Jackson or Aspen?

[Shredmonkey254]

No doubt it's a challenging resort just not in my top 5 due to all the hike to expert terrain, which is only my stupid opinion! I love this sign as you walk through the village btw...

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Looking up the mountain from lift 1 is definitely an intimidating view for beginners or intermediates. I hope you enjoy the rest of your time out there!

Fwiw, it snowed hard, thinking 18” today. Hiked to a couple chutes with Derek from Costa Rica who hasn’t ridden in 5 years but surfs every day. He was a ripper! Snow was mid thigh or more, really had to point it. Then the most amazing dinner at De Garten Bistro, sublime Indian and Bavarian dishes. What a day! And it is dumping outside now. Nighty, night…

 

[Smellytele]

Fwiw, it snowed hard, thinking 18” today. Hiked to a couple chutes with Derek from Costa Rica who hasn’t ridden in 5 years but surfs every day. He was a ripper! Snow was mid thigh or more, really had to point it. Then the most amazing dinner at De Garten Bistro, sublime Indian and Bavarian dishes. What a day! And it is dumping outside now. Nighty, night…

Short? Your mid thighs are only 18” above the bottom of your skis?

 

[crank]

Snow blows around. We were skiing knee deep in a reported 3" off Thunder chair last winter.

 

[Shredmonkey254]

Snow blows around. We were skiing knee deep in a reported 3" off Thunder chair last winter.

25” this week alone, on runs that haven’t been open all season. I love waking up to the sounds of avi control. Report says they groomed zero runs last night. I love this place! Off for more deep freshies now…

 

[BenedictGomez]

I love waking up to the sounds of avi control.

This is now an everyday occurance for me. Still not used to it. lol

 

[ss20]

I am staying slopeside at JH. With that in mind, do I spend the $$ for a third day on the Mountain Collective at JH or spend pretty much the same $$ to drive to Snow King on the way home? Both places are/will be 95-100% open. Essentially, is the terrain of Snow King still worth it or should I just spend a third day at JH given that I am slopeside?

 

[jimmywilson69]

Depends if you want to hit a "second" ski resort or not. There is plenty to ski at Jackson over a 3 day period.

 

[Shredmonkey254]

I am staying slopeside at JH. With that in mind, do I spend the $$ for a third day on the Mountain Collective at JH or spend pretty much the same $$ to drive to Snow King on the way home? Both places are/will be 95-100% open. Essentially, is the terrain of Snow King still worth it or should I just spend a third day at JH given that I am slopeside?

while I have never been to Snow King, my brother who used to live in Jackson for many years always said "you have to bow down to the King" so if you are looking to notch up another resort to your resume, you may not be disappointed. Though it might have been better to go there first before hitting the Hole and leaving slope side is tough to do. For that reason we stayed at Taos while our friends hit Pajarito and Ski Sante Fe last week and we did not. Hard to beat slope side at a great area!

 

[AdironRider]

I lived in Jackson for 15 years. If I only had three days I wouldn't burn a day at Snow King. Its a fine local mountain, but it isn't a destination. Definitely wouldn't spend my last day there, you'll immediately regret it.

 

[LoafSkier19]

Had an absolute blast at Snow King last March after a few days at JH. Terrain is steep and a lot of fun for a day or two.

 

[ss20]

I lived in Jackson for 15 years. If I only had three days I wouldn't burn a day at Snow King. Its a fine local mountain, but it isn't a destination. Definitely wouldn't spend my last day there, you'll immediately regret it.

That is sick you were a local there. I definitely would've considered JH over Alta had the clocks been turned back 15 years. Jackson Hole was the first place out west I ever skied November 2020 after they had an epic series of pre-season storms. Loved it so much I hit it again 3 weeks later on my way back East. I'm stoked to be coming back, especially with it nearly 100% open and now that I can actually ski big lines decently. We had an instructor work there on sabbatical from Alta and he loved it.

 

[Tonyr]

I am staying slopeside at JH. With that in mind, do I spend the $$ for a third day on the Mountain Collective at JH or spend pretty much the same $$ to drive to Snow King on the way home? Both places are/will be 95-100% open. Essentially, is the terrain of Snow King still worth it or should I just spend a third day at JH given that I am slopeside?

