"Snow" Destinations for the family

[Professor]

Do any of you have any recommendations for a place where we can see/play in the snow? Not really into skiing, but just want to play in the snow...maybe snowboard

I have a 13 year old dd and a 3 year old dd

We live in Houston....never any snow. Any ideas???

[tic5850]

Professor........You might want to check out Red River, New Mexico. Its a small little resort town but it has everything you would need.

[Jalva2]

My advice would be to consider the resort first. To me, a lot of the accomodations are hard to choose between because you just don't know anything about them. If you know someone who has specific lodging they can recommend, I'd go with that first.

Otherwise, Red River's indeed a neat little town. I prefer Taos or Angel Fire for the mountains though. But I'd really rather be up in Colorado myself. Tradeoffs either way.

For the mountain my top choice would be Taos, for the town it would be Breckenridge.

[Coach Man]

Aspen, CO, is pricey, but, has several good resorts there....including "Snowmass"

Killington, VT, also has good resorts there, too. The closest airport is Boston, if you are thinking of flying.

Most Midwesterners head for the Upper Penninsular of Michigan, Bessemer in particular for slopes which are not too extreme, but, have a good amount of snow on them.

Coach Man.

[biscuitcreek]

It's been a few years since I've been there but you might want to check out Ruidoso NM.

http://www.ruidosonow.com/ski_snowboard.asp

Also nearby is Cloudcroft NM.

http://www.skicloudcroft.net/

[irishgirl]

Originally Posted by Jalva2

My advice would be to consider the resort first. To me, a lot of the accomodations are hard to choose between because you just don't know anything about them. If you know someone who has specific lodging they can recommend, I'd go with that first.

Otherwise, Red River's indeed a neat little town. I prefer Taos or Angel Fire for the mountains though. But I'd really rather be up in Colorado myself. Tradeoffs either way.

For the mountain my top choice would be Taos, for the town it would be Breckenridge.

I have to agree w/ Jalva on Breckenridge, CO. There's a lot of neat shops/snow activities in the area that don't involve skiing. I try to get up there every chance I get. It's cheaper than Aspen and not so pretentious, but it is just as beautiful.

[kbradleyar]

I went to Breckenride CO in the 80s and had a great time. I was a first timer trying to ski and they had classes. The shops were great.

The town was wonderful PLUS outside town a few miles they have snowmobile rides for all ages. We went on that twice because it was so much fun. The rides take out up into the mountains thru several real ghost towns from mining days in the 1800s. You stop at the top of the mountain and look down into Breckenridge. It is one of my fondest memories for a vacation.

The ski lodge was fantastic. Something out of a postcard. Nice resturants and lots of things to do in the town.

If I EVER go back to ski or "play in the snow" it will be to Breckenridge CO. I was told when i was there that it is cheaper than Vale and other places but it is considered to have some of the best ski runs. I know you said you weren't interested in skiing but just in case. I stayed in a penthouse suit with a hot tub overlooking the mountain. At night I could watch night skiers. It was a great place to "See Snow".

[kevinkirk51]

Wolf creek colorado good for family.
Monarch Ski resort prob the best for familytho. They both have huge snow falls .
Aspen and Vail and others are priced outof my league

[Jalva2]

I listed several places in an earlier post, then my family started looking at places to take our kids for their first ski vacation this spring. Our choice? Didn't end up going with any of the places I listed. We're heading for Winter Park. Ski'd there once about 15 years ago and remember loving the trails. Nice tubing hill, sleigh rides, snowmobiles, good prices.

[MNtraveler]

If you would like a REAL winter adventure I would suggest the Gunflint Lodge on Gunflint Lake in northern Minnesota (the other side of the lake is Canada).



Gunflint Lodge is one of the finest wilderness resorts anywhere. The cabins are wonderfully equipped with huge stone fireplaces, gas heater, walk-in 6 head showers, hot tubs (some cabins) king beds with the most comfortable bedding I've ever slept on and a DVD player and flat panel LCD TV. It is a nice thing that they have a DVD player because you are truly in the wilderness. No TV; cable or otherwise. No cell phone service. It is glorious.

Although the cabins have full kitchens, we usually sign up for a package that includes breakfast and dinner at the Lodge. The food at Justine's, a true fine dining restaurant is spectacular. With your package you can choose anything you want and everything is covered except alcohol. If you want lighter fare the Red Paddle Bistro is also very good.

Winter activities available include snowmobiling, ice fishing, cross country skiing, snow shoeing and dog sledding. Yes, DOG SLEDDING!! Do some snowmobiling and some dog sledding for a true Palin experience.

What is the weather like? Well I can absolutely guarantee you there will be snow. December highs average in the 20's; January highs in the teens. Lows? You don't really need to know. It's all relative.

If you are adventurous I would really recommend you try it. It is truly a destination where you combine luxury with wilderness adventure.

http://www.gunflint.com/index.html