Skis for Utah

[awf170]

When i go to utah im just going to rent skis because it is pain bringin them on the plane and i want fatter skis, so what skis would you recommend. The ski i was thinking about gettin was the pocket rocket because it got good reviews and want twin tips.

[tirolerpeter]

First of all, make sure you bring your own boots. The idea of skiing in rentals for a number of days is not appealing (unless of course, your own boots are crappy and/or hurt you anyway). There is no problem bringing your own skiis to Utah. All the airlines that service SLC handle skiis with no problems. I have done it 5 times without a hitch, and all rental cars come with racks (although, some charge you $5/day for them). For the cost of a three day rental you can buy yourself a really great fiberglass "SporTube" that will protect your skiis from the baggage handler gorrillas and you will have it for all future trips! I have had one for about 4 years and it really makes handling skiis a snap. I do recommend that you try to get a direct flight so that your gear doesn't have to change planes. In any case, you can not guess whether or not there will be a powder dump while you are there. If there is not, you will be happiest (and save $$$$$$$$) by bringing your own skiis along. If there is a powder dump you can just go to any one of many rental shops and rent "fat boys" for the day or days remaining in your trip. I had a pair of K2's in a 178 length that were fantastic that I used for two days. If you do decide to rent, ask in advance if you can "swap" during the term of the rental. That way you will not have the rather clumsy fat boys while there is no powder and you are skiing groomed and crud. I did find them (the powder skiis) excellent in crud, but found myself catching an occasional edge on the groomed. If you are using a shaped ski now, you will find that powder skiis ski more like traditional straight skiis so be prepared to adjust your style. Additional rental car tip: Don't pay for an "extra driver" if the other person is licensed AND owns their own car with liability and collision coverage. Their own "home policy" will cover them (minus their regular deductible) in the event of a smackup.

[awf170]

thanks for the info, the problem is though i do have a have a connecting flight. Also im going to bring my boots. Thats weird i would think that fat skis would be good in crud. Also i heard that the pocket rocket was auctually good on groomed from a review in a magazine( it seems strange to me and i dont really believe it) but ill probably do what you say and just powder skis if they get a dump.
I was looking at their long range forcast and it looks pretty awsome, tonight it looks like they will get a foot and snow showers everyday for the next week

[tirolerpeter]

awf170 don't stress so much. You are going to have a great time. Anybody who ever went to UT based on my recommendation has come back wondering why they ever spent more money going anywhere else. Take your own skiis, and rent fat boys if it dumps. If you check the weather on line, you will often see many periods of rain predicted for SLC, and or PC. BUT, that same rain is nearly always snow as you gain altitude. In fact, while I was there in the second week of Dec, there was continuous rain down in SLC and mega snow in all the areas except Snowbasin which is at the lowest altitude of all the areas around the city. If they do have good conditions at Snowbasin (it is on the Wasatch Front above Ogden) do give it a shot. It is a beautiful area, and you will get a real charge out of skiing off the top of the tram that goes up beyond the main gondola. It is just a gorgeous place. Nevertheless, definitely try several different mountains. It is usually best to get into your ski gear at your hotel since changing facilities and places to keep ski bags (other than in your car) are limited at most places. Snowbird has some nice lockers at the main base (where you get the Tram), but the others are more geared to people staying right at their resorts. The base lodges are not like here in the east where you can leave stuff tucked in a corner. Some do not even have bag checks. None of this is much of a problem during mid-week since there is ample close in parking. It is only on the week-ends that you might find it a hassle. You might consider a back pack for extra layers you may add or remove as the weather requires. Lift tickets at the areas around PC are the most expensive, and LCC and BCC are the cheapest. In SLC great Italian food can be had at Buca De Beppo , and great Mexican food at The Blue Iguana. I can not give you any tips for PC since I avoid it like the plague!

[RossiSkier]

[size=18]Did someone say FATTIES? If you HAVE to rent FATTIES, here's a good list:

Atomic Sugar Daddy Pimp Edition
Fischer Big Stix 8.6
Head Monster iM 103 Pro
K2 Seth Pistol
Rossignol B3
Solomon AK Rocket Swallow
Volkl Karma
ZAG Freeride Gold 93

[awf170]

Im defiantly going to need fatties http://www.alta.com/ look at the pic of the day

[TeleGrrrl]

Volkl Explosiv
Voted number one powder ski ten years in a row. You too can ski like a rock star.

[awf170]

ya i went and found a pic of those explosivs and i never even seen a pair in the east which is wierd, like i no there powder skis, but i see pocket rockets and B3's at wildcat.

[awf170]

i think im going to do what you said tirolerpeter and just rent skis if they get a dump of snow, because my skis arent that skinny so they will probably be good enough unless it is a foot or 2 of snow. Also my dad called to ask about renting skis for the week and it is like $75 a DAY, but there must be somewhere cheaper. Any thanks for all the great info.

[awf170]

i think im going to do what you said tirolerpeter and just rent skis if they get a dump of snow, because my skis arent that skinny so they will probably be good enough unless it is a foot or 2 of snow. Also my dad called to ask about renting skis for the week and it is like $75 a DAY, but there must be somewhere cheaper. Any thanks for all the great info.