My FB feed is full of ads for companies that offer bus trips from the NYC area to local mountains for day trips but I have not seen that here unfortunately.

Noticed….

Anonymous wrote:The issue with a long weekend in SLC is that the direct flights can be crazy expensive. I do it sometimes, but if you don't fly direct, you tend to lose an entire day going back.

I’ve not or direct flights this year are slim to none.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can take Amtrak from DC to Burlington VT. Long ride with train changes in NYC and Albany.

This is way too long for a weekend imo.

There used to be a direct flight from one of the DC airports to Burlington- we did it a few years ago. Although we rented a car in Burlington.

There's literally six nonstops per day to Burlington - 4 from DCA on AA, 2 from IAD on UA

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can take Amtrak from DC to Burlington VT. Long ride with train changes in NYC and Albany.

This is way too long for a weekend imo.

There used to be a direct flight from one of the DC airports to Burlington- we did it a few years ago. Although we rented a car in Burlington.

Fly to Denver, take the train to Union Station, and then the Winter Park express drops you off feet from the lifts. Just note it only runs on weekends.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven't done it, but Vail. You can fly in to Denver and there are shuttles that go to Vail, and ski in/out resorts.

Not cheap though.

I live in CO now and just went to Vail this weekend and I would never choose this as a fly in/fly out for a weekend option. It is just too long of a trip and the traffic on 1-70 means you have to build way too many hours in to not miss your flight - never mind lifts at Vail close at 3:30 so you dont even get long days in.

I agree with the SLC recs.

Also the fact that Vail airports can get shut down due to weather and the airline will fly you to Denver and then just stick you on a charter bus. It's always a gamble.

The US sucks for this because - except for a few places - basically every ski resort necessitates a car rental to get between the airport and the resort. For example, with the Colorado resorts you can be looking at 3-4 hour drive with traffic after a flight to Denver.

You can get to Jackson, Aspen, Vail, etc via plane via DC but it always requires at least one layover and basically you waste a day on each end with travel to and from DC. It honestly feels a bit easier to just fly overnight to Geneva, Switzerland and hop on a train straight from the airport to your resort town in the Alps. You fly overnight and are skiing before lunch. Of course, you lose an entire day flying back to the US during daytime but you'll do that anyways when you fly to Jackson Hole or Vail via Denver or Chicago (plus worries about weather delays/cancelations through those cities).

Based on my research, these are the best if you want to avoid a long car ride and fly direct from DC. You'll still need to grab an Uber, shuttle van, or bus but it's not a horrible ride:

SLC: Park City, Deer Valley, Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude, Snowbasin
Hayden, CO (weekly flight direct from IAD): Steamboat Springs
Montreal: Mount Tremblant
Burlington, VT: Bolton Valley, Mt Stowe

That's it. Kinda horrible, tbh. SLC really is the holy grail when it comes to the best quality snow and terrain for the least amount of travel time. After that, I'd focus on doing the Alps (even for a 3-4 night trip).

Anonymous wrote:I haven't done it, but Vail. You can fly in to Denver and there are shuttles that go to Vail, and ski in/out resorts.

Not cheap though.

I live in CO now and just went to Vail this weekend and I would never choose this as a fly in/fly out for a weekend option. It is just too long of a trip and the traffic on 1-70 means you have to build way too many hours in to not miss your flight - never mind lifts at Vail close at 3:30 so you dont even get long days in.

I agree with the SLC recs.

Fly into Portland ME and drive to Sunday River. About 1.5 hr. Best east coast US skiing. Almost 140 trails.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The issue with a long weekend in SLC is that the direct flights can be crazy expensive. I do it sometimes, but if you don't fly direct, you tend to lose an entire day going back.

I haven’t had issues with pricing flying direct on Southwest out of BWI. Plus you’re not paying for skis or bag with ski gear to travel.

Interesting - I'm going for spring break and I may not have checked SWA when booking.

Fly direct into Quebec City on a Friday evening, stay at a hotel in Quebec and then take a cab back-and-forth. It is about 30 miles from downtown QC Mont St Anne ski resort. Quebec is a very charming city. Less than 2 hour flight. There may be hotels with shuttles to skiing.

There is another ski resort that is maybe 60 miles away (30 miles past Mont St Anne) called Le Massiff which is good.

Usually the now is much better when you hit Quebec, even compared to places in VT.

Actually, just looked for this weekend leaving Friday coming back Sunday 430 round-trip. Nonstop.

Anonymous wrote:The issue with a long weekend in SLC is that the direct flights can be crazy expensive. I do it sometimes, but if you don't fly direct, you tend to lose an entire day going back.

I haven’t had issues with pricing flying direct on Southwest out of BWI. Plus you’re not paying for skis or bag with ski gear to travel.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And bolton valley is more like 40 minutes.

15? Come on.

Train stop is called Essex Junction. Mapquest says 25 mins.

I've taken the Vermonter up that way in the winter and have seen lots of folks get off at Essex Junction with ski gear. Not sure which slopes they are headed too.

I've done that trip but always rented a car in VT because not staying right at a resort. Also wouldn't do it for fewer than 4 days since the train takes a while.