Any and all opinions wanted...

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Why not go somewhere off the beaten path where there won't be so many crowds...maybe Sun Valley Idaho or Big Sky Montana. Of all the places in North America to ski...Vail is really low on my list..Tahoe is also pretty low because they usually don't get the dry blower powder and it's close to a whole lot of people in the SF bay area.

 

[L2RAFO]

As I'm sure that you get at this point, everybody has a different favorite out West ski/ride destination, so I'm not going to waste your time adding my personal opinion ( it's been covered, repeatedly ).

But I do want to point out a weather aspect that has been neglected to this point in the thread. Every three to five seasons there is an El Nino pattern that has to be taken into account if you are planning that "I only get to do this once every so often" type of trip. Every ten +/- years there is a very deep El Nino pattern that really disturbs all of the information you've received so far.

Last year was one of those 10 year ENs, and it made for a less than favorable memory for folks visiting Utah, and some other spots as well.

Historically, some of the best powder years on record in Utah come that first season after a deep EN.

Just something to keep in mind.

 

[RISkier]

LR2RAFO,

Don't know much about el-nino. We went to UT last year. All the local complained about the lack of snow but we had a great time. It was disappointing we didn't get more fresh but we had a great week and skied at Snowbasin, Powder Mountain, and Alta. Hope you're right about the year after el-nino cause I think we're going back this year. Don't know who said Park City was not good. While I don't think the skiing compares favorablly with the Cottonwoods Canyons there's a lot of skiing in the PC area and the village has lots to offer. We've stayed in the PC area and done day trips to Alta (about 50 minutes on mostly good roads though the road up to Alta/Bird could be pretty nasty in a storm). Staying in SLC offers great value but it it's not an alpine village. It's urban/suburban American with all it's charm and or warts. LOTS and LOTS of skiing within easy day trip range. Easy and quick access to the airport. Can't compare to any of the other options you've mentioned.

 

[darent]

slc = access, snow and the cottonwoods, never skied snow basin area, but would appreciate any feedback. colorado favorites , steamboat, town and colour can"t be beat, copper and maryjane.

 

[RISkier]

slc = access, snow and the cottonwoods, never skied snow basin area, but would appreciate any feedback. colorado favorites , steamboat, town and colour can"t be beat, copper and maryjane.

Last year we stayed in Eden, skied 3 days at Snowbasin, 2 at Powder Mountain, and drove to Alta for day. The snow was considered poor by UT standards and, unfortunately, there wasn’t any fresh snow during our week in UT. Still, we had a really fun week. The infrastructure at Snowbasin is very modern. There are two gondolas and a high-speed quad that provide access to most of the terrain. These lifts serve approximately 2700 feet of vertical. My wife and I stayed mostly on the groomed terrain at Snowbasin and thought the skiing was excellent. One of the folks we were with is a PSIA level III instructor who can ski anything and ski it gracefully. He was going down through the woods and seemed to have a great time. Even with less than UT like snow. There is definitely terrain to challenge experts and lots of intermediate terrain. I’d say it’s not a good place for novices looking for extensive easy terrain. The lodges are unbelievable. There is Oriental carpeting, heavy dark wood, leather padded chairs, huge fireplaces, heavy wooden doors on every bathroom stall, gold plated bathroom fixtures, etc. I mean really amazing. I wanted to move into the bathroom but my wife and I couldn’t decide if we’d stay in the Men’s or Women’s room. The food was also VERY good and we thought a very good value. There is currently no lodging right at Snowbasin. I’d say I like Alta better but Snowbasin is very good and I’d love to ski it in it’s full glory. Powder Mountain is the antithesis of Snowbasin. Mostly slow lifts and retro lodges. We had a great time at Powder Mountain as well. I would say that the layout at Powder Mountain lends itself very well to intermediates who want to learn to ski off-piste. You can just veer off a groomer and into sections of woods, bumps, etc. without getting into trouble. There is almost nothing in Eden in terms of any off-slope activities.

 

[darent]

riskier,thanks for the snow basin info,is eden the nearest lodging available, would staying in ogden be a viable lodging solution.

 

[kingslug]

riskier,thanks for the snow basin info,is eden the nearest lodging available, would staying in ogden be a viable lodging solution.

Check out Wolf Creek resorts, it's where I stay every year.
Overall you can't beat Utah. Great snow, close to the airport, all resorts within driving distance, short driving distance, and a great attitude. And yes you can get real beer and booze, just find a state liquor store and be prepared to spend some money. And the bus system is great.

 

[RISkier]

riskier,thanks for the snow basin info,is eden the nearest lodging available, would staying in ogden be a viable lodging solution.

