Family Vacation...need your help please!

**Mom23boys** · 01-02-2005, 11:55 AM

I know you may think this is too early to post, but I have to start planning now or we will not be able to afford it.

Here are our plans:

We plan to take a snow skiing vacation during Christmas break (Dec. 2005). I have always wanted to go try it. I have never been and neither has DH or the boys. Of course we can't snow ski where we live since we never see the stuff.

The dilemma:

I know nothing about snow skiing. So I would like ANY AND ALL advice. I would also like for those of you who snow ski in New Mexico or Colorado to give input on what city, resort, etc. you visited and how you like it?

Like I said I am totally clueless on this topic. The boys have all expressed that they want to go and this will more than likely be Richard's (DS#1) last family vacation with us. He will be graduating in May of 2006. I am sure he has plans on his own since he will be a "grown" man. I want to make it memorable.

Another question for anyone who snow skis:

What equipment do you need....besides snow skis? What should we take with us? Do you have to buy snow boots, can you rent them, or do you even have to have them?

We will be driving to either New Mexico or Colorado. Please, please, please give me some input. DH was suppose to put in for vacation today. He had to know what week(s) we were taking vacation this year. To guarantee the week(s) off you want you have to put in for them at the first of the new year. I guess if you think about it, it isn't too early.

Should we go through a travel agent or do you think we can find some package deal online.....with lodging, ski lift tickets, ski rental, etc.?

Now can you tell why I need to start planning now?

**gkp1031** · 01-02-2005, 11:14 PM

I'm not a skier, have only been once and it wasn't pretty!

When I went, I rented boots and the skis and poles.

Everyone was wearing snowpants or a one piece snowsuit, warm gloves and sunglasses/goggles. I'm sure you can find something online, or get a travel booklet, maybe from AAA and see what they recommend for resorts, that may give you a starting point.

Good luck--keep us posted

The ski resorts around here usually have a package deal if you know when you want to go and if you need to rent equipment.

**baronmom** · 01-03-2005, 11:27 AM

goggles are good to have as well. Cause when you are coming down that hill, things tend to fly right for the eyes. You should be able to rent equiptment at the resort. But is it a good idea to have either ski pants or some type of bib snow pants on. Not only will they keep you warm, but they will also keep you dry. If you have never skied, it is a wise idea to enroll in ski school at the resort. They teach you the basics and it will make your ski trip a little more fun if you know what to do. You also may sweat when you ski, so if you have any type of under clothes like the stuff football players wear I would suggest it cause it takes the sweat from your body. Walmart sells their brand of it. The name brand would be Under Armor. Have a blast on your vacation.

**PrairieRose** · 01-03-2005, 05:36 PM

I heard today on our local radio station that they are selling lift tickets (one of the major expenses of skiing next to the equipment rental) at a greatly reduced price to the Red River Ski area. I don't know if that's the part of New Mexico that you'll be be going to or not but I could check into them and see what they go for there, if you'd like. It's a nice resort and since you're not expert ski-ers it would be a good place to go. My dd and her friends go there almost every year. They love it.

*edited to add*
As far as ski pants, etc....you might want to look at the thrift stores and maybe even ask around to see if anyone has any that you could borrow. It runs into major buck buying them and if you're not sure you'll use them over and over.....ya know?

**Mom23boys** · 01-03-2005, 09:46 PM

Thanks for the input ladies. I need all the advice I can get.

Gina, I am glad to know you can get the boots, skis, and poles and as rental. I didn't want to have to buy and pack more than I had too!

Traci, I know what you are talking about when you said under armour. My boys think they have to have one of every color for sports.

Lisa, could you tell me more about the Red RIver Ski area? Where do you children usually stay?