North America for a large(ish) group?

Now I'll annoy a bunch of Canadians by putting this in the US forum but I was wondering what peoples' experience/opinions are on group skiing in North America.

I've organised a trip for the last 5 years with varying numbers between 12 - 22. We have, so far, always gone to France, always had a catered chalet and have generally gone to big centres (3VL, Paradiski, Chamonix) to allow for the mixed ability of the group (mainly skiers from nervous blue to happy on black and beyond).

Now I'm thinking of moving the party Stateside and was looking for some suggestions of where to go and what the price difference really is.

We normally spend £1000 per head inc. all transport, catered chalet, lift pass and ski hire, what is a reasonable budget to aim for across the pond?

A lot of questions I know but would give me a starting point for the 2013 trip!

Thanks guys

Went to Whistler Jan 2010 group of 12 cost double the budget you have suggested for a five day trip, not cheap by any means and to be totally honest a huge disappointment !

There are plenty of large homes to rent in Utah, and the likelihood of good snow is higher in the Wasatch if you aim for late February / early March. You can go luxury or low end. And yes, it is truly some of the driest and thus lightest snow on earth.

tsuma wrote:There are plenty of large homes to rent in Utah, and the likelihood of good snow is higher in the Wasatch if you aim for late February / early March. You can go luxury or low end. And yes, it is truly some of the driest and thus lightest snow on earth.

Salt lake city area does give you a lot of options.

Stay in a SLC area hotel, rent 2/3 minivans and drive to any of several large resorts (45 to 60 mins).

Rent a house on the park city bus route (shuttle from airport about $45 ew), and have a free bus ride to any of the three ski areas in PC. Someone in the party could join Costco warehouse club to get discounted lift tickets.

Brilliant, thanks all!

Trencher....if I'm a Costco member in the UK do you think that translates to the US? I'll have to look!

We have just returned from Winter Park in Colorado a party of 10 which we did through American ski classics, we have always gone to Europe but took the plunge this year, cost was £840 for hotel flights and lift pass with transfers, ( 10 days )the resort was a little pricey but was ok, the runs and the snow was fantastic we are going to look at it again for next year. good luck

I have just returned from Breckenridge for 10 days which cost £1500 inc lift pass and a dodge journey 4x4. We stayed in a condo on the 4 o clock run so you could ski to your door. Breck is a great resort and I would defo go back but the altitude may not be for everyone. The town sits at about 11000ft! Can be difficult to get your breath for the 1st few days.

Utah is certainly the more cost friendly region of the Western US. Lift tickets and accommodation are extremely reasonable compared to neighbouring Colorado.

Where did you end up deciding on?