Change my Tahoe trip to Colorado, or hold out for snow?

[jimk]

Just to bring you further angst I took this shot at Loveland ski area in CO five days ago.


Seriously though, I remember you talking about this trip a while back and thought it was great you had a west coast relative you could utilize to keep trip fun and affordable. I visited a Bay Area relatively myself last year during a ski trip to Tahoe. Normally I don't think it’s worth switching destinations if you have enough lead time for things to change and you have a sweet family connection. But this is a tough call and maybe if your airline allows easy last minute switch maybe you have to consider that. CO can be done reasonably cheaply even at last minute. There are lots of sub-hundred dollar a night motels around Georgetown and Silverthorne. I used a fourpack at Loveland for tickets around low $30s per day. But you can get them at local supermarkets for $50 something during your trip. Bigger name mtns are more, but Copper and Arapahoe Basin (and Loveland) might have some good deals on Liftopia.

 

[Ski Man]

I was headed to Denver this morning to take advantage of my EPIC Pass season ticket for 5 mountains. Jet Blue cancelled all flights last night. So much for skiing with my son before he goes back to CU

 

[Ski Man]

So if you are going to switch don't go Jet Blue

 

[Ski Man]

anyone skied Sunday River in the past 2 days?

 

[Edd]

anyone skied Sunday River in the past 2 days?

You might want to start a different thread for that question. My plan was to ski Mon - Wed this week and SR was on the menu but yesterday's rain combined with today's cold/wind have scared me off. I'm trying to make myself go out tomorrow. Didn't used to be such a wuss.

 

[Bene288]

And CO will have a sudden drought. Please do not change to CO because I am going there and don't want you to jinx it.

I'll keep that in mind. When are you going? I'll try to plan my CO trip afterward haha

 

[Bene288]

Just to bring you further angst I took this shot at Loveland ski area in CO five days ago.
View attachment 10185

Seriously though, I remember you talking about this trip a while back and thought it was great you had a west coast relative you could utilize to keep trip fun and affordable. I visited a Bay Area relatively myself last year during a ski trip to Tahoe. Normally I don't think it’s worth switching destinations if you have enough lead time for things to change and you have a sweet family connection. But this is a tough call and maybe if your airline allows easy last minute switch maybe you have to consider that. CO can be done reasonably cheaply even at last minute. There are lots of sub-hundred dollar a night motels around Georgetown and Silverthorne. I used a fourpack at Loveland for tickets around low $30s per day. But you can get them at local supermarkets for $50 something during your trip. Bigger name mtns are more, but Copper and Arapahoe Basin (and Loveland) might have some good deals on Liftopia.

That looks fantastic.

I found tickets at Copper for $63 a day. Way less than what was expected for Heavenly. Not enough to cover a rental car and hotel but every little bit helps.

What is around Georgetown and Silverthorne? I was always told that Frisco is the place to stay. I don't know that much about the ski areas in Colorado.

 

[skiNEwhere]

Are there shuttles/buses/van taxi from Denver to Summit county ?

Ridecme.com



I just posed this in the BOGO thread as well but you can get some deals at skifreedeals.com if you buy gas

 

[croninovative]

For what it's worth, I skied Vail last winter and it was unbelievable. Have yet to ski Tahoe but in my mind you can't go wrong with CO.

 

[jimk]

That looks fantastic.

I found tickets at Copper for $63 a day. Way less than what was expected for Heavenly. Not enough to cover a rental car and hotel but every little bit helps.

What is around Georgetown and Silverthorne? I was always told that Frisco is the place to stay. I don't know that much about the ski areas in Colorado.

I hope you get to do the Tahoe trip, but if you decide to switch destinations I think you are on the right track with Copper. Of the big name places close to Denver it seems to offer most competitive prices on lift tickets. If you want more character and less glitz check Arapahoe Basin for moderate priced two-day tickets off Liftopia. Same with Loveland, although less double black diamonds than A-Basin. I did a spring week trip to Loveland, A-Basin, and Copper about five years ago. That's a nice combo of big and medium size mtns and we had a really great time. Although, bring your lungs:
http://www.dcski.com/articles/view_article.php?article_id=1212&mode=headlines
Georgetown Mtn Inn is fairly reasonable and convenient to Loveland. Frisco Lodge is good, a little pricier. There are a lot of fairly cheap chain motels around Silverthorne/Dillon. Maybe Priceline.com would get you something good. I've been to Colorado about five times in the last seven years and most of the time you can get by with an economy rental car, but with your luck you might get a big dump if you choose not to rent an SUV. But then you could buy cheap tire chains Picking a Summit County motel near the free Summit Stage stops can be good for rides to some of the ski areas if you don't want to hassle with snowy roads or parking lots.

 

[KevinF]

I did a Tahoe trip a couple years ago. They were getting skunked for snow. First day was quite possibly the worst conditions I have ever seen anywhere. Ice and rocks. Then they got hammered with snowfall for four days. Last day was one of the best days I've ever seen...

It can change in a big hurry in Tahoe. I wouldn't panic (yet).

 

[ADKme]

That looks fantastic.

