Where to ski USA 2017

Hi All,

Looking at skiing in the US next year but having never been before looking for some guidance.

Slightly complicated by the fact we will be visiting my brother in law in Houston, TX first and my wife fancies tagging skiing on to that.

Our wishlist would be:
-An area ideal for intermediate/advanced skiers (happy on European Blacks and mixed conditions OP)
-With a good ski school for kids (4 year old with a couple of hours experience at Glencoe)
-Generally family friendly (we will also have a 9 month old in tow (yes, I know, don't book on our flight home!!))
-Possibility to book accommodation only not flights as we won't be arriving directly from the UK
-Short flight from Houston/good connectivity from Houston

If anyone has any suggestions of resort/company or any other logistical tips they would be most welcome!

Ta
Paul

Hi Paul. Have been fortunate enough to ski in the states on a number of occasions-you won't be disappointed. Best bets from to Houston to the ski areas would be either Denver or Salt Lake. All round, for everyone, I would recommended Breckenridge (with good bus links to Keystone, Vail, Copper Mountain and Beaver Creek) and if it hasn't changed same lift pass for Breckenridge, Beaver and Vail. If you have a car then it's a doddle. Obviously the States doesn't suffer with language problems, important for the young ones and beginners, and they have excellent lift systems which are monitored by marshals thus doing away with the 'push and shove' of Europe. However, lift passes can be very expensive so need checking out before travelling. In the main I used Crystal to travel to the USA but also booked flights into Denver, booked self-catering or hotel in the resort and this all worked very well. Also worth considering is Salt Lake with Park City, Snowbird, Alta and Deer Valley all fairly accessible from a central point in Salt Lake itself. Probably best to avoid the east coast resorts such as Killington and Stowe-usually bitterly cold and very windy-even the American east coast skiers fly into Colorado! Beware of January, temperatures are often in the minus 15 to 20's and also try to avoid the USA 'Spring Break' where the university students arrive en mase for their spring break and can be a nuisance to other skiers, unless, of course, you are also a student looking to get completely annihilated every day and night. As I said originally I cannot imagine you being disappointed if you make the trip.

Ageeing with much of what PP says. Denver is a good connection. On previous occasions have stayed in Breckenridge. The pass covers five resorts, but Breckenridge itself has a lot of skiing. Beaver Creek and Keystone has a lot of friendly skiing. Arapahoe Basin is generally steep. Vail has the full range of skiing.
This season, due mainly to some developed strong friendships, we chose Vail. The snow conditions were just great, and the deep snow is superb, with the snow being light and dry.
Watch out which lift pass you use. If you choose to stay in Vail for two weeks, the Vail Epic local pass is valid only for 10 days. Thereafter, you will pay 150 dollars PER DAY!
Note that you may be prevented from leaving Vail to access other resorts should bad weather close the Vail Pass.
Crystals will not warn you about this, hence you may get caught out.

We love Colorado, and will be back again.