Any US/NA based vacations spots that offer spectacular Alps like mountain views?

masraum · 01-12-2015, 01:29 PM

I'm just wondering. One day, I'd like to go and I'd like to take the missus to the Alps for the amazing scenery and some of the culture and grandness. But, that's not in the cards any time soon. I know that we've got the Rocky Mountains that run all the way up to Alaska, so I'm thinking that we should have some pretty spectacular places to visit here. What would be especially nice, would be if the place to stay was someplace old and grand with character (but not $1000 a night).

I know we've got lots of well traveled folks here, so what say you? Anyplace really cool that offers really amazing mountain scenery here in NA?

madmmac · madmmac's Garage

Right now during the middle of winter? Maybe Banff or Glacier.

Dress warmly you be will lucky to hit 0 on any day.

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

Chateau at Lake Louise. Lake Louise Hotels - Luxury Lake Louise Resort Hotel at Fairmont

avi8torny · 01-12-2015, 01:40 PM

Snake River Inn at Teton Village outside Jackson, Wy. You could also stay at the Four Seasons there if that's your price point. Either one is at the base of a 14,000' range. Breathtaking winter or summer.

If you have a week, stay with our friends Jason and Deb at the Lazy L&B Ranch outside Dubois, WY. You will never want to leave. Lazy L&B Ranch -

LakeCleElum · 01-12-2015, 01:40 PM

I have always said the most beautiful place I've ever been is the Alps. To me a close 2nd is the Canadian Rockies.......You can stay in some grand hotels in Banff, Lake Louise or Jasper. My Fav place to have stayed is the Fairmont at Jasper:

Jasper Hotels | Luxury Jasper Hotel | Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Resor

Elk and Moose and Bear right outside of your window....Mountain views you cannot believe.....You could fly north, rent a car and take a road trip......Many of us here could design a route like up thru the Arrow Lakes and many other places. A run thru Glacier in Montana could be right on the way as a bonus..........Enjoy.

motion · 01-12-2015, 01:45 PM

I'm partial to the Many Glacier Hotel in Glacier Park. This photo does not do it justice. I'll dig for one of mine.

masraum · 01-12-2015, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmmac

Right now during the middle of winter? Maybe Banff or Glacier.

Dress warmly you be will lucky to hit 0 on any day.

No, not now, either. Had a bunch of expenses come up (expected) in the fall and as soon as we finished with those, a whole new set (again expected) started up that will run through March. So probably nothing until the summer, and honestly, probably not then either. I'm thinking 1-1.5 years out, but thinking and researching now will help cement it into my mind for when it is closer to happening.

motion · 01-12-2015, 01:47 PM

View from the hotel.

creaturecat · 01-12-2015, 02:10 PM

The added expense of a flight to Europe would be worth every cent.
Europe can be surprisingly inexpensive, if you want it to be.
There are no substitutes. : )

LakeCleElum · 01-12-2015, 02:14 PM

Fairmont in Jasper:

Glacier water has a unique color - Don't jump in:

HardDrive · 01-12-2015, 02:17 PM

+1 for glacier national park. Spectacular.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by creaturecat

The added expense of a flight to Europe would be worth every cent.
Europe can be surprisingly inexpensive, if you want it to be.
There are no substitutes. : )

This. The USD is doing pretty well against the Euro now, a lot better than when I was there this past August and September. Austria is the best bang for the buck in the Alps right now. Gas is way cheaper there than in Germany, Switzerland or Italy. Beer is just as good as in Germany. Austria is soooo much less crowded and far cleaner than Germany. I was just in Innsbruck and it was very reasonable. You could fly to Munich and be in either Innsbruck or Salzburg in under 90 min. from the airport. Lots of killer ski areas in between too and even some Porsche stuff to see. I would live there in a heartbeat if I didn't have to earn money here and Mrs. Lee spoke German.

stomachmonkey · 01-12-2015, 03:03 PM

Quote:

The added expense of a flight to Europe would be worth every cent.

Europe can be surprisingly inexpensive, if you want it to be.

There are no substitutes. : )

This.

I spent far more time in the Swiss and Australian Alps vs stateside because it was cheaper than heading out west.

Also the proximity of other things to do.

Hanging out in Innsbruck and want to take a day off from skiing? Hop on a bus and run down to Venice for day trip.

A good exchange rate can really make your day.

Ayles · 01-12-2015, 03:18 PM

Revelstoke or Fernie BC?

Fernie:

Revelstoke:

on2wheels52 · on2wheels52's Garage

Accept no substitutes.

jk, lord knows we are blessed with some incredible scenery/roads in the US.
But for myself, it's another world over there. Granted I'm a bit passionate about crooked roads, not sure what it would be like as a passenger (or on 4 wheels). I remember a stretch of highway in Austria, I was caught behind a tour bus and seeing a guy in the back looking wistfully(?) at me. And thinking I'd rather stay home than trade places with him.
I'd suggest going in May or September.

Jim

masraum · 01-12-2015, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motion

View from the hotel.

Wow! That one is currently way up at or near the top of the list.

masraum · 01-12-2015, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creaturecat

The added expense of a flight to Europe would be worth every cent.
Europe can be surprisingly inexpensive, if you want it to be.
There are no substitutes. : )

We'll absolutely be doing EU eventually.

creaturecat · 01-12-2015, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

We'll absolutely be doing EU eventually.

The sooner the better IMHO. : )
I'm with Rick. I would move there in a minute, if I could arrange it.

masraum · 01-12-2015, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creaturecat

The added expense of a flight to Europe would be worth every cent.
Europe can be surprisingly inexpensive, if you want it to be.
There are no substitutes. : )

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

This. The USD is doing pretty well against the Euro now

Quote:

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

This.

I spent far more time in the Swiss and Australian Alps vs stateside because it was cheaper than heading out west.
A good exchange rate can really make your day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by on2wheels52

Accept no substitutes.

I'd suggest going in May or September.

Jim

OK, folks. Where would you recommend in EU besides Innsbruck, Austria?

Again, we've spend A LOT of money in the past 5 months and will be spending more over the next 2, so this is probably a year or two down the road. Who knows what the exchange rate will be then.

I know all about the benefits of a strong dollar. When I was a kid, we lived in Japan twice. The first time, the exchange rate was 200-250 yen to the dollar. The second time we lived there, Ronald Reagan promoted trade with Japan and exchange rate went to ~110 yen to the dollar. Dad was enlisted so we weren't rolling in dough. The first time, there was this all you can eat place that was 1000 yen, so about $4-5 per person. The second time, that shot up to nearly $10 per person.

stealthn · 01-12-2015, 06:02 PM

All good stuff, most of them my home turf.

I think Whistler/Blackcomb would be up there too, except for the Aspen like prices.

Lot's and lot's of beauty up here in the Rockies, I'm sure Colorado has some nice offerings as well.

Let me know when you're coming I'll put the hot chocolate and schnapps on