That is a wonderful dilemma to have! I would choose the longer stay, to allow plenty of time to relax, sleep in, and see the sights.

Aspen is one of our favorite places, and we've been there many times since the 70s. There is so much to see and do in that area, I don't think you'd get bored being at Snowmass. And the hotel looks gorgeous.

Yeah, we could definitely alter our time and enjoy some time in the city of Aspen and then head out to Buttermilk too. The lift tickets include all the mountains.

You could be a really good boarder in the longer time. And Snowmass/Aspen is a great area for everything.

Deer Valley does not allow snowboarding--skiing only. So if you stayed there you'd need to shuttle to Park City or the Canyons.

Whistler is our favorite mountain--no altitude issues because the base is at 2200', with 5000' of vertical. Biggest ski area in North America, fabulous village at the base.

I'd definitely pick 10 days over 6.

Deer Valley doesn't allow snowboarding so that may make your decision easier.

Snowmass has lots of beginner terrain but the best apres ski spots, restaurants, bars, shops, etc. are all down the road in Aspen.

Whistler is wonderful when it's a good snow year. Not so fun when the bottom third of the mountain is mud. I've been there in both conditions. Whistler is a planned resort, similar to Beaver Creek but bigger. Good restaurants, bars. The drive from Vancouver is scenic. You might enjoy spending a couple of days in Vancouver at the beginning or end of your trip. Beautiful, sophisticated, international city. Lots of excellent restaurants.

If you want a ski in/ski out vacation where you don't need a car or shuttle bus ride for a week, then Whistler is your choice. If you don't mind driving into Aspen in the evening or driving (or taking shuttle) to Park City or Canyons to snowboard, then consider Snowmass or Deer Valley. You would be choosing to not go out where you are staying or not snowboard where you are staying.

Jill

If it makes a difference, DV doesn't allow snowboards. You would need to take the free shuttles over to PCMR or Canyons to board. Theyare very convenie t, but
I thought you would want to know. Only a 10 min ride.

I think the east coast places like Whistler or Tremblant might be a little too risky if the snow conditions aren't right. Being a beginnner I really want the freshest powder I can get.

Padams - I think you really helped me make my decision because if it is not a good snow year, I would be really disappointed. Aspen might be the safer bet for really doing some awesome learning. This is only my second time snowboarding. I can always take the shuttle into Aspen proper. I can also stay at the St. Regis in Aspen, but I know Aspen mountain is very advanced so perhaps Snowmass is better for beginnners.

Snowmass is your best spot as a beginner. When you are confident boarding after a few days, buy a day ticket to Aspen Highlands. It's the most "local" of the Aspen resorts and has a different vibe. Buttermilk has beginner terrain but it's terrain parks attract a lot of teenage boarders. Watch out if you go there.

If you go to Snowmass and decide after a few days of boarding that you need a break, you will find plenty to do in Aspen. Lots of spas, shops, galleries, restaurants, bars, etc.

Now, onto the next question - from Orlando do I fly into the Eagle airport or the Aspen airport? We have an Orlando ski club (I am not a member), but on their website they are showing they are flying into Vail and not Aspen. (they are going to Snowmass too.)

Go all the way to Aspen unless you can get a direct flight to Eagle from Orlando. I am presuming you are changing planes either way on Denver. Flights to Eagle are cancelled as often as the ones to Aspen. Denver to Aspen is a long drive, and your flight will most likely be just fine to Aspen.

If you get a "deal" into Eagle - it's two hours driving from Eagle to Aspen - but you don't have the high passes to cross from Vail/Eagle to Aspen.

If you can take a couple more days - it would be fun to start/end in Vail for a night or two.

Jill: Whistler is on the WEST coast, case you decide to investigate.

I can't speak for Deer Valley or Whistler since I've never skied at either. Snowmass was terrific. Great skiing, great apres skiing and you're close to Aspen for both skiing and sightseeing.

And....I don't think 10 days is too long. Lots of R&R in these crazy times.

Whatever you choose, have a blast and Happy Holidays!

Whistler is accessed from Vancouver, west coast of Canada.

Wow..yes, thank you. Whistler is west coast. The sleep deprivation is killing me with a new baby. I can't believe I have to wait a whole year before I can ski. Do you all ski every year?

Jill, Aspen proper is very close to Snowmass, so it's not like it's a day-trip away or anything. It's about 15 or 20 minutes drive.

Actually, I would stay at the St Regis in Aspen, if you have 10 nights there, too, because I prefer the historic town of Aspen over Snowmass resort. You can easily ski Snowmass or Buttermilk or the Highlands from Aspen.

However, I wouldn't do that if you get fewer nights.

Could you split it 5 and 5, between St Regis in Aspen and Westin in Snowmass? Now that would be a plan!

Used to average abouy 30 days skiing a year when living in SF. Not even close to that since moving to San Diego.

And if you could split time between Aspen and Snowmass - that would be ideal.

I didn't realize you could stay at the St Regis in Aspen itself, that does sound great to split between Aspen and Snowmass for such a long trip. Aspen Highlands is closer to Aspen than Snowmass, as I recall. I think Buttermilk is in the middle of the two. In any case, I stayed in Aspen because I want a town and getting to any of those by the ski shuttle bus doesn't take that long. I think it could be 30 min. from Aspen to Snowmass, maybe.

Snowmass does have some restaurants, of course, and some shops, but not really as much to do as Aspen, of course.

I am unclear on why you can't get a 1 stop flight from Orlando to ASE on United, they seem to have plenty of them (they stop in either Denver or Chicago, coming back they go through IAH). AA has some also, going through DFW. Of course the small letg into Aspen is on some small regional partner airline for both, I'm sure (American Eagle or Skywest).

I never even heard of Eagle airport. But where the ski club is flying into doesn't seem relevant to me, I'd get the best flight. Aspen airport code is ASE.

I can get a 1 stop flight from Orlando to ASE, however I believe on the return it is 2 stops. I just did a quick search so perhaps I can find a 1 stop on the way home. I need to dig a little more.

The Eagle airport is the Vail airport.

I live part time at Whistler and it is indeed on the west Coast an hour half north from Vancouver. A great city also with a Westin hotel. Whistler currently has great snow and a base of about 4 feet which this early in the season is amazing. Just avoid coming in February when President's Day weekend and weekend before a B.C. holiday weekend.Lots of terrain and village offers lots to do. Also Wonderful in the summer. Alot of people fly to Seattle and drive north, but border can be busy. Note coming to Canada you will need a passport. Good luck

Woops I didn't convert properly from metric---218cm is closer to 8 ft----4 and a half feet in last week.