abc
Well-known member
Except the OP only has a Ikon Base. Alta isn’t part of it.
That said, Snowbird should be fine with a high intermediate. Very much the stereotypical “western” vista that blows the mind of a first time eastern visitor.
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Help with a 'Western' trip/destination
- Thread starter dmh
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That said, Snowbird should be fine with a high intermediate. Very much the stereotypical “western” vista that blows the mind of a first time eastern visitor.
SenorQuesadilla
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How much does cost enter the equation? Booking this close to your trip, lodging in SLC can be WAY cheaper than Steamboat if you want it to be.
The Schweitzer/Silver duo mentioned is perfect for Ikon+Indy holders who aren't looking for high alpine, and you'd still be able to find reasonably priced lodging, though you'd definitely need to rent a car. Maybe keep in mind for your next trip.
The Schweitzer/Silver duo mentioned is perfect for Ikon+Indy holders who aren't looking for high alpine, and you'd still be able to find reasonably priced lodging, though you'd definitely need to rent a car. Maybe keep in mind for your next trip.
2planks2coasts
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Hard Pass. I prefer to leave the snow driving to the professionals. CO/UT/BC all were super easy by public transit. So much cheaper and no worrying if that apres ski cocktail put you over the limit. I've done plenty of trips by rental car and by transit. Transit is far less stressful imho. That said, I happily lived in various cities for years without owning a car, so I'm quite used to it. Suburb dwellers may not be.
SenorQuesadilla
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With your experience taking public transportation I'm not sure why you wouldn't help the OP with specific options rather than just a generic "co/ut/bc all were super easy by public transit"
KustyTheKlown
Well-known member
On a typical trip I travel between too many areas, stay at too many cheap offsite lodgings, and value my autonomy off the mountain way too much to rely on public transit.
If I went to Jackson and only jackson I would maybe go no car. Did that once and it was fine-ish. My upcoming Jackson trip is a two week road trip with utah and sun valley in the mix. Impossible without car.
If I went to Jackson and only jackson I would maybe go no car. Did that once and it was fine-ish. My upcoming Jackson trip is a two week road trip with utah and sun valley in the mix. Impossible without car.
abc
Well-known member
I did Jackson once without a car. It’s beyond “fine-ish”. It was perfectly fine.
Shuttle from airport to lodging, which was in town. Restaurants were like a block and a half away. Ok, walking back in the dark was a bit spooky (I’m female, for those who don’t know). But nobody around, so my perceived “danger” was just my own imagination.
Skiing was just a bus ride away in the morning, straight in front of the ticket office/tram. For those who HAVE a car? You get to park miles away and ride a bus in anyway (Or pay some decent amount to park and walk a long way from parking to the ticket office/tram base)
I once had a friend flew in to joined me (I drove in). She stayed a couple days after I left. From her report, she found it easy to manage without a car.
One thing though, we purposely stay in a motel within half a block of the bus station (straight to skiing, 1 change to airport). And it’s next to a shopping center. So there were several restaurants to choose from within walking distance.
You live in NYC and you couldn’t figure out how to use buses efficiently? I‘d say it’s more from lack of trying.
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KustyTheKlown
Well-known member
I have always had a car in nyc too. I like to come and go when I want to. I like to go to other places not served by transit. I love the freedom that comes with having a car.
I did the bus in SLC and Jackson when I couldn’t afford better. I even did it in Bozeman once which truly sucked.
I stayed in motels on the bus line. On the beginning of the bus line going to the resorts. It was still asses to elbows on a slow bus full of sweaty people and their stinky ski gear. And their kids.
As a grown up with a little money, I’d much rather pilot a car by myself and drink coffee and smoke a joint. And then go where ever else I want to go when I want to go.
I did the bus in SLC and Jackson when I couldn’t afford better. I even did it in Bozeman once which truly sucked.
I stayed in motels on the bus line. On the beginning of the bus line going to the resorts. It was still asses to elbows on a slow bus full of sweaty people and their stinky ski gear. And their kids.
