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Utah Trip, looking for advise.
- Thread starter andyzee
- Start date
tirolerpeter
New member
ssusca said:
Both restaurants are in Salt Lake and take about 15 to 20 minutes to get there from Sandy.
Look here for Buca..
http://www.bucadibeppo.com/loc_details.asp?ID=4502
Look here for Blue Iguana
http://blueiguana.citysearch.com/page/o322/Map.html
I know it sounds like a hassle, but if you are only there for three days, make one of them Snowbasin. Keep in mind, I have skied (on and off) for over 56 years at 50+ areas around the country and have never seen a lodge and other facilites like those at Snowbasin. Even the meals are gourmet, BUT actually cheaper than the crap they serve at places like Killington. If you are skiers, then by all means hit Alta. If you are boarders, hit Snowbird, and then try either Brighton or Solitude (especially if it snows. You won't be sorry! If this is your first trip out there, you should explore. On later trips, you can focus on the one(s) you like best.
dmc
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Solitude is awesome!!! I love the joint...
ssusca
New member
Alta, Snowbird, Snowbasin, Brighton, Solitude.....
Crap!!!
I've only got three days!
I should probably just quit my job and move the family out there.
Crap!!!
I've only got three days!
I should probably just quit my job and move the family out there.
blacknblue
New member
Agreed. The way that it is all laid out, there really isn't much need/desire to be jumping back and forth between the two. I've done it, and it's fun, but mostly just for novelty's sake.woostahDave said:
Also, there's certainly nothing wrong with the Park City resorts (PCMR, Canyons, and Deer Valley), and there is some excellent terrain there that takes a lot longer to get tracked out, but if I only had three days in Utah, there's no way I'd be there. And I lived/worked in Park City a time ago. I'd much rather do laps in LCC (Alta/'Bird) than hike around to Pine Cone Ridge at PCMR.
On a Saturday, I might skip Alta/'Bird for Solitude. Otherwise, I really don't think you need to worry about not getting fresh snow.
dmc
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ssusca said:Alta, Snowbird, Snowbasin, Brighton, Solitude.....
Crap!!!
I've only got three days!
I should probably just quit my job and move the family out there.
just to add to the pile...
I'll toss in Powder Mountain... Lots of acreage - great snow - not as scarey as LCC - but really sweet!!! Tracks days after storms...
tirolerpeter
New member
Utah Decisions!!!!!
Actually, that is what I am doing this summer...moving out there. In any case, whichever areas you choose to visit (and I do suggest you try three different ones, all of which are terrific) you will just have to go back. That's what has happened to me since I went there in 2000. I have been back every year, sometimes twice. "Face shots" and floating down a wooded steep gets pretty addictive. It will probably not really hit you at first, and then you will notice how silent things are in the woods. Wait until you realize that you can't hear your skis either! One thing I do know, is that it will ruin the rest of your season here in the NE when you get back on our "packed powder" (which they call "ice" out west). Snowbird can get pretty busy on week-ends because boarders like the Tram and the terrain it accesses. BTW, I haven't skied Powder Mountain, but it is my understanding that they do not groom, and I will get there soon. Save it for the future.
ssusca said:Alta, Snowbird, Snowbasin, Brighton, Solitude.....
Crap!!!
I've only got three days!
I should probably just quit my job and move the family out there.
Actually, that is what I am doing this summer...moving out there. In any case, whichever areas you choose to visit (and I do suggest you try three different ones, all of which are terrific) you will just have to go back. That's what has happened to me since I went there in 2000. I have been back every year, sometimes twice. "Face shots" and floating down a wooded steep gets pretty addictive. It will probably not really hit you at first, and then you will notice how silent things are in the woods. Wait until you realize that you can't hear your skis either! One thing I do know, is that it will ruin the rest of your season here in the NE when you get back on our "packed powder" (which they call "ice" out west). Snowbird can get pretty busy on week-ends because boarders like the Tram and the terrain it accesses. BTW, I haven't skied Powder Mountain, but it is my understanding that they do not groom, and I will get there soon. Save it for the future.
ssusca
New member
Hmmm....
Now I am faced with another dilemma. Do I bring my snowboard or just the skis? I've been skiing all my life and only riding for a few years. That being said, the one time I had the board in fresh POW was awesome.
The problem is that the guy I'm going with is strictly a skier. He will probably want to go on terrain that may be a bit too much for me on a snowboard, and I'd hate to waste a day struggling with a snowboard when I could be ripping it up on skis.
Maybe I'll just wait until next year when I go with my wife to bring the snowboard. I suppose if I'm really itchin' to ride I can always rent.
Dmc, I just checked out the Powder Mountain website. Sweet!
You're not making my life any easier. :-?
Now I am faced with another dilemma. Do I bring my snowboard or just the skis? I've been skiing all my life and only riding for a few years. That being said, the one time I had the board in fresh POW was awesome.
The problem is that the guy I'm going with is strictly a skier. He will probably want to go on terrain that may be a bit too much for me on a snowboard, and I'd hate to waste a day struggling with a snowboard when I could be ripping it up on skis.
Maybe I'll just wait until next year when I go with my wife to bring the snowboard. I suppose if I'm really itchin' to ride I can always rent.
Dmc, I just checked out the Powder Mountain website. Sweet!
You're not making my life any easier. :-?
andyzee
New member
Re: Utah Decisions!!!!!
