Ok, we are looking at going skiing at Spring Break. We haven't skiied before (we normally go to the beach). We are trying to do this on a budget as we have 7 going. First, it seems lift tickets are kind of high so we are looking at either cross country skiing or uphill skiing. I was shocked these are a thing and so many people are into this. Second, we will drive to avoid paying 7 plane tickets. Third, we will look into KOA camping to avoid high lodge fees. Does Aspen or Telluride have a KOA? We are looking to borrow 3 to 4 tents and the ski gear. Any suggestions would be great.

Rent your equipment at ski resort- otherwise have to carry all items with you- picture 4 people crammed into rental Subaru Forester with skis cross crossed inside "sweetie, don't turn your head or you will impale yourself". Invest in half day ski lessons- it's no fun spending most of your time sliding down the slope on your behind because you don't know proper way to stop, catch the lift or traverse in the snow with skis. Pack a lunch and lots of fluids.

Do not take your family cross country skiing. You will end up hating the experience.

Save money by going to a closer and smaller mountain like Angel Fire in New Mexico.

And I also agree with getting lessons. Again, I know it's more expensive, but it would be more expensive if someone ends up hurting themselves.

Good advice. I also want to visit the filming sites where Lloyd Christmas was.

90sBear said:

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Save money by going to a closer and smaller mountain like Angel Fire in New Mexico.

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Agree with this; New Mexico is great for skiing, esp for 1st timers like your family. Taos is another good place in NM to try.

Red River, N.M. also is a good place for first-time skiiers. The mountain is easy, and the costs are reasonable. It is in no way a luxury resort, but it is drivable and a fun town - you can pretty much walk to anything, and there are 3-4 good places to eat.

most lessons are free for beginners - it is just a liability issue.

they dont send newbies up w/o free lessons - usu half a day.

- KKM

angel fire is Ok - I would go as nice as possible.

Dumpy skiing and crappy runs and lifts and crap condos are really no fun.

Red River is very good for beginners and a bit more affordable.
DO take lessons.
Lift tickets have gone way up.
See if you can purchase online in advance for a discount.
Many areas offer this option.
And DO NOT take your family cross-country skiing. They will get tired and frustrated.

Wolf Creek. Stay in Pagosa Springs. Great value and great snow.

Also, the Monarch Ski Area near Salida, CO.
Good value, and you can find reasonable lodging in Salida.
I lived there for two years from 74-76 and return regularly.

Good luck finding a cheap ski vacation. That's like looking for a cheap Ferrari. Definitely avoid the big resorts. I'm hitting Deer Valley Spring Break and don't even want to mention that cost.

You won't find a "cheap" ski vacation, but a "better value."
Stick with the smaller resorts (Monarch, Wolf Creek, etc.) and you'll do OK.
Slope side lodging is the highest, so stay in town and drive up to the lifts each day.

I still say you can afford to ski Monarch if you stay in Salida.
And consider half-day lift tickets. Sleep in, start late.

We are heading to Telluride next week, but we have a place to stay at no charge. Buddy of ours owns a house up there, so we're getting off light.

another way is to hack off a leg - be sure and stem the blood flow - and then just rent one ski.

- kkm

D!

william said:

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another way is to hack off a leg - be sure and stem the blood flow - and then just rent one ski.

- kkm


D!

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Skis are the cheap part. Lift tickets, lessons, snow mobile, etc are the big bucks.

ScottS said:

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Ok, we are looking at going skiing at Spring Break. We haven't skiied before (we normally go to the beach). We are trying to do this on a budget as we have 7 going. First, it seems lift tickets are kind of high so we are looking at either cross country skiing or uphill skiing. I was shocked these are a thing and so many people are into this. Second, we will drive to avoid paying 7 plane tickets. Third, we will look into KOA camping to avoid high lodge fees. Does Aspen or Telluride have a KOA? We are looking to borrow 3 to 4 tents and the ski gear. Any suggestions would be great.

