Homestead skiing? vs Utah (Alta?) skiing for new skiing kids

[Anonymous]

We are trying to decide between Homestead and Alta for a ski trip this winter. My kids are 6 and 3, and the 3 year old is better than the 6 year old at skiing. We have friends in Utah so we can stay for free there, but pay for an expensive lift ticket, versus paying for an expensive resort and a cheaper lift price closer to home.

My sense is that we should wait to go to Utah until the 3 year old is at least 4, but I'd love to hear feedback before taking the plunge to book.

One kid and one adult has skis; the other kid and other adult will need to rent skis. I think we would fly with them.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Homestead? In Virginia? They have a nice little hill that sometimes has snow. No one considers it "real" skiing.

Alta is a totally different universe in terms of skiing.

The Homestead and Alta don't even belong in the sentence when discussing skiing.

Both are nice places -- you just have to figure out what experience you want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Homestead? In Virginia? They have a nice little hill that sometimes has snow. No one considers it "real" skiing.

Alta is a totally different universe in terms of skiing.

The Homestead and Alta don't even belong in the sentence when discussing skiing.

Both are nice places -- you just have to figure out what experience you want.

Gosh, Chevy Volt or Mercedes S500. Hmmm ...?

[Anonymous]

Above poster is spot on. I'd take them skiing on weekends to some of the better local mountains- Whitetail, Round Top, etc. until they are better skiers and then go to Alta, unless you want to enjoy the better skiing for yourselves. We have been taking our kids skiing out west since they were two but that's because it's where we like to ski. We also regularly take them to the above mentioned ski areas because they are pretty good.

[Anonymous]

I'd say the same thing: Homestead and skiing don't belong open the same sentence. We're a Snowbird family but always hit up Alta for a day. Tremendous.

[Anonymous]

Alta lift tickets are just $45/day if you only use the lifts servicing beginner trails. if you fly with skis, remember to factor in that Southwest doesn't charge to fly with skis.

[Anonymous]

Alta's ski school is really amazing. AND the kids can do 1/2 day ski school if they want, which is not always available at other resorts. The instructors are there year after year. And honestly, the beginning ski slope at Alta is like 10X the size of our local bunny hills.

Also, if you rent skis for the kids there, you can leave them at the ski rental shop at night, and don't need to cart them around.

I wouldn't think twice and would head west.

[Anonymous]

Do you want snow? you better go to Utah

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd say the same thing: Homestead and skiing don't belong open the same sentence. We're a Snowbird family but always hit up Alta for a day. Tremendous.

How is Snowbird for kids? We have one who can confidently handle blues (minus super icy conditions) and another that is just transitioning to blues. We loved Snowbird ourselves pre-kids and would LOVE to go, but not sure they can handle. We don't remember what the blues/greens were like. If there were any?? How about Alta for kids? Any better? My DH snowboards now so we might be stuck at Snowbird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alta lift tickets are just $45/day if you only use the lifts servicing beginner trails. if you fly with skis, remember to factor in that Southwest doesn't charge to fly with skis.

That is awesome!! Last time we flew with our gear we were shocked at all of the extra fees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd say the same thing: Homestead and skiing don't belong open the same sentence. We're a Snowbird family but always hit up Alta for a day. Tremendous.

How is Snowbird for kids? We have one who can confidently handle blues (minus super icy conditions) and another that is just transitioning to blues. We loved Snowbird ourselves pre-kids and would LOVE to go, but not sure they can handle. We don't remember what the blues/greens were like. If there were any?? How about Alta for kids? Any better? My DH snowboards now so we might be stuck at Snowbird.

I think Alta is better for kids. The lower Albion side is very gentle and they have some decent blues. Snowbird has Big Emma and some of the lower front side trails but Big Emma gets excessively crowded.

[Anonymous]

I agree with Alta being better for kids. The blues at Snowbird generally are fairly steep. The husband snowboarding obviously creates a problem. Steamboat is awesome for families too - and kids ski free. There are nonstop flights from Dulles to Steamboat on the weekends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with Alta being better for kids. The blues at Snowbird generally are fairly steep. The husband snowboarding obviously creates a problem. Steamboat is awesome for families too - and kids ski free. There are nonstop flights from Dulles to Steamboat on the weekends.

Did not know that! The travel time & hassle associated with a flight connection has always made that a turn off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with Alta being better for kids. The blues at Snowbird generally are fairly steep. The husband snowboarding obviously creates a problem. Steamboat is awesome for families too - and kids ski free. There are nonstop flights from Dulles to Steamboat on the weekends.

Love Steamboat! Great town, great skiing and great kids program.

[Anonymous]

Brighton is great for beginners too and dirt cheap. The cottonwoods are expecting up to 2 feet this weekend so xmas skiing should be awesome.