Europe Ski Holidays, US Ski Holidays
Three generations of inveterate American skiers review favorite mountain resorts in the US -- East and West -- and Europe.
Ski resorts out West? Ski holidays Europe? It's hard to imagine a family with more skiing interest or experience than the Crystal clan. Grandparents Fred and Phyllis Crystal started skiing in the late 1950s, and brought their three children onto the slopes as soon as they could handle it. Their son Bruce followed in the family tradition, skiing over every holiday from his teens onward. With three girls of his own (Sarah, 13; Danielle, 11; Anna, 7 when they first took a family ski holiday in Europe), Bruce and his wife Ellen adapted their ski passion to the realities of family life.
These three generations have skied all over North America for many years, yet ended up favoring European schussing. This is their story, as told to Ron Bozman.
Ski Holidays in Europe
FTF: You guys are both highly skilled skiers, with almost three-quarters of a century of skiing between you. When did you first ski Europe and why did you go there?
FRED: I took up skiing in my 40s and really took to it with a passion. After we had skied all of the Eastern mountains and quite a few of the Western ones, we decided to try Europe and just fell in love with it. We went every February for 3-4 weeks from the early 60s until we stopped skiing in the late 1980s.
Our first trip was to Zermatt. It was beautiful, but on the slopes we quickly found ourselves in over our heads. So, we hired a guide to help us acclimate and then really loved it. We were certainly drawn by the skiing challenges, but even more by the gemutlichkeit, the special European flavor of the whole experience. Instead of just skiing down the mountain, going up, then down the same mountain again, we found that we could ski really long runs (up to half a day) to wonderful mountain restaurants, and, in some areas, could even ski from village to village, have a superb meal, then take a bus or train back to our hotel.
We would even ski from France into Italy and back again. As good as some North American skiing can be, these kinds of experiences can only be found in Europe.
FTF: Bruce, when did you first taste European skiing and what is your favorite area?
BRUCE: My folks took us to Davos and Zermatt when we were in high school and college, and I went back with a cousin after college. In 1980, I moved with my wife Ellen to London and from there we skied all over Europe -- Zermatt, Chamonix, Davos, Verbier, Val d'Isere, Trois Vallees.
My favorite is Verbier, in Switzerland. It's easy to get to (2 hours by car from Geneva) and, though there has been lots of building, the village hasn't been spoiled. The trails have a good layout, with lots of runs for a wide range of difficulties. You can't ski so much from village to village but there are wonderful restaurants on the mountains.
The ski school is generally good, but not aggressive enough for my taste for kids under 8 or 9 years of age. They are slow to get them up on the mountain, unlike the approach in the better ski schools of America.
FTF: Freddie, your favorite?
FRED: It depends on what you are looking for -- nightlife, pure ambiance, challenging skiing? We really love the Swiss resorts, for both skiing and environment, and Verbier is also our top choice. Everything is built chalet-style, not with the big purpose-built apartment houses that you find in some French resorts.
Most of the Swiss and Austrian resorts are quite beautiful. In France, we like Chamonix, but it's not charming, like Verbier. In Austria, it would have to be the Alberg region.
Skiing in the US
FTF: Since the Crystal clan has also traversed almost every major slope in North America, can you give us a quick history of pre-Europe skiing?
BRUCE: As a kid growing up in New Jersey, I went with my parents first to Vermont --mainly Mt. Snow and Stowe where I learned to ski. Then, we moved on to Sugarloaf in Maine, which was my favorite in the East.
In our early teens, we started going out West and have skied almost all of the major ski areas out there.
FTF: Now that you've been back to some of these areas with your kids, which ones do you recommend for families?
BRUCE: If you prefer to be in a larger town, then Vail is a great choice for a family resort. The skiing is good and the town is sophisticated, with lots of restaurants, movies, shops.
But for my taste, even better are Steamboat Springs and Taos. Steamboat is a good family mountain, with a fine ski school, a quiet town with a real Western flavor, and even hot springs for post-ski soaking.
Taos is my real favorite. But it's a tough mountain and better suited for highly skilled skiers. It's got a bit of European flavor, and, arguably the best ski school in the West. Unlike Vail or Steamboat, the lodge is really isolated and far from the town, which I happen to like. There are no Japanese restaurants, no movie houses -- just skiing and the lodge. Fortunately, the food is great and so is the skiing. Taos is one of the few mountains in America to limit the number of skiers. They stop selling tickets when they reach the daily limit.
FTF: What's your approach on teaching kids to ski?
BRUCE: I want it to be fun for my kids. If the elements are uncomfortable, if the weather is bad, I just cancel and bring them back another day.
