Looking For Snow over Christmas (Trade)?

[Speargirl]

Careful with the driving if you're not used to slippery roads. There are times when chains are required on vehicles and we have yet to rent a vehicle that allows you to use them. Rent a 4-wheel drive vehicle at the least; skidding off a snow covered road into a Rocky Mountain ravine will really screw up your day if you live through it. I have some video at home of us driving around Lake Tahoe in early December one year, I'm glad my husband was driving. I don't mind no guard rails and drop-offs that are hundreds of feet on both sides of the road but crossing it in the snow...nerve racking. Research winter driving and make yourself a winter driving survival kit.

BTW, on that trip we headed over the pass to Reno. We had a 4-wheel drive vehicle and the police(?) were stopping everyone before the pass to make them put chains on or turn around. We didn't have chains but hubby's Ohio driver's license got us permission to go ahead (this was just snow, we drive on ice here). When we arrived in Reno we saw on the news that a blizzard was in the area we had just come from and it was so bad they had closed I-70.
Ber :lilbunny:

:11: I guess it's not like mud slingin, I have checked out the shuttles but hey are wanting on an average of 145 to 170 to get you to your Inn and that's just there you have to pay it again to go back to the airport :11: I found flights that are pretty good spending about $700 for the 3 of us, I always thought kids were free but maybe not. They have never flown either so this is really exciting for them. You guys have no idea how excited these kids are. I hope I can find a place soon before the costs go up.
Tyler said why worry mom just ask santa he can get us there What do I say OH Tyler well about santa we need to talk.:no he's only 8 he has a few years left.
My other son looks at me and says should we tell him mom

NO

So I guess flying 1/2 way and driving is out. Back to the drawing (key) board
Thanks for the heads up on driving.
Boy kids have no idea what they put there parents through sometimes.
Becky

 

[Ber Rabbit]

From what I've done in the mud it seems to bog you down where snow tends to want to send you skidding. As long as there isn't a storm in the area the driving is pretty good but you really need to pay attention to the weather as it deteriorates quickly when storms roll through. Personally I would fly as close as possible to a destination that had highway access, I-70 runs right through Colorado and we've found it to be easy driving when snowy as long as you're careful. Slow and steady progress with plenty of assured clear distance in front of you (think at least 3 times what you're used to in FL, probably more for "new-to-snow" drivers) and no abrupt braking should get you through.

There are flights that go to an airport 22 miles from Steamboat Springs (see here) Dutch Creek Guest Ranch comes to Steamboat to pick you up if you're doing their dinner sleigh ride. Be forewarned, it's a 10 passenger van and they cram 10 passengers in it for a 25+ mile trip.
Of course there's always the ski train from Denver to Winter Park. Winter Park does have a few activities for non-skiers. I bet as soon as those boys see the snowboarders they are going to want to learn

What about an Amtrak trip? You could fly into Chicago and catch the train there, maybe take the "Empire Builder" across the northern part of the country and pick one of those cities for your stop or ride all the way to Washington state. Not sure what the snow situation would be that time of year.

One other thing, check the altitude where you intend to go. Once you get above 8,000 feet altitude sickness can kick in. Dutch Creek is above 8,000 feet. I am susceptible to altitude sickness so I get a prescription for Diamox, aka acetazolamide and it works like a charm for me. The side effect I notice is a change in taste of certain things, namely Coca-Cola; I don't drink Coke when I take the medication because it's NASTY! The weird taste wears off a couple days after you stop taking the medication. I experience nausea and headaches bad enough to ruin a trip when I do not take the medicine and go above 8,000 feet.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[Speargirl]

I think I foound our place it's Columbus Ohio my friend said they has snow fall just a few days ago about an 1hour and half from their house. So what do you think good choice or bad? I have a place to stay for free and a friend here on SB is going to trade 2 tickets for a stay at Kawama's so that puts me only buying one childs ticket.
So the cost to get their is very little and we could have enough money to just go and have fun in the snow, with all the snow toys.
Oh yeah what do you wear in Ohio to stay warm is it wet or dry snow? So many questions but I want to come back with all our limbs working.
Becky

 

[Ber Rabbit]

Ohio, lived here all my life There's a great skating rink in Columbus (indoor), I can't remember the name but my sister goes there all the time with her kids. Snow chances are pretty iffy in Columbus BUT you don't have to drive terribly far to get into places that could have lake effect snows. The snow can be pretty wet here so an outer layer that will shed water is nice. I usually wear a polar fleece layer over a t-shirt under my coat. A coat that comes down far enough to cover your butt is something you will appreciate more than the boys. Mittens or gloves should work just fine, waterproof is always nice for those as cold wet hands are miserable.

You just never know what the weather will be, for example it was 60 degrees at 6am today---go figure. Last Thanksgiving we were outside in short sleeve shirts, sometimes it snows for Thanksgiving.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[Speargirl]

Did you get snow up in Ohio just in the past week somewhere?

 

[Ber Rabbit]

I believe there was some on the east side of the lakes and I think there is more forecast for Cleveland tomorrow. This is how weird Ohio weather is, 59 degrees and raining one day, snowing the next. Driving into the snow belt from Columbus should net you at least the experience of a snowfall even if it doesn't result in a lot of accumulation.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[northen diver]

Did you get snow up in Ohio just in the past week somewhere?

60 miles west of Columbus got a pretty good dusting last night. Everything was white when I woke this morning. Its all melted now..........

 

[northen diver]

Hey everybody another question, I have been calling all over and no one will promise mother nature (I can understand that) but who knows their area better than the ones that have or do live there.

Question: Who knows that they are going to have snow for sure sometime during this time frame.
Dec 15th - Jan 1st. Christmas Break for the kids.
Of course I won't be staying that long I'm by far rich or anything. I think maybe 3 or 4 days tops with 2 of them being travel days. I can't afford to stay more than that because my budget is only somewhere between 1,500 to 2,000. and that does not go far.

Any good advice sure would help me right now. I can't go to Canada because I don't have passports for us.

Thank you for all your help, it has now become a quest for me, there has got to be a place that has snow that is not going to break the bank on us.

Thanks again
Becky

Becky: If you drive into Canada, you wont need a passport unitl Jan 1 2008. If you fly, you will need a passport though. The kids wont need a passport, just a birth certificate, even after Jan. 1 2008....If you cross outside of Detroit at the Ambasador bridge, there are a lot of things to see around Pelee island and Pelee Nat'l park.

 

[northen diver]

I know I'm being funny know but when you say layer your clothes well that would be hard for us, I could see me telling the boys ok now put all 15 pairs of swimsuit shorts you have on and all 15 skin shirts on.... OK this should keep you warm LOL Guys/Gals we live in the Florida Keys we don't even own sweaters here.LOL

Becky: I have three boys (all older teenagers now) and I have snow pants, snow boots, gloves and polypro shirts out the wazoo. If you would like to borrow a couple of sets of snow outfits for your kids, you are more than welcome to the outfits. I live 75 miles west of Columbus. I also have snowboards and ice skates that they can borrow also if we get snow.

 

[RV]

go some place nice, cool... Big Sky Montana.. lots of snow, big lodge.. but some place near Denver or Salt Lake City would be way easier...