Skiing 1/1-1/5 book now or wait?

[Anonymous]

With a high schooler & the FCPS calendar the only time we can realistically ski this year is 1/1-1/5. I’ve waited this long to book because I know conditions are a crapshoot at that time of year anywhere! (The high schooler also rows crew in spring so we can’t go March or after either).

Would you book 1/1 to 1/5 now? Where? We can go anywhere.
If not, how long would you wait - would you wait until a week out and then book something last minute? I’ve never done that before and it’s making me nervous but I’m willing to try almost anything once.

Fwiw - family of 5 - 2 adults and 3 kids - ages 15, 12, and 10 at time of trip. We are not experts - the 15 and 12 year olds are the best skiers who do blacks and double blacks. DH snowboards. I am the worst in the group - and I like greens.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely book accommodations and any lessons now. Park City or Vail would be good options if you want to fly somewhere. Otherwise, you could go to Vermont--Okemo or Stowe are both great!

[Anonymous]

I would not wait to book. Almost all schools are off those dates and it will be busy!

[Anonymous]

Book weeks ago.

[Anonymous]

You are late to book.

[Anonymous]

Where are you skiing? If it were me, I would book now but try to book places/flights that are refundable. For example, book a chain hotel in Ogden, UT and ski a combination of Snowbasin and Powder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where are you skiing? If it were me, I would book now but try to book places/flights that are refundable. For example, book a chain hotel in Ogden, UT and ski a combination of Snowbasin and Powder.

I considered VT (Stowe or Okemo), Mt Tremblant, Snowshoe, or SLC (probably Brighton) most seriously but I am probably close to booking SLC now. I’m typically an early booker of travel but when I was searching today it did not seem to be too late. And I may not need lodging in SLC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where are you skiing? If it were me, I would book now but try to book places/flights that are refundable. For example, book a chain hotel in Ogden, UT and ski a combination of Snowbasin and Powder.

Though not bad ideas - I guess SWA you always get a voucher if you cancel….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are you skiing? If it were me, I would book now but try to book places/flights that are refundable. For example, book a chain hotel in Ogden, UT and ski a combination of Snowbasin and Powder.

Though not bad ideas - I guess SWA you always get a voucher if you cancel….

Yeah with Southwest you either get a refund or credit that doesn't expire. It works great for ski trips.

[Anonymous]

I live in Vermont. Do not book anything on the east coast far out. Ever. Unless there are other things in the area that you would enjoy.

The west is less of a crapshoot. Will the steepest terrain have awesome snow in early January? Yes, THAT specifically is a crapshoot but big resorts in the west will have enough snow and open terrain for all abilities to enjoy.

The UT plan is a good one.

[Anonymous]

Definitely book since that overlaps with the end of Christmas week. Just book something refundable. If you do Stowe and drive you’ve got even more flexibility.

Most places will have snow, it just may not be the best. We skied at Stowe last Christmas on very limited trails. It wasn’t great but it was still fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in Vermont. Do not book anything on the east coast far out. Ever. Unless there are other things in the area that you would enjoy.

The west is less of a crapshoot. Will the steepest terrain have awesome snow in early January? Yes, THAT specifically is a crapshoot but big resorts in the west will have enough snow and open terrain for all abilities to enjoy.

The UT plan is a good one.

This. I have been burned too often on the East Coast. I would rather scramble after you know conditions are good vs booing early just to wish you hadn’t gone at all.

If you must, I would book Tremblant in Quebec.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely book since that overlaps with the end of Christmas week. Just book something refundable. If you do Stowe and drive you’ve got even more flexibility.

Most places will have snow, it just may not be the best. We skied at Stowe last Christmas on very limited trails. It wasn’t great but it was still fun.

If you drive you don’t have to go all the way to Stowe. Southern VT is nearly as good, especially if the snow is likely to be mediocre.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in Vermont. Do not book anything on the east coast far out. Ever. Unless there are other things in the area that you would enjoy.

The west is less of a crapshoot. Will the steepest terrain have awesome snow in early January? Yes, THAT specifically is a crapshoot but big resorts in the west will have enough snow and open terrain for all abilities to enjoy.

The UT plan is a good one.

This. I have been burned too often on the East Coast. I would rather scramble after you know conditions are good vs booing early just to wish you hadn’t gone at all.

If you must, I would book Tremblant in Quebec.

Tremblant was terrible and brown last year over Xmas. The camera feeds were horrific.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are you skiing? If it were me, I would book now but try to book places/flights that are refundable. For example, book a chain hotel in Ogden, UT and ski a combination of Snowbasin and Powder.

I considered VT (Stowe or Okemo), Mt Tremblant, Snowshoe, or SLC (probably Brighton) most seriously but I am probably close to booking SLC now. I’m typically an early booker of travel but when I was searching today it did not seem to be too late. And I may not need lodging in SLC.

We've stayed in ordinary hotels in SLC and commuted to different skifields. We also rented the skis downtown. You can get direct flights to SLC.