Update:
First, I appreciate all the input. The first law of ski travel: If you ask 5 skiers what they think about a potential ski trip, the minimum number of opinions is 7.
As Tony pointed out, many of the great options you've brought up are not happening. Telluride, Sun Valley, etc. If it ain't on our GI Joe pass, he ain't going. Crossing the Canadian border is a no go as long as there is a testing requirement to return to the US. The work/life consequence of a delayed return to either myself or my BIL are too great to risk possibly being delayed by coming up positive.
As much as I like the idea of Vail/Breck/BC, I think Dad is already kind of opposed to the idea. We can get a pretty good flight from BTV through ORD into Vail, but it's $2-300 more a ticket than SLC or Reno. We can handle it, but as the overall price of the trip goes up, so does Dad's resistance to going. He once postponed a 4 hour road trip on me because gas went up $0.25. It's not that he can't afford it, it's that he's got a fundamental objection wired into his soul about paying more for something than he thinks he should. Comes from being a kid who grew up in the projects and clawed his way into the middle class, I suppose.
Anyway, I think we're down to PC or Heavenly. My secret desire is that, if this trip goes off without a hitch and it feels easy to him, maybe I set the stage for another, longer trip next year. The first one is the toughest for him. He used to refuse to ski at Stowe because it was different and 20 minutes further away than Smuggs. Once I broke the seal, though, he was fine with the change. In fact, now that his habit is going to Stowe, he barely skis the Smuggs side anymore.
I think I've convinced him to extend the trip to a Tuesday-Sunday length, but that's about as far as I can push it. I figure we can take it easy up front and ease into things and hope for the best. I know a full week would be better, but I may as well ask him to fly to the moon as be away from home for that long. Again, maybe next time, if I can pull this one off.
PC is easier to get to, as best I can tell, and we've found some reasonable Airbnb's in the area. I like the idea of venturing up into the Cottonwood Canyons. Dad would be just as happy with seeing mountains on a hike/drive as he is on skis. Perhaps an option for a rest day. I might be able to sneak a lift ticket past him and go to another mountain, depends on his mood. Also, total aside, but a trip to Utah might allow me to drop by DPS and check out the factory. The NE/Military rep has been offering me a look around for years if I ever went out that way.
Tahoe looks amazing, not to mention it's clearly got the snow going for it this year. The terrain looks favorable to introducing Dad to some open trees, but perhaps PC has the same. Flying into Reno is tougher, at least 2 connections and a longer ride. That might enough to kill it, but I'll have to see what Dad thinks.
As for majesty, I understand where you're all coming from. I probably mischaracterized my father. The man finds majesty in a snowflake. He loves winter. Any of these western destinations and their snow covered peaks will astound him. I leave you with this. I once wrote to him to ask if he wanted me to buy him a snowblower. This was his reply:
"First significant snow of the season fell last night in Burlington. The air was cold, colder than I'd like. Now it's morning and time for me to shovel and then nurse my aching joints. But I would have it no other way (except to ban snowplows) for the simple act of shoveling forces me to once again enjoy the wonderment of life. Shoveling drags me out beyond the fortress comfort I call home and into a world we try so much to alter. God or no god, the universe is amazing.
With my dripping nose and frozen feet and fingers I am reminded that we struggle to survive like every other creature. Yet, we fail to realize struggle is just nature's way of telling us not to take anything for granted. Struggle is to enjoy, not to fight. Who are the fools? Those that rush to collect as much wealth as possible to live an artificial life cloistered from the natural world? Or those on their knees marveling at the quickness of a scurrying ant synchronizing six legs? I applaud man's achievements, but let me be among the latter. Let me watch the grass grow, the comet streak past, and hear the silence of the snow fall. Do not deprive me of a shovel.
You all have experienced the marvel in a child's face at their first experiences, especially when it's your own. And you think how privileged you are at witnessing this event. But the privilege is theirs. For they are awakening you to what you might have forgotten - the wonder of life and its simple pleasures. Heed their lessons for they know what you might have forgotten.
Bye, I have to shovel....."