As a grown up with a little money, I’d much rather pilot a car by myself and drink coffee and smoke a joint. And then go where ever else I want to go when I want to go.
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Thanks for all the input. To answer one of the questions about cost, or willingness to spend on lodging, generally speaking, I hate spending ‘stupid’ money on lodging. I don’t need amenities as all I care about is the skiing, BUT, I have learned my lesson and will not penny pinch and sacrifice convenience. If I have to spend more to be closer, I will. Same theory for flying. I’ll spend more for direct flights.
Apres and fancy food is not a priority and my typical ski day is fueled by coffee, cliff bars, and some dried fruit and/or PB&J.
As for the car, I also like the freedom of going where and when I want to, so not having a car is not a huge priority.
All that said, I’m leaning toward Utah. I probably should have also included that I may be going to SF for work first week on Feb and May try to squeeze in a trip to Palisades Tahoe
Apres and fancy food is not a priority and my typical ski day is fueled by coffee, cliff bars, and some dried fruit and/or PB&J.
As for the car, I also like the freedom of going where and when I want to, so not having a car is not a huge priority.
All that said, I’m leaning toward Utah. I probably should have also included that I may be going to SF for work first week on Feb and May try to squeeze in a trip to Palisades Tahoe
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2planks2coasts
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Because I was addressing Krusty's point about needing a rental car. Most of the Resort specific suggestions had already been given.
That said, Ogden, UT is super easy to do car free. The ski bus leaves from right in front of many downtown hotels and heads to PowMow and Snowbasin (Ikon base+). Even Nordic Valley (powerpass) is an easy Uber ride if you want night skiing. Spent a week in Ogden skiing all 3 and only rented a car for one day to visit friends in Park City.
Car free Steamboat is equally easy. Fly to Hayden. You can stay in town or out at the Homewood /Holiday Inn area. The bus is free and runs from downtown til almost midnight and makes it easy to hit Howelsen Hill when the liftlines at the big hill get stupid long.
BC is best if you hit the lower mainland resorts. Cypress is on Ikon and has busses right from the N. Vancouver Seabus terminal. Grouse has better skiing and views IMHO. The tram is on the busline, but is off pass.
So as to IKON base, Steamboat will fit with the caveat being getting a ride from Hayden Airport to Steamboat. It is a great town with still an authentic vibe. Hell, you can ski free on Sundays at Howelsen Hill in Downtown Steamboat--the oldest ski area in Colorado and worth a couple hours.
I think a solid intermediate would be pretty happy at Steamboat. Good moderate terrain with good lifts overall. Good glade skiing and if there is new snow it is amazing. Like every place there are limitations. As said, the mountain in my mind is very bland in a lot of ways. It felt like a combination between Killington and Stratton in that it was big with a lot of blue cruisers and a lot of snowmaking. The expert options are here and there but nothing incredibly crazy as one might expect to find out west. The backside is underwelming. The base area can be really crowded and locals tell me it has bene more crowded the last few years. That said, if you go in knowing these things then you will be pretty satisfied I think especially considering the snow depths there this season.
I live in SLC and feel free to PM me for more specifics. An IKON base gets you Snowbird, Solitude, and Brighton (with a reservation). No Deer Valley, no Alta (arguably the best in Utah and the snowiest place in the U.S. this season) and no Snowbasin. While some might think those are not a big deal, honestly you do lose a lot. I ski regularly at Alta/Bird and Brighton.
Alta and Snowbird have been off the hook this season. An advanced intermediate may like Snowbird because it is challenging. If your son can handle steep groomed terrain then Snowbird may be a decent option. That said, the best of Snowbird is the steep and crazy terrain that is everywhere. If one can't handle steep then it will be a boring if not terrifying place in which one is limited to cat tracks (Chip's Run) that are not really too fun.
