Sister resorts

[jimk]

In our ski-crazy minds it's easy to draw all kinds of parallels. I've been to a lot of the resorts mentioned in this thread and would concur to some degree with the following comparisons: Taos-Smuggs = steeps and old infrastructure, Arapahoe Basin-Wildcat = all about skiing in big mtn settings, Stowe-Aspen Mtn = got it all, Copper-Sugarloaf = all purpose and not too stuffy, Kirkwood-Jay = bad a$$ outliers.

I'd add Aspen Highlands-Whiteface because they both feel more vertical than horizontal, have good steeps, bodacious side-country, and spectacular scenery. Alta-MRG probably not the best analogy since Alta's kind of upscale now, but both have absolutely magical advanced terrain that begs to be explored. I don't know that I've ever skied anything out west quite like Plattekill, maybe Loveland if you use E-Tow cabin for your base lodge
E-Tow Cabin, elev 11,500':

 

[MadMadWorld]

You lost me at Kirkwood-Jay. I just don't see the comparison. When you think Jay you think tree skiing. Steamboat has some of the best in the west.

 

[AdironRider]

Steamboat I guess if you like low angle trees with intermediate level spacing.

There are better tree skiing areas IMO if you consider yourself an expert.

 

[abc]

When you think Jay you think tree skiing. Steamboat has some of the best in the west.

You're thinking ONLY of terrain. There're other factors to consider, vibe, amenity, snow fall, season length, etc.

Steamboat may share the tree skiing with Jay but there's not much else alike. Steamboat is low key, well established resort that is comfortable within its own skin. Steamboat also has a historical, so-lovely-you-don't-want-to-leave-to-go-skiing village that non-skiing family can spend days without getting bored.

Jay is young and still trying to establish itself as a "family destination" by building all these water park etc.

Basically, Jay and Steamboat both have lots of tree skiing, but nothing else in common.

You lost me at Kirkwood-Jay. I just don't see the comparison.

I was the one who proposed the pair so I'll elaborate...

Kirkwood, like Jay, has exceptional terrain but also struggle to attract more than just the hardcore skiers.

In fact, both are struggling to attract even hardcore skiers, because both are (short day trip distance) AWAY from cluster of very good mountains that easily over-shadow them!

Both are in the middle of freaking nowhere and nothing else to do when the lifts are on wind hold! Never mind non-skiing family members. So both are pouring money into base developments to make the base village a 'destination', however fake.

So what sort of skiers Kirkwood or Jay appeals to? Skiers who had already skied the best (Stowe/Squaw), and still prefer what Jay/Kirkwood can offer!

 

[MadMadWorld]

You're thinking ONLY of terrain. There're other factors to consider, vibe, amenity, snow fall, season length, etc.

Steamboat may share the tree skiing with Jay but there's not much else alike. Steamboat is low key, well established resort that is comfortable within its own skin. Steamboat also has a historical, so-lovely-you-don't-want-to-leave-to-go-skiing village that non-skiing family can spend days without getting bored.

Jay is young and still trying to establish itself as a "family destination" by building all these water park etc.

Basically, Jay and Steamboat both have lots of tree skiing, but nothing else in common.


I was the one who proposed the pair so I'll elaborate...

Kirkwood, like Jay, has exceptional terrain but also struggle to attract more than just the hardcore skiers.

In fact, both are struggling to attract even hardcore skiers, because both are (short day trip distance) AWAY from cluster of very good mountains that easily over-shadow them!

Both are in the middle of freaking nowhere and nothing else to do when the lifts are on wind hold! Never mind non-skiing family members. So both are pouring money into base developments to make the base village a 'destination', however fake.

So what sort of skiers Kirkwood or Jay appeals to? Skiers who had already skied the best (Stowe/Squaw), and still prefer what Jay/Kirkwood can offer!

I get the middle of nowhere thing. And even attracting people outside it's traditional fan base. I don't see the terrain comparison. You think people actually go to Jay because the terrain at Stowe wasn't challenging enough? Jay has the ridge but to me that's where it ends for "exceptional" terrain. As many have said the trails themselves lack any character or much challenge for the advanced skier. The tree skiing there is fun but even that can get repetitive and nothing besides the Ridge is really steep. Advanced skiers go for the snow period not the pucker factor. Kirkwood is truly an advanced skiers mountain with some serious gnar.

