For those who don't/haven't skied out west.

[kingslug]

With the way this season is going I'm wondering what has kept some people from going out there. I'm even considering heading back to parts of Europe, where they don't use the Euro. Not this season but its an option. Sliding on resurfaced ice is really getting me down these days...and when I add up the cost of heading north compared to out west, it doesn't cost much more to get on a plane. Hell it costs me $150.00 to ski Hunter for a day...

 

[Cheese]

With the way this season is going I'm wondering what has kept some people from going out there. I'm even considering heading back to parts of Europe, where they don't use the Euro. Not this season but its an option. Sliding on resurfaced ice is really getting me down these days...and when I add up the cost of heading north compared to out west, it doesn't cost much more to get on a plane. Hell it costs me $150.00 to ski Hunter for a day...

It's all relative really. I ski mostly groomers in the east and mostly off piste in the west. The off piste skiing in the west is marginal this year with low base depths and high avi danger. I had a Mammoth and Vail trip booked for this month but pushed them both out to March in hopes of better conditions. Snow is coming in the west, but it's taking it's time out there much like it is around here.

 

[legalskier]

Could be wrong but I keep hearing that things out there haven't been much better than here; we've had AZer threads about cancelling trips (and JetBlue letting them re-schedule with no penalty- sweet). Recently they've gotten some pow out west but it gets skied off. Best conditions appear to be in the Alps, but that isn't doable for me. I'm keeping my fingers crossed to see if Mother Nature finally comes through.

Btw, have you ever had the sushi at Hunter? We wanted to try it but they require you to stay in their area and we already had settled into a table by the wood stove. If it's good I want to try it next time.

 

[SkiFanE]

With the way this season is going I'm wondering what has kept some people from going out there. I'm even considering heading back to parts of Europe, where they don't use the Euro. Not this season but its an option. Sliding on resurfaced ice is really getting me down these days...and when I add up the cost of heading north compared to out west, it doesn't cost much more to get on a plane. Hell it costs me $150.00 to ski Hunter for a day...

Funds. We chose a second home rather than ski vacations, I suppose. Don't even want to add up what a trip out west for a family of 5 would cost...air, hotel, ski tix, rental car, food, avi equipment (lol). Plus my kids say they'd rather have a beach/hot vacation rather than a ski one anyway. Been out west to ski once my entire life, and there was a dearth of snow that year...so I have no effing clue what I'm missing anyway haha..I've really had a good ski year so far, all the complaining is getting old guys lol.

 

[St. Bear]

and when I add up the cost of heading north compared to out west, it doesn't cost much more to get on a plane. Hell it costs me $150.00 to ski Hunter for a day...

This isn't even close to my costs. I have a lot of my vouchers already paid for at less than $30 per lift ticket. For my wife and I to drive to New England + 1 night hotel + some food = roughly $300 for the both of us to go skiing for a weekend.

Even if you round up to $400, that's about what a round trip plane ticket costs for one person.

 

[gmcunni]

$$ and time.

 

[wa-loaf]

Going in March. When you have two little kids it's not easy to just drop your shit and go away for the weekend. And it's not that much easier trying to catch a storm when they hit here in the east unless I'm lucky. I've got close to 10 more years of this. Once kids are out of the house things will change!

 

[deadheadskier]

$$ and time.

+1

I have been out west plenty, but mainly in my early to mid 20s. I'm much more reserved in my spending these days, even though I have more money to spend.

For those that frequently go out west, what is your average length of stay and total cost per person, per day and factoring everything; airfare, hotels, tickets, car rental, food, booze, rental equipment.

 

[4aprice]

I always go out west but this year might be the exception. The reports I'm getting back are just so-so. I'm in a good situation where I can almost go whenever I want. Most years and years like last season its worth every penny. I just don't know if I want to spend the money for what is out there a down season. It will be there in the future and so will I. That said I do have a hold on the condo in Utah for the first week in April if things radically change.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[AdironRider]

Cause the skiing out here isnt that much better than back there.

 

[Smellytele]

Deadlines and commitments

 

[abc]

With the way this season is going I'm wondering what has kept some people from going out there.

Marginal conditions out west!

With the exception of PNW, the rest of the "west" are groomer mostly. If you get lucky to coincide you trip with a minor storm, it's good. I got lucky this past weekend. But all the time before the trip, Otherwise,I keep asking myself why I'm pay extra to ski groomers! I would have canceled had I not got a free place to crash, making the cost comparable to skiing locally.

I'm even considering heading back to parts of Europe,

That would be a good option, THIS SEASON!

Not sure what you mean by "where they don't use the Euro" though...like where? Greece?

 

[mriceyman]

One day ill have the money to just go out west for a long last minute weekend. Lol

 

[Puck it]

It has been picking up out there recently. Vail back bowls are open. I am praying for mor since I leave 3/10 for CO.

 

[JimmyPete]

This as we all know is an exceptionally bad year for the East. Not a great year for the West but almost everywhere out there conditions have stabilized. I've skied once twice a year out West for the past 15 and have hit a few rough patches. One President's week way back Park City was rain , sleet, heavy snow. Another time March in Utah way too warm for good skiing and no fresh for weeks. Been in Colorado when winds closed almost all the Lifts, My friends were in Park City Last week into this. Last Week very icy, this weekend mucho powder. Modern grooming and snow making have made the East much more reliable, and enjoyable, but it will never be the Rockies. Just like Jones Beach will never be Hawaii, but enjoy what you can when you can.

 

[David Metsky]

It has been picking up out there recently. Vail back bowls are open. I am praying for mor since I leave 3/10 for CO.

Crested Butte has opened 2 of the 4 their backcountry bowls after 19" this week. I'm headed out on Sunday.

 

[ALLSKIING]

Cause the skiing out here isnt that much better than back there.

Are you saying for this year or in general?

 

[snoseek]

It's been a pretty rough year but not as bad as you may think.

Yesterday in Tahoe:

 

[AdironRider]

Are you saying for this year or in general?

Definitely just this year, although as some others have mentioned, were starting to look better and better as each day goes by.

That being said, I think Jackson is sitting in the 220" range, this time last year we were pushing 400+

 

[MommaBear]

Funds. We chose a second home rather than ski vacations, I suppose. Don't even want to add up what a trip out west for a family of 5 would cost...air, hotel, ski tix, rental car, food, avi equipment (lol).

This. Did it once a couple years back. Just don't have those kind of funds these days.