Alta is more enjoyable as an intermediate because the crazy terrain and steep stuff requires more hiking. Going to Utah and not skiing Alta is sacrilege in my mind. When we first went to SLC we skied Alta and only Alta. That said, if I had more time then I would have been at Snowbird.
Brighton is a solid choice for an intermediate and above. The place is a local's spot and is very authentic. It lacks lots of expert stuff and lots of open bowl skiing, but there is some. It is not a destination area and is VERY underrated in my mind. Lots of fun and a good transition for someone's first trip out west from the east. The downsides are that it is in BCC (more on that) and requires a reservation for IKON. It also gets quite busy during the day. Some may also think it skis small. Brighton is only a ski area. There is no base village, not many restaurant options, one real bar, and one tiny hotel from the 1960's or so. It is accessible from UTA but otherwise it is a day (or night riding) destination only that you will be leaving at the end of the day.
Now to Solitude. Honestly, I have never liked it. The layout is terrible in that the best terrain requires 2, 3, or even 4 lift rides to access for one lap. It sits lower than Brighton. An intermediate may like it for a day or two at most because the terrain options are limited if one does not ski Honeycomb Canyon. That said, if you search for Solitude on this board you will find posts from a cadre of AZers who really liked it because it was a locals spot, had a good variety of terrain, was NEVER crowded, had a nice base village, was manageable for an eastern skiing coming west for the first time, and was affordable. Notice I said "was". The positive is that your IKON gets you free access. The bad is that IKON gets you unlimited access and it is the only IKON unlimited option in Utah. It has now become an overrun, crowded dumpster fire. You have to pay to park and with 2 people that will be $10 midweek and $25 weekends. Even then the traffic is now causing major issues in BCC and making travel a pain. The snow is skied out fast and it gets too crowded for its size. I cannot say it is worth coming out here to only ski there.
So I am going to throw a curveball that would be an attractive option for a never-ever been out west skier. It requires an IKON reservation, but I think you can get one. It is like nothing out here. It requires at least two flights but is not too bad in terms of access but would require a rental car (ideally) or a shuttle. And it can be pretty cold. Lodging is not cheap and dining and entertainment options are limited. But it's pretty amazing and an intermediate can enjoy a lot of it. They may not have as much snow as the other areas, but a lot of it is currently open. I'm talking about Big Sky, Montana. It is batshit crazy as a ski area with amazing scenery and a true wild vibe. The tram would require an additional upcharge, but it may be too much for an intermediate because the terrain is steep. Liberty Bowl is nothing to sneeze at. But even then one can ski four days and find new stuff everyday. Consider it.
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abc
Well-known member
It’s a long thesis for a trip of 4 days.
Big Sky is NOT worth it. Not for 4 days. Because you’ll be wasting one day each just getting there and back. Not to mention it’s likely to double your flight cost.
Yes, it’s a great mountain. And it’s godforsaken huge! Wasted for a short trip.
Snowbird is better. I went the first time as a solid intermediate. That was before they open Mineral Basin, which is exactly a low to middle intermediate area. But even the front side is quite doable for a solid intermediate. Much easier to get to and cheaper in more ways than one.
And if the OP do run out of easy terrain after 2 days in Snowbird, give Solitude and Brighton each a try. I don’t share the hate for Solitude. The odd lift layout is only frustrating for advance skiers. For intermediates, there’s enough enjoyable runs for a day. Or even 2. By the way, you can ski from Brighton to Solitude or vice versa. Yes, it use up 2 days of your Ikon pass. But since you’ll be there only once this season, what’s not use is lost anyway.
Big Sky is NOT worth it. Not for 4 days. Because you’ll be wasting one day each just getting there and back. Not to mention it’s likely to double your flight cost.
Yes, it’s a great mountain. And it’s godforsaken huge! Wasted for a short trip.
Snowbird is better. I went the first time as a solid intermediate. That was before they open Mineral Basin, which is exactly a low to middle intermediate area. But even the front side is quite doable for a solid intermediate. Much easier to get to and cheaper in more ways than one.
