like to buy intrawest - Timeshare Users Group Bulletin Boards

Timeshare Users Group Bulletin Boards

Canada

like to buy intrawest

BBS Home > Canada

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Author	Topic: like to buy intrawest
garytam TUG Member Posts: 22 From: Toronto, Ontraio, Canada Registered: Nov 2003	posted 04-17-2004 14:48 I would like to purchase intrawest at Tremblant for skiing before Christmas. Is it really worth that much in comparing to other skiing resorts in Ontario ? What is a realistic amount for a one week two br. Any comment or suggestions would be appricated IP: Logged
AE TUG Member Posts: 1388 From: Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-17-2004 16:31 Its a points-based system and with all points-based systems the trading power is not guaranteed - you can always get back into your own resort but if you want to trade to another Intawest resort then you may not have adequate points for the same size facilities (e.g. a 2 br X-mas week may require 'X' points at your resort BUT you will need "X + 2" points to trade into a 2 br at X-mas time at another Intrawest resort. This is not a problem for weeks-based resorts where a week trades as a week). We went to the presentation a few years ago - it was expensive and people were already complaining that their point value for trading into other Intrawest resorts was not the same (i.e. it was now less) as it had been when they first purchased. IP: Logged
skauffma TUG Member Posts: 481 From: Registered: Jan 2002	posted 04-19-2004 10:26 quote: Originally posted by AE: you can always get back into your own resort but if you want to trade to another Intawest resort then you may not have adequate points for the same size facilities (e.g. a 2 br X-mas week may require 'X' points at your resort BUT you will need "X + 2" points to trade into a 2 br at X-mas time at another Intrawest resort. As a Club Intrawest points owner, I'd like to clarify that parts of this are incorrect. There is no "home resort" or "own resort" within the CI system. I simply own CI points, and I can make reservations at any of the CI properties, just as anyone else who owns CI points can regardless of where they bought them (incouding resale). Though we tend to think of Tremblant as our home resort since we generally go there once every winter and once every summer, there is no guarantee that we can get in there at any particular time. The timeframes for reserving - 4 months out for stays of less than 6 days, and 11 months for 6 days or more, apply to everyone. Yes, the points required at different CI resorts at any given time will differ from the number of points required at the other resorts (but to call this "trading power" within a points system doesn't really make sense to me). If garytam can be a bit more specific ("before Christmas" is rather vague) I'll be happy to look up the number of CI points required for a 2BR at Tremblant (or any of the other resorts). Do you mean for a week, and the week including Christmas, or something else? I assume you're looking at downhill skiing since it's before Christmas, so I can't help you with the compasiron to other ski resorts (we're x-c skiers so generally go in February for best conditions). IP: Logged
garytam TUG Member Posts: 22 From: Toronto, Ontraio, Canada Registered: Nov 2003	posted 04-19-2004 12:25 I would like to visit Tremblant the week before Christmas for downhill ski. Did you find any problem booking 4 months out ? I am a newbie to ski and timeshare in general (I learn skiing so that I can keep an eye on the kids). How does IC at Tremblant compare to other ski resorts like Smuggler, Stowe. IP: Logged
skauffma TUG Member Posts: 481 From: Registered: Jan 2002	posted 04-19-2004 13:41 Wv've never had any problems booking at Tremblant less than 4 months out (we never stay for 6 days or more), but we also don't travel during "holiday weeks" as labeled by Intrawest (such as Christmas and New Year's, but also many US and Canadian school vacation weeks). We do travel during "peak" weeks (again, CI terminology), and have always gotten our first choice of dates. However, we generally only get a 1BR for 2 of us traveling - only once have needed a 2BR. If you want to go the week of Christmas (or other "holiday" periods), and need a 2BR you will need to book at least 6 nights and do it 11 months in advance. Sorry, even though I live in VT I can't compare to Smuggs and Stowe as we have never vacationed in our home state. I actually prefer Mont Ste Anne to Tremblant for the x-c ski conditions (more reliable snow), and it's also more laid back, has better food and is convenient to Quebec City for day trips. For us the distance to MSA and Tremblant is about equal, but for you from Toronto obviously it wouldn't be. (We mainly bought Intrawest points because friends of ours live near Montreal, and we can meet them in Tremblant - they're owners as well). IP: Logged
garytam TUG Member Posts: 22 From: Toronto, Ontraio, Canada Registered: Nov 2003	posted 04-19-2004 15:05 Thanks skauffma, I guess you really enjoy the Tremblant area if you go there twice a year. Did you purchase from the developer or resale ? IP: Logged
AE TUG Member Posts: 1388 From: Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-19-2004 16:09 Tremblant is more like the ski villages out west with lots of shops, bars and activities. The downside is that you really can't give your kids free reign to roam on their own (unless they are teens) because of its sheer size. Stowe is a smaller version of this - as well, Stowe is quite spread out and from the ski hill to the hotels, shops, etc. can be quite some distance. Same comment re kids. Smugglers is a much smaller resort and very contained - they are also kid-centered with a kids rec area, a teens 'club', indoor pool, skating rink, etc. all in the same area. As such it is great for kids and adults alike - they have a couple of restaurants, bar (with entertainment) and an on-demand shuttle at night to take you around the resort. From a skiing perspective Tremblant is the coldest by far (I would not go in late December or January) - Stowe ansd Smuggs have a milder climate. IP: Logged
garytam TUG Member Posts: 22 From: Toronto, Ontraio, Canada Registered: Nov 2003	posted 04-19-2004 17:24 I think the best plan for me is go to each of Tremblant, Stowe and Smuggler and try them out before buying. I will have to do this in two trips, one to Tremblant, another to Stowe and Smuggler. Would it be a lot colder in Qubec City than Montreal. Should I consider Mount St. Anne ? After all, we are all begineers. Personally, I will never graduate to the black diamonds. IP: Logged