How's Alta on the weekend?tirolerpeter said:
tirolerpeter
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Utah
It looks like these decisions are stressing you too much. You better cancel and stay home. Leave all that powder for the rest of us. :roll:
ssusca said:
It looks like these decisions are stressing you too much. You better cancel and stay home. Leave all that powder for the rest of us. :roll:
dmc
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ssusca said:
Biggest problem with snowboarding at places like Solitude or Snowbird is the traverses... Pretty easy on skis - not so easy on a deck..
You may want to look at the traverses before starting out on them...
tirolerpeter
New member
Re: Utah Decisions!!!!!
Sorry, I don't know since I have only skied Alta mid-week. I do remember skiing a very busy Saturday at Snowbird, and being told by others that Brighton and Solitude had no lines. First of all, I don't believe that the lift lines at any of the areas will compare to what you are used to here in the east. Also, if you stay away from the base areas you are not going to experience much in the way of crowds. Keep in mind, the advanced terrain at Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, and Snowbasin, is for the most part accessed from lifts and gondolas that don't start at the base. For example; if you go over to Honeycomb Canyon at Solitude, you can spend hours in beautiful ungroomed black and double black trails that are all in the trees. You are not going to have lines there. At Snowbasin, you can grab the John Paul Express and play in the trees for 30 minutes before you get back down to the base. Or, you can stay on the Middle Bowl chair for some blue runs, or to the right on Porcupine for all blacks and double blacks, neither of which go back down to the base. You will also be surprised at what they consider a "blue" trail. You might just spend some time on those to get your legs and attitude adjusted. "Blacks" are steep and you generally can't really see the trail until you step off. "Double blacks" are also steep, treed, and you definitely can't see the trail until you step off. Just get your butt out there and ski! Oh yes, if you see a sign that says: "Cliff Area" traverse your butt out of there!
andyzee said:
Sorry, I don't know since I have only skied Alta mid-week. I do remember skiing a very busy Saturday at Snowbird, and being told by others that Brighton and Solitude had no lines. First of all, I don't believe that the lift lines at any of the areas will compare to what you are used to here in the east. Also, if you stay away from the base areas you are not going to experience much in the way of crowds. Keep in mind, the advanced terrain at Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, and Snowbasin, is for the most part accessed from lifts and gondolas that don't start at the base. For example; if you go over to Honeycomb Canyon at Solitude, you can spend hours in beautiful ungroomed black and double black trails that are all in the trees. You are not going to have lines there. At Snowbasin, you can grab the John Paul Express and play in the trees for 30 minutes before you get back down to the base. Or, you can stay on the Middle Bowl chair for some blue runs, or to the right on Porcupine for all blacks and double blacks, neither of which go back down to the base. You will also be surprised at what they consider a "blue" trail. You might just spend some time on those to get your legs and attitude adjusted. "Blacks" are steep and you generally can't really see the trail until you step off. "Double blacks" are also steep, treed, and you definitely can't see the trail until you step off. Just get your butt out there and ski! Oh yes, if you see a sign that says: "Cliff Area" traverse your butt out of there!
awf170
New member
Re: Utah Decisions!!!!!
Not true IMO, I sked alta over feb. vacation last year and it was probably the worst lines I have ever seen. But since andyzee skis at k-mart he is used to line anyway :wink: :lol:
tirolerpeter said:
Not true IMO, I sked alta over feb. vacation last year and it was probably the worst lines I have ever seen. But since andyzee skis at k-mart he is used to line anyway :wink: :lol:
andyzee
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Re: Utah Decisions!!!!!
Sounds like good sound advice! :lol:
tirolerpeter said:
Sounds like good sound advice! :lol:
andyzee
New member
Re: Utah Decisions!!!!!
Not true, as posted in another thread, I rarely wait more then a few minutes in any line. Just have to learn to work the mountain.
awf170 said:
Not true, as posted in another thread, I rarely wait more then a few minutes in any line. Just have to learn to work the mountain.
ski the trees
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I've found the lines can sometimes get pretty long since most lifts are a bit older (read: slower) and there's still a few double chairs around. that being said, it's never really been an issue.
and about the cliffs... that's the best part...
and about the cliffs... that's the best part...
Npage148
New member
I booked with BW sandy at the advice of tirolepeter. Its a deal we cant beat. My gf wanted a rental car so we slurged and got that ands its still alot cheaper than anything else we looked at. Ill be out there mid march adn im pretty pumped. Ill probably spend my time at snowbird since I board. Maybe a trip to solitude. BTW, how long? Im super pumped, big thumbs up to tiro
ssusca
New member
dmc said:
Good point. I got stuck on the flatest glacier in the world last year at Zermatt and had to take the board off and walk for what seemed like a half hour. That just plain sucked.
I'll check out the trail maps and decide if it's worth bringing it.
tirolerpeter
New member
Utah Trip
Glad you found a good deal. Some of my friends (who have stayed at a number of different resorts around the NE, and in Colorado) doubted that we could have a good time for the price I quoted them. After going out there with me a couple of weeks ago they are believers, and are ready to go again. There is an outside chance that I may be able to get out there again some time in March. It depends on how much work I get done on my house to get it ready to put on the market April 1st. BTW, it is only Alta that prohibits snowboarding. All the others are fine with it.
Npage148 said:
Glad you found a good deal. Some of my friends (who have stayed at a number of different resorts around the NE, and in Colorado) doubted that we could have a good time for the price I quoted them. After going out there with me a couple of weeks ago they are believers, and are ready to go again. There is an outside chance that I may be able to get out there again some time in March. It depends on how much work I get done on my house to get it ready to put on the market April 1st. BTW, it is only Alta that prohibits snowboarding. All the others are fine with it.
Npage148
New member
Curse my proofreading ability.. I meant to ask how long is the drive from BW in sandy to snowbird and solitude respectively?
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