Planning a ski trip... looking for opinions on location!

[ephemery1]

We're planning a family ski vacation for this Dec/Jan, so I'm looking for some help from all the PS experts out there! My family often travels over New Year's, since my little brother is home from college. Usually we go somewhere in the Caribbean, last year was a cruise... this year we're thinking about a skip trip. It would be 6 people -- dad, mom, me, DH, and my 2 brothers (in their early 20s). Dad and brothers are big skiers, DH hasn't skied in a while but wants to give it a try, and mom and I both genuinely enjoy sitting by the fire reading a book and drinking hot chocolate in the lodge. Maybe a little shopping, too.

A nice variety of restaurants would be appreciated... oh, and my brothers would love some sort of nightlife!

We're thinking Colorado... so far I've looked into Aspen, Breckenridge, Vail and Steamboat Springs, and all look like great options.... but I'd LOVE to hear your experiences if anybody has done a similar trip before! (And yes, this is definitely last-minute... but my family tends to do things that way, and it usually ends up working out... part of the fun I guess!) So if you have any thoughts or ideas to share, please do....

 

[MsP]

If you''re focusing on Colorado, I''d pick Vail without a doubt from the places you''ve listed. It''s got great town character and is just fabulous. I wasn''t too impressed with Breckenridge when I stayed there and I''ve been to both Aspen and Steamboat Springs but not stayed for any length. If you''re open to other places, try Whistler or even Banff if a little more rugged is okay. I loved the non-skiing activities in Banff... so much wildlife and beauty.

 

[diamondfan]

Aspen is really great, and I have heard also that Beaver Creek is nice too. Aspen has Snowmass, which is about a 15 minute ride up the mountain, and has nice skiing, and there are lots of things to do. Shopping there is INSANE. Not too sure of true nightlife, but def. stay in Aspen itself if that is what you want, Snowmass is pretty low key in terms of night life. The Ritz is nice, and the Inn at LIttle Nell is ski in ski out if I recall...