| Colorado, Vermont, Whistler? Ski publications | | | | suffice. If the opposite applies, it needn't |
| have a grand ol' time pumping the virtues of | | | | be said ... the harder a hill is to get to, |
| one ski destination over another. Come fall, | | | | the fewer people will make the attempt. |
| their pages are full of the glories of "this" | | | | |
| mountain, "that" village and the joys of | | | | If you've got a tender tush stay away from |
| dumping cash at either. Of course, it's | | | | the east in mid-winter and stay away from the |
| pretty much all meaningless. | | | | coastal resorts during the early season. |
| | | | Horrible weather will apply in either case. |
| As most skiers will attest, the ski | | | | Conversely, spring is warm anywhere, but be |
| experience is dependant on a whole raft of | | | | aware, it arrives at different times in |
| factors, destination being only one of them. | | | | different places. |
| This is something a wise vacationer will keep | | | | |
| in mind before blithely submitting a | | | | Skier's Demographic |
| non-negotiable deposit for this year's ski | | | | |
| vacation. What are these factors?:skier's | | | | This one is easy ... young people ski at big |
| abilityskier's temperamentskier's | | | | mountains with busy bars; families ski at |
| demographicskier's pocket book | | | | mountains with great kids programs; and |
| | | | empty-nesters ski at mountains with good |
| Skier's Ability | | | | restaurants and groomed runs. If you know |
| | | | yourself, you'll know your mountain. Ignore |
| All else being equal, a novice skier will be | | | | this advice and you'll feel as uncomfortable |
| happier at Mont Tremblant, than Jay Peak. | | | | as a fish out of water. |
| Likewise, SilverStar will treat the novice | | | | |
| better than Whistler and vice-versa. No | | | | Skier's Pocket Book |
| matter what a resort's brochure will tell | | | | |
| you, every mountain has its own character and | | | | The best ski vacation is the one that where |
| suits a particular ability of skier. Never | | | | your expectations and pocket book align. |
| rely on the ski press or marketing machines | | | | Don't go to Beaver Creek if you're on a |
| as your primary source of information ... | | | | hamburger budget; you won't eat. And |
| it's just not in their interests to tell | | | | likewise, don't go to Jay Peak if you're |
| anybody to not go somewhere. This of course | | | | after anything more than pizza and a family |
| means work ... there are legitimate online | | | | buffet; your cash will burn a hole in your |
| consumer review sources that pretty much | | | | precious Prada one piece. |
| shoot the straight goods. | | | | |
| | | | Once the package has been paid for, it's the |
| Skier's Temperament | | | | cost of the extras we all remember ... and |
| | | | remember, there is a hell of a difference in |
| Skier, know thyself. | | | | the price of a beer between Aspen and Le |
| | | | Massif. |
| If you hate crowds stay away from any resort | | | | |
| ranked #1 by any ski-publication. Mont | | | | The truth is, a ski-vacation is a great way |
| Tremblant during any holiday week is a prime | | | | to spend a week, and in my opinion wins out |
| example ... you won't be able to move, much | | | | over a week on the beach anytime. I also |
| less turn. | | | | know, however, that of all the vacations I've |
| | | | had, the good ones are the ones where |
| If marketing excess turns you off, stay away | | | | everything has been in alignment. It's not |
| from any resort ranked #1 by any | | | | always easy or obvious but a bit of |
| ski-publication. 'Nuff said. | | | | self-awareness, research and ability to |
| | | | ignore the ski-industry's marketing magic |
| If you're a fashion plate (or enjoy ogling | | | | should put most vacationers in the right |
| fashion plates) any resort with direct air | | | | ball-bark (or ski-hill as the case may be). |
| connections to a major airport should | | | | |