I think 5 is the earliest age to start ski lessons. I took my kids skiing down the hill between my legs at an earlier age, but didn't start them in ski school until age 5.
I like a ski school that is serious about getting the kids on the mountain early. I want them to be taught to ski, not to play games.
FTF: Bruce, have your children changed your ski habits?
BRUCE: Well, we can't make every vacation a ski trip, like we did before they were born. Now we have to take into account what the kids want to do, which is not always skiing. That's just part of having a family. It's still great, though.
Savings on Family Ski Vacations
FTF: What about the economics of skiing Europe versus the US?
BRUCE: Well, Europe used to be cheap, but with the decline in the dollar, it's no longer such a bargain. It is a bit more expensive to ski there but it can be worth it for the special experience that's available. And sometimes in winter, it can be cheaper to fly from the East Coast to a European resort than to fly from the East Coast to one of the popular Western resorts.
I figure that a week of skiing with my wife and three kids will cost $10,000 and up, no matter where I go. We book everything a la carte, though we could probably save by trying the airline tour packages.
I would also recommend renting skis, rather than buying. The boots are the most important part of the gear, so I buy very good ones.
Unless you ski more than 3-4 weeks per year, it's cheaper and more versatile to rent the skis. You can then respond to changing snow conditions on different days, and can always try the newest designs in skis. Traveling is also much easier without the skis and poles.
A few more tips if you're planning a ski holiday in Europe:
* The most cost-effective way to ski Europe is with an air/land package through one of your destination resort's trusted tour operators or Europe-based airlines like Air France. Check with your travel agent, the tour operators, or airlines directly. You can also check with Switzerland Tourism (212/757-5944).
* Check out the hotels included in any package. Cheaper is not always better and a few additional dollars can get you much closer to the lifts in more comfortable accommodations.
* Book early and be advised that the Christmas-New Year period will be the most crowded at both European and American resorts.
Comments
Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
Sofitel (price: 9.435.000 VND (510 USD)/nights)
Le Duan Boulevard, District 1, HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM
The Sofitel Saigon Plaza is located in the city center, in the heart of the business district and close to Notre Dame Cathedral and Reunification Palace. It is 30 minutes drive to the airport and the Exhibition Center. It boasts 275 elegant rooms and 11suites, a swimming pool, and a fitness center. Savor international, French and Mediterranean cuisine in the hotel's 2 restaurants or relax over a drink in its 2 bars. The hotel's 8 conference rooms can hold up to 450 people. See more….
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Palace Saigon hotel (price: 2.257.000 VND (122 USD)/nights)
55 - 66 Nguyen Hue, district 1, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam.
Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City and only takes 7km from Tan Son Nhat International Air-Port where the Palace Hotel is one of the well-known and luxurious hotels.
It is also a proximity to the shopping areas of Dong Khoi and Nguyen Hue Streets, only a walking distance to Saigon River, Ho Chi Minh Status square and People Committee Building and many commercial buildings, traditional boutique shops and entertainment venues are all around the hotel. Built in 1968, the hotel has been under several times of renovation and the latest renovation was as the end of 2006. See more….
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Vien Dong hotel (price: 1.570.512 VND (85 USD)/nights)
275A Pham Ngu Lao St. - Dist.1 - Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam
Located in the commercial district of Ho Chi Minh City, 5 minute walk from the Ben Thanh market, we are an ideal choice whether you are on business trip or on relaxing voyage.
All 102 rooms and suites are well equipped with 3 star standards offering the best services at the reasonable rates. See more….
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Hotel in Nha Trang
HOA MY HOTEL (price: 305.944 VND (17 USD)/nights)
17/4 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St., - Nha Trang city – Vietnam
Hoa My Hotel is a private-mini hotel, located at the center of the city, near the beach. Convenient for individual tourists, groups and business people. See more….
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NEW SKY HOTEL(price:407.925 VND (23 USD)/nights)
78 Hung Vuong road - Nha Trang city – Vietnam
The New Sky Hotel - Thien Tan Hotel is located in the center of the Nha Trang city, close to the beach. Courteous hospitality, 70 rooms. Safety car park, free accommodation for driver. See more….
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BAN ME HOTEL (price: 407.925 VND (23 USD)/nights)
3/3 Tran Quang Khai St. - Nha Trang city – Vietnam
Ban Me Hotel, Nha Trang city is a beautiful, elegant and modern hotel located in a peaceful area close to the sea and not far from the city centre.
The hotel is proud of impressive and elegant rooms at international standards, each equipped with a satellite TV, a mini-bar and a safe for your valuables.
Ban Me Hotel warmly welcomes you and is honorable at your service. See more….
