Ski Colorado or Utah and stay at Hilton Property
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Programs: United Platinum, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 66
Ski Colorado or Utah and stay at Hilton Property
Anyone have any good experiences or pointers. I'm looking to take a ski trip from Cleveland, OH with my 9 year old son in either March or April to Colorado or Utah. I've a got about 800,000 honors points. Every time I try to use Vail's system for booking a room plus lift tickets, I get confused.....It is hard to tell if I'm saving any money doing this....I was thinking of Arapahoe Basin, but there are so many good resorts around Denver and Salt lake its hard to choose....We're both intermediate skiers. Anyway I'm looking for time savers....fly direct into VGE or resorts close to DEN or SLC, or tips on best hilton property to stay at...
Thanks
Scott
Thanks
Scott
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Programs: United Platinum, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 66
here is what I found in case you're interested:
CLE - SLC RT United $706.80 (for my son and I. though Frontier has a kids fly free thing going on maybe I should have checked that first)
Snowbird Ski Resort The Cliff Lodge - Mountainview 2 queen bed room
Apr 4 - 8 $1744.28 includes lift tickets
I believe kids 12 and under ski free at Snowbird...great deal if you have kids...
CLE - SLC RT United $706.80 (for my son and I. though Frontier has a kids fly free thing going on maybe I should have checked that first)
Snowbird Ski Resort The Cliff Lodge - Mountainview 2 queen bed room
Apr 4 - 8 $1744.28 includes lift tickets
I believe kids 12 and under ski free at Snowbird...great deal if you have kids...
#3
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: New York
Programs: AA Concierge Key, DL Silver, UA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Gold, Avis PC
Posts: 87
There is an old and expensive, but ski-in ski-out, Doubletree in Breck. Park City has the Waldorf at the Canyons base area which is sort of ski-in ski-out (it has a little gondola to the lift base), a Hilton Vacation property that is almost ski-in ski-out at the Park City main base, and an old and fairly shabby Doubletree in town that requires a shuttle to any of the PCMR or Deer Valley bases. Vail has a new and expensive Doubletree that requires a shuttle to the Vail mountain bases and a (privately booked and expensive) shuttle or car to the Beaver Creek bases. There's a Homewood in Steamboat - don't know how user friendly it is or isn't for skiers. Durango has a Doubletree and a Hampton Inn or HGI that seem like they work perfectly well - within a mile or two of the bases at Purgatory.
Getting away from resort areas proper, there are several tourist class Hilton properties (HGI, Homewood, etc). on the east side of the Salt Lake City valley that offer very easy drives up to LCC and BCC resorts, including a couple that are on the public bus lines that connect to the BCC and LCC shuttle buses ... and those and pretty much every other Hilton property in the valley are manageable drives to all the Wasatch resorts. There are a couple of tourist class Hilton properties in places like Frisco CO right along I-70 that offer reasonable drives to Breck, Copper, Keystone, etc., and are plausible for Vail and Beaver Creek.
I don't know of any Hilton properties usable at all for Aspen or Telluride.
(PS the Cliff is a nice property but it isn't a Hilton property.)
Getting away from resort areas proper, there are several tourist class Hilton properties (HGI, Homewood, etc). on the east side of the Salt Lake City valley that offer very easy drives up to LCC and BCC resorts, including a couple that are on the public bus lines that connect to the BCC and LCC shuttle buses ... and those and pretty much every other Hilton property in the valley are manageable drives to all the Wasatch resorts. There are a couple of tourist class Hilton properties in places like Frisco CO right along I-70 that offer reasonable drives to Breck, Copper, Keystone, etc., and are plausible for Vail and Beaver Creek.
I don't know of any Hilton properties usable at all for Aspen or Telluride.
(PS the Cliff is a nice property but it isn't a Hilton property.)
#4
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,933
We have stayed at the Hilton Downtown SLC numerous times, which gives you the flexibility to shoot up the various canyons daily if you want to mix things up. We also like the ability to walk to Temple Square in the evening, and hit the various downtown restaurants (although in the pandemic, that may not be an option for some). In a few weeks, we are staying at the WA Park City. We will likely keep it simple and ski Park City rather than bouncing around.
Colorado doesn't have the greatest number of Hilton properties. We have stayed at the Doubletree Breckenridge, but the Doubletree in Vail is really not in Vail. It used to be a Holiday Inn. We usually stay at the Lodge at Vail or Osprey at Beaver Creek. We have stayed at numerous Vail and Summit County hotels, so let me know if there is anything you are interested in.
The one thing that I would add is that Salt Lake City is much easier than Denver in terms of skiing, as once you land in Salt Lake, the drive is minimal. Denver on the other hand is a bit much, as the airport is on the opposite side of where you need to drive to. You then have to manage through the Eisenhower tunnel and Vail pass. However, you could fly into Eagle, which does make it a bit easier.
