If you want to get an honest sense about the personality of a major ski resort in North America pick up a copy of Charlie Leocha's Ski Snowboard America 2009. There are real life stories all over the travel web sites written by people who searched the web sites of destination ski vacation areas, and found an area with 25% of its trails marked beginner and 10% listed as expert only. Right away, they assumed it would be be a great place to take a family that includes two young kids, a mom with little skiing experience, and a hot shot skiing dad and teen.

A week later they were back home with bad memories of a place that had few family activities off the slope, but was great for a busload of swinging single snow bunnies out for week of a lot of apres-ski nightlife and maybe a little afternoon skiing.

Picking the Right Ski Resort

We have many great mountains to ski here in North America, but not all ski resorts are the same, nor are they all different. Picking the right resort to spend your hard earned money and vacation time at is a major decision, and, as much as I love the internet, I have to say you can't put all your faith in resort area web sites - be it for mountains or for beaches.

That's not to say that you won't get a get good idea of the general ticket pricing and a variety of lodging options from resort web sites, but, remember, there are a lot of hotels and motels a that don't make it onto the resort web site and you rarely find much mention of off-the-slope restaurants and eateries.

Ski Snowboard America 2009

What you need to really complement your vacation destination search is an up-to-date companion book, or web site, that presents the whole picture and flavor of the resort.

With Charlie Leocha's Ski Snowboard America 2009 you get the book, and with his web site skisnowboard.com you get a web site that complements the book.

Of course, the book covers the stats and layout of the mountain for skiing and riding. It also provides personalized opinions and comments garnered by Leocha's many years of skiing these resorts. Mixed with Leocha's commentaries are those of his small army of passionate skiing contributors that feedback to him updates of whatever resort they visit each year.

Ski Resort Details

Where the book shines the brightest for vacation seekers is in the breakdown of lodging, restaurants, and off-slope activities. Available lodging is sorted by price - very expensive to budget; size - hotel with 25+ rooms, inns, motels, down to B&Bs; and how the price translates to the accommodation - be wary, for example, of 4 dollar signs with little for the buck. Also included is distance of the lodging to the slope, and whether the establishment has a bar and restaurant, both important considerations when deciding to renting a car or not.

Restaurants from gourmet to budget are covered and evaluated based on dining experience and interviews. They are rated by dollar signs - $$$$ = entrees $30+ to $= less than $10. The book includes the area's off-slope activities, from the night club scene to whatever family venues that might be available such as dogsledding, ice skating, sleigh rides, shopping, and spas.

Interesting and particular to the book are some very useful tips and tidbits that Leocha passes on from experience. For example, families should know condominiums are the most affordable group lodging at north America resorts and that many have central check-in facilities and offer a daily maid service. Leocha recommends asking the resort central reservation service for lodging suggestions as most of the department staff can and will make honest recommendations based on your needs and budget.

You will also find coverage of regional resorts great for day or weekend trips. Considering most eastern and midwest resorts are accessible to a large number of people as short trips these areas fall in this category. However, the book offers the available possibilities if you wish to stay longer.

Make Ski Snowboard America 2009 Your Concierge

Having this book along you won't find yourself, on the third night of vacation, scrambling to find something for the kids to do, or looking for a different, affordable place to feed the family. If you are heading out for a major destination resort vacation in North America make Ski Snowboard America 2009 your personal concierge.