Firewind

That's the place. I didn't want to jump in with it because it's been long enough that I couldn't be precise, but that was by far our favorite, and one of the oldest reasons we started staying at the Hyatt long ago. Beautiful, wide open, and nothing too hairy.

As for skiing, overall, I prefer the north shore's nature vs. civilization balance, though I know it's somewhat illusory. Northstar's my favorite. And pretty convenient to the Hyatt. (Never have gotten to the Hyatt time shares.) North-facing, nice separation among "green", "blue" and "black", and some nice long blue and green runs. Mt. Rose has similar qualities - and it's also so easy getting up from RNO - almost as convenient for getting to the slopes as SLC. It's possible to ski before checking into the Hyatt. For new skiers and kids, Tahoe-Donner is the best. It was conceived for new skiers and families. Tame but challenging to the new skier. Only green and blue runs. Relatively inexpensive for families. (They still have the family combination pass?) And an active anti-hotdogging commitment and program.

Squaw is too wild and too massive for our taste (e.g., the family aspect). Heavenly is just too wild, and too far to drive from the Hyatt.

Soda Springs is the closest and easiest from the Bay Area and valley, also the easiest to get back from when things are closing in. (Who likes to contemplate getting up over the hill when that's happening?) As a kid and a teen, I used to get up to Soda Springs and Boreal from the Bay Area the most often for these reasons. Though there isn't much there, and there's the greatest number of people who are unprepared. Anyway, way too far and not worth it from the Hyatt.