Ski trips aren’t only for families! To wit, my fellow Vacation Gals and I enjoyed an incredibly fun long weekend in Park City, Utah, a couple years ago, where we not only hit the slopes, but we also shopped and spa-ed to our hearts’ content. I think mountain resorts make a great girlfriend getaway destination, because there is so much to do in the winter in high-alpine locales beside ski or snowboard. Here are my tips for a ski getaway with girlfriends:
Gather your gal pals — even if they’re non-skiers: I contend that even if you have friends who have no interest in strapping on two boards, they still may be interested in a trip to a mountain resort. Outdoor enthusiasts might like to snowshoe, ice skate or snowmobile — all activities offered at or near most ski mountains I know. Indoorsy types can bring along their knitting, board games or piles of magazines they’ve been wanting to read for months; these are absolutely acceptable activities by the fire on a “ski” trip.
Rent a condo: Especially if you’re four gals or more, a vacation rental is by far the most cost-effective lodging for a group. Sure, I suppose you could squeeze into a standard hotel room with two double beds, and share one bathroom, but I like spreading out among multiple rooms. Plus, on arrival you can shop for groceries for making hearty breakfasts before you hit the slopes in your full kitchen. A condominium refrigerator and microwave are also nice for storing drinks and late-night snacks.
Book your spa treatments ahead of time: A massage is one of the best ways to soothe sore muscles after a day on the mountain. Make it an occasion with your friends, by enjoying a group hot-tub soak or stint in a steam room before your treatments. To ensure you can all get services at the same (or similar) time, make reservations before you arrive at your resort.
Make a game plan for dinners: Whether you’re going to cook evening meals in your condo, or eat out every night, I’d talk about your plans ahead of time. Again, this is key so you can get dinner reservations at popular eateries (especially during peak times). If you’re cooking, you can pack favorite recipes or key ingredients.
Realize it’s okay if you don’t spend all your time together: When Jen, Beth and I visited Park City, one day they took a lesson together, while I hit the slopes with a group of more experienced skiers. We all gathered for lunch, and again for apres ski. I’ve been on other girls’ weekends, where half the group spent the day shopping, while the others got massages. There’s no right or wrong way to spend your time on a ski getaway with girlfriends — just make your wants known before you arrive so there aren’t any surprises. And have fun!
This post was written in conjunction with my relationship with Mountain Reservations as one of its Mountain Ambassadors.
Not spending all of your time together is a great tip for a girls weekend. It always creates tension when people try to force themselves to want to do the same thing. Not a big skier but I love the idea of a weekend at a ski resort with girlfriends!
I also have noticed this phrase: it’s okay if you don’t spend all your time together
The main thing when spending getaways with girlfriends or in big groups at ski resorts or elsewhere is to do things you want to do without trying to please someone. Is your vacation too and you should take advantage of it. Just announce well in advance what you want/like to do. It is even more interesting to gathered for dinner and share your experiences.
Spending holidays in big groups is always funny. You may try snowboarding or any other activity only because one of your friends is practicing that.