SKI Magazine Releases 2008 "Top 50 Resort Guide"

[snoseek]

deer valley sucks but it is a pretty good place to be on a powder day. i can't afford it, but used to get free passes there from an employer.

 

[from_the_NEK]

Anyone guess this list correctly?

The top 10 resorts in the East according to SKI Magazine's readers:

1. Tremblant, Que.
2. Smugglers Notch, Vt.
3. Whiteface, N.Y.
4. Stowe, Vt.
5. Holiday Valley, N.Y.
6. Sugarloaf, Maine
7. Sugarbush, Vt.
8. Killington, Vt.
9. Bretton Woods, N.H.
10. Okemo, Vt.

What are the next 10:
I'm always interested to see if Jay makes the top 20. Cause we all know that Holiday Valley is FAR superior to Jay. :roll:

 

[big_vert]

What are the next 10:
I'm always interested to see if Jay makes the top 20. Cause we all know that Holiday Valley is FAR superior to Jay. :roll:

Okemo's superior to Jay. uke:

Probably Bromley too. uke: uke:

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

Okemo and Bretton Woods over Sunday River makes me uke: However, I'm glad to know that I won't have to be dodging that many more SKI mag readers on the slopes of SR this winter...the silver lining!

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Isn't Bretton Woods a cross country ski area..ahahahahahahaha

 

[big_vert]

Like I said, this'll be fun:

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94171

 

[MikeTrainor]

I think it is nice to see Sugarbush move up above Killington and Okemo.

 

[Talisman]

OK so Deer Valet isn't Jackson Hole, but double diamonds like Stratton's double diamonds? The Daley Chutes are steeper than anything at Stratton and most of Vermont. I have had a great time skiing trees at Deer Valet and there is very little competition for fresh powder. I friendly ski instructors and ski patrollers shared lines to ski that would have been hard to find otherwise.

I agree there are better places to ski in UT, but there are bigger compromises than skiing Deer Valet for a day or two.

 

[big_vert]

OK so Deer Valet isn't Jackson Hole, but double diamonds like Stratton's double diamonds? The Daley Chutes are steeper than anything at Stratton and most of Vermont. I have had a great time skiing trees at Deer Valet and there is very little competition for fresh powder. I friendly ski instructors and ski patrollers shared lines to ski that would have been hard to find otherwise.

I agree there are better places to ski in UT, but there are bigger compromises than skiing Deer Valet for a day or two.

The point is they have Deer Valley as #1 - not that it's on the list but at #1 - think about that for a minute. C'mon. No kidding there are better places to ski in Utah. Bigger compromises - no doubt - but DV #1 - groan. Reminds me of when Motor Trend had the Renault Alliance as Car of the Year. What are these guys thinking?

Did they only send the score cards to people in NY/NJ with dds after their names?

OK, a little license with the DV vs. Stratton comparison, but the inference is that they're both pale imitations of real dd's in their respective locations. And you are quite correct that the good lines are usually free as the cordoroy gets the crowd at DV.

This is supposed to be a Ski Mag poll, not Food and Wine, Luxury Vacation, Robb Report or Gaper Review.

Deer Valley #1. Gawd.

What'dya think about Okemo above MRG - :lol:

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I want to try out Deer Valley on a powder day sometime because I don't think I'd have the competition for first tracks that I'd have at other resorts. Plus I heard good things about their food. I'm sure the food is expensive but paying alot for excellent food is better than paying alot for soggy fries..

The Ski magazine has been great bathroo reading and I'm sure the resort guide will be as well. Plus there's always the Warren Miller Column..His Book Wine, Women, something, and skis was great.....Ski season is getting close...are you ready??????

 

[big_vert]

I want to try out Deer Valley on a powder day sometime because I don't think I'd have the competition for first tracks that I'd have at other resorts. Plus I heard good things about their food. I'm sure the food is expensive but paying alot for excellent food is better than paying alot for soggy fries..

1) Correct - no competition for first tracks. Everyone waits for the snocats to pack down all that ucky loose snow and get that fantastic cordoroy you see in their brochures.

2) 3 lifts to get to the powder from the parking lot. 45 minutes?

3) Food is good (and expensive). Food at Snowbasin is better and cheaper as is the terrain by about an order (or two) of magnitude. Nobody goes to Snowbasin (or Powder Mountain with their $10 snocat rides to freshies), but, as we all know, DV is #1.

