Trip Reports from Out West?

[kingslug]

Re: The West

Interesting postings by blacknblue, Robert Goulet, and meathead. One of the reasons that I am choosing to move west to Salt Lake City to pursue my desire to ski great conditions and to do so more frequently, is that I will actually be living in a "real" city where people have lives that are not only focused on skiing. Sure, I expect to meet and hang with people who love to ski and have time to do it because they are retired like I am, but there is much more to do there than ski. There are universities, sports teams (I love soccer, and there is a new MLS franchise...REAL Salt Lake)restaurants, theaters, etc.. Most people are not into skiing despite the proximity of the mountains. So, I expect to have a life that is more then skiing, but with the added benefit of lots of it. If all goes well, and my plan works out, I'll look forward to meeting up with some of you if you get the opportunity to make the trip. I might even show you some "secret" stashes that only the "locals" know about.

You're doing excactly what I want to do, but can't. I'll just have to be content with taking 2 trips a year out there. My wife says she could never live in utah. She says that about every place we go. Like there is no life outside of NY.Next week we're going to vail. I would love to hear her say she couldn't live there either. :roll:

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Re: The West

Interesting postings by blacknblue, Robert Goulet, and meathead. One of the reasons that I am choosing to move west to Salt Lake City to pursue my desire to ski great conditions and to do so more frequently, is that I will actually be living in a "real" city where people have lives that are not only focused on skiing. Sure, I expect to meet and hang with people who love to ski and have time to do it because they are retired like I am, but there is much more to do there than ski. There are universities, sports teams (I love soccer, and there is a new MLS franchise...REAL Salt Lake)restaurants, theaters, etc.. Most people are not into skiing despite the proximity of the mountains. So, I expect to have a life that is more then skiing, but with the added benefit of lots of it. If all goes well, and my plan works out, I'll look forward to meeting up with some of you if you get the opportunity to make the trip. I might even show you some "secret" stashes that only the "locals" know about.

Your right SLC is a real city with lots of culture, sports and shopping. You failed to mention the Mormon
factor...they are an interesting bunch.

Less influence in SLC than rural Utah but more than the ski towns like Park City. It's been called the most perfectly mapped out city in the world. The addresses are strange but once you get the hang of it you can easily find anyplace in the city with just the address. Good luck!

Regarding the thread topic, the first 10 years or so I couldn't imagine living any other place than Jackson Hole. Lived in a nice old cabin in town, very cheap rent, worked at the mountain, skied whenever I wanted to.

The thing that started me thinking about moving back to Vermont was the insane real estate prices and all the crowds in the summer. After 17 years I finally moved back with alot of angst.

After about a week back in New England I wished I had moved back 10 years earlier, I love New England...go figure. Even after being back 10 years I still can't get over how green it is and all the lakes/swimming holes to swim in during the summer. In JH Jackson Lake is breathtaking but after a few minutes even in July your body starts getting numb.

 

[meat]

Are you a meathead films guy?

no, i'm not a meatheads film guy. I think most of the meatheads ski in the stowe area. meat is my nickname that I got back in high school 10 or so years ago, way before the meatheads. I did run into a few of the meatheads during a BC run two seasons ago (I didn't know of them then). the one dude who I talked to the most was alec stall, the guy who got swept off that cliff in the notch last year and died. he seemed like a really nice kid and was eager to tell me about the meathead project, it sounded pretty cool. early the next fall I saw they had a big article in skiing mag, and I saw their movie "schooled" in the IR last year. Pretty good flick, some nice eastern BC action and hucking of their meats. its really too bad that alec died, they seemed pretty cavalier as a group, but pretty good dudes overall

 

[meat]

Re: The West

Interesting postings by blacknblue, Robert Goulet, and meathead. One of the reasons that I am choosing to move west to Salt Lake City to pursue my desire to ski great conditions and to do so more frequently, is that I will actually be living in a "real" city where people have lives that are not only focused on skiing. Sure, I expect to meet and hang with people who love to ski and have time to do it because they are retired like I am, but there is much more to do there than ski. There are universities, sports teams (I love soccer, and there is a new MLS franchise...REAL Salt Lake)restaurants, theaters, etc.. Most people are not into skiing despite the proximity of the mountains. So, I expect to have a life that is more then skiing, but with the added benefit of lots of it. If all goes well, and my plan works out, I'll look forward to meeting up with some of you if you get the opportunity to make the trip. I might even show you some "secret" stashes that only the "locals" know about.