I found tickets at Copper for $63 a day. Way less than what was expected for Heavenly. Not enough to cover a rental car and hotel but every little bit helps.

What is around Georgetown and Silverthorne? I was always told that Frisco is the place to stay. I don't know that much about the ski areas in Colorado.

Southwest is great about changing flights - don't worry about that one bit.

Frisco is a good place to use as a base. The Best Western Lake Dillon Lodge is a good cheaper spot - $129 mid-week for the first week in Feb. Free breakfast, indoor pool. There's the Summit Stage free bus directly across the street that takes you into Breck (good for Apres at Breckenridge Brewery). It's a couple minutes to the Frisco Main Street too, which has restaurants and bars. You can find some good deals on hotels mid-week in Frisco/Keystone/Breck.

Another option is to wait until closer to that week and then book a hotel. For the first week of February last year, we booked a 4-star hotel in Vail through Priceline for $150/night and ended up in a slopeside hotel in the heart of the village (Vail Lodge & Spa). My friend quit early and shot video of us skiing down the hill while he was sitting in the outdoor hot tub.

 

[snoseek]

You should still be waiting for another ten orso days before changing things right? There is some indication for the flip in about that time frame. Opensnow and Noaa are both hinting. I honestly think it may happen despite becoming cynical with forecast. With a good fetch of moisture shit can happen here amazingly quick. Whether or not that happens is still to be seen. It's our turn.

 

[Bene288]

You should still be waiting for another ten orso days before changing things right? There is some indication for the flip in about that time frame. Opensnow and Noaa are both hinting. I honestly think it may happen despite becoming cynical with forecast. With a good fetch of moisture shit can happen here amazingly quick. Whether or not that happens is still to be seen. It's our turn.

Yes I have until the 20th or so. I'll have to monitor the weather closer to make a decision. So many variables to consider. I really appreciate your input.

 

[abc]

Yes I have until the 20th or so. I'll have to monitor the weather closer to make a decision. So many variables to consider. I really appreciate your input.

Can you change it to much later in the season? Tahoe is well known to have late season dumps. March/April is much more sure than Jan/Feb.

With free car and lodging, it's really hard to beat price-wise. And Tahoe skiing can be really, really good. If you wait till there's enough snow that is.

 

[frapcap]

You should still be waiting for another ten orso days before changing things right? There is some indication for the flip in about that time frame. Opensnow and Noaa are both hinting. I honestly think it may happen despite becoming cynical with forecast. With a good fetch of moisture shit can happen here amazingly quick. Whether or not that happens is still to be seen. It's our turn.

I appreciate your update every few days, too.
We're headed over to Tahoe Feb 2-9. Its looking scary considering there hasn't been much of any snowfall or base to speak of based on the ski mountain reports.

When would you start to worry? About a week before the trip? For once I got trip insurance (mainly because I didn't want to get skunked out of going if I injured myself) so canceling isn't the end of the world. Flights are through Southwest, so that is easy enough to change.

 

[snoseek]

I appreciate your update every few days, too.
We're headed over to Tahoe Feb 2-9. Its looking scary considering there hasn't been much of any snowfall or base to speak of based on the ski mountain reports.

When would you start to worry? About a week before the trip? For once I got trip insurance (mainly because I didn't want to get skunked out of going if I injured myself) so canceling isn't the end of the world. Flights are through Southwest, so that is easy enough to change.

That's pretty tight. Follow BA on opensnow and see when things get started. If it aint happening by the 20th then pull the plug. Where are you skiing? I know Heavenly is back to making lots of snow too....so that kinda helps. It needs to come in STRONG around the 20th and stay in that pattern for things to work out for you...but hey, crazier things have happened. Either way it won't be a 100 inch base, not that that's necessary for good skiing. Also being as the start is late I wouldn't come here too late in April as the snowpack may be thin.

 

[snoseek]

This morning report from him has less confidence. The GFS is falling apart. My work told me after there's no work at all till it snows. That has me thinking it may be time to get the fuck out of Tahoe, find another place to live last minute and a job. Lot's of work and snow to be found in other places...it's getting very bleak here. Wait it out still but also have plan B lined up.

 

[snoseek]

Update, yeah models fell apart and things are gone to shit for the rest of the month of January. I would be surprised to see a dusting between now and Feb 1st but could be mistaken. I would make arrangements not to go elsewhere...maybe give it a couple more days. I'm already starting to think about getting out and that would sorta makes things inconvenient for some around here. I just can't sit here and go broke, with shit skiing and hope it comes...I'm gonna need to do something soon. I wish it was May right now.

 

[AdironRider]

Update, yeah models fell apart and things are gone to shit for the rest of the month of January. I would be surprised to see a dusting between now and Feb 1st but could be mistaken. I would make arrangements not to go elsewhere...maybe give it a couple more days. I'm already starting to think about getting out and that would sorta makes things inconvenient for some around here. I just can't sit here and go broke, with shit skiing and hope it comes...I'm gonna need to do something soon. I wish it was May right now.

Well its to late to take advantage of this past cycle (45 inches and counting!) but there are a couple gigs available here in Jackson in your line of work. Pass is pricey though.