Erin TUG Member Posts: 109 From: Melrose, MA USA Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-19-2004 19:05 We purchased some CI points a while back when we visited Whistler for the first time. Even though we are easterners and probably can't get back there more than every 2-3 years, we had such an amazing experience that we decided to purchase some points. There are some very good older threads on Intrawest pros and cons on this board (or on the Points board - I can't remember which). We will be using the points for the first time this summer to visit Kauai, and hope to be trying Tremblant out next March. Some of our friends visit the resort every year and just love it. I have heard good things about the food, also. - Erin ------------------ Jordan Grand Hotel in Bethel, Maine Club Intrawest IP: Logged
AE TUG Member Posts: 1388 From: Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-20-2004 09:23 Quebec City is a LOT colder than Montreal. Mont Ste Anne as well as Tremblant focus more on the intermediate to serious skier (i.e. there are fewer green runs and I don't believe that there are any green runs down from the summit). By comparison, resorts in Vermont (e.g. Smuggs) has a more even distribution of run difficuly. My favorite for skiing is Killington by a long shot (and I have been at all resorts mentioned) - not only is the climate warmer than Canada but you can take any level of run from anywhere on the mountain and some runs are 5 miles long so minimal waiting in lines for the chairlifts. As well, Killington has a number of Gondolas which keep you much warmer than being on the chairlifts. [This message has been edited by AE (edited 04-20-2004).] IP: Logged
garytam TUG Member Posts: 22 From: Toronto, Ontraio, Canada Registered: Nov 2003	posted 04-20-2004 10:40 5 miles run!!! I guess I can make a killing by setting up a lemonade stand at half way point. The price for resale seems lower than Smuggler and Intrawest. This will keep my busy researching Killington now. Thanks IP: Logged
AE TUG Member Posts: 1388 From: Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-20-2004 14:25 Believe it or not but there is a restaurant along the 5 mile run. There are also a few pricey resorts in Killington. Smuggs is so pricey because it includes the kids programs, etc. but kids are only young for a very short period so the cost may not be worth it. IP: Logged
pspcres TUG Member Posts: 45 From: Issaquah, WA Registered: Aug 2003	posted 04-26-2004 13:02 There are many resales available for CI on the web. Do a google search for "intrawest points" and you'll find quite a few. If you want more info, send me an email and I can lead you to a good source. IP: Logged
Erin TUG Member Posts: 109 From: Melrose, MA USA Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-27-2004 19:17 We skiied at Killington and found it to be very crowded on the weekends. By comparison, the resorts in Maine were less crowded, but there is less nightlife, which is not an issue for us middle-aged types. There is an ASC resort at Killington which probably has resales. This would allow trading into the other ASC properties. We have had some use from this feature, but the prices are not the lowest since this is a quartershare. I hear the golfcourse is nice in the summer, if that is of interest. - Erin ------------------ Jordan Grand Hotel in Bethel, Maine Club Intrawest IP: Logged
garytam TUG Member Posts: 22 From: Toronto, Ontraio, Canada Registered: Nov 2003	posted 04-28-2004 09:35 After some researching, I am leaning toward Intrawest or Smuggler. Here are my reasons, let me know if it is sound. For Intrawest pro/cons - (1) I can trade internally to Hawaii or Whistler (may not be easy, but I probably be going there only once every few years) (2) It has resorts at Blue Mountain and Tremblant I can drive to, it is a 90 minutes to Blue Mountain and 5 hours to Tremblant. (3) It cost less that Smuggler and a bit more flexble since it is a point system. (4) The slopes are mainly for advance skier (5) It does not have a home resort prority, so I have to compete with all other owners for booking. For Smuggler pros/cons- (1) it has excellent kids program. (2) It is within driving distance for me (8 hours) (3) It has a evenly split of green, blue and black slopes. (4) I will have a fixed week and not to worry about booking (5) it comes with two weeks but I only really needed for just one. Wonder if I have to pay maintenance fee for the second floating week (6) It cost a lot more that Intrawest IP: Logged
William J. Schneiderman TUG Member Posts: 114 From: Boston, Massachusetts, USA Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-29-2004 14:28 The conclusions that you have drawn in your comparison are accurate. In the case of Smugglers, you would be liable for the maintenance fee on the second week. Please see my other posts on Club Intrawest in the archives. There are benefits and risks associated with points based systems. Your comparison eludes to them. I discuss them at some length, in my previous posts. Feel free to ask additional questions, keep the dialogue going. IP: Logged

All times are in Pacific Timezone	next newest topic \| next oldest topic
Administrative Options: Close Topic \| Archive/Move \| Delete Topic
	Hop to:

Contact Us | TUG Home | Privacy Statement

Copyright Timeshare User's Group - BBS Script customized by Laurence Chan lcc_home@hotmail.com
The Timeshare Users Group (TUG) makes no representations or warranties with respect to the use of the TUG bulletin boards, or their contents and further makes no representations with respect to the results that may be obtained from information on the BBS. The Timeshare Users Group shall not be liable for any damage or loss of any type arising from such use or content, and reserves the right to remove any posting on the bulletin boards. The bulletin boards are intended for use by Timeshare Users Group members, Non member postings are welcome. Advertising is not permitted on the BBS, TUG provides other areas on this web site for advertising. Any messages that are deemed as advertising will be deleted. Please read the full TUG BBS Usage agreement located in the FAQ. By using the BBS you accept and agree with the above statements. If you do not agree please return to the TUG Home Page