4) Get a "Quick Start" pass on the day you arrive rather than pay all the $ for their lift ticket.

5) Enjoy boarder-free terrain.

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

I want to try out Deer Valley on a powder day sometime because I don't think I'd have the competition for first tracks that I'd have at other resorts. Plus I heard good things about their food. I'm sure the food is expensive but paying alot for excellent food is better than paying alot for soggy fries..

Go to snowbasin...you'll get as many, if not more first tracks, better terrain, and food that's 95% as good at 50% of the price...seriously, its been said in this forum before, the food at snowbasin is great and very affordable...not to mention the gold plated pissers. Its also got the best halfpipe (and a ropetow) I've skied in Utah (haven't hit the one at Park City)

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Go to snowbasin...you'll get as many, if not more first tracks, better terrain, and food that's 95% as good at 50% of the price...seriously, its been said in this forum before, the food at snowbasin is great and very affordable...not to mention the gold plated pissers. Its also got the best halfpipe (and a ropetow) I've skied in Utah (haven't hit the one at Park City)

Two Camelback patrollers I know from PASR went to Snowbasin and were uber impressed with the terrain and amenities..I know it's ratest as one of the plushest lodges with the best bathrooms..but I'm sure they have good woods as well..

 

[RISkier]

GrilledSteaze,

We did one day at DV about 3 years ago. I thought my wife and I would love it. We're improving intermediates who were less improved when we skied there. We had lunch at the Silver Lake lodge. The food was absolutely unbelievable. But otherwise we really weren't that impressed with DV. Someone else mentioned Snowbasin. The food at DV is more upscale but the quality of the food at Snowbasin was really amazing as well, and IMO, a much better value. I'd certainly ski at DV again but if I never go back I won't feel I've missed anything.

 

[big_vert]

Snowbasin - 3 new gondolas and a high speed quad. Outrageous lodges, superb food (giant slice of lasagne, salad and drink- $15), no lift lines, hiking terrain, just gnarly good stuff.

People go there to ski, not pose. No wonder it didn't make the list.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

superb food (giant slice of lasagne, salad and drink- $15)

Haha,,,that seems expensive but at J-hole it would be more for that. On non powder/big vert days when I stop for a sit-down lunch..I like Chili with cheese and fritos in it..and several packs of crackers..a soft pretzal with cheese sauce..and a gatorade..and I think that's $14 and it seems like alot but it's energy..lol..One of the pleasures of ski trips is the food..at Blue mountain you can get cotton candy and fried oreos..

 

[big_vert]

Haha,,,that seems expensive but at J-hole it would be more for that. On non powder/big vert days when I stop for a sit-down lunch..I like Chili with cheese and fritos in it..and several packs of crackers..a soft pretzal with cheese sauce..and a gatorade..and I think that's $14 and it seems like alot but it's energy..lol..One of the pleasures of ski trips is the food..at Blue mountain you can get cotton candy and fried oreos..

You gotta understand, we're talking Wooster Street, New Haven quality lasagne, not some frozen, reheated dirge. $15 is a freakin bargin for this stuff - every bite gets savoured. A real salad too, not something from McD's.

I don't stop for lunch - I brown bag and eat on the lift to get my runs in - except at Snowbasin - only place I stop. Ummm, ummm good.

And seriously - you have to use the rest rooms - it's like being at a 4 Seasons hotel. Just make sure there's no Repub. Congressmen around.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

You gotta understand, we're talking Wooster Street, New Haven quality lasagne, not some frozen, reheated dirge. $15 is a freakin bargin for this stuff - every bite gets savoured. A real salad too, not something from McD's.

I don't stop for lunch - I brown bag and eat on the lift to get my runs in - except at Snowbasin - only place I stop. Ummm, ummm good.

And seriously - you have to use the rest rooms - it's like being at a 4 Seasons hotel. Just make sure there's no Repub. Congressmen around.

Oh no...I thought I only had to watch my back at Airports and NJ-state turnpike rest-stops...I'll use the woods thank you very much..lol

 

[deadheadskier]

I really don't care about the ratings they give out. I do enjoy the issue though. It's nice to be able to read about 50 to 70 mountains in one shot, along with stats etc.

 

[bobbutts]

I haven't seen one of these lists in the actual magazine for years.. but I assume they still have little insets for best terrain and snow, etc. There you can see the Jay and MRG at the top. These lists usually do a good job for their target of crappy skiers and families who like posh hotels and crap. There are other magazines for more hardcore skiers.