Go West! ~ But, but, but where?

[jaywbigred]

I think you guys who go out West and then stay in a central location and drive to multiple resorts during a 3-7 day trip are nuts. Those mountains are so much bigger than what I am used to, there is no way I could get bored with pretty much any single one of them during a normal vacation. Maybe if you have a month to kill or something, but I don't want to be spending more than 15-20 minutes in the car on the way to the mountain, not during precious vacation time. I'd rather be skiing.

I guess if I had to vote it would be for Park City. Plenty of night life, food options, and 3 huge resorts on the same, free bus line. Every imaginable type of skiing within a 10 minute bus ride. And easy to get to.

But you also have to think about the snow. I don't necessarily mean chasing individual storms, but just watching season totals. In that case, I would think this year the spot would be Crested Butte and Telluride. Hasn't S. Colorado rec'd the best snow?

 

[playoutside]

I've done multiple trips to Utah, CO Front range, Tahoe. All good, but for me Utah wins. I'm driven a lot by the cost of the whole trip and minimizing grief in doing things like getting there and getting around.

SLC has consistently cheap direct flights from Boston
Easy to get to Canyns/Snowbird/Alta/DV/PC from the airport with or without a car
Discounts on lift tix available, lots of options, good snow
Lots of lodging options in all diff price ranges
Have done Utah several times for 3-day ski trips

Denver has cheap direct flights from Boston
Tougher to get to mountains w/o a rental car
Easy enough to get around once there on the Summit buses
Lodging not quite as cheap as Utah
Lift tix no where near as cheap as Utah (unless you decide the season before and go with a pass -- which is a great deal)
Did Breck/Keystone this year as a 3-day trip...wouldn't do it again because of lift tix...I doubt I'll ski CO again unless I do a season pass and go for the whole week

Tahoe normally requires connections from Bos (into Reno or Sacramento), tix are more than SLC/Denver
Area really calls for a rental car, possible to get around w/o one, but it's not easy if you want to ski multiple resorts
Lots of lodging, some real cheap near casinos, lots of nice house rentals for groups
Lift ticket deals can be found, lots of midweek specials
I'd only do Tahoe as a full week, mainly because of the travel issues

 

[SIKSKIER]

Sorry TC but my first choice is not on your poll.I'm a big British Columbia fan.Central BC has the most consistent and highest snowfall in North America.The one year they had one of their worst snow years and we still had a 9 ft snowpack.

 

[4aprice]

I think you guys who go out West and then stay in a central location and drive to multiple resorts during a 3-7 day trip are nuts. Those mountains are so much bigger than what I am used to, there is no way I could get bored with pretty much any single one of them during a normal vacation. Maybe if you have a month to kill or something, but I don't want to be spending more than 15-20 minutes in the car on the way to the mountain, not during precious vacation time. I'd rather be skiing.

Would not be a 3-7 day trip for me. I agree thats too short. I'd be looking 10-14 days and plan a ski safari. I'm interested in exploring the west in both cold and warmer weather and have a great base to use in the Salt Lake City area.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[abc]

I think you guys who go out West and then stay in a central location and drive to multiple resorts during a 3-7 day trip are nuts.

Maybe nuts is a bit strong. But I agree in principle.

For that reason, I found the Salt Lake City/Park City option a strange one. I would do one or the other, not both, which would have totalled up into 7 different resorts! :-o

Similarly, the "Colorado Front Range" option has something like 9-10 resorts! And if I'm doing Winter Park/A-basin, I would use a different bed base than when I'm doing Vail/Beaver Creek.

(Lake Tahoe is also another similar one of such example. There maybe other "cluster" of resorts as well)

Granted, one doesn't HAVE TO ski all the resorts just because it's there!

 

[marcski]

I guess if I had to vote it would be for Park City. Plenty of night life, food options, and 3 huge resorts on the same, free bus line. Every imaginable type of skiing within a 10 minute bus ride. And easy to get to.

But you also have to think about the snow.