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Let me again suggest the Monarch Ski Area in Salida, CO.
Have skied there for nearly 40 years and it has great snow and affordability.
Check out their web site here: https://skimonarch.com

If you buy lift tix in advance, online, you can save money.
There are still some cheap (reasonable) motels in Salida.

The other option is Wolf Creek. Like Monarch, its near a small town (Alamosa) and more affordable.

Also, Young Life operates a camp near Monarch. Check into that.

MrGolfguy said:

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90sBear said:

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Save money by going to a closer and smaller mountain like Angel Fire in New Mexico.

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Agree with this; New Mexico is great for skiing, esp for 1st timers like your family. Taos is another good place in NM to try.

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I love Taos, but that's a tough mountain for beginners. That said, I did teach my kids ski there because if you can ski Taos, you can ski pretty much anywhere.

"we are looking at either cross country skiing or uphill skiing."..... "We are looking to borrow 3 to 4 tents"

DO NOT DO THIS. i had to track down my login credentials for the sake of your family

cross country and uphill skiing is for people who enjoy the workout. your family would have more fun running a half marathon together

tent camping - it's generally cold around snow. your family will probably be miserable. also as snow melts everything is just wet and nasty. you need a place to warm up and dry out

i second red river, angel fire, wolf creek options. look into an abnb

If skiing just turns out to not be in the budget, look at the snow tubing winterpark in Ruidoso/Alto. it's fun for a first snow trip (the only snow is likely the snow they make during spring break tho), and it's not very expensive. the go cart track in ruidoso is fun for the kids too. you could also take relatively short trip down to white sands (bring some sleds)

Completely agree with Robert Wilson. Taos is a hard mountain for a beginner. My spouse is a great skier and loves Taos, but it is too hard for me and I won't ski Taos anymore. We have mainly skied Wolf Creek and have had friends learn to ski there. I think Monarch is harder than Wolf Creek, but Monarch is beautiful and the views are great. Skiing is not a cheap sport, but hope y'all enjoy it.

jdrs said:

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Completely agree with Robert Wilson. Taos is a hard mountain for a beginner. My spouse is a great skier and loves Taos, but it is too hard for me and I won't ski Taos anymore. We have mainly skied Wolf Creek and have had friends learn to ski there. I think Monarch is harder than Wolf Creek, but Monarch is beautiful and the views are great. Skiing is not a cheap sport, but hope y'all enjoy it.

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Wolf Creek is great - so much snow and a lot of fun.

I should also clarify on Taos. I took my kids there after they'd skied a bit on easier mountains. I then wanted them to get to where they could ski all over Taos before they got too old to be "elastic" in their learning. Now, when they go anywhere besides Taos, they're like "man, I can just fly all over this mountain!" Those Colorado cruisers are a piece of cake after all the steep narrows at Taos. But Taos is gorgeous, and the quality of the snow can't be beat.

I've skied since I was very small. I love it. I did a better job with my kids than my wife. I expected her to love it, took her too far too fast, and now she doesn't much like it. You can ruin someone with an initial ski trip or two that is too difficult.

It's a long drive, but can be done on the cheap.

Soda Springs outside of Reno. Mostly locals. They have a tube slide thing for younger kids. We stayed in Reno at the Silver Legacy Hotel & Casino. Weekdays usually less then $100 a night.

I think lift tickets were about 60 or 70 a day and they rent ski stuff on site.
This would be the poor man trip and strictly for beginners. We would get there before they opened to get our gear. I think 9 or 10 in the morning.

I don't think this would qualify as a ski vacation.

There are probably some other local sites around Reno. Mt Rose, Heavenly, Squaw Valley are nearby if you want to pony up.

Ghostrider said:

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william said:

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another way is to hack off a leg - be sure and stem the blood flow - and then just rent one ski.

- kkm


D!

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Skis are the cheap part. Lift tickets, lessons, snow mobile, etc are the big bucks.

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then saw off the other leg. gotta be some discount?? right??

then get one of those shop roller slider thingy that mechanics use to get under your car. just duct tape the hell outta the skier to the roller.

and then voila! down the hill they go.

could start a trend.

- KKM

{ sipping coffee }

So Scotts, what was the outcome?