trip ideas, from midwest to any state CHEAP?

Trying to get around 5 people together for a trip, hoping to rent a cabin for a week or two somewhere. So far I'm thinking Big Sky, Telluride, or Squaw/Tahoe but never skiied em so I have no frame of reference, just like a naive little Donnie.

Alta/Bird is also a possibility but I've never needed a place out there so if anyone knows of cheap accomodations any help is appreciated.

I had some snowmass plans that recently fell apart (BLAST!) and I'm in dire need of a mad, fat ski trip during the first of the beater migrations (December). Thanks everyone!

PS wherever I end up I'm hoping to meet up with/smoke out/provide booze to some mags. Thanks again!

ragdoll, i have some buddies in your neck of the woods that might want to head out west. PM me if you are interested in some road mags

Where are you leaving from? I have a trip planned in Feb to MT and I could at least give you the details on what we're paying.

Good Luck,
Jay

i'd be leaving from chicago. We're planning on driving, since it's a december trip and airfare is usually a bitch. Between 5 people we figure it'll be a bit cheaper.

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Originally Posted by RagDoll

i'd be leaving from chicago. We're planning on driving, since it's a december trip and airfare is usually a bitch. Between 5 people we figure it'll be a bit cheaper.

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Well if that's the case, we make a few trips to MT every winter. I have a friend with a house in Red Lodge(which we hit in Feb/Mar) and Big Sky early. I'd hop on I90 and take it the whole way. SD usually has pretty decent road conditions. Once you cross the border into WY it's your choice, head north to Billings/Red Lodge/Bozeman or straight to Jackson. It takes me between 13 nd 14 hours from my door in Minnesota to my door in Red Lodge. Depending on stops. Red Lodge is by far the cheapest but you'll have to pay close attention to snowfall. So far they are doing alright. They usually don't get dumped on until after the first of the year. I think their ticket prices are something around $35, and the Chatau Rouge will rent you a condo that sleeps 6 for $119 a night. That's two bedrooms, a pull out, and a kitchen. It's within walking distance of a number of bars and at the turn to go up to the ski area so it's real convienient. That said, being from the Midwest, Red Lodge will look great, but you get better skiing if you go a few hours more, and spend more. But for a cheap trip it's the deal. I can do a trip to Red Lodge for less than I can do a trip to Spirt Mtn in Minnesota. And I can also fish Rock Creek right in town, MN's trout season is closed in the winter. So it's the best of both worlds for me. If you're going with a group of buddies, Red Lodge, the town, is a pretty fun spot. If you stay at the Rouge, start or end your evening at the Snow Creek (you can see it from your condo) and work your way up and down the street. Cheap booze, good food, and a short walk to a nice little coffee house the next morning.

Good Luck and have a great trip.
Jay

OK,so I'm stalling because I have a phone call I don't want to make. I did a little research for you. Red Lodge daily lift ticket is $44 vs a ticket at Jackson for $72. You said cheap, not the best skiing. If you're thinking Jackson, Red Lodge will disappoint you. But for a early season, CHEAP, trip this is a good option. As I said, the Rouge is cheap, and if you're staying longer I'm sure you could work out a weekly/two week rate. We're staying there in March and it works out to something like $23 a guy per night. And by having a place with a kitchen, you can save food money, each unit comes with a BBQ so you could do some grilling, and just hit the IGA on your way into town.

Good Luck,
Jay

While it is true that I am originally from the midwest I've unfortunately become a monsterous spoiled bastard as a result of holding a few alta passes for the last four seasons. Sounds like a sweet spot, but I'm prioritizing around the skiing, and hoping to save the cash with lodging. Jackson is a STRONG consideration. Had a day there a couple seasons ago and it was GREAT.

Silverton is definitely up there on the list, but not for this trip since there's a couple intermediates/beginners coming along. Might want to meet up with some mags for that one.

Also considering telluride, taos, or just a good old fashioned pilgrimage to the SLC.

I did get thrown out of the cowboy bar in Jhole a couple years back, and a couple of my friends spent the night in the clink, so hopefully they don't remember. Anyway, keep em comin folks. Cheap lodging is the key, scrounging some kind of deals on lift tix a plus, and really any long ass road trip advice to be offered is appreciated. Thanks everybody

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Originally Posted by RagDoll

hopefully they don't remember.

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THEY of course being the proprietors of the cowboy bar. I'm fucking POSITIVE my buds don't remember.

I've done cheap trips to Bozeman and SLC from Minneapolis driving. Just look around for the cheapest place to stay, which usually is NOT listed on any resort or tourism website. Hole in the wall doesn't matter when your priorities are elsewhere.

You can drive to Summit County Co. in just under 14 hours. Most other states I would probably fly.

http://www.smartertravel.com/airfare...IL.html?id=126