Your last sentence is precisely why I do SLC (and/or the Cottonwoods) rather than Park City. You're still only about 20-25 mins to Alta/Bird and Solitude/Brighton from near the base of the canyons down in the valley, yet those 4 resorts receive about 70% more snow than the Park City Resorts.

Also, living in and around NYC... nightlife and/or restaurants do not play a role for me in choosing a ski destination. I've traveled a decent amount and am hard-pressed to find better food than in NYC, including European destinations.

 

[Cannonball]

I have done UT, CO, BC, NM, and AK. I have friends & family in various parts of CO that sometimes make it a good option.

But otherwise it is SLC, UT hands down. Cheap, short, direct flights. Quick transfer to many A++ mountains. Terrain and conditions that rival or beat all the others.

Whereas I made sure to take 2 wks for BC and AK trips, I've done long weekends in UT. Early flight has you making turns the same day, especially since the time zones are in your favor on the way out. Late flight out has you home at the end of a ski day. 5 day weekend = 5 days of sliding. I'm hard pressed to make a trip to Sugarloaf work out that well.

I also agree with the others on staying put (relatively). These resorts are huge. I wouldn't get sick of a lifetime at Snowbird. I'm sure not going to get bored with it after 5-7 days.

 

[Trekchick]

Sorry TC but my first choice is not on your poll.I'm a big British Columbia fan.Central BC has the most consistent and highest snowfall in North America.The one year they had one of their worst snow years and we still had a 9 ft snowpack.

Oooooh, I totally blanked on that one didn't I!
Then you must have chosen the TC is Nuts option!

Can't say as I blame you

 

[Ski Diva]

My SO and I just got back from a week in Tahoe. The number of ski areas is simply staggering. We spent three days (all powder days) at Squaw Valley. Simply amazing. They got three feet of snow while we were there and the terrain is stellar. .

Yes, Tahoe is my new favorite. I spent a week there at the beginning of March, and was absolutely blown away by the snow, the variety of ski areas, and the terrain. Absolutely loved it and will definitely be back.

 

[tarponhead]

Here's my take, my boys get prez week off next year. So I'm kinda thinking utah will be crowded regardless where we go. Another factor is altitude; don't know how they will react, especialy sleeping at altitude (i.e., teluride would be out).

Soooooo.... thinking of going back to Montana. Whitefish in particular. Plenty of (varried) terrain. And costs are relatively light (airfare excluded). Spent a lot of time sleeping next to my car with a flyrod in the summer time there. Would love to return with two planks and my boys in tow. Hope I can pull it off...

 

[4aprice]

Here's my take, my boys get prez week off next year. So I'm kinda thinking utah will be crowded regardless where we go. Another factor is altitude; don't know how they will react, especialy sleeping at altitude (i.e., teluride would be out).

Soooooo.... thinking of going back to Montana. Whitefish in particular. Plenty of (varried) terrain. And costs are relatively light (airfare excluded). Spent a lot of time sleeping next to my car with a flyrod in the summer time there. Would love to return with two planks and my boys in tow. Hope I can pull it off...

From experience Utah is not too bad Presidents Week. Would love to get to Big Mountain or what ever they call it now.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[RISkier]

45 Would you recommend Park City as a first destination out west for east coast intermediates?

I don't think you could go too far wrong PC. Lots to consider and there's probably not a "perfect" choice. PC is probably only 45 minutees or so f rom the SLC airport. The airport is pretty easy to get into and out of. You'd be sleeping at 6.8 - 7k feet so significant altitude problems likely wouldn't be an issue. I've not skied PCMR but there is a ton of intermediate terrain at The Canyons and DV, and PCMR is reputed to have lots of intermediate terrain. I think you'd be making a mistake if you don't do a day trip or two over to Alta and/or Solitude. Nice intermediate terrain at both. PC itself is lively and has lots of dining/drinking choices. Only about an hour. Disadvantages, IMO, are the scenery at the PC resorts just isn't as spectacular as at Alta, Snowbird, Solitude or the CO resorts I've been to. We are staying in Frisco, CO right now. We really like Frisco. Charming but low key downtown with lots of dining options. Close to Copper, Breck, Keystone, and A-Basin. Lots of good intermediate skiing. Downtown Breck seems very nice. You're sleeping at 9+k feet. My first trip to the area I had pretty significant headaches and this time asked my doctor for a diamox script, which seemed to help. DIA is more difficult to negotiate quickly and you'd be more likely to hit road closures if the weather is bad. I also think it's a bit easier to negotiate the UT resorts in terms of parking, etc. You'll find tons of great intermediate skiing in Summit CO as well. I expect the Tahoe area would also offer a great vacation, though I have no first hand experience. You'll certainly have a great time in PC if that's where you end up going.