In terms of A-Basin, it is a nice area, but if this is a father-son trip, go to one of the biggies (Breckenridge, Vail, Copper, Beaver Creek, or even Keystone). BTW, Vail is my absolute favorite.
In terms of staying at the Cliff Lodge at Snowbird, that is a nice option, but keep in mind that other than the hotel, there is not much else at the base of Snowbird. With that said, I really do like Snowbird, but the weather (and whiteouts) can be a challenge, although you should be pretty safe in the spring. You can also ski between Alt and Snowbird with a connecting lift ticket.
Colorado doesn't have the greatest number of Hilton properties. We have stayed at the Doubletree Breckenridge, but the Doubletree in Vail is really not in Vail. It used to be a Holiday Inn. We usually stay at the Lodge at Vail or Osprey at Beaver Creek. We have stayed at numerous Vail and Summit County hotels, so let me know if there is anything you are interested in.
The one thing that I would add is that Salt Lake City is much easier than Denver in terms of skiing, as once you land in Salt Lake, the drive is minimal. Denver on the other hand is a bit much, as the airport is on the opposite side of where you need to drive to. You then have to manage through the Eisenhower tunnel and Vail pass. However, you could fly into Eagle, which does make it a bit easier.
In terms of A-Basin, it is a nice area, but if this is a father-son trip, go to one of the biggies (Breckenridge, Vail, Copper, Beaver Creek, or even Keystone). BTW, Vail is my absolute favorite.
In terms of staying at the Cliff Lodge at Snowbird, that is a nice option, but keep in mind that other than the hotel, there is not much else at the base of Snowbird. With that said, I really do like Snowbird, but the weather (and whiteouts) can be a challenge, although you should be pretty safe in the spring. You can also ski between Alt and Snowbird with a connecting lift ticket.
Last edited by TTT103; Mar 2, 2021 at 4:22 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Programs: United Platinum, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 66
Thanks, since I'm already booked at the Cliff Lodge and United Airline tickets purchased, I checked on the connecting lift ticket...$50 per day is what they told me...To ski both places.
We'll probably do at least a couple days like that....
And thanks for the hilton info, I will be back next year, so that'll be useful for next time..
I will probably do Vail with the whole family next year.
Despite not using any hhonors points or booking a hilton, I still think I got a fairly good deal staying at the Cliff...
I never noticed this before, but the Snowbird website says winter tires are required? I'm renting an AWD SUV with a ski rack from enterprise...
We'll probably do at least a couple days like that....
And thanks for the hilton info, I will be back next year, so that'll be useful for next time..
I will probably do Vail with the whole family next year.
Despite not using any hhonors points or booking a hilton, I still think I got a fairly good deal staying at the Cliff...
I never noticed this before, but the Snowbird website says winter tires are required? I'm renting an AWD SUV with a ski rack from enterprise...
Last edited by scottemick; Mar 5, 2021 at 3:44 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,654
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Jupiter, FL
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Silver
Posts: 29,785
While not Hilton related, I have a couple of questions on Utah versus Colorado.
Our son wants to go skiing (well, snowboarding in his case) for his 16th birthday. Only gone once before. Wife and I used to ski back in the day, but not for years.
We are looking at both Park City and Colorado.
Looks like Marriott points are impossible in Park City. Haven't looked at the Colorado places yet.
But two major questions:
1. Christmas break or Spring break for skiing? Leaning toward the spring time. Does it make a difference for either location?
2. Which place? Easier would be better. That seems to be Utah logistically. More choices. Is it less crowded? But also seems to be more expensive.
Any other insight would be appreciated.
Our son wants to go skiing (well, snowboarding in his case) for his 16th birthday. Only gone once before. Wife and I used to ski back in the day, but not for years.
We are looking at both Park City and Colorado.
Looks like Marriott points are impossible in Park City. Haven't looked at the Colorado places yet.
But two major questions:
1. Christmas break or Spring break for skiing? Leaning toward the spring time. Does it make a difference for either location?
2. Which place? Easier would be better. That seems to be Utah logistically. More choices. Is it less crowded? But also seems to be more expensive.
Any other insight would be appreciated.
#8
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,371
We are looking at both Park City and Colorado.
Looks like Marriott points are impossible in Park City. Haven't looked at the Colorado places yet.
But two major questions:
1. Christmas break or Spring break for skiing? Leaning toward the spring time. Does it make a difference for either location?
2. Which place? Easier would be better. That seems to be Utah logistically. More choices. Is it less crowded? But also seems to be more expensive.
Looks like Marriott points are impossible in Park City. Haven't looked at the Colorado places yet.
But two major questions:
1. Christmas break or Spring break for skiing? Leaning toward the spring time. Does it make a difference for either location?
2. Which place? Easier would be better. That seems to be Utah logistically. More choices. Is it less crowded? But also seems to be more expensive.
