Jackson or Aspen?

[ss20]

Hi guys,

I got me a Mountain Collective for this season (I came here to ski everywhere!). I'm doing a 3 day mini trip Jan 23-26 to Aspen or Jackson and I am struggling to decide which to ski. Both are very below their snow depth averages this time of year, but both are expected to get 2-5 feet over the next week. Jackson is 50%ish open right now and Aspen is 80% between their 4 areas. Curious what you guys would do? I know Jackson takes a lot of snow depth but I've never been to nor heard a ton about Aspen's terrain and what it takes to cover. I was at Jackson 4 years ago in November... I saw that a biggggg base depth is really needed for the super fun stuff to open.

Glad your guy's season is finally in gear!

 

[ThatGuy]

I’m going to Jackson the 23-25th so if you do go there maybe we could take a couple runs. But Aspen looks like its been having a good season. Id play it by ear and see how much each place gets in this next week.

 

[crank]

Jackson is cheaper for lodging and food and drink. For the most part, according to me, Jackson wins on terrain. Gotta be a closer and easier drive for you as well, no?

 

[Tonyr]

Its a tough call. Jackson has a ton of snow coming...

But Aspen Snowmass is definitely worth a try if you have never been. There is great terrain scattered amongst three of those mountains. I will say that 3 days is probably not enough time to ski the main Aspen mountains though. If you go to Aspen I would focus on skiing Ajax and Highlands over the 3 days and save Snowmass for a separate visit.

 

[AdironRider]

You can ski pretty much all Jackson has to offer starting at about 75" base depth. At 100" stuff starts getting much easier in terms of challenge. That said, you will be hard pressed to have a bad time regardless. Jackson terrain is bar none the best, nothing in the States come close. You will find terrain off Teton or AV that rivals anything Aspen has to offer, and those are just considered warm up runs in Jackson.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

havent been to aspen in many years (2006). have been to jackson 4 or 5 times since 2007. going back to aspen this year, and excited to get into it again, especially at highlands. but jackson is a place that has called me back repeatedly. it is special.

 

[jaytrem]

Definitely need some snow out there. We're heading to mostly Idaho since this is the last year the kids can ski for almost free ($29 each, 2 tickets to each place). Lots of smaller places are still closed, and Sun Valley has almost no natural. We plan to hit JH on the 31st, the last day of the 1/2 off Golden Ticket deal. We'll also hit Snow King with the Indy Pass, can't resit a new Gondola and terrain expansion. If the Gondola isn't open yet, we'll probably do an extra Targhee day, it counts as Idaho for the kids' pass.

 

[jaytrem]

havent been to aspen in many years (2006). have been to jackson 4 or 5 times since 2007. going back to aspen this year, and excited to get into it again, especially at highlands. but jackson is a place that has called me back repeatedly. it is special.

But Aspen is the place where the beer flows like wine and beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano.

 

[ThatGuy]

havent been to aspen in many years (2006). have been to jackson 4 or 5 times since 2007. going back to aspen this year, and excited to get into it again, especially at highlands. but jackson is a place that has called me back repeatedly. it is special.

Yeah im so excited to go there been in the summer 4 times and always look at the resort wishing i could ski there

 

[jimk]

Given similar snow conditions JH might be the play for 3 days. As other's have said you can get fairly cheap motels in Jackson and take free bus to slopes. Aspen's my favorite for a full week so you can explore three great mtns, Ajax, Snowmass, Highlands. More expensive to stay close to mtns. Snowmass has great intermediate terrain that might be good in low tide conditions.

 

[thetrailboss]

Hi guys,

I got me a Mountain Collective for this season (I came here to ski everywhere!). I'm doing a 3 day mini trip Jan 23-26 to Aspen or Jackson and I am struggling to decide which to ski. Both are very below their snow depth averages this time of year, but both are expected to get 2-5 feet over the next week. Jackson is 50%ish open right now and Aspen is 80% between their 4 areas. Curious what you guys would do? I know Jackson takes a lot of snow depth but I've never been to nor heard a ton about Aspen's terrain and what it takes to cover. I was at Jackson 4 years ago in November... I saw that a biggggg base depth is really needed for the super fun stuff to open.