tp, thats great that you love the culture of the city life and it should be a good fit for you. I guess were just all different. for me, I have always lived in fairly rural areas, except when I was in college and lived in the city(denver and boston, I was on the 6 year plan). I was young and excited about getting out of the boonies and I enjoyed the city at times especially the first couple years, but it just wore on me and I eventually couldn't take it (sorry for getting off topic if I am). I agree that their is more in life than skiing(not much more), and living in the NEK you are surrounded by a lot more than skiing, it just doesn't include strip malls and starbucks. Utah is killer, bring your snorkel.

by the way, sick pow day at jay today, feels nice to get back up in it.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

This is an extremely interesting and insightfull thread. I hope you guys who moved out West keep giving us your take on things.

Robert Goulet. I'll be in Summit County the week of 2/17. I was thinking of going to Abasin that Sat. or Sunday. I'd like to take you up on the $20 ticket if that's ok.

 

[tirolerpeter]

Re: The West

Interesting postings by blacknblue, Robert Goulet, and meathead. One of the reasons that I am choosing to move west to Salt Lake City to pursue my desire to ski great conditions and to do so more frequently, is that I will actually be living in a "real" city where people have lives that are not only focused on skiing. Sure, I expect to meet and hang with people who love to ski and have time to do it because they are retired like I am, but there is much more to do there than ski. There are universities, sports teams (I love soccer, and there is a new MLS franchise...REAL Salt Lake)restaurants, theaters, etc.. Most people are not into skiing despite the proximity of the mountains. So, I expect to have a life that is more then skiing, but with the added benefit of lots of it. If all goes well, and my plan works out, I'll look forward to meeting up with some of you if you get the opportunity to make the trip. I might even show you some "secret" stashes that only the "locals" know about.

Your right SLC is a real city with lots of culture, sports and shopping. You failed to mention the Mormon
factor...they are an interesting bunch.

Less influence in SLC than rural Utah but more than the ski towns like Park City. It's been called the most perfectly mapped out city in the world. The addresses are strange but once you get the hang of it you can easily find anyplace in the city with just the address. Good luck!

Regarding the thread topic, the first 10 years or so I couldn't imagine living any other place than Jackson Hole. Lived in a nice old cabin in town, very cheap rent, worked at the mountain, skied whenever I wanted to.

The thing that started me thinking about moving back to Vermont was the insane real estate prices and all the crowds in the summer. After 17 years I finally moved back with alot of angst.

After about a week back in New England I wished I had moved back 10 years earlier, I love New England...go figure. Even after being back 10 years I still can't get over how green it is and all the lakes/swimming holes to swim in during the summer. In JH Jackson Lake is breathtaking but after a few minutes even in July your body starts getting numb.

Over the years, my wife and I have traveled to all 50 states. From about 1999 to 2004 we focused on looking at areas and regions that would meet both our needs. Jointly, we wanted a decent sized city that had great air connections. We looked at Taos NM , Reno NV, Jackson Hole WY, Ketcham ID, So. Lake Tahoe CA, and some areas around Seattle WA. Our three grown children are all skiers, and we wanted something that would motivate them to visit. I of course wanted the easy ski access but without the insane real estate prices of dedicated ski towns, and my wife, who is a world class quiltmaker, wanted a more urban context in which to pursue her passion. She also likes the dry, desert environment of the city and valley area. SLC seems to be the best fit for us both at this time. BTW, if we had younger children, we would think twice about subjecting them to growing up in the midst of prosthletysing(sp?)Mormons...too much pressure to convert. Since we are both card-carrying atheists, we just don't care about that aspect. We plan to rent for 6 - 12 months before we buy a house or land, just to make sure we really like it.