If you have the Mountain Collective why not do a day trip to Grand Targhee, that place is great. It's about an hour way.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

targhee is a good place to go in the middle of a week of skiing jackson to dial back the intensity and just chill on some low angle totally wide open stuff

 

[ss20]

If you have the Mountain Collective why not do a day trip to Grand Targhee, that place is great. It's about an hour way.

I considered it for a bit. An hour's drive on a mid-season ski trip is not worth it to me. I want to be chilling or skiing.

 

[Tonyr]

I would just stay put for 3 days in Teton Village then.

 

[jimmywilson69]

I considered it for a bit. An hour's drive on a mid-season ski trip is not worth it to me. I want to be chilling or skiing.

there's your answer then! Have fun!

 

[Zand]

If you have time for a full day and the price is the same then definitely stay at Jackson instead of Snow King. I love Snow King on arrival day if I'm getting there in the early afternoon, great place to spend a few hours. But definitely wouldn't miss a full day at Jackson to go there.

 

[jaytrem]

I'm going to do a day at Snow King, can't resist a new gondola and new pod. Also it won't cost anything additional due to Indy Pass. I tend to like the quieter places anyway.

Side note, JH did extend their 1/2 price deal until Feb 15th.

 

[ss20]

I appreciate everyone's help on this thread. Today was day 2/3 at Jackson. The terrain is fantastic. Nice blend of western features and New England features (tight tree skiing, evergreens, dust on crust lol). Yeah... snow is OK by Alta standards. And that sounds really snobby but I actually love what I've been skiing on! Freeze/thaw base with 0-4" of fluff fallen in 48 hours depending on the elevation. It's not consistent skiing and that is fun! Temperatures were in the mid 40s at my condo yesterday afternoon!

The terrain is fun, obviously. I love the big vertical. 4k laps are a workout!

I am enjoying the little things. The mountain is very well ran. Mountain hosts and ski patrol everywhere. Lifties are friendly and pay attention. I had one quick 5 minute stoppage on Sublette (which is being replaced) and that's been my one infrastructure miscue. They open the condo lifts at 8:30am which is a nice touch... gets you to the base area way early and while it looks like nothing on the trail map, the vertical from the condo lifts down to the main base is probably 250 feet+ of green terrain and first tracks are pretty much guaranteed! The lodging people are very professional and helpful. I asked if I could remain parked at the condo Friday afternoon and getting a permit to do that was super easy. I can walk 3 minutes to a lift and I can ski back to my unit... with a hot tub!!!

One host I talked to said he feels like visitation is down about 30% this year. And it feels like that. All the lifts are ski on. Tram has been walk-on the entire time. Even Bridger which is the main egress point out of the base has no line even during the first hour.

Obviously my priorities are a bit skewed but to me the good skiing is a bonus. I'm just happy to be at a well-ran mountain where all the little things are EASY!

 

[jaytrem]

I appreciate everyone's help on this thread. Today was day 2/3 at Jackson. The terrain is fantastic. Nice blend of western features and New England features (tight tree skiing, evergreens, dust on crust lol). Yeah... snow is OK by Alta standards. And that sounds really snobby but I actually love what I've been skiing on! Freeze/thaw base with 0-4" of fluff fallen in 48 hours depending on the elevation. It's not consistent skiing and that is fun! Temperatures were in the mid 40s at my condo yesterday afternoon!

The terrain is fun, obviously. I love the big vertical. 4k laps are a workout!

I am enjoying the little things. The mountain is very well ran. Mountain hosts and ski patrol everywhere. Lifties are friendly and pay attention. I had one quick 5 minute stoppage on Sublette (which is being replaced) and that's been my one infrastructure miscue. They open the condo lifts at 8:30am which is a nice touch... gets you to the base area way early and while it looks like nothing on the trail map, the vertical from the condo lifts down to the main base is probably 250 feet+ of green terrain and first tracks are pretty much guaranteed! The lodging people are very professional and helpful. I asked if I could remain parked at the condo Friday afternoon and getting a permit to do that was super easy. I can walk 3 minutes to a lift and I can ski back to my unit... with a hot tub!!!

One host I talked to said he feels like visitation is down about 30% this year. And it feels like that. All the lifts are ski on. Tram has been walk-on the entire time. Even Bridger which is the main egress point out of the base has no line even during the first hour.

Obviously my priorities are a bit skewed but to me the good skiing is a bonus. I'm just happy to be at a well-ran mountain where all the little things are EASY!

Sounds great, hopefully the same lack of crowds on Wednesday!