumbia.com/Ski/resorts/?id=8
With over 115 hotels and resorts in Whistler to choose from, Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside is number one for your British Columbia vacation and is unlike any other Whistler accommodation. This award winning hotel offers an intimate Whistler luxury ambience while featuring well-appointed hotel suites complete with full kitchen, fireplace, balcony, floor-to-ceiling windows and deluxe Aveda salon amenities. You can relax poolside at Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside's year-round outdoor heated swimming pool, or enjoy one of the hotel's two outdoor hot tubs, all with spectacular views of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside also offers a cardio / weight room, spa facility and steam room. Allow the hotel's 24-hour Concierge and Front Desk associates to pamper you and your family and assist by recommending and organizing activities and dining arrangements so that as guests of the hotel you can fully experience all the magic that a Whistler vacation has to offer. We are not your standard Whistler hotel & resort, we are Pan Pacific.
Voted the best Whistler Ski Resort location by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine:
http://www.whistler.panpacific.com/
"Children are welcome at Pan Pacific Whistler and if under 18, they are free."
http://www.whistler.panpacific.com/hotel/leisure.html
There are numerous packages and here is an example of price:
Summer Family Adventure Package
Starting at C$1999.00/stay
US$1739.00/stay
"Summer is a magical time in Whistler with so much to experience. Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside has an exciting package to entertain the whole family! Your family will experience five (5) luxurious nights in a Two Bedroom Suite complete with a full kitchen, living room, two bedrooms and two full bathrooms, gas fireplace and balcony all with great views of the surrounding mountains and village. Enjoy Whistler's only salt water pool and the most enviable pool deck that over looks the Whistler Mountain Bike park and all the action of the village square below. This package has four fun filled activities for the entire family to enjoy." http://whistler.panpacific.com/hotel/offers_05.html
Hotel Location
The Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside resort hotel is located in the heart of Whistler Village, set at the base of the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. There is access to 7000 acres of skiing stretching over eight miles, including North America's steepest mile vertical drop, and to four award-winning golf courses. The hotel lodge is within a few paces of Whistler Village Gondola and Blackcomb Excalibur Gondola base stations.
Vancouver International Airport - 2.5 hours (scheduled daily bus service).
Vancouver - 75 miles / 120 kilometres (scheduled daily bus service).
http://whistler.panpacific.com/hotel/location.html
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This site lists top ten North American ski resorts:
"As any Letterman writer will tell ya, putting together a Top Ten list ain?t always the easiest thing to execute. And when it comes to skiing, personal preference and geographic prejudice usually outrank what some media outlet dictates. With those considerations in mind, our list of the top North American resorts stretches across the four corners of the continent, from Whistler/Blackcomb in the north to Taos in the south, from Killington in the east to Squaw in the west. Some are bona fide institutions with something for everyone, while other are light on crowds and weighted toward the experts among you. Only one thing is assured: Choose one of these resorts and a one-season try-out trip may become an annual pilgrimage."
http://away.com/skiing/ski_best_for.tcl?Top_Ski_Resorts_for_North_American&id=293362
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Ski Magazine lists top resorts, and the #1 listed Deer Valley is also listed on the websites for top family ski resorts:
"Boulder, Colo. Sept. 14, 2005?SKI Magazine?s annual ?Top 50 Resort Guide,? the definitive ranking of North American ski resorts, names Deer Valley, Utah as the No. 1 ski resort in its October issue, on newsstands mid-September. Deer Valley takes the top spot after being ranked second in last year?s survey. Perennial favorite Tremblant, Que. is ranked No. 1 on the East Coast for a record-setting ninth consecutive year.
SKI?s readers move Deer Valley to the No. 1 spot on the 2006 survey, awarding the resort top marks for service, on-mountain dining, grooming and access. The resort, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this season, is described by one SKI reader as, ?posh and wonderful,? while another claims, ?the service is so outstanding that you may be able to pay someone to wipe out for you.?
http://www.skimag.com/skimag/travel/article/0,12795,1105246,00.html
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Telluride is not only a top resort but has many programs for children and is also listed on sites for top family resorts:
TELLURIDE CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
"The Telluride Children's Ski Program and Nursery provide the perfect solution for parents seeking skiing options for the whole family. The programs allow parents to explore the mountain while entrusting their children with quality ski instructors and nursery staff. Not only are the kids intensely supervised, but they're learning skills to enable them to join their parents on the mountain and enjoy skiing for a lifetime. The nursery provides one caregiver for every two infants (two months to one year old) and one caregiver for up to five toddlers (one to three year olds). Day care is from 8am-4:30pm and includes healthy snacks in the morning and afternoon for toddlers along with lunch. Parents of infants should provide formulas, bottles and baby food. All nursery staff have reputable and documented child care experience, including CPR certification. The Children's Program consists of over 50 instructors, many of them certified by the Professional Ski Instructors Association (PSIA). Located in the Le Chamonix building, the ski school uses a learning theme based on Tellurides' heritage of mining, Ute Indians and skiing.