When you say Spring Break, when? March would be safer bet in terms of snow status than April, or Christmas for that matter. I've never skiied Colorado in March, but I have heard it can get crowded in March.
Problem with Christmas time is that some years there may not be enough snow, enough terrain open. Esp Park City, but possibly also Colorado.
For example, Park City was maybe only 50% open this past Christmas. Vail's Back Bowl and Blue Sky Basin didn't open till like mid-Jan this year. Other years there may be 80 inches of snow and the mountain may be fully open by Christmas.
I can only speak to Vail and Park City. So this won't help if you folks decide to get Ikon Pass (eg, Copper, Aspen, Steamboat, Deer Valley, Snowbird, etc). But for what it's worth, both Vail and Park City are fantastic. Both have multiple ski-in/out options. Vail has more beginner runs, but both are intermediate's paradise. Many intermediate runs at both are suitable for beginners, I would say. Vail longer lift lines than Park City generally speaking, in that Vail has more lifts that typically see 10+ minute wait even on weekdays. Park City also has a few lifts that habitually get crowded (like Silverlode) although they have so many lifts that never see lines.
Park City much closer to the airport than Vail or any of the Summit County resorts, unless you fly into Eagle Airport where flights will be more expensive and limited. Drive from DEN to Copper/Vail is all freeway and pretty easy, no hairy curves or cliffs, although I wouldn't feel comfortable driving at night in the winter time and be prepared for a backup sometimes. Also you might get a rental car that's low on wiper fluid and then it could get be dangerous to drive because you'll collect dirt and salt real quick on your windshield.
#9
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
Programs: Marriott (Silver/Gold), IHG, Carlson, Best Western, Choice( Gold), AS (MVP), WN, UA
Posts: 8,694
While not Hilton related, I have a couple of questions on Utah versus Colorado.
Our son wants to go skiing (well, snowboarding in his case) for his 16th birthday. Only gone once before. Wife and I used to ski back in the day, but not for years.
We are looking at both Park City and Colorado.
Looks like Marriott points are impossible in Park City. Haven't looked at the Colorado places yet.
But two major questions:
1. Christmas break or Spring break for skiing? Leaning toward the spring time. Does it make a difference for either location?
2. Which place? Easier would be better. That seems to be Utah logistically. More choices. Is it less crowded? But also seems to be more expensive.
Any other insight would be appreciated.
Our son wants to go skiing (well, snowboarding in his case) for his 16th birthday. Only gone once before. Wife and I used to ski back in the day, but not for years.
We are looking at both Park City and Colorado.
Looks like Marriott points are impossible in Park City. Haven't looked at the Colorado places yet.
But two major questions:
1. Christmas break or Spring break for skiing? Leaning toward the spring time. Does it make a difference for either location?
2. Which place? Easier would be better. That seems to be Utah logistically. More choices. Is it less crowded? But also seems to be more expensive.
Any other insight would be appreciated.
spring break if it’s early March or late feb you have better odds of decent skiing
with Park city area you get more commuter skiers than at the main ski areas of aspen to Breckinridge.
marriott is just as bad with points in colorado.
park city places are more packed in with many different ones near each other while Colorado is spread out.
for a beginner I think Breckinridge is very good with many easier runs to do. In Breckinridge you can do other mountains in the area.
#10
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Bolt Bus Rewards
Posts: 1,280
While not Hilton related, I have a couple of questions on Utah versus Colorado.
Our son wants to go skiing (well, snowboarding in his case) for his 16th birthday. Only gone once before. Wife and I used to ski back in the day, but not for years.
We are looking at both Park City and Colorado.
Looks like Marriott points are impossible in Park City. Haven't looked at the Colorado places yet.
But two major questions:
1. Christmas break or Spring break for skiing? Leaning toward the spring time. Does it make a difference for either location?
2. Which place? Easier would be better. That seems to be Utah logistically. More choices. Is it less crowded? But also seems to be more expensive.
Any other insight would be appreciated.
Our son wants to go skiing (well, snowboarding in his case) for his 16th birthday. Only gone once before. Wife and I used to ski back in the day, but not for years.
We are looking at both Park City and Colorado.
Looks like Marriott points are impossible in Park City. Haven't looked at the Colorado places yet.
But two major questions:
1. Christmas break or Spring break for skiing? Leaning toward the spring time. Does it make a difference for either location?
2. Which place? Easier would be better. That seems to be Utah logistically. More choices. Is it less crowded? But also seems to be more expensive.
Any other insight would be appreciated.
Spring break will almost always have better snow than Christmas. That said, President's week is a zoo at many of the SLC and Denver ski resorts.
We're a VRBO / Air B&B kind of a family when skiing so I can't speak to hotels.
