Silver Mountian or Schwitzer (prices, activities, best)

[Happy Kid]

Any opinions for which mountian is the best for:
1. Winter sports for adults
2. Winter sports for kids
3. Summer activities for families

I have been up to both, but never skied at either. Silver mountian seemed to have easier highway access, but I had only been there once...

[Sanddawgg]

Happy Kid... I've never been to Silver Mountain, so I can't answer that question.. My family have had season passes at Schweitzer the past three years, so I can give you some things to consider... Schweitzer is in the process of pulling out one old lift and replacing it with two newer lifts that serve the same terrain... nicer lifts, and certainly needed, but this years season prices for a family of four jump about 25% from 1200 and change to 1600 and change. I don't see future prices going anywhere but up.
As for terrain, they have plenty of varied terrain, and even on the busiest days, there are uncrowded areas if you know where to go... Schweitzer has a small tubing area, serviced by a rope tow, again for a fee. A season pass will get you a discount. There are other activities for kids, ski racing, and other group skiing activities, but they all come with a hefty price tag, so we just go up there and enjoy the mountain skiing and snowboarding. Schweitzer does offer mountain biking and hiking in the summer, and I plan on checking it out soon, but haven't done so yet.

[Happy Kid]

thanks...
I know silver mountian is around 395 for adults right now youth is 219. So...How is it getting up the mountian at Schwitzer in the winter?

[Sanddawgg]

They do a pretty good job keeping Schweitzer plowed and sanded. I see a few minor slide offs into the ditch from time to time, usually just people trying to get down the mountain too fast for conditions. I think they do as good as could be expected. I've probably seen and had more trouble getting out of the fall line lot and up to the main road out, then on the mountain down. Sometimes when temps are near the 32-33 degree range, it can get a bit icy once it freezes. I had to get a tow up, once by the road grader, but they usually keep it pretty well sanded.