Telluride's instructors help children build their skiing level by integrating the region's history, flora, fauna and geography into every lesson. The program is open to 3- to 12-year-old kids and offers instruction in alpine and Nordic skiing, as well as snowboarding. Group and private lessons, by the hour or by the day, are available for children of all ability levels. Baby-sitting services are also available for after ski care. In addition, the Telluride Ski School's complimentary Adventure Club provides supervision before and after ski school for children registered for full-day lessons. This supervised program includes transportation to and from the Coonskin chairlift from the Le Chamonix building and indoor/outdoor play."
http://www.familytravelguides.com/articles/skiing/tellurid.html
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The About.com sites are hosted by guides who are knowledgeable in the topic and research and review resources. Here is their guide's site subtopic of Ski Resorts in the topic section for "Travel with Kids", with links and descriptions of programs, prices, how to get there and distances from the nearest airport.
About.com - Travel with Kids - Ski Resorts
"From Teresa Plowright,Your Guide to Travel with Kids.
Below are great ski resorts for families. See also Tips and Advice for getting the family on the slopes." http://travelwithkids.about.com/od/skiresorts/
This site includes many resources, including this listing of 20 top family ski resorts, with reviews and links for each:
Ski Resorts A to Z - Top Family Ski Resorts
Find ski resorts for families, in many areas.
http://travelwithkids.about.com/cs/skiresorts/l/blskiresortsaz.htm
And lists this gateway site:
Kidz'N'Snow: Ski Resorts
This excellent site has coverage of many great spots, with attention to details such as kids' programs, kids' ski runs, child-care, parent tips, more. http://www.kidznsnow.com
The About.com guide's main page lists these selected family ski resorts:
All-inclusive ski resort!
Club Med Crested Butte in Colorado is North America?s only all-inclusive ski resort: but that?s not the only reason to visit. The(all-included) lessons are excellent; kids programs -- on and off the slopes-- are first-class; and Club Med ambiance is the friendliest. "All-inclusive" includes lift tix, ski and 'board lessons, in addition to meals, snacks, drinks, kids programs, and all the usual. http://travelwithkids.about.com/b/a/243873.htm
http://travelwithkids.about.com/od/coloradoskiresorts/fr/Club_Med_Creste.htm
Big Bear Lake
Less than two hours from Los Angeles and four hours from Las Vegas, this family-friendly ski resort offers 75 trails with 23 lifts, and snow-tubing with a "moveable" sidewalk up the hill. Gliding down the snow-covered slope repeatedly, made especially for tubing, children squealing with glee, it is not hard to see why one of California's biggest secrets is a blast for families - and all in a quaint mountain community with family owned small hotels and cottages. The Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain offers unlimited all day passes for $20. Night tubing is also available from 5 pm - 9 pm on Friday, Saturday and holidays for $14. http://travelwithkids.about.com/od/skiresorts/a/bigbear.htm
Smuggler's Notch, VT
This well-known year-round resort has been voted a top family resort so many times, it isn't funny. http://travelwithkids.about.com/cs/skiresorts/a/smuggs.htm
Whistler-Blackcomb Ski Resort, BC, Canada
One of the world's top-rated ski resorts, Whistler-Blackcomb (near Vancouver BC) has two giant mountains, special kids areas, daycare, adventure camps, apres-ski for kids, and stays open 'til June. http://travelwithkids.about.com/od/skiresorts/l/blwhistlerski.htm
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This site has an article on "Skiing with Kids" and in the righthand column, links to reviews of top family ski resorts:
Pamela Lenier's Family Travel - FamilyTravelGuides.com - Skiing with Kids
http://www.familytravelguides.com/articles/skiing/
Including:
Cataloochee Ski Area, Magic Valley, NC
Crystal Mountain Resort, Thompsonville, Michigan
Deer Valley, Park City, Utah
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Holiday Valley, Ellicottville, New York
Northstar at Tahoe, Truckee, California
Paoli Peaks, Paoli, Indiana
Smugglers' Notch Resort, Vermont
Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico
Telluride Ski Area
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I hope this is useful. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance. jdb-ga
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