For those who don't/haven't skied out west.

[abc]

Play hookey from work a few days even this winter and you'll see what I mean.

What does playing hooky buys you?

Sure, shorter lift line and quieter slopes. But it still takes snow to have good skiing...

[steamboat1]

Listen I don't know where you ski in the east but up north where I go skiing hasn't been bad at all this year. Just take a look at some of the trip reports others have posted on this site. I have several powder days already this year. Snow is snow no matter where it falls. Amazing what even 3"-4" overnight can do.

[abc]

Listen I don't know where you ski in the east but up north where I go skiing hasn't been bad at all this year. Just take a look at some of the trip reports others have posted on this site. I have several powder days already this year. Snow is snow no matter where it falls. Amazing what even 3"-4" overnight can do.

But that's exactly my point! The standard of what's "good".

3-4" on a natural base? Hero snow. But 3-4" on a rain re-frozen base is just dust on crust. (unless, of course, it's really west 3-4", but then it'll simply turns into slick ice the next day)

[JimmyPete]

What does playing hooky buys you?

Sure, shorter lift line and quieter slopes. But it still takes snow to have good skiing...

Try it , The East will never be the West, but on a weekday I've had some fantastic conditions at Whiteface, Killington and like I said even Hunter. Actually I've even had some great weekend days in the East and a even few bad days in the West. In the words of Tony Soprano "it is what it is"

[JimmyPete]

Compare to what? To last week or next week around VT?

Even though this is probably one of the worst in the Rockies, the western hard pack didn't come close to the eastern ice pack!

While last year saw a lot of snow in the east, the Rockies got a lot of POWDER! Not just anything white, but dry, fluffy blower stuff.

The more I go west, the more deals I found. Maybe I didn't know all the best deals in the northeast. But I suspect the same for many of you when it comes to scoring deals out west. The numbers you guys give for going out west, I never pay that kind of money for air, lodging or lift. Add them up altogether, I get to go out west 2-3 times a season without breaking the bank!

Maybe we all forgot about some fantastic conditions last year, I doubt if anybody flies east from Colorado to ski, but hey their bagels suck and I can ski there and here.

[abc]

Try it ,

I had.

Not impressed. I've already found my way to avoid crowds so no need to take a work day off (unlike 90% of the population, I ENJOY my work)

The East will never be the West,

I'm not looking for western condition in the east. I just strongly prefer natural snow over the man-made ones.

[Cheese]

Just take a look at some of the trip reports others have posted on this site. I have several powder days already this year. Snow is snow no matter where it falls. Amazing what even 3"-4" overnight can do.

I might need to edit some of my trip reports. Although I've found 1-2" of snow over corduroy and 3-5" off-piste and claimed "Powder Day!", I wouldn't confuse this with a good year. Last year I was skiing boot top to knee deep powder at Mittersil after a 4-6" dump. Obviously 6" isn't boot top but the difference is there was lingering old powder from previous storms under the fresh that would offer a few deeper powder turns in spots. This year Mittersil isn't even able to open.

[JimmyPete]

I was hanging/conversing with an older dude (late 60's) this week in the Bear parking lot at K for awhile (not a heck of a lot older than me). Asked me where I stay & I told him. He said he comes up & has been staying for years at Turn of River Lodge. They charge him (alone) $150 for a private room with bath for 5 nights (Sun.-Thurs.). Said he gets a nice breakfast too.

Hostel Tevere I've heard good things about over the internet. Never spoke with anyone in person who's actually stayed there. Supposed to have a nice little bar & restaurant also.

C'mon dude 47 is not old. Wish I were that age again.

As for passes for VT. you have to buy well ahead of time. I posted the info back in Oct. about purchasing them in the "skiing on the cheap" thread on this site. 3 coupons for a buck 25 or 5 for 2 hunch. I think my season weekday only pass for K cost $454 with tax (early purchase price). The difference in price for me to go by myself or with someone else to split gas for a week is maybe 50 bucks. What the hell is 50 bucks?

Sorry guys by the time you hit 47 your Hostel and couch day's should be over. American exceptionalism has no sense of humor for Alimony and Prison records.

[JimmyPete]

I had.

Not impressed. I've already found my way to avoid crowds so no need to take a work day off (unlike 90% of the population, I ENJOY my work)


I'm not looking for western condition in the east. I just strongly prefer natural snow over the man-made ones.

Most of us aren't that discriminating, I was out in Colo mid December and 1/2 of their coverage was manmade. I know a few guys who swear by MRG but sometimes I think that's reverse snobbery , One MRG guy I know just got back from Park City he liked skiing Deer Valley the most. Counterintuitive? didn't have the nerve to tell him Deer Valley is the king of Western Snow Making. Heard Hunter's Irv Slutsky say he'd much rather have snow in NYC rather than in his parking lots, he could make a better product, and that gives him free advertising. Course you still need cold and low humidity for good manmade, This winter has been deficient in both and even if you get a good night look a half week a head and all your $ and work will be for naught. Sorry Global Warming deniers but you are starting to suck in my book.

[BenedictGomez]

Sorry Global Warming deniers but you are starting to suck in my book.

It's foolish to base that belief on the snowfall totals from just a mere few months ( literally), but were we all to do so, I imagine that the "rest of the world" that is currently getting pounded with snow and freezing temps might disagree.