And if the OP do run out of easy terrain after 2 days in Snowbird, give Solitude and Brighton each a try. I don’t share the hate for Solitude. The odd lift layout is only frustrating for advance skiers. For intermediates, there’s enough enjoyable runs for a day. Or even 2. By the way, you can ski from Brighton to Solitude or vice versa. Yes, it use up 2 days of your Ikon pass. But since you’ll be there only once this season, what’s not use is lost anyway.
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Great input, TB. Thank you. It’s funny you brought up Big Sky because I had looked at it as an option but decided not to because of the connecting flight, but I think I have to throw it in the mix.
My son and I can both handle steep terrain. It’s the steep firm/icy stuff I avoid here in the east. Since I’ve become a fair weather skier in my later years, I’ve only exposed my son to favorable conditions except for one day we were at Cannon and it was skied off early on and he had never experience having to navigate the frozen boilerplate under layer. We called it early that day.
My son and I can both handle steep terrain. It’s the steep firm/icy stuff I avoid here in the east. Since I’ve become a fair weather skier in my later years, I’ve only exposed my son to favorable conditions except for one day we were at Cannon and it was skied off early on and he had never experience having to navigate the frozen boilerplate under layer. We called it early that day.
Yeah, if he has 4 days, including travel, then SLC is a better destination. I always forget about the SolBright connection. That would make for a decent day or two.
It's pretty damn hard to beat the accessibility and scenery at Snowbird:
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abc
Well-known member
It’s not just a connecting flight, it’s a connecting flight plus a 2 hr drive!.
Bozeman to Big Sky is a one hour drive. Bozeman is the closest major airport. I guess one could fly into Butte or even Missoula but I don't know why they would do that.
abc
Well-known member
Speaking of inter-resort connections, I think you could ski from Snowbird to Alta base without taking a lift. Just take the bus back to Snowbird base (or bus straight back to SLC if you come up by bus)
Yes. The Alta/Bird gate at Sugarloaf Pass is RFID. The other ones are merely a rope, boundary marker, and gate. That said, once you cross over one cannot ride the lifts at Alta without a pass.
abc
Well-known member
But you could finish the day by skiing into Alta and “sample” a top to bottom run.
Sort of. One could ski the High Baldy Traverse at Snowbird, around Baldy, and reach the upper gate just below Alta's Shoulder Traverse in the Baldy Shoulder area. That cuts off the upper part of Collins.
One could ski all the way down to Wildcat Base and take the bus OR take the Blackjack/Snowbird Return traverse before getting to the bottom.
ss20
Well-known member
Staying out of this one mostly due to bias and lack of good knowledge outside Alta/Bird.
First, Alta has a pretty reasonable $65 2:30pm-4:30pm ticket option. If the snow is anything better than a 10-worst-days-of-the-season scenario, 2 hours at Alta for $65 is a better deal than 7 hours of ok EC skiing at $100... IMO. Midweek it wouldn't be unreasonable to knock down 6-8 decent runs in that span of time, and no parking reservations to deal with regardless of the day/timing of your stay.
If Mineral Basin is closed at Snowbird or the light is bad, the intermediate terrain at the Bird goes from lacking to severely limited with 3 or 4 true intermediate runs in the whole place that aren't all cat tracks.
First, Alta has a pretty reasonable $65 2:30pm-4:30pm ticket option. If the snow is anything better than a 10-worst-days-of-the-season scenario, 2 hours at Alta for $65 is a better deal than 7 hours of ok EC skiing at $100... IMO. Midweek it wouldn't be unreasonable to knock down 6-8 decent runs in that span of time, and no parking reservations to deal with regardless of the day/timing of your stay.
If Mineral Basin is closed at Snowbird or the light is bad, the intermediate terrain at the Bird goes from lacking to severely limited with 3 or 4 true intermediate runs in the whole place that aren't all cat tracks.
