Snowbird or Solitude?

[KQ]

Need some advice for a friend..............

My friend, her boyfriend, brother, sister-in-law and two kids (10 & 13) want to take a skiing trip to SLC.

All are strong skiers - the kids snowboard.

Brother insists on staying in high-end accomodations and enjoys fine dining and expensive ski shops (I know, I know...don't say it).

They are looking at either Snow Bird or Solitude - I say Solitude (based on the Brother's requirements) but perhaps Snow Bird is a better terrain choice (use it for a base for hitting areas for dining and shopping). I dunno.

Discuss............

(If they can't figure this out they are just going to go back to Whistler)

[Shredhead]

Snowbird - Cliff Lodge, no question, sorry woodsy.

[Buster Highmen]

Solitood is more intimate (especially when BobMc is around). Kids can go up canyon to Brighton where there's a big snowboard scene. Snow lasts longer there than da Boid. Plus some of the Soli management are really coowell doods.

Da Boid is bigger and has sushi, but what an ugly base complex.

Poisonally, I"d choose Solitood.

[bagtagley]

Originally posted by KQ
Brother insists on staying in high-end accomodations and enjoys fine dining and expensive ski shops (I know, I know...don't say it).

Park City?

[iceman]

Well, there's only two restaurants at Solitude (one other nearby). And there's only one ski shop. Snowbird's not dramatically better, although it does have more options. Sound like they'll be happier at Whistler or Vail or Park City, if those are their priorities.

[KQ]

Park City is not an option (don't like it).

So that's it? Can't give me anything to really sell it on like "the skiing is soooooooo fantastic you won't notice the lack of restaurants to choose from?"


I realize they have some pretty narrow parameters here.

[iceman]

the skiing is soooooooo fantastic you won't notice the lack of restaurants to choose from...until the second day.

Solitude suits me just fine, but a major destination resort it is not, at least yet.

[Woodsy]

Originally posted by bagtagley
Park City?

My first thoughts too. Skiing terrain & snow is the highlight of both resrts & if their priorities are lodging, dining & ski shops, have they been to Aspen?

Fine Dining - there is no resturant @ Snowbird that can touch St Bernards food wise. Although the Shallow shaft @ Alta is as good or better. The yurt here would also blow a foodie mind but no kids allowed

Shred you stayed @ the Cliff lately? Their spa is sweet but the rooms need a reno & are beat (my$.02 & that of about 8 guests who came to the Inn instead this winter.)

Accomodations @ Solitude are better, but there is no high end ski shop here, period. Honestly these are the type of guests I usually talk to & end up not booking becaause we are going to not meet their needs. KQ PM me if you want me to contact them directly. I tend to underpromise /overdeliver.

Sugar, you have skiied both places & know them what do you think?>

[KQ]

Originally posted by Woodsy

Sugar, you have skiied both places & know them what do you think?

I think skiing is tantamount to anything else, however whenever I'm in town I stay at my friends so I have no experience with “slope side lodging."

My choice would be to stay in town and then pick and choose my hills - everything is so close in SLC.

Edit: I think it's just the Brother that is the sticking point. My friend and her boyfriend don't care about those issues (shops, dining) but they need to appease him.

[Ski Monkey]

Originally posted by KQ
Park City is not an option (don't like it).

The skiing, the town or both?

[Shredhead]

I haven't stayed at the Cliff for two years, so it could use a renovation. But sitting in the pool on top during a blizzard is a magical experence I will never forget.

But the terrain at Snowbird is far better and its right next to Alta.

[KQ]

Originally posted by Ski Monkey
The skiing, the town or both?

Both but mostly the town (from what I was told). I like the town but not the skiing (mostly I don't like all the "once a year skiers").

What're ya gonna do? I tell you what I'd do - I'd leave my brother to his own devices but I do understand wanting to have a family vacation.

[Viva]

Originally posted by KQ

Edit: I think it's just the Brother that is the sticking point. My friend and her boyfriend don't care about those issues (shops, dining) but they need to appease him.

Brother should ski with the rest of the family regardless, but, if he has to be bitchy, he ought to rent a car and go do his own one-man road show.

[TheDingleberry]

Snowbird. Terrain is so sick that you won't be able to eat in all the nice restaraunts.

[Woodsy]

Originally posted by TheDingleberry
Snowbird. Terrain is so sick that you won't be able to eat in all the nice restaraunts.

Tru dat, bra!
http://www.stv-spreitenbach.ch/grafiken/hang-loose.gif

[meatdrink9]

Originally posted by Woodsy

Shred you stayed @ the Cliff lately? Their spa is sweet but the rooms need a reno & are beat (my$.02 & that of about 8 guests who came to the Inn instead this winter.)

The Cliff Club side is pimp though.

I haven't skied Solitude enough recently to say one way or the other with regards to it's offerings and I can't really relate to what the group in question is looking for, but if you can't be happy at the bird I don't where you would be.

[Spats]

If your priority is shopping and dining, you need to stay at Deer Valley.

If your priority is skiing steeps, you need to stay at Snowbird.

If your priority is uncrowded mellowness, you need to stay at Solitude.

Figure out your priority and choose accordingly.

[KQ]

Thanks everyone - I passed on the information. I think they'll end up at Whistler.

My friend loves her brother and doesn't care where they ski so he gets to call the shots for the group. I told her I'd tell him to take a flying leap with all his parameters but hey - that's just me.

[TheDingleberry]

Originally posted by KQ
I think they'll end up at Whistler.

This was never discussed as an option. Go to your room!

[KQ]

Originally posted by TheDingleberry
This was never discussed as an option. Go to your room!

LOL!!! Despite her professed love of her brother she just came into my office - threw her hands up in the air and proclaimed "I think next time we'll just go to Europe."

[Lumpy]

Test your brother's limitations and send him to PowMow.

[jayfrizzo]

If they come to Snowbird I'll show the little punks around. I may even have some li'l punks staying with me around that time (my nephews are coming out).

Tho sounds like they're going to Whistler. So obviously skiing isn't a high-priority.

J-