 

[Cannonball]

. Another factor is altitude;

Soooooo.... thinking of going back to Montana..... Spent a lot of time sleeping next to my car with a flyrod in the summer time there. Would love to return with two planks and my boys in tow. Hope I can pull it off...

Here's the trip for you.. Kings and Corn in AK. .http://www.chugachpowderguides.com/kingsandcorn.html
I flew with these guys in March a few years ago, so fishing was not an option, but they were amazing. This trip has you skiing massive corn aspects and catching king salmon in the same day...in June!!! I've spent a lot of time in AK in June and it can not be beat. Nearly 24 daylight basically doubles your trip. Plus altitude is not an issue. Most of these coastal peaks are in the 5K range.

 

[bigbog]

My vote is Colorado Front Range.....although there are places that I'd like to ski more...........A road trip is only 18 hrs in my gigantic SUV = cheap transportation with no plane fare or rental car

Lift tickets = season pass' for the front range are crazy cheap 359/year for unlimited at Abasin with 5 lift tickets to Keystone and Breck.

Our lodging and transportation make it possible for us to go to the Colorado Front range three times a year for what it cost us to go to Utah for 5 days.

So far, my favourite skiing was at Big Sky/Bridger Bowl, and I really want to get back there!

18 hrs isn't bad TC. The West is on my list.

$.01

 

[Cannonball]

My vote is Colorado Front Range.....although there are places that I'd like to ski more.
Contributing factor(s)
Cost, cost, cost.
My Sister in law lives near by = free lodging
A road trip is only 18 hrs in my gigantic SUV = cheap transportation with no plane fare or rental car
Split the road trip between 4 adults and its = 120/person for a week's worth of travel, including round trip and day tripping
Lift tickets = season pass' for the front range are crazy cheap 359/year for unlimited at Abasin with 5 lift tickets to Keystone and Breck.

Our lodging and transportation make it possible for us to go to the Colorado Front range three times a year for what it cost us to go to Utah for 5 days.

This really highlights how individual considerations make all the difference. To you it is "cost, cost, cost" for me it is "time, time, time". I can afford to go pretty much anywhere I want, I just can't find the time to do it (because I'm working making money.....vicious cycle??). 36 hours in a car represents 2 lost days of skiing for me. You do it 3 times a year, that would be six days I don't get on the slopes. Versus (admittedly) overpaying for flights and lodging, but getting more days in.

 

[playoutside]

...Downtown Breck seems very nice. You're sleeping at 9+k feet. My first trip to the area I had pretty significant headaches and this time asked my doctor for a diamox script, which seemed to help. DIA is more difficult to negotiate quickly and you'd be more likely to hit road closures if the weather is bad. ....

Spent 4 days in Breck this year...both of us spent 4 days with a head-exploding type of headache...never had a problem anywhere before (inc Park City, Tahoe, Alps). It was the kind of headache that wakes you from a sound sleep. I drank gallons of water, took sinus pills, aspirin, advil, nothing really helped. Days skiing headaches were less severe than nights. As soon as I got back to Denver, all was well. Except when we got there our flight was canceled...but the problem was in Boston, not Denver.:???:

Cost of lift tickets and headaches will def have me think twice before I head back.

