We are longtime fans of Solitude. Living in the midwest, we make a couple of week-long visits to Solitude each ski season, and having been doing it for 20 years.

Our kids learned to ski in their school and are now expert all-mountain skiers as a result. Leif runs an amazing school, with many instructors that are locals and come back year after year.

The village is comfortable and we love the ability to put on our skis and push our way over the Apex lift to head up the mountain. And race down Main Street, gliding over the bridge, and a bit of pushing to the door of the condo building.

The condos are comfortable, though a bit pricey. However, that's our big splurge. We pick up groceries at Smith's, at the base of the canyon and do most of our own cooking (cooking for us is relaxing). As some folks have noticed, Internet access can be spotty. Fine in the Eagle Springs condos, but no wireless in Powderhorn. They do have a Ethernet jack, so you can easily bring your own base station (and they make really tiny ones now that are great for travel). They should advertise this better on the booking web pages.

The condo Club (in the Eagle Springs East building) is great if you have kids. A nice pool, two hot tubs, a pool table, movie room, weight/exercise room, and video games. And the other condos have hot tubs in their buildings. All outside of course!

Skiing at Solitude is amazing. We spend most of our time off trailing, in Honeycomb Canyon, Black Forest, Headwall, etc. And Solitude probably has one of the most varied and accessible backcountry ski scenes around. If you're an advanced intermediate or higher, pay for an hour or two of instructor time (or find a local experienced friend) and try it out. You'll know that you're reaching "local" status when you can find the old silver miner's cabin.

The on-trail skiing is great, with a nice variety for all levels. Huge open bowls and long comfortable trails.

Food on the mountain is fine, though not amazing. And a bit pricey. On a sunny day, sitting on the terrace mid-mountain at Sunshine Grill and enjoying a lunch or snack is quite nice.