Best Things Nearby:
Best Things About the Resort:
Resort Experience:
Weekends are usually more crowded as locals ski then, so skiing during the week may be a better choice. They are good enough to keep all the walkways and stairs clear of snow, so you're not walking in tons of snow when trying to get around.
It seemed odd to read that you needed a car to get from the Carriage Hills to the resort/ski area. However, once you arrive, you will see that Carriage Hills is situated in a residential area. You check in at the main resort then drive through the residential homes to get to the Carriage Hills. It can make you feel a little disconnected from the main resort since you have to drive to get around. Carriage Hills has its own amenity section, which includes an indoor/outdoor pool, hot tub, game room, weight room, movie rentals, and games. The VIP team will schedule activities for you, such as a meet and greet breakfast and evening get-togethers. This is a nice opportunity to meet others staying at the resort. If you like casinos, they do a weekly casino trip and you get a free dinner buffet if you sign up for Casino Rama’s players club.
Activities:
Skiing, snowboarding, après ski, snow shoeing, dog sledding, sleigh rides, snow tubing, ice skating, movie nights, arts and crafts, golf in the summer, etc. They also have a kids’ program called Kiddie Corral, which is a nice option for families.
Accommodations:
We stayed in a studio, which was fairly large; my only request for the resort would be to add more hooks/space for hanging up wet clothing. The studio has a mini fridge, sink, microwave and all the utensils and silverware is provided. There was a couch, small dining table, king bed, and a bathroom with a shower (no tub). The rooms also have a nice balcony with and a shared washer/dryer between the units. The only downside is that the units are shared, so you have a neighbor next door, above, and below you, which is a drag if your neighbors are noisy or walk heavily!
Skiing:
We are normally green/blue trail skiers, but were able to master all trails, including black. For those who normally ski black diamond, you may feel a little unchallenged at this resort. The runs are short but fun; it is definitely a good starter ski trip for newer skiers. The only bummer is you seem to spend more time riding the lifts than skiing down hills.
Overall, we had a great time. Carriage Hills has some great bargain rates -- we booked a week in the studio unit for $99. They even had one-bedroom units on sale for $99, but those did not fit our dates. So in terms of bang for the buck, Carriage Hills is excellent. We would happily return for the same great rate again! This is a good vacation for families and first-time skiers.
- Unit Type: Studio
- Activities: Not Available
- Amenities: Not Available
- Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
- Family Friendliness: Not Available
- Service: Not Available