Ogden would be a viable option if you're willing to drive. I'm not aware of any bus or shuttle service from downtown Ogden to either Snowbasin or Powder Mountain. Though that doesn't mean there isn't one. The drive up to Powder Mountain could be interesting in a winter storm. Snowbasin would offer easier access. The Wolf Creek resort looks real nice. We stayed nearby in the Red Moose Lodge, which we weren't that impressed with with. We did eat at the Rusty Cactus one night. It's a restarant at the Wold Creek resort. We weren't impressed with either the service or the food -- maybe we got them on a bad night. The night before we left we went to a lodge 4-5 miles from Eden. Don't recall the name but might be able to find it if I did some digging. Nice atmosphere and good food. There's also a saloon of some ill repute a few miles from Eden. After skiing one day we made it a point to find this place. Got there and it was closed. We later found out that the guy who runs it opens it when he feels like opening it, and doesn't when he doesn't.

 

[FRITOLAYGUY]

How about Summit County Colorado, plenty of options there.

 

[darent]

thanks for the tips on snow basin,have been thinking of skiing there but the lodging was a big question and I generally don't rent a car .

 

[RISkier]

thanks for the tips on snow basin,have been thinking of skiing there but the lodging was a big question and I generally don't rent a car .

I just don't think UT is a great place without a car. The Park City areas can certainly be skied easity without a car. And you can certainly get around the PC area without a car. And there are shuttle services from the PC are to the Cottonwoods Canyons resorts that aren't that expensive, it just lends itself better to having a car. Or staying down in the Sandy/Midvale area on the bus route. Unless there is something I'm missing I wouldn't try to ski the Snowbasin/Powder Mountain area without a car.

 

[L2RAFO]

I just don't think UT is a great place without a car. The Park City areas can certainly be skied easity without a car. And you can certainly get around the PC area without a car. And there are shuttle services from the PC are to the Cottonwoods Canyons resorts that aren't that expensive, it just lends itself better to having a car. Or staying down in the Sandy/Midvale area on the bus route. Unless there is something I'm missing I wouldn't try to ski the Snowbasin/Powder Mountain area without a car.

I think you're a little off base on this one ( or maybe just need to fine tune your advice ). I've owned property at Snowbird for the last elevin years, so I'm mainly familiar with Little Cottonwood Canyon, but have known a ton of people who show up in SLC, and never use anything more than UTA with spectacular results. And I'm not just talking people who stay right at the areas either.

I think you're on track about the Snowbasin/Powder comment, but I'd hate to see somebody a little strapped for cash miss out on a Utah experience because they can't budget in a rental car.

 

[Geoff]

I don't think you can recommend a resort without knowing more about what the person is looking for....

skiing ability?
mixed level group?
any snowboarders?
What's your budget?
looking for fine restaurant dining?
looking for killer nightlife?
What airport do you live near?
Do you have enough time to burn travel days coming and going?
Are you first chair to last chair?
Are you looking for slopeside lodging?

 

[RISkier]

L2RAFO,

I agree, I overstated the need for a car. Folks can certainly ski the Cottonwoods Canyons areas from SLC without a car. I know the bus system there works pretty well and there's light rail to go downtown in SLC But unless there's some transportation of which I'm totally unaware, a car would almost be a requirement for skiing in the Ogden area.

 

[andyzee]

The only place I've ever been to out west is Utah, went the past two years and loved it. We hit every resort with the exception of the Park City resorts and Sundown, they were all different and great in their own way.

 

[ckofer]

Utah, no brainer!

Basically within an hour of Salt Lake City you have 10 great choices all with their own pluses (and an occasional minus) areas (Snowbird, Alta, Solitude, Brighton, The Canyons, Park City Mtn Resort, Deer Valley, Powder Mtn, Snowbasin and I'll even throw Sundance into the mix).

With these choices, you'll basically find anything you want from wide-open above tree line bowls/chutes to perfectly buffed cruisers. Crowds are very reasonable and the snow is second to none. Throw in easy access and an airport location that rarely is affected in the winter. Easy choice. Granted I'm *slightly* biased since I own a timeshare out at The Canyons

I'll second that. Lots of good options and probably lots of good snow. You can get on a mountain fairly quickly after landing. In fact, a few years ago the Park City resorts had a deal where you show a same-day boarding pass and you could ski the afternoon for free. Not sure if that's still a valid offer but between the short flight and the time change you can get 3-4 hours in the first day.

 

[L2RAFO]

But unless there's some transportation of which I'm totally unaware, a car would almost be a requirement for skiing in the Ogden area.

No question about that.

There are some shuttle companies who cover it, but they cost as much as a cheap rental, so, in my mind, what's the point.

 

[darent]

thanks for input on ogden area, car sounds like the best option.when I have rented a car it seems it just sits there while I ski, so I started taking buses or shutttles. It is so easy to fly into slc, jump on a shuttle and get to the cottonwoods. explains why I haven't skied the ogden area.

 

[bluishgreen]

I've found Vail to be no more expensive than any other place, once I got over the idea that I must stay in Vail itself. I don't view it as going to Vail, so much as going to the "Vail-Beaver Creek" area, since they own both resorts. Avon (the town between the two resorts) is generally very reasonable and convenient for getting to either resort. BC is usually a little less crowded on weekends. Their buses run around the clock fairly frequently, so it's fairly trivial to get around without a car.