Ritz Vail or Westin Riverfront for skiing

[vacation dreaming]

My family just wrapped up a ski week at Northstar at the Hyatt. We loved the luxury condo and quieter feel of Northstar. I was concerned the mountain would be boring for my teenager but since his dad can’t keep up anymore, he actually preferred the smaller mountain because he was skiing more by himself and felt it was less overwhelming on his own. He enjoyed the black diamond runs and I worried less than if he were on a bigger mountain. So, my question……I have the Ritz Vail reserved for next year but am having second thoughts about him going off on Vail mountain on his own all day every day. We have skied Beaver Creek years ago and I remember it having the more upscale feel and groomed runs more similar to Northstar. Should I make a switch if I can? Stick with Vail? The other option would be Park City I guess. I am looking for a combination of luxury, easy access, and the best place for a teenager to roam the mountain on his own. I would consider coming back to Northstar but the Ritz here isn’t available right now and I don’t know how easy an interval trade into the hyatt would be for a second time.

 

[craigc]

i have stayed in the Ritz and walked through the Westin, I don’t think you can go wrong with either. The Ritz offers great restaurants in Vail but you do have a short walk in boots to get to the lifts. There are still some good restaurants in Beaver but not as many choices as Vail. The Westin has a gondola right by the property that takes you to the lifts…..not as much walking. I would not worry about Vails size being an issue, it is a huge Mtn but there are a great variety of runs both groomed and not groomed. I Actually prefer Breck (ski in/out), I just arrived today to enjoy some Spring skiing but they only have studio and 1 bedroom units and that might not work for you. The Ritz is not always easy to get into so if you have it, I say keep it. Vail is a great Mtn to ski and a great village to walk round. Make sure you get an Epic pass as day passes are brutally expensive. As for Park City , we stayed in Park City at Mountainside last Summer. It’s ski in/out and down town Park City is great for dinners etc but, it’s a 15 minute walk from the property to Main Street and I cannot remember if they have a shuttle, I assume they do but you should call and check if you decide to consider Park City. One benefit of Park City is that you can be up there in 35 mins from the airport, Vail and BC is a 2 hr drive. You can’t go wrong with any of these properties, enjoy!

 

[sponger76]

One benefit of Park City is that you can be up there in 35 mins from the airport, Vail and BC is a 2 hr drive.

Not if you fly into EGE

 

[claraj]

I Actually prefer Breck (ski in/out), I

Are the spring break crowds still there? I was there 2 weeks ago and waited 40 min at Quicksilver lift ... Trying to figure out which weeks to avoid for next year.

 

[craigc]

Are the spring break crowds still there? I was there 2 weeks ago and waited 40 min at Quicksilver lift ... Trying to figure out which weeks to avoid for next year.

It’s almost 9 am this am and looking out my window at Quicksilver, there is no line to speak of and most chairs are not 100% full. The weekend will be a completely different story. If it’s Spring skiing you are after make sure that you don’t come when Jeffco, Douglas and Denver schools are not on Spring break……that always adds a significant increase in people on the Mtn.