One thing that many visitors to Las Vegas are absolutely shocked to learn is that we have some incredible ski and snowboarding within an hour drive of the city! They think we are just one big desert, and have no idea the incredible outdoor activities that are available to everyone, no matter what it is they like to do.
I have lived in the city for over seven years now, and although I was well aware there were ski slopes, I had yet to make the trip up Lee Canyon Road to the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboarding Resort. After my day there, the only thing in my head was why it had taken so long?
We enjoyed our short drive up Hwy. 93, turning off on Lee Canyon Road, heading up the mountain towards our destination. We could see the temperature drop rapidly on the dashboard thermometer, and the view improved greatly as we saw more trees and the first traces of snow on the ground. Coming from a place like Panama, I always get so excited when I see the snow!
After a short while we had finally reached our destination and I was ready to hit the slopes! We were greeted by TJ who quickly got us set up with our equipment. We decided to try out skiing, so we were given skis, boots, and some clothing that would keep us dry. Next time I am excited to try out snowboarding!
After talking a bit with TJ, he handed us off to Jimmy who would be my own personal instructor for the day. Fortunately, Timmy was very patient with me, because once I got on skis I was completely lost. I could barely move, but before I knew it, he was gently guiding me down the bunny slope! It was terrifying and thrilling at the same time. I never thought I would be able to make it down.
What is amazing about Timmy is that not only is he a great instructor, but he is 83 years old! What a pleasure it was to learn from this man who was moving around like he was a teenager! He said he had been doing this for over 20 years now. I only hope I have his energy when I get his age. The resort is so lucky to have him.
It may seem strange, but actually the thing I was most looking forward to was riding the chair lifts. It was a great reward for working so hard to get down the hill. It was easy to get on, but getting off is a little bit of a challenge for a beginner like myself.
There is so much more that this place has to offer than just the little hill I was on. Of course, for beginners like myself, you need to work your way up. So although they have many other runs that range from an intermediate level to the most advanced, I just stuck with my bunny slope. Soon though, I would like to try out some of the more challenging slopes. But for those who have a lot of experience, there is something for everyone. Both skiers and snowboarders alike could be seen having the time of their lives on the various runs.
And what they also have that is a lot of fun, particularly for families and younger kids is a place for tubing. You could jump on these huge tubes that would work their way down the same hill I was on. They even had a rope to pull you back up. That looked like a lot of fun!
After several hours of skiing, I was pretty tired. So we headed up to the Bighorn Grill that is on site and had some lunch. It’s nothing too fancy, but they offer some great fare to chow down on after a long day on the slopes. I had some chicken strips and fries, and I must say they were quite delicious. They also have a bar right next door for those looking to enjoy an adult beverage during their day.
As we were ready to leave we met up with Jim Seely who is in charge of all the marketing for the resort. You could tell he loves his job and that he is very proud of his resort. He told us about all the great things they have going on at the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboarding Resort.
One thing he told us that I had already noticed, was that they are one of the very few places in the country that offer free private lessons. That is a really cool feature, particularly out here in Las Vegas where I am sure they have many beginners. I am sure at other places, it is easy to get frustrated trying to learn on your own, and that could lead to many people quitting. Here, they want you to have fun and make it something you will enjoy for the rest of your life. That’s why they have people like Timmy there to teach you the ropes.
As for the prices, they are pretty reasonable, and they have many different options to suit just about any budget. They even have a pass that you can use at other resorts in the western part of the country. For beginners, they offer a great package of coaching, equipment, and lift passes for 4 days at just $199.
I always tell people whether they are from Las Vegas or just visiting, that it is really important to get off the strip and see all of the other amazing things the area has to offer. And the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboarding Resort is the ultimate reason why. It offers such a great escape from the city for people of any age. I wish I had made the trip years ago, but I definitely will be back sooner rather than later.
Be sure to check out their website HERE and see all of the great programs that they offer. It’s the perfect time of the year to head up the mountain and try them out.
I would like to thank everyone at the resort for showing such hospitality and patience with me. They are truly wonderful people who do their best to make sure all of their guests have a great time. And I had more fun than I have had in a long, long time. I can’t wait to go back!
Leave a Reply