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Programs: United Platinum, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 66
I just wanted to update this with what we did. We stayed at Snowbird Cliff Lodge Apr 4-8th. I rented a AWD SUV but it wasn't really needed. Chains were not necessary. I paid about $436 per day for the room and lift tickets for my son and myself. We flew into Salt Lake City on United and rented from Enterprise. The Cliff lodge is right next to the beginner areas with ski in / out. There is a heated outdoor pool and a large hot tub. The restaurants are very nice; we ate there most of the time though we did a few excursions into SLC in the evenings. There was plenty of snow and nearly every run was open. We got a nice snowfall that dumped like 8-12" and more in some places of powder. So my son got a real treat....There aren't many beginner/intermediate runs at Snowbird, that is for sure! It was a bit challenging for my son, but he did ok. I had him with an instructor for two half days while I went on some harder runs by myself.
We never waited in line more than a minute or two anywhere, it was a stellar experience. We watched Better Off Dead one evening and David was amazed to see the very ski resort we were at in the movie.
Room service was excellent there and my son loved that his wrist band could be used at the shops and restaurants there if he went on his own.
We never waited in line more than a minute or two anywhere, it was a stellar experience. We watched Better Off Dead one evening and David was amazed to see the very ski resort we were at in the movie.
Room service was excellent there and my son loved that his wrist band could be used at the shops and restaurants there if he went on his own.
#13
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,332
Mods, feel free to move this to the appropriate thread if this is not it.
I know I'm a little early for the 2024 ski season, but I'm doing my research now.
Any recommendations for adult beginners with regard to Vail/Beaver Creek vs Park City? I'm reading that Park City doesn't have too many options for beginners. 2 of us have skied in the past in Switzerland- in beginner areas we did well. We tried Verbier one year and that didn't go over too well (the town is stunning though and the W hotel was amazing!) so if Park City is something like that we'll skip. 1 person has never skied at all but is usually a quick learner. So we need a place geared for beginners with a good ski school.
We're not looking to stay specifically at a Hilton. Once we have a destination picked we will look at lodging options; the right location is more important to us than exactly which hotel we're going to stay at.
We're looking to go early April so snow condition is important too.
I know I'm a little early for the 2024 ski season, but I'm doing my research now.
Any recommendations for adult beginners with regard to Vail/Beaver Creek vs Park City? I'm reading that Park City doesn't have too many options for beginners. 2 of us have skied in the past in Switzerland- in beginner areas we did well. We tried Verbier one year and that didn't go over too well (the town is stunning though and the W hotel was amazing!) so if Park City is something like that we'll skip. 1 person has never skied at all but is usually a quick learner. So we need a place geared for beginners with a good ski school.
We're not looking to stay specifically at a Hilton. Once we have a destination picked we will look at lodging options; the right location is more important to us than exactly which hotel we're going to stay at.
We're looking to go early April so snow condition is important too.
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
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Posts: 102,095
Park City has regrettably not worked well for too many of the new-to-skiing adults that came into the family. It has worked better for new-to-skiing young kids that came into the family than for the adults and it’s been one of my favorite ski schools for kids. I don’t really get why it was more of a problem for the new-to-skiing adults than at the other resorts, but after a couple of rounds of that at Park City, it was back to Colorado when doing this.
I would say Beaver Creek would probably work out better than Vail when it comes to beginner adult skiers, but both are better than Park City for this purpose.
I’ve had great experiences with the ski schools at the major resorts in Colorado and in Utah, but it’s a pretty penny and then some over what it costs in Europe.
I would say Beaver Creek would probably work out better than Vail when it comes to beginner adult skiers, but both are better than Park City for this purpose.
I’ve had great experiences with the ski schools at the major resorts in Colorado and in Utah, but it’s a pretty penny and then some over what it costs in Europe.
#15
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Bolt Bus Rewards
Posts: 1,280
I would say Beaver Creek would probably work out better than Vail when it comes to beginner adult skiers, but both are better than Park City for this purpose.
I’ve had great experiences with the ski schools at the major resorts in Colorado and in Utah, but it’s a pretty penny and then some over what it costs in Europe.
+1 I find ski school pricing at the EPIC resorts to be scandalous. Another difference from Europe is that the ski school is offered exclusively through the mountain.
Close to Vail, look at Ski Copper, not Cooper in Colorado. It's beginner area is mostly segregated from the rest of the mountain.
Also in Park City, look at Deer Valley.
Further afield you might want to look at Steamboat (CO) or Sun Vallley, Grand Targhee, and Schweitzer (ID)
If learning the sport is more important than the ski town, I highly recommend Taos (NM). Their ski school is set up to have adults teach adults. We make a point or returning every couple of years for brush ups on our technique. For an amazing, integrated week of skiing, learning, and dining, look into The Hotel St Bernard at Taos Ski Valley. It's being rebuilt, so I don't know it's status for 2023-24.