 

[jaywbigred]

This really highlights how individual considerations make all the difference. To you it is "cost, cost, cost" for me it is "time, time, time". I can afford to go pretty much anywhere I want, I just can't find the time to do it (because I'm working making money.....vicious cycle??). 36 hours in a car represents 2 lost days of skiing for me. You do it 3 times a year, that would be six days I don't get on the slopes. Versus (admittedly) overpaying for flights and lodging, but getting more days in.

Exactly. I also think people tend to underestimate the amount of time they actually spend traveling, esp. in the car. They have a time in their head, that is usually their BEST time, not the average time, not a conservative time, not the time it will take if their is an accident or snow or what have you.

Obviously it is quite a personal thing, this question...but to me, to get up in the morning and drive to the mountain for any extended amount of time just seems silly. Sure, you pay a premium to be close, but it is worth it. And if you can find the right deal to get you to your destination from the airport, you wind up offsetting the proximity premium with the savings on the rental car.

 

[billski]

Spent 4 days in Breck this year...both of us spent 4 days with a head-exploding type of headache...never had a problem anywhere before (inc Park City, Tahoe, Alps). It was the kind of headache that wakes you from a sound sleep. I drank gallons of water, took sinus pills, aspirin, advil, nothing really helped. Days skiing headaches were less severe than nights. As soon as I got back to Denver, all was well. Except when we got there our flight was canceled...but the problem was in Boston, not Denver.:???:

Cost of lift tickets and headaches will def have me think twice before I head back.

I'd hate to see you not go back to the west. You might consider your first overnight in Denver to acclimate. First trip, I had a splitting headache when I went up to elevation (Loveland - wicked high base elevation of 10K) in less than 12 hours. Next two trips, I made sure I slept the night before (about 18 hours at elevation before skiing) and I made sure I ate carefully and had no alcohol, along with the requisite water. I was a bit winded the first two days, but no headache.

With regard to the lift tickets, consider some of the lesser known places, can save you big bucks on tickets, and still have vastly better conditions than in the east.

 

[playoutside]

I'd hate to see you not go back to the west. You might consider your first overnight in Denver to acclimate. First trip, I had a splitting headache when I went up to elevation (Loveland - wicked high base elevation of 10K) in less than 12 hours. Next two trips, I made sure I slept the night before (about 18 hours at elevation before skiing) and I made sure I ate carefully and had no alcohol, along with the requisite water. I was a bit winded the first two days, but no headache.

With regard to the lift tickets, consider some of the lesser known places, can save you big bucks on tickets, and still have vastly better conditions than in the east.

No worries about my going west again...really a CO issue at this point...I think it will just make me think about bothering to acclimate if I stay above 8500. As I said, never had an issue before, I do hope it's not a new thing for me...I'd been to CO before w/o issue. Hoping this was an anomolie, but certainly was a lesson in slowing down to acclimate.

As for tix, I usually can find specials, CO caught me off guard...I'd already booked lodging, so was committed to Breck area. I would have been happy with Copper, Cooper and Abasin, but we were in ski in/out lodging so it made sense to enjoy it. I only managed to save about $15 off window price, but this still averaged $77/day -- totally threw off my average day cost this season!!

 

[Trekchick]

This really highlights how individual considerations make all the difference. To you it is "cost, cost, cost" for me it is "time, time, time". I can afford to go pretty much anywhere I want, I just can't find the time to do it (because I'm working making money.....vicious cycle??). 36 hours in a car represents 2 lost days of skiing for me. You do it 3 times a year, that would be six days I don't get on the slopes. Versus (admittedly) overpaying for flights and lodging, but getting more days in.

Not necessarily....
Because of where we fly from in Michigan, we can't ever find direct flights, which means at least one stop(usually one stop) and wasted time in the airport.
By the time we do that, we've wasted a day on each end of our trip traveling anyway, so why not do it more economically, and have the comfort of our own vehicle?
Besides, if we leave here in the late afternoon, after work, and drive through the night, with 4 adult drivers, that spits the drive time nicely and everyone gets sleep time....we arrive on the Front Range, booted up by noon on the next day. ;-)

I have friends who live on the east coast who do a red eye flight to and from, missing no days skiing, but we just don't have that option here.