VTKilarney
Well-known member
Would renting a car at a local airport be cheaper than flying? At your level, spend your money on getting better even if that means staying closer to home.
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Going snowboarding in January - Need advice
- Thread starter adamw
- Start date
dlague
Active member
I agree, look at the map below. You are definitely closer to the northeast, NY and PA. There are also plenty of places not far from you - albeit smaller, but great for improving skills. Personally, places like Killington, Stowe and Sugarbush are a waste of your money since much of the terrain there would be unused based on the skills you mentioned. If you are hell bent on a trip - you should map out a tour visiting places that feature lots of beginner/intermediate range stuff. If traveling mid week there are plenty two for one opportunities to lower costs. Stay at hostels to lower over night costs. January is learn to ski or snowboard month so there are deals for beginners to be considered.
NY - Hunter, Windham, Gore
VT - Mount Snow, Okemo, Bolton Valley
NH - Bretton Woods, Waterville, Sunapee
As far as gear - I would say spend the money on entry level gear for your brother and even intermediate gear for yourself since it sounds like you may take more than one trip. Keep in mind that you will more than likely be buying again in a year or two.
note - before anyone tears me up regarding the resorts not to go to - I know they have intermediate and some beginner stuff but there are better places that suit them!
A trip out west can be planned for next year when skills are much improved!
forgot to add the map
Last edited:
VTKilarney
Well-known member
Believe it or not, the distance between Chicago and Vermont is about the same as Chicago to Denver.
dlague
Active member
Depends where you are going. NY 200 miles less VT 100 miles less so they are relatively close to the same - but there are many more ski areas in a 200 mile radius in NY and NE
VTKilarney
Well-known member
Agreed. This is why I think it makes sense for the OP to find somewhere closer to home than even Vermont. I would pick one of the 700 foot hills in Ontario or Wisconsin.
elks
Member
OP mentioned that he or his brother don't drive, which is why he doesn't want to ski locally on a weekly basis. I agree I think that would be the way to go based on their levels, but if you have to get to the hills by way of public transportation, it does become quite a hassle.
VTKilarney
Well-known member
I saw that comment too. I wasn't sure if it meant that they didn't drive at all, or if they didn't have a car. If they don't drive at all, that definitely limits their options. Are there any bus trips from the Chicago area? Often those are the most affordable way to get on the hill.
VTKilarney
Well-known member
I just answered my own question:
http://www.windycityski.com/
http://www.windycityski.com/
dlague
Active member
Perfect idea! Other ideas:
http://www.lincolnparkskiclub.org/
http://www.workhardplayhardchicago.com/event-schedule/
I am sure there are more!
Yeah this would've been so much simpler and affordable if we had a car. Unfortunately neither my brother nor I have licenses as we lived in big cities primarily so we've gotten accustomed to public transportation.
I initially considered a place closer to home such as Wisconsin or maybe Vermont, but it turns out that the transportation fees are almost identical to flying down to Utah/Colorado. In fact it turns out to be about $264 (round-trip for 2) by Amtrak to WI, while it's only $245 by plane to UT. Assuming we have the same quality of lodging, WI ends up being only $10-20 cheaper every day, in which case if the West is that much better than the Midwest I think it'll be worth it. If we could drive, that'll be a completely different situation.
I've checked out some of the snowboarding clubs in Chicago but it seems like most of them require at least a week or two to sign-up in advance, and I would like to go in the next few days as I have to return by the 11th. I am going to reach out to the ones in dlague's post, and see if we can work something out.
Right now I'm strongly leaning towards Utah though, and some people have suggested I set up base camp in Salt Lake City. I'm still working out the details but it seems like it'll take 2 hours each way by bus to Snowbasin/Brighton?!
ScottySkis
Well-known member
Only bus in Utah goes from SLC suburbs to Alta, snowbird, Solutue and Brighton. When I was in Utah the bus went to Snowbasin from Slc took about and hour to town near by but not to the mountain. Call their phone number and maybe you get lucky like I did and someone from phone happened to drive in and offer ed to pick me up. Other wise it about 25 mile from any hotel to mountain expensive cab ride.
elks
Member
If you don't drive I'd scrap Snowbasin. Set up base in Midvale, Sandy, or downtown SLC close to one of the bus stops. Midvale and Sandy will put you closer to Brighton, Solitude, and Snowbird. Brighton is the furthest resort up Big Cottonwood Canyon. You're looking at about 20 miles from Midvale/Sandy. By car it's under 30 minute and by bus probably closer to an hour.
(Take some photos of your trip and report back!)
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