Some Ski Resorts Visited

Lake Tahoe(2 trips there): Stayed at a casino in South Lake Tahoe(trip 1),The Lake Tahoe Inn(trip 2).Heavenly within walking and has challenging skiing. Gun Barrel (great bump run), Motts and Killabrew Canyons are challenging. We rented a car to ski Squaw, Alpine Meadows, and Kirkwood. All-great but Squaw was the most challenging skiing (don't miss KT 22 but there are others just as good). Alpine Meadows had the most "homie feeling," (no snowboards allowed). Ski Scott's Cute if you like Black Diamonds. Kirkwood had the best snow and Marguerites (you can get them there by the pitcher). Sugar Bowel (with 1600 vertical feet) is a friendly area with plenty of challenges, is family oriented, and gets plenty of snow. Northstar is crowded and the front side is intermediate skiing. The backside had "Burn Out' Which is a terrific bump run.

Big Sky: Challenging skiing with a long run out at the base of the mountain. No need to rent a car. Nice Village to stay at with shopping available. Ski "The Lone Star Chair" for challenge. We took a trip by Van to Helena to meet the locals. On the mountain breakfast and partying at, "Whiskey Jack's" and after hours at Chet's.

Aspen: Challenging. Bring you checkbook. Terrific Ski Town with free bussing. We rented a car so we could ski more than one area. Skied Aspen, Aspen Highlands, and Snowmass. All fun but Snowmass has a great intermediate bump run called "The Big Burn" to work on your mogul skiing and, "The Hanging Valley Wall", for challenging skiing. Plenty of nightlife and you get to "hobnob" with some pretty wealthy people (bring you mink coat if you have one - it's not out of place here).

Jackson Hole: Very Challenging. Stayed in Jackson with a friend that lives there. Rented a car to get to the mountain (about 12 miles). Nice ski town with plenty of shopping. Ski "Pepis" for bumps and plenty of bowels and chutes (don't miss The Alt Chutes) for challenge. There is "Corbet's Colouir" for the ultimate in challenge at Jackson Hole. I did not ski it. There was It was about a 15 foot drop in and than turn or die. I didn't like the options. If there were more snow in it than maybe, but I would have to see it before deciding. Have an Apre Skiing drink at, "The Mangy Moose" (at the base of The Mountain) and go to "Bubba's" in Jackson for great ribs for dinner and breakfast omelets.

Utah: Stayed at Park City and took free busses to Alta and The Canyons. All three areas were great but Alta was my favorite. Skied with a friend that used to Patrol there and he took me to places I wold never have found on my own (the Legendary "High Rustler" is at Alta - don't miss it). Terrific snow, it snowed (on the mountains) every day we were there. The town at Park City was okay (if you like 3.2 beer) with plenty of shopping but long waits for dinner. This was the year before the Olympics and they were building like crazy to accommodate the world the following year. Free busses everywhere.

Telluride: One of the most beautiful mountains anywhere (Great Skiing). We stayed at the, "Village on The Mountain."We could get to town at night by gondola from The Mountain Village or stay right in the town of Telluride.It's an old silver mining town and you can ski right down to the sidewalks on Lower Plunge. Telluride is expensive but fantastic.

Whistler - Blackcomb (2 trips there): This area has everything. Challenge (like The Blow Hole on the Blackcomb Glacier - I didn't ski it - two friends did, one ejected while standing and "cartwheeled" it and the other lost a ski on the first turn and skied it one footed, way beyond my ability). Don't miss the "Peek to Creek" run that lets you ski Whistler's full 5280 vertical feet. There is usually plenty of snow and there is a great village to stay in. Park your car and forget about it.

Val Gardena - Italy: The Italian Alps in Northern Italy are fantastic. Get a Dolomite Super Ski Pass while there. This ski pass is valid on 450 lifts and cableways, giving access to almost 1220 km of slopes, including the famous Sella Ronda (http://www.val-gardena.net/winter/eng/sellaronda.htm) and many other Dolomite ski tours. The food in Italy was fantastic and so were the cobble stone street villages. One of my favorite ski trips ever but getting there and back is a challenge.

Wow! I got carried away here forgive me for reminiscing. Also forgive the long post but feel comfortable that a ski trip out west or to Europe will be a vacation you will never forget.

That's it 102.

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