 

[skibum1321]

Re: The West

Interesting postings by blacknblue, Robert Goulet, and meathead. One of the reasons that I am choosing to move west to Salt Lake City to pursue my desire to ski great conditions and to do so more frequently, is that I will actually be living in a "real" city where people have lives that are not only focused on skiing. Sure, I expect to meet and hang with people who love to ski and have time to do it because they are retired like I am, but there is much more to do there than ski. There are universities, sports teams (I love soccer, and there is a new MLS franchise...REAL Salt Lake)restaurants, theaters, etc.. Most people are not into skiing despite the proximity of the mountains. So, I expect to have a life that is more then skiing, but with the added benefit of lots of it. If all goes well, and my plan works out, I'll look forward to meeting up with some of you if you get the opportunity to make the trip. I might even show you some "secret" stashes that only the "locals" know about.

You're doing excactly what I want to do, but can't. I'll just have to be content with taking 2 trips a year out there. My wife says she could never live in utah. She says that about every place we go. Like there is no life outside of NY.Next week we're going to vail. I would love to hear her say she couldn't live there either. :roll:

I don't think I could ever live anywhere except for New England either. I just love so many things about it here that you don't have other places. For example, if you want to go to the beach in Utah, it's a hell of a trip. If you want to go to the beach in most places I've lived it's under an hour. Also, we're close to skiing and Boston. Pretty much anything you want to do can be done in a day trip.
As for the city vs. country thing, I think I would shoot myself in the head if I lived in the country. I don't like the big city life like Boston, but I couldn't deal with the nothingness of the NEK. I like the small cities like Burlington, Manchester, Portsmouth and the suburbs around them. I'm like Ben Folds - rockin the suburbs.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Re: The West

Over the years, my wife and I have traveled to all 50 states. From about 1999 to 2004 we focused on looking at areas and regions that would meet both our needs. Jointly, we wanted a decent sized city that had great air connections. We looked at Taos NM , Reno NV, Jackson Hole WY, Ketcham ID, So. Lake Tahoe CA, and some areas around Seattle WA. Our three grown children are all skiers, and we wanted something that would motivate them to visit. I of course wanted the easy ski access but without the insane real estate prices of dedicated ski towns, and my wife, who is a world class quiltmaker, wanted a more urban context in which to pursue her passion. She also likes the dry, desert environment of the city and valley area. SLC seems to be the best fit for us both at this time. BTW, if we had younger children, we would think twice about subjecting them to growing up in the midst of prosthletysing(sp?)Mormons...too much pressure to convert. Since we are both card-carrying atheists, we just don't care about that aspect. We plan to rent for 6 - 12 months before we buy a house or land, just to make sure we really like it.

Sounds like you and your wife have done everything right, research, visits and consideration on how it will effect the other aspects of your life. Also, everything I've read about relocating or buying a second home near a ski area says that you should rent first just to make sure it's for you.

Best of Luck.

 

[frozencorn]

Re: The West

I don't think I could ever live anywhere except for New England either. I just love so many things about it here that you don't have other places. For example, if you want to go to the beach in Utah, it's a hell of a trip. If you want to go to the beach in most places I've lived it's under an hour. Also, we're close to skiing and Boston. Pretty much anything you want to do can be done in a day trip.
As for the city vs. country thing, I think I would shoot myself in the head if I lived in the country. I don't like the big city life like Boston, but I couldn't deal with the nothingness of the NEK. I like the small cities like Burlington, Manchester, Portsmouth and the suburbs around them. I'm like Ben Folds - rockin the suburbs.[/quote]

Here, here.....only 2 other places I could consider would be Denver and San Fran...and the lack of a beach in Denver is a problem.

 

[tirolerpeter]

Re: The West

I don't think I could ever live anywhere except for New England either. I just love so many things about it here that you don't have other places. For example, if you want to go to the beach in Utah, it's a hell of a trip. If you want to go to the beach in most places I've lived it's under an hour. Also, we're close to skiing and Boston. Pretty much anything you want to do can be done in a day trip.
As for the city vs. country thing, I think I would shoot myself in the head if I lived in the country. I don't like the big city life like Boston, but I couldn't deal with the nothingness of the NEK. I like the small cities like Burlington, Manchester, Portsmouth and the suburbs around them. I'm like Ben Folds - rockin the suburbs.
Here, here.....only 2 other places I could consider would be Denver and San Fran...and the lack of a beach in Denver is a problem.

"Different strokes for different folks..." Ain't America great in that regard?

 

[YardSaleDad]

Re: The West

"Different strokes for different folks..." Ain't America great in that regard?

