I'm going to plan a ski trip this winter using points. I am looking at at major resorts in the western US and Whistler, BC.

Does anybody have any experience/recommendations at these places?

I highly recommend the Vail Marriott as it is one of the best return on your points IMO. However, you may have waited a bit too late to book award stays at this property. You might be able to find 3 or 4 nights together in January, but that will probably be about it.

I also recommend Whistler-Blackcomb Residence Inn as its slope side location is excellent. WB can be hit and miss on the snow department with its lower altitude. I have skied there twice, once it was great and the other time it sucked big time. You will probably have better luck getting awards at this property.

Any of the MVCI properties will be tough to get, but you can always try. There is Breckenridge and Park City. There is also Vail, but I don't recommend that property. Breckenridge was renovated this past off-season so I am eager to see what it looks like now. It was looking a bit worn out.

Park City Marriott I know very little about except that my boss and his wife stay there each year for Sundance. They like its downtown location.

Next year there may be a Residence Inn at Vail. http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20071024/NEWS/71023038

Good stuff, thanks. I'm getting the stay anytime/120,000 airline miles for a cat 6, so I should be ok as far as getting a late start planning this trip. So I think both Whistler and Vail will fit. This will be my first time skiing out west.. so I don't really want to roll the dice on snow conditions in Feb. Is the Vail marriott slope-side?

Believe it or not, I like the downtown Salt lake city marriotts (two to choose from). I'm doing 4 days in December and have reservations at both the Park city marriott and downtown. My plan is to stay downtown unless a MAJOR snowstorm is forcast for during our stay. Otherwise, the drive up and down the mountains coupled with the sheer choice on where to go and more things to do in town have almost always prompted me to go there.

I gave up on Denver when they moved the airport closer to the east coast.

SLC is very easy to drive around and very close to many ski area.

Plus, I don't want to be stuck skiing only park city for 3 consecuitve days. True, I could drive from there, but why not from downtown (weather permitting). And in the last 10 years I've been, no stoms have closed the roads. Could happen though.

Billy

Vail Marriott is a bit of a walk to Lionshead, now called Vail Square, gondola. Probably 150 yards or so. You'll pass by the new Arrabelle (RockResort) which is supposed to open for Christmas.

I stayed at the Residence Inn in Sandy, UT, 15 miles outside of SLC and right at the mouth of the canyons for Snowbird, Alta, etc. Nothing fancy, but inexpensive and convenient.

Please tell us more as I am not familiar with a Stay Anytime/120,000 airlines miles award. If you are referring to the Hotel + Air Travel packages then I am sorry to say that they are for use with Standard Awards, NOT Stay Anytime awards. That is unless you know something we don't.

As pointed out by Brian, about a 150 yard walk to the lift and very convenient to things in Lionshead and there is also a free town shuttle stop right in front of the hotel that runs every few minutes that will take you to Vail Village and Golden Peak. If you are going there to ski you do not need a car. Taking a shuttle through Colorado Mountain Express from the airport is usually more cost effective unless you are a large family. Valet parking is the only option this year and is $20/day. In the event you do need a car, Vail Marriott has had numerous Volvos available for use by its guests for the past few years, so I expect the same this year.

Stay Anytime Travel Packages

Wow, you learn something new every day. Thanks for the link! After seeing your post I went back to the regular travel package page and did find the link in the right frame. I still think a Standard Award at Whistler would be better than a Stay Anytime at Vail from a cost per point perspective. Also, friends don't let friends use Stay Anytime awards. YMMV

I definitely won't argue with this statement. ^

lol, I agree they aren't exactly a deal. But I have tons of points to burn and almost no vacation time, so this is one of the few opportunities I have to actually use points. A ton of points in the bank is nice to look at, but it's kinda worthless unless you use them.

After talking with the wife, we are off to Whistler. Thanks all for the tips!

I haven't stayed there, but you could also consider the Ritz in Bachlor Gulch. It would be about the same as an Anytime award.

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Proper...ch/Default.htm

http://www.marriott.com/rewards/usep...otelpart.mi#54