And Jay definitely does not get overshadowed by other mountains around it these days. If this was 10 years ago I would agree but not now.

 

[abc]

You think people actually go to Jay because the terrain at Stowe wasn't challenging enough? Jay has the ridge but to me that's where it ends for "exceptional" terrain.

You're still only looking at terrain

And you also missed my point entirely. The similarity between Jay and Kirkwood is NOT about them having great terrain. It's about having otherwise great terrain that's nothing special in their own region!

As you pointed out, Jay doesn't have "better" terrain than Stowe. It's different (and nonetheless very good). Kirkwood may have "serious gnar", so does Squaw and Mammoth!

Both Jay and Kirkwood are good mountain in a crowd of top ranking mountains nearby! Both are trying their darnest to stand out in a crowd of giants.

(Both mountains already have some loyal following, but not large enough in number to rely on as their only core clientele. So they're both struggling to broaden their appeal to the general skiing public)

And Jay definitely does not get overshadowed by other mountains around it these days. If this was 10 years ago I would agree but not now.

It may be LESS shadowed, but it still doesn't compare to Stowe nor Sugarbush in overall appeal. And even though Killington is nobody's favorite, K is way better known than Jay.

 

[abc]

Alta/ Snowbird eguals Platty with nataral snow being jighest in their regions .

Nah, that's wishful thinking being stretched far too far. Platty doesn't even come close to matching alta/bird in anything.

With all due respect, Platty doesn't even have the best terrain in the Catskill, which itself is minor league in the northeast.

May I suggest Mt Rose instead? Low key, no-frill, no-glittz, light on grooming, even lighter in snowmaking (though Mt Rose really don't need it anyway). Pretty fun terrain and best snow record of their region, especially snow QUALITY. Oh, did I mention most affordable for their own region?

 

[snoseek]

To add to the kwood/jay thing they both seem to get a bit more snow than other areas in their region. I personally choose Kirkwood over Squaw not only for lighter crowds but also deeper/lighter snow. Squaw base sits substantially lower, it made a HUGE difference this year

 

[ScottySkis]

I. i been to Snowbasin for two days and several great pwoder dqys at the other SlC places. pnly been to Utah 4 SLC KOUNTAINS twice and Coloerdo twice hard to compare. If i ever make more money i will have to try MT Rose and other mountains mentioned here. Yes Hunter has the best steeps in the Catakills. that for sure. i reminded my self of that this past spring . Platty still average more snow i like both a lot. One day next winter i try Windham hopfully. Sorry for thred hike.

 

[Edd]

Steamboat I guess if you like low angle trees with intermediate level spacing.

Love it. I eat that shit for breakfast.

 

[jaytrem]

May I suggest Mt Rose instead?

Can't have 2 six packs and fancy new lodges and compare to Platty. For Tahoe I'd say Donner ski Ranch would be the closest Platty.

 

[jimk]

Love it. I eat that shit for breakfast.

...with mustard on it:lol:

 

[abc]

Can't have 2 six packs and fancy new lodges and compare to Platty. For Tahoe I'd say Donner ski Ranch would be the closest Platty.

I've never skied Donna Ski Ranch, though I've looked up at it when passing by.

Lack of infrastructure aside, I don't feel Donna Ski Ranch matches Platty on it's standing of terrain and snow within the Catskill area.

If you believe Mt Rose is too glitzy as a sister of Platty, I think Homewood would be a better fit.

 

[Puck it]

Alta and Waterville Vallley. Both claim 2020 of vertical. Both have a lot of flats too.

 

[jaytrem]

If you believe Mt Rose is too glitzy as a sister of Platty, I think Homewood would be a better fit.

Yeah, Homewood sounds better to me. More out of the way and laid back than Mt. Rose, and more of a classic infrastructure (not counting the HSQ).

 

[MadMadWorld]

To add to the kwood/jay thing they both seem to get a bit more snow than other areas in their region. I personally choose Kirkwood over Squaw not only for lighter crowds but also deeper/lighter snow. Squaw base sits substantially lower, it made a HUGE difference this year

Alright you sold me on that last point.