How about ski & surf in the same day...

http://www.hawaiisnowskiclub.com/Ski_Hawaii.htm

 

[tirolerpeter]

Hawaii?

Why go to Hawaii? The skiing is marginal in the extreme.

"Mauna Kea (Hawaiian for 'white mountain') is a 13,796' (4205 meter) volcanic mountain whose summit sometimes gets a skiable/boardable mantle of snow."

Sixty to seventy miles from downton LA,CA is Big Bear Lake, with excellent conditions. There also about 8 or 9 other ski areas equally close to LA. So, surf in the AM ski in the PM. I just don't want to live in LA. Have you looked at property costs and taxes there? We ruled that out a long time ago.

 

[skibum1321]

Re: The West

"Different strokes for different folks..." Ain't America great in that regard?

Absolutely :beer:

 

[Robert Goulet]

High Peaks Drifter.....Unfortunately there are only two saturdays in my schedule that I will not be working at the Basin. The 17th and 18th of feb, I will be in Snowmass competing in the colorado freeride series. I will probably be back by sunday if that helps at all. If not, send me a PM before you leave and I'll see if I can work something out and get one of my coworkers to get you a deal. Sorry about that!

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

High Peaks Drifter.....Unfortunately there are only two saturdays in my schedule that I will not be working at the Basin. The 17th and 18th of feb, I will be in Snowmass competing in the colorado freeride series. I will probably be back by sunday if that helps at all. If not, send me a PM before you leave and I'll see if I can work something out and get one of my coworkers to get you a deal. Sorry about that!

Thanks a bunch, will do.

 

[kingslug]

What about the Great Salt Lake? Seems like there are things to do, like boating, swimming. No waves so it's not really like a beach. I think the views are what gets me. Walking around NYC is getting a bit depressing. For me it's time for a change. The wife feels differently of course.

 

[tirolerpeter]

What about the Great Salt Lake? Seems like there are things to do, like boating, swimming. No waves so it's not really like a beach. I think the views are what gets me. Walking around NYC is getting a bit depressing. For me it's time for a change. The wife feels differently of course.

The Lake does have some nice recreation areas like Antelope Island. Look here: http://www.utah.com/stateparks/antelope_island.htm

While I do enjoy sailing very much, I am not a "beach" person as I am very fair skinned, and burn easily. I do love camping, hiking, and mountain biking; all of which are accessible literally minutes from downtown Salt Lake. I have also seen entire famalies haul their ATV's to southern UT where they go roaring over tremendous sand dunes. Utah State Parks ( http://www.utah.com/stateparks/ ) and Utah National Parks ( http://www.us-national-parks.net/state/ut.htm ) provide a tremendous variety of outdoor experiences. If you like the outdoor life, you can find something you like in one of those areas. Yet, the city, with its urban facilities (restaurants, theaters, etc.) is right there too. And, if we need an escape, 19 major airlines offer competetive (cheap) fares to major US cities and even foreign destinations. We are going to give it a try.

 

[kingslug]

We went to antelope island in Jan when we took a day off drom skiing. Not much there as the place was not in season. Did see a lot of roaming Bison. I liked the signs that said no drinking water available. Found two machines selling bottled water. Strange.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

utah parks

The state and national parks in Utah ARE breathtaking. Kodachrome, Arches, Zion, Canyonlands, the list is virtually endless. I spent many years photographing them. Here are some samples:
http://www.photoart.bigstep.com/generic.html?pid=2

BTW, the Great Salt Lake is made up of salt water, more than the ocean, not very drinkable.

 

[tirolerpeter]

Re: utah parks

The state and national parks in Utah ARE breathtaking. Kodachrome, Arches, Zion, Canyonlands, the list is virtually endless. I spent many years photographing them. Here are some samples:
http://www.photoart.bigstep.com/generic.html?pid=2

BTW, the Great Salt Lake is made up of salt water, more than the ocean, not very drinkable.

".....not very drinkable..." is a heck of an understatement. BTW, "Cedar Breaks" (Looks alot like Bryce Canyon) is absolutely stunning at sunrise.
Thanks for the pictures. They are beautiful reminders of some gorgeous scenery we have traveled through over the years. I'm planning on going again to see more when I move out there.