East Coast Skier vs. West Coast Skier

[eastcoastpowderhound]

Its January, 25 deg and partly sunny;
EC skier: Wow, its hot and sunny, I've gotta shed a layer and grab my mirrored lenses!
WC skier: Damn, its so cold I need my puffy and the light is totally flat.

At the top of the 10min boot pack:
EC skier: doubled over, can't speak, gasping for breath
WC skier: Already on lap two...skinning up from the base

On the lift, looking at each other's skis:
EC skier: Dude...are those water skis?
WC skier: Dude...are those x-c skis?

 

[kingslug]

We've discussed this at length over at FTO's forums. It's all about proximity. Jackson locals are like Utah locals - it's so close, why would you bother when things suck? I managed to rack up 75 days last year and even in a "low snow year" of just over 400 inches never bothered on a truly crappy day. Unlike folks who fly out here we're only 20 minutes away, so you find other things to do when weather and/or conditions are sub-par because there's always tomorrow. There's no need to suffer when it's so close. I've been known here to go home after two runs when things are unexpectedly lousy, but I never would have done that back East when I had to drive anywhere from 90 minutes to 4 hours to reach the slopes.

It doesn't take long living here to start getting spoiled and turn into a powder princess.

I guess it's just inconceivable to me to not want to ski these mountains all the time no matter what. Maybe one day I will find out.

 

[First Tracks]

I guess it's just inconceivable to me to not want to ski these mountains all the time no matter what.

Well, 75 days a season is still pretty much "all the time," at least for me, anyway (my kid beat me with 99 last year). Proximity just lets me pick and choose my days more judiciously.

 

[snowmonster]

EC skier: It's not ice unless it turns blue -- sharpens edges and feathers them.
WC skier: Calls hard snow ice -- will not ski it or will slip and slide on it.

EC skier: 10 degrees is no big deal.
WC skier: 10 degrees is ridiculously cold.

EC skier: Does massive face plants on powder days. Returns lift ticket for a voucher.
WC skier: Is used to powder.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I just figured that moving out west turned guys into an effeminate girly man...

When I lived in Bozeman..It was tough to drag roommates friends skiing if it hadn't snowed in 3-5 days and I'd always find some sort of powder or untracked in the trees. Us east coasters can ski powder just fine..but also the boilerplate..What most skiers call ice..I consider hardpack...if you can't see your reflection it's not ice. I never want to become jaded..that's why I skied 119 days last season living in eastern PA..and I bet at least 10 of those days were in the rain..but if it's raining..I let myself quit after 15-20k of vert..lol..

 

[kingslug]

Well, 75 days a season is still pretty much "all the time," at least for me, anyway (my kid beat me with 99 last year). Proximity just lets me pick and choose my days more judiciously.

One of the many reason I want to move to Utah.

 

[Powdr]

EC Skier: Obsessed w/ what a WC Skier thinks about his skiing....
WC Skier: There's skiers East of CO?

 

[campgottagopee]

I hope to NEVER tune a ski again....

M

I hear what you're saying, but there's something about being able to set an edge into this "firm" east coast "pp" that really trips my trigger. Dunno what it is, but riding that baby out gets me all fired up!!!!

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

When I'm at Jackson Hole one of my favorite things to do first thing in the morning on a non-powder day is to get in line extra early for the gondola..get in the first cabin..and fly non-stop down Sundance...2,740 vert of perfect high speed cord in under 3 minutes...woo hoo..with not one person in front of me....wowser..

 

[First Tracks]

I hope to NEVER tune a ski again....

You'll have to after today. :wink:

 

[First Tracks]

You'll have to after today. :wink:

Well, not really after all. Item # 27463 of why I love the West:

http://www.firsttracksonline.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=5803

Game on!

(Sorry for the linked post, Greg, but with all of those photos it was enormously easier that way.)

 

[riverc0il]

Well, not really after all. Item # 27463 of why I love the West:

http://www.firsttracksonline.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=5803

Game on!

(Sorry for the linked post, Greg, but with all of those photos it was enormously easier that way.)

Sorry my ***.... if I just skied on October 6th, I would be gloating everywhere I possibly could! Nice job.

East vs. West? The early/late season of the west is one of the biggest differences IMO. While we talk about skiing (even those of us that enjoy earned turns), Admin is already hitting the slopes... after having already passed up a day that was not good enough for him :lol: Skiing into July/August on the other side of things means skiers in the west with quick access to the big ones can generally ski almost every month of the year if they so choose without flying any where.

 

[First Tracks]

Skiing into July/August on the other side of things means skiers in the west with quick access to the big ones can generally ski almost every month of the year if they so choose without flying any where.

Not this summer in Utah - hot and dry, following a below-average year, about the only white stuff late summer around here was on the semi-permanent snowfield on the east side of Timpanogos, which is a 4000 vertical-foot schlep. That's more than I'm willing to do for suncupped patch skiing.

However, my first summer here followed a prodigious 600-inch winter and a wet and cool spring. I managed to log 20 consecutive calendar months that year without leaving Utah. I swear that I'll never do it again but I had to do it just once.

And hey, I'm not Admin over here, just a lowly plebe. <g>

 

[SkiDog]

One of the many reason I want to move to Utah.

Just do it man....this IS THE TIME.....Economy is great...Housing market is cooling......and the SNOW IS ALREADY FALLING...

M