Utah Trip, looking for advise.

[andyzee]

I'm looking to get out to Utah this year for the first time and have started looking into pricing. I was looking into going from Sunday to Thursday or Friday to get the best pricing. However, I asked a friend if he would like to go and he would, but has to try to take advantage of the weekend to preserve vacation time.

So far what I got is 5 night at The Iron Blossom for $ 2265.80. This is for three people and includes 4 days of skiing at either Alta or Snowbird and round trip transportation to and from SLC. Airline tickets have come in at $310-330. Just putting it out there to get some advice or tips. Thanks in advance for any useful hints.

 

[kingslug]

I go to Utah twice a year, just got back. The price sounds about right. I use my timeshare points so my room is paid for. The flight sounds about right, used to be a lot cheaper. I stayed at the Iron Blossom last April, nice place, real close to the lift, as in walking distance. All i can say about Utah is that it has the best snow i have ever skied, and I've skied all over the world. Alta and Snowbird are my favorites, the Canyons is great too but doesn't get the dumps that they do. Solitude is also great, especialy on weekends when it is less crowded. Ski all three, you can't go wrong. Just don't expect any night life. You'll be so tired it won't matter. If you want real booze you'll have to find one of the few state liquor stores. Everywhere else sells 4% beer, tastes good but doesn't take the edge off. Anything else, just post,I've gotten to know all the areas pretty well.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

Alta (http://www.rustlerlodge.com/) - If you are going with a group, the dorm room is the way to go (approximately $190) cost includes hot breakfast and dinner. Ski in ski out, bar, heated pool

 

[andyzee]

Just don't expect any night life. You'll be so tired it won't matter. If you want real booze you'll have to find one of the few state liquor stores. Everywhere else sells 4% beer, tastes good but doesn't take the edge off.

Thanks, everyone seems to warn me about this. Don't care about nightlife and booze. Just give me mountains, snow, shower, bed and a bottle of wine. :lol: Thanks

 

[blacknblue]

Don't care about nightlife and booze. Just give me mountains, snow, shower, bed and a bottle of wine. :lol: Thanks

Then you're in the right place! Great snow, great terrain, and you managed a slopeside place.
Personally, I wouldn't bother with The Canyons--just stick to Alta and the Bird, maybe Solitude if you even want to bother leaving LCC.
There is a ton of great terrain to explore at both places. The Gad lifts at Snowbird have some great tree skiing and powder stashes. Mineral Basin is fun unless the sun has baked it a bit. There are some big, obvious lines under the Tram, such as Great Scott. At Alta, make sure to take time to explore. Follow the ridgelines and don't be afraid of a ten-minute hike. Off the Supreme chair, looker's left, is a great area. I would follow the central ridgeline as far out as you feel comfortable, and drop into the east side.
Let me know if you want to pick my brain any further!
(By the way, who did you book the trip with?)

 

[RISkier]

I'd suggest you pm tirolerpeter (SP?). He's very helpful. If you're willing to stay down in the suburbs of SLC you can get very good deals. He suggested the Best Western Cottontree in Sandy. It's about $169 per night with lift tickets to your choice of Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, or Brighton for 2 persons. It includes use of the buses out to the ski areas. You could probably stay at one of the Extended Stays in either Sandy or Midvale for even less. It'll cost more for the convenience of staying at the resorts. You should go, it's phenomenal!

 

[andyzee]

(By the way, who did you book the trip with?)

Haven't booked yet, just started looking into pricing today and figured it wouldn't hurt to post here and get helpful info. For now I just called Snowbird to get the pricing from them on a room/tix package

 

[tirolerpeter]

Utah Trip?

(By the way, who did you book the trip with?)

Haven't booked yet, just started looking into pricing today and figured it wouldn't hurt to post here and get helpful info. For now I just called Snowbird to get the pricing from them on a room/tix package

Andyzee, ssusc, check your PM's

 

[woostahDave]

hey there-
i'm returning on my own to utah for the first time since spending a season in LCC four years ago. i never had to worry about a place to crash then, but now i'm on a tight budget. the extended stays in sandy seem to be the cheapest. can anyone vouch for either location? then again, if anyone knows of a comfy couch in the area... :lol:

-dave

 

[skimore]

Utah

Would agree with BnB on staying away from The Canyons. We were out there last week and stayed at The Canyons but did not ski there even though we had a ski in ski out place. A few skied there, not me, and I did not hear any feedback that would make me go. The rest of us traveled to Alta/Snowbird and Solitude and were very glad we did. Liked Solitude lots....found fresh pow all day

Here is some footage from trip

http://www.cnybs.com/Utah

 

[andyzee]

Re: Utah

Would agree with BnB on staying away from The Canyons. We were out there last week and stayed at The Canyons but did not ski there even though we had a ski in ski out place. A few skied there, not me, and I did not hear any feedback that would make me go. The rest of us traveled to Alta/Snowbird and Solitude and were very glad we did. Liked Solitude lots....found fresh pow all day

Here is some footage from trip

http://www.cnybs.com/Utah

Thanks, you got my mouth watering with that flick. At first I was looking at getting a place at Snowbird, but tirolerpeter pointed out some good deals in SLC. The one advantage of that is that you get lift tickets that are good for Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, and Solitude.

Question, did you take your own skis or rent? If you took your own, what's the rules on the airlines for transporting skis?

 

[woostahDave]

if you can afford it, don't stay in SLC. you'll be glad you're sleeping in the canyon when its dumping outside, interlodge is lifted and the road is still closed. but seriously, even if that doesn't happen the schlep from SLC everyday gets tiring.

