| In December 2007 our family enjoyed an
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| | bed or in a hotel room but there is
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| amazing holiday ski vacation. Christmas
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| | something strangely soothing about the
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| morning the kids found out that in
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| | rocking motion of the train and the
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| addition to the gifts under the tree,
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| | clickety-clack of the wheels on the
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| Santa had given them a ski adventure
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| | track.
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| trip...and we were leaving that very day!
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| | The following morning we awoke just in
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| The trip would include an overnight
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| | time for a hot breakfast in the dining
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| Amtrak train ride on the Empire Builder
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| | car before rolling into Whitefish at
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| from Seattle to Whitefish, MT (just over
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| | about 7:30am.
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| 13 hours) and five days of skiing at the
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| | We were met by a shuttle driver who
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| Whitefish Mountain Resort (formerly known
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| | helped with our bags and drove us and
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| as Big Mountain Resort---not to be
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| | several other families the eight miles up
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| confused with Big Sky Resort).
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| | the mountain to the Whitefish resort. We
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| The kids were beside themselves!! A
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| | checked in at the General Store and got
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| train ride; sleeping on the train; going
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| | keys to our ski-in/out condo (there are
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| to Montana (home of Hannah Montana they
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| | lots of slope-side condos for rent). We
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| thought); snow; skiing; sleddingthey
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| | were skiing by 10am.
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| were elated! After the fun of opening
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| | The Whitefish resort is extremely kid
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| gifts and a delicious holiday breakfast
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| | friendly. It has one of the best daycare
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| we all rushed to pack our bags. Luckily
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| | facilities that I have ever seen at a ski
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| Santa had tipped me off to his plan a few
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| | resort. Our 2 and a half year old
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| days earlier so I could prepare all of
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| | enjoyed the activities and the friendly,
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| the ski gear. Wink.
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| | caring staff. And our 10 year old
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| We departed Seattle's King Street Station
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| | daughter felt so safe that a few times
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| at about 4:30pm. The ticketing and
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| | she ventured out and took a few runs on
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| baggage check-in experience for Amtrak is
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| | her own.
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| unbelievably simple and easy. No lines,
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| | The skiing at Whitefish was great. It
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| no security hassles, no problems. You
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| | snowed almost every day we were there.
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| could literally arrive minutes before
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| | The resort has lots of runs for any skill
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| your train leaves the station.
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| | level and several new high-speed quads.
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| We reserved a family-sized (sleeps four)
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| | Other than the line for the main lift at
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| room on the sleeping car. A friendly,
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| | the base lodge, the lines were typically
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| traditionally dressed conductor came by
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| | short.
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| to smile and punch our tickets. The kids
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| | It is both a plus and minus that
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| thought he looked like the Tom Hanks
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| | Whitefish doesn't have the kind of
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| character for The Polar Express. And a
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| | village atmosphere that you find at many
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| few minutes later the attendant arrived
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| | resorts such as Whistler. There are
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| with champagne for the adults and
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| | fewer restaurant choices for dinner;
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| sparkling cider for the kids.
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| | however, the atmosphere is much more
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| Seating on the train is vastly superior
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| | quiet, subdued, and family-friendlyno
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| to airline seating. There is lots of leg
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| | loud party goers. But if you need more
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| room, room for your carry-on baggage, and
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| | choices the charming town of Whitefish
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| you can move around as much as you like.
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| | has lots of restaurants, pubs, etc. and
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| You can even stretch out as if you were
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| | is just a short, FREE shuttle-ride away.
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| on your couch at home. After admiring
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| | We thoroughly enjoyed the five days that
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| the scenery for several hours and
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| | we spent at Whitefish. And the train
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| catching up on our reading we proceeded
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| | ride home was a nice way to wrap up the
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| to the dining car (dinner included in the
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| | trip. This time we departed Whitefish
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| fare for sleeper car customers) where we
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| | Station at 9:30pm on New Years Eve. The
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| sat in a large, comfortable booth with a
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| | got their own room this time and went
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| white table cloth and candles. The chef
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| | right to bed. While my husband and I
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| was no Tom Douglas; but, the meal was
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| | enjoyed some champagne to toast the New
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| much better than your typical reheated
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| | Year.
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| airline dinner.
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| | Our whole family highly recommends the
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| When we arrived back at our room on the
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| | Whitefish Mountain Resort as a great spot
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| sleeping car the seats had already been
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| | for a family ski vacation. And for those
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| converted into bunk beds for us by the
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| | that live in Seattle, the train is the
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| attendant. This was the best part for
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| | wonderful way to add extra adventure to
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| the kidssleeping on the train. I didn't
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| | the trip.
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| sleep as well as I would have in my own
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