SKIING: Five Local Mountains You Need to Ski

[jaytrem]

Have also heard about a place in Montana called Turner Mt which would seem to belong with the others mentioned. Anywhere else?

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

I think most of the places in Montana and Idaho would qualify. Oddly enough Schweitzer seemed a lot more destinationish than almost every other ski area in Idaho (SunValley). I enjoyed the place, but would not put that in the same list as the others. Way too much base lodging for the "undiscovered gem" or "mostly locals" feel.

As for Turner, I was there for one of those "you should have been here yesterday" days. But yeah, that place would qualify for sure. I don't think you see a house for 20 miles much less lodging.

 

[snoseek]

Powderhorn Colorado. Go there when it dumps and thank me later. Sunlight is kind of fun too..

 

[soulseller]

I've been to June twice, both times I had a blast. I doubt I'd travel all that way without Mammoth there both both trips I left with better memories of my time at June.

I'm in Billings Montana right now for work and about 60 miles down the road is a hill called Red Mountain. From what I hear they have been killing it this year, 100% open since Thanksgiving. I drove by it last year, its in a cool little town and from what I've seen fits the character of this thread nicely. Trust me when I say I'm kicking myself for spending last weekend in Colorado and this weekend at Red Lodge.

 

[MadPadraic]

My single best day on a board was at Schweitzer.

 

[jaytrem]

Powderhorn Colorado. Go there when it dumps and thank me later. Sunlight is kind of fun too..

Yeah, probably my Colorado favorite. Powder on a weekday and you'll have trouble finding tracks to cross.

My theory "ask my mom if she's ever heard of a ski area, if she hasn't, then there's a good chance that's a good place to go".

One unique experinance to share. Lost Trail on the ID/MT boarder, on a Saturday. Seemed like 95% of the people skiing that day were ready when lift opened and 95% were still there when they closed. Never seen anything like it. Almost everybody booting up in the lot. Lunch time everybody piled in the lodge, ate fast and got back out. It had a laid back atmosphere, but at the same time felt like a bit of Northeast rushing. I was with a couple local friends, and was kinda swept up in it. Great unique day.

 

[Geoff]

I write about Monarch a lot. It's a great little ski area. I don't mind 1000 vertical foot center pole chairlifts when the steeper terrain sees so little traffic. The Texans mostly stick to their one quad chair and the groomers. It's refreshing to be at a retro place where there is no slopeside lodging or glitz. A friendly base lodge with a good bar/restaurant. One not-so-great hotel a couple of miles down the road. Everybody else is driving up the hill from Salida.

 

[skiberg]

Personaly, I think Schwietzer is a bit overated.Nice views but teerrain is a bit average nothing exceptional for the region. Second not really sure what locals ski at Schwietzer its in the middle of nowhere.Unless your a local if your from Spokane.

Hands down greatest local ski area in the country is Turner mountain.

 

[Cannonball]

I'm still not clear on what "local" ski area means. It obviously doesn't mean local as in "near you" since the list is all over the place. Does it mean "local ownership"? Does it mean "for locals"? Does it just mean small and not well known?

 

[riverc0il]

I'm still not clear on what "local" ski area means. It obviously doesn't mean local as in "near you" since the list is all over the place. Does it mean "local ownership"? Does it mean "for locals"? Does it just mean small and not well known?

Yup.

Old school character and charm might be a better descriptor. Magic has also developed a strong and welcoming community (a community that is not strictly "local" in that I would imagine most shares are not bought by locals). There are tons of great places in New England with similar vibes. Get out there and ski them all, Magic and all the rest.

 

[orangegondola]

Magic Last Weekend

Here is what it looked like last weekend
http://vimeo.com/35349925

 

[MadPadraic]

Personaly, I think Schwietzer is a bit overated.Nice views but teerrain is a bit average nothing exceptional for the region. Second not really sure what locals ski at Schwietzer its in the middle of nowhere.Unless your a local if your from Spokane.

Hands down greatest local ski area in the country is Turner mountain.

I only spent one weekend there, but I still dream about those two days. The first was all kinds of fun, dropping off of "great divide" and picking our way through the trees. Also, runs on White Lightening really stick out in my mind.

The second was simply the best powder day I've ever experienced. I know that it's not what Schweitzer is known for (or even the right reason), but I was very very lucky.

For best local ski area, I'd have to go with Snoqualmie/alpental. We could leave work at 5:30 and be on the lift by 6:30. We'd get in 3 1/2 hours of riding and then have have beers and calzones (the bar was open an hour after the lifts).