The only area worth visiting aside from big and little cottonwood canyons is snowbasin. but its a good trip from almost anywhere.

edit- forgot about powder mt. i've never been, but i'm intrigued.

 

[blacknblue]

Shameless plug here, but.... 800-6-MOGULS

If you have the $, definitely stay in the canyon, either at the Iron Blossom as you suggested, The Cliff (awesome, but expensive place), or even the Alta Rustler.
If you have a tighter budget, there are plenty of options in Sandy, the suburg of SLC at the base of both Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons. You can get the SLC Interchangable lift ticket, which is good for any of the 4 resorts: Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, and Brighton, and includes the bus fare as well.
We sell a lot of the Marriott Residence Inn, just off I-215. Good for an extended stay, esp. if bringing other along.
As for ski luggage, each airline is different. Best to consult their website. Usually you can check one ski/snowboard bag, and one regular piece of luggage, as well as your carry-on.

 

[catskills]

On The Cheap but Still Nice

If you want to spend less than $100 per night per person for lodging and lift ticket at Alta and Snowbird keep reading.

I have stayed at the Days Inn 7251 South 300 West, Midvale, UT 84047 (801-566-6677). This Days Inn is a 5 minute walk from the TRAX train station , which is the same station you pick up for the ski bus to go to Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, and Brighton. Although its a lot of work hauling your gear from airport to hotel, you can take a bus and TRAX right to the hotel for $1.40 with transfers. Alternative is rent a HERTZ car and then drop the car off at the HERTZ a few blocks from the Days Inn. The hotel price includes lift tickets and bus transportation to Alta and Snowbird. The hotel also has a little breakfast area with bagels, coffee, juice, and Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwichs. For night life you can take the TRAX into Salt Lake where they have this open mall area with some nice restraunts. Its not obvious where it is so take the TRAX into Salt Lake last train stop (Delta Center stop) and follow the teanagers.

Here is an link and map with phone numbers for more information. You can call Ride UTA for exact instructions from airport to hotel.

http://www.rideuta.com
http://www.rideuta.com/schedulesAndMaps/systemMaps/05-06skimap.jpg

 

[tirolerpeter]

Re: Utah

Would agree with BnB on staying away from The Canyons. We were out there last week and stayed at The Canyons but did not ski there even though we had a ski in ski out place. A few skied there, not me, and I did not hear any feedback that would make me go. The rest of us traveled to Alta/Snowbird and Solitude and were very glad we did. Liked Solitude lots....found fresh pow all day

Here is some footage from trip

http://www.cnybs.com/Utah

Thanks, you got my mouth watering with that flick. At first I was looking at getting a place at Snowbird, but tirolerpeter pointed out some good deals in SLC. The one advantage of that is that you get lift tickets that are good for Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, and Solitude.

Question, did you take your own skis or rent? If you took your own, what's the rules on the airlines for transporting skis?

That video might just as well have been us! Thanks for putting it up on the board.

We brought our own skis. If it dumps more than about 8"-10" inches, rent powder boards you will have a BLAST!

 

[catskills]

Here are some links the specialize in last minute reservations.

http://www.ownerdirect.com/accommodations/alta/vacationrentals/3568/24589.htm

http://www.11thhour.com

 

[andyzee]

Re: Utah

We brought our own skis. If it dumps more than about 8"-10" inches, rent powder boards you will have a BLAST!

I've got Atomic Metron M11s, my wife has Salamon Scrambler 7s. Both skis are midfats with pretty wide tips and tails. I believe they should suffice in everything except for maybe the real deep stuff. Guess we'll find out

 

[ssusca]

When are you planning on going? A friend and I are heading out the last weekend of February. tirolerpeter gave me some great info on places to stay. Looks like we'll be staing in Sandy. Either at the Best Western or the Extended Stay America suites. We'll probably bring our own equipment but if we get a good dump we'll rent some fat skis.

Let me know when you book you trip. If you're heading out at the same time we should meet up.

Hey kingslug, do you know where I can find a state liquor store in Sandy? Near beer just won't cut it.

 

[andyzee]

When are you planning on going? A friend and I are heading out the last weekend of February. tirolerpeter gave me some great info on places to stay. Looks like we'll be staing in Sandy. Either at the Best Western or the Extended Stay America suites. We'll probably bring our own equipment but if we get a good dump we'll rent some fat skis.

Let me know when you book you trip. If you're heading out at the same time we should meet up.

Hey kingslug, do you know where I can find a state liquor store in Sandy? Near beer just won't cut it.

I'm plannin on 3/2-3/7. I'd consider the last weekend in Feb, but a friend is going as well and he can't do that. I'm leaning towards the Best Western my self. Did some calculations and here's what I get for my wife and myself. These figures are for Hotel, tix, and flight split three ways cause of freind and then adjusted cost for me and my wife.

Snowbird Iron Blossom:
Hotel, tix to Snowbird and Alta and flight $2886

Sandy Best Western:
Hotel, tix to Brighton, Solitude, Snowbird and Alta and flight $1363

Sandy Best Western:
Hotel, tix to Brighton, Solitude, Snowbird and Alta, flight and Front wheel car rental $1496

Sandy Best Western:
Hotel, tix to Brighton, Solitude, Snowbird and Alta, flight and SUV $1629

 

[ssusca]

Seems like its a no-brainer. Staying in Sandy will save a sh!tload of money!

Have a good trip. I'll try to leave a few stashes for you :lol: