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