Glad your guy's season is finally in gear!

I guess it depends on if you want to do 1 ski area or 4. Aspen is technically 4 ski areas, so a lot more terrain. Plus Aspen has a lot of other stuff to do as opposed to Jackson.

 

[crank]

Plus Aspen has a lot of other stuff to do as opposed to Jackson.

Really? Like what exactly? Shop?

You can buy weed there.

 

[jaytrem]

Given similar snow conditions JH might be the play for 3 days. As other's have said you can get fairly cheap motels in Jackson and take free bus to slopes. Aspen's my favorite for a full week so you can explore three great mtns, Ajax, Snowmass, Highlands. More expensive to stay close to mtns. Snowmass has great intermediate terrain that might be good in low tide conditions.

How dare you leave off Buttermilk!!!

 

[Tonyr]

Really? Like what exactly? Shop?

You can buy weed there.

Like Park City, the bars and restaurants there are fantastic in the Aspen Valley area.

 

[jaytrem]

I guess it depends on if you want to do 1 ski area or 4.

How dare you not go to Snow King (at least for some night skiing)!

 

[crank]

I prefer the bars and restaurants in Jackson, not Teton Village, over Aspen. I find them to be really good and a good bit less expensive. Snowmass food and drink is more reasonable. More live music in Jackson if you like that and I do.

I've been to JH about 8 times since 1990 and have not once skied a run at Snow King...probably should.

I don't not like Aspen I just like Jackson more. Going to Snowmass next year with our ski club.

 

[4aprice]

Day off option at Aspen we have enjoyed.

Iron Mountain Hot Springs ~ Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Iron Mountain Hot Springs mineral hot springs pools in Glenwood Springs on the bank of the Colorado River. Enjoy mineral hot springs pools, casual dining.

www.ironmountainhotsprings.com

 

[Tonyr]

I've been to Jackson Hole once and plan on returning next season to give it another shot. My issue with JH the only time we visited was the unbearable crowds. Now our trip was over the covid season when lifts were restricted at the time but each and every lift on the mountain throughout the 5 days of our trip had a minimum 45 minute wait. It was brutal.

The other thing with Jackson is unless your skiing the backcountry or want to do some inbounds hiking, it's not that big. No doubt, the lift served terrain is awesome and probably my favorite in the US next to the Alta Snowbird combination, but their actual lift served terrain I'd guess is under 2k acres.

Aspen Snowmass on the other hand really does have lots of challenging terrain spread out across the three mountains. Nothing that approaches 45 degrees like you'd see at Snowbird, JH, or Palasides Tahoe except for maybe parts of the Highlands bowl or some of the Big Burn Cliffs at Snowmass but they have tons and tons of high 30 and 40 degree pitch terrain as well as some spectacular pockets of tree skiing.

I'm certainly not advocating Aspen over JH in your situation, both places are different and great in their own way. In your shoes I'd probably go to Jackson Hole because the weather looks like it will be better while you are there but you definitely want to try Aspen Snowmass out someday if you have never been, it's great too. Either way you can't lose with your decision!

 

[Tonyr]

I prefer the bars and restaurants in Jackson, not Teton Village, over Aspen. I find them to be really good and a good bit less expensive. Snowmass food and drink is more reasonable. More live music in Jackson if you like that and I do.

I've been to JH about 8 times since 1990 and have not once skied a run at Snow King...probably should.

I don't not like Aspen I just like Jackson more. Going to Snowmass next year with our ski club.

To each there own! I love both places my preference would be towards the Aspen Valley or Park City restaurants though. Telluride has good bar/restaurant options as well.

Il Poggio is the best restaurant in Snowmass and all things considered, maybe the whole Aspen Valley. The food is outstanding and reasonably priced for where your at. You have to call them directly for a reservation, they don't do online bookings.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

45 min lines on all lifts at JHMR is def not normal and i have skied powder weeks during the xmas-new years holiday and the presidents week holiday.

did they not have ikon reservations system in place yet, then? they do now.