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Hotel in Da Nang
Sunriver Hotel (price: 734.265 VND (40 USD)/nights)
132 - 134 - 136 Bach Dang, Hai Chau, Da Nang
he Sun River Hotel is located in the center of charming Da nang on the banks of the romantic Han river. Sun River Hotel is a three-star hotel in Danang. It is located on the banks of the charming Han river and has 44 rooms. Staying at Sun River Hotel guests will fully enjoy a memorable lifetime experience. With the exterior designed by modern architecture and the interior by international standards, the rooms offer views of the charming Han River and the city. Shiny polished timber-floors complement the elegant and comfortable furniture in the rooms, features equivalent with those of an international five star Hotel ... At Sun River Hotel guests can enjoy many facilities such as: gymnasium, bar, coffee, restaurant, etc. In addition the hotel offers a variety of Asian and international fares in romantic restaurants and bars. Guests can enjoy a professional service and beautiful views of the Han river with its fresh air and the city with all its hustle and bustle. See more….
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Green Plaza hotel (price: 1.468.530 VND (80 USD)/nights)
238 Bach Dang, Danang City, Vietnam
The Green Plaza Hotel is Four-star+ and one of the first high-class City Hotels in Danang, located on the charming Han riverbank with more than 175 luxury rooms and suites in a cluster of 22 storey building accompany with a system of office for lease, shopping center and diversified service.
Exterior designed by modern architecture and interior designed by the charming blend between Vietnamese and Champa culture, the rooms enjoy the views of Charming Han river view, majestic Marble Mountains view, City view and Ocean view, all are featured by shiny, polished timber-floors compliment the elegant and comfortable furniture accompanied with thorough facilitation of luxurious marble and wooden floor bathroom with all modern amenities of an international Hotel... See more….
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Xuan Hung Hotel (price: 326.340 VND (18 USD)/nights)
56 Phan Chu Trinh Street - Da Nang City - Vietnam.
Opened on March 29, 2005, the hotel is fully equipped with luxurious wooden furniture, 1 elevator, gym, entertainment, sauna, karaoke, massage, free buffet, parking lot for 10 cars, and a 24-hour 300-seat restaurant serving Eurasian food.
Located on 56 Phan Chu Trinh Street in the heart of Da Nang City, the hotel is close to The Ky Bridge, Han River, the Opera House and commercial centre, and is just a short distance from the airport and railway station. In such a good location in Da Nang City, Xuan Hung Hotel is a great choice for tourists who travel to Da Nang. See more….
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Hotel in Ha Noi
SOMERSET HOA BINH HOTEL (price: 2.386.362 VND (129 USD)/nights)
106 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
Somerset Hoa Binh, Hanoi is targeted to be opened in the first half of 2008 with studio, one and two bedroom units. The serviced residence is part of a mixed development comprising an office tower and a retail podium. It is strategically located at Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay District which is just a 20-minute drive from Noi Bai airport, Hanoi’s international airport. Somerset Hoa Binh is within five to ten minutes’ drive from the prime city centres of Hoan Kiem and Ba Dinh Districts where several multi-national corporations, diplomatic and public offices, dining and shopping outlets, as well as tourist attractions are located. The property is also a 10-minute drive from the new township of Hanoi which is being developed by the Vietnam government to be a key commercial and political district. An international conference centre and several government offices will be located in the district. See more….
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Nikko Ha Noi Hotel (price: 2.610.720 VND (142 USD)/nights)
84 Tran Nhan Tong St., - Hanoi – Vietnam
The Hanoi Nikko Hotel is located in the centre of the city offering fascinating views of the surrounding lakes and parklands. Nikko Hotel is within easy access of prominent offices, historical attractions and popular shopping areas. An ideal location from which to explore Hanoi. Relax and enjoy the spacious, elegantly furnished rooms all with modern amenities. See more….
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Melia Hanoi Hotel (price: 2.916.664 VND (158 USD)/nights)
44B Ly Thuong Kiet Street - Hanoi – Vietnam
Hanoi Melia Hotel is located right in the centre of Hanoi's business, government and diplomatic, cultural and tourist attractions, entertainment and shopping district. Hanoi Melia Hotel has largest ballroom in Hanoi and also in Vietnam that can accommodate up to 1200 persons and it's own in-house parking garage See more….
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North America has many great ski areas to offer. There are four major ski areas in the USA, California and the West, Colorado, Utah and New England. In Canada, the best skiing can be found in British Colombia and around the Canadian Rockies. The ski terrain in the USA and Canada is varied. Either being a beginner or advanced skier, you will always have plenty of choice. Snowboarders will also find plenty of suitable terrain.