Where should we go skiing this weekend?
Jan 18, 2005 | 9:54 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 174
Where should we go skiing this weekend?
My wife and I live in Chicago and are planning a ski trip this weekend. We have to rapid rewards roundtrip tickets on Southwest and can go for free anywhere they go. We're looking for some great skiing, and as much as possible, cheap lodging/ski lifts/rentals. Any suggestions? We plan on leaving Saturday morning and returning Monday night (Jan 22-24). Thanks! 
Jan 18, 2005 | 10:19 am
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 55,213
Jan 18, 2005 | 1:43 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: DL Platinum & MM, Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 640
Having lived in Utah for 4 years I would look into Salt Lake City. Southwest will get you there. Hotels in Salt Lake City should be reasonable, and depending where you stay you should be at the ski resorts within 30-40 minutes.
Avoid Park City for cheaper lift tickets - try the SLC resorts: Brighton, Solitude, Alta (skiers only, less groomed terrain), Snowbird (more advanced terrain). Alta is nice because they have an AM pass (good for Monday before you leave).
You can get discount tickets for most or all of these places at REI in Salt Lake. You need a membership, but it's about $15 for a lifetime. You can also rent equipment there; it might be less expensive than at the resorts.
Avoid Park City for cheaper lift tickets - try the SLC resorts: Brighton, Solitude, Alta (skiers only, less groomed terrain), Snowbird (more advanced terrain). Alta is nice because they have an AM pass (good for Monday before you leave).
You can get discount tickets for most or all of these places at REI in Salt Lake. You need a membership, but it's about $15 for a lifetime. You can also rent equipment there; it might be less expensive than at the resorts.
Jan 18, 2005 | 2:01 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Reno, Nevada
Posts: 7,368
The 15-20 feet of snow that most of the Tahoe resorts have right now always make Reno a viable option. Your best lodging options will be staying in Reno (as opposed to up at Tahoe), but many of the casinos offer shuttles up to the resorts.
Mike
Mike
Jan 18, 2005 | 5:41 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 974
Originally Posted by I love the bump
Tahoe it is! There are so many ski hills there. Any recommendations? Any recommendations on places to stay? Places to rent equipment?
I seem to recall past threads on Tahoe so you might want to try a search.
Jan 19, 2005 | 11:34 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: DSM
Programs: "I COME FROM Des Moines. Somebody had to." -- Bill Bryson
Posts: 1,135
I prefer Sugar Bowl for near Tahoe skiing, but it is much closer to Sacramento than to Reno. If staying in Reno and "commuting", then Mt. Rose ski area is the closest to Reno. It is small but some decent skiing. The bigger areas would be Northstar at Tahoe and Squaw Valley with close proximity to Reno. Personally I wouldn't go to South Lake Tahoe (Heavenly) unless that's where your lodging will be.