VAIL SUCKS

[ThatGuy]

If you do go, be sure to visit Strawberry Hotsprings, the Old Town Hotsprings,

Strawberry Hot Springs is awesome, I’d recommend that over Old Town for a more natural hot spring. Little ways out of town though so in the winter its harder to access and you need 4wd to get up the hill.

 

[thetrailboss]

It’s Killington with a lot better snow. What’s not to like?

I like it for what it is. I just know that folks from the NE who come out west might be disappointed with groomed snowmaking runs as opposed to big western terrain.

 

[abc]

I like it for what it is. I just know that folks from the NE who come out west might be disappointed with groomed snowmaking runs as opposed to big western terrain.

Agree

On the other hand, not everyone is able to handle “big western terrain”. Similar terrain with much better snow can actually be more enjoyable to many.

 

[4aprice]

I like it for what it is. I just know that folks from the NE who come out west might be disappointed with groomed snowmaking runs as opposed to big western terrain.

Steamboat is lower in elevation. My experience has been that in March, (the only month I've been in Steamboat) they take more of a beating from nature then say the Summit County resorts. Have seen some pretty good hard pack there down below the top of the gondola, but have also had some good times on the upper areas. But if by "big western terrain" you mean bowls and chutes, Steamboat's not the place. Town is "vacation-worthy" for sure.

This is where Steamboat shines.

 

[jimmywilson69]

A western Killington is a good analogy. I had always thought that Breck would be the first place I take my wife out west. After going to Steamboat, Its definitely going to be there. Great town and good skiing for all abilities. I had a 2 pretty good hike to runs when I was there. that runout is long... Its definitely all about the trees and bumps. Cool that you can fly directly into Yampa Valley from a lot of places now.

 

[Edd]

A western Killington is a good analogy. I had always thought that Breck would be the first place I take my wife out west. After going to Steamboat, Its definitely going to be there. Great town and good skiing for all abilities. I had a 2 pretty good hike to runs when I was there. that runout is long... Its definitely all about the trees and bumps. Cool that you can fly directly into Yampa Valley from a lot of places now.

Hmm, only skied one day at Breck and about 7 at Steamboat. I think Breck is easier to navigate, but stupid crowds, even compared to the Boat.

 

[jimmywilson69]

Yes Breck is much more compartmentalized, for sure.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

yea, nice open aspen glade skiing but overall pretty intermediate and boring. i would not make a point of going back to steamboat for the skiing. when we were in steamboat we left our hotel to go to dinner and had to wait in the lobby for like 20 min while a moose licked every last bit of salt off our rental car

 

[abc]

intermediate and boring

What’s “boring“ for the ”expert” wannabe, it’s heavens for the intermediate.

Steamboat also gets a lot of early season snow. When everybody else is moaning about the WROD in other mountains in mid-December, Steamboat could be nearly fully open and faceshot worthy. But the ‘boat lovers largely keep quiet about it.

And if the so call “expert” herd are not heading over there in droves (and elbowing their way to get in more runs), the low key ‘intermediates’ are happy to have the mountains all to themselves to enjoy, leisurely.

 

[snoseek]

What’s “boring“ for the ”expert” wannabe, it’s heavens for the intermediate.

Steamboat also gets a lot of early season snow. When everybody else is moaning about the WROD in other mountains in mid-December, Steamboat could be nearly fully open and faceshot worthy. But the ‘boat lovers largely keep quiet about it.

And if the so call “expert” herd are not heading over there in droves (and elbowing their way to get in more runs), the low key ‘intermediates’ are happy to have the mountains all to themselves to enjoy, leisurely.

Yep, Steamboat is a great bet for early. Those short cold days, a good early pattern and the fact that the place doesn't need a ton of snow to fill makes it great. I like the skiing even though there's not much too challenging...although it has some pretty long bump runs and Pioneer (which does need a bit of base) is real fun.

 

[SteezyRob]

What’s “boring“ for the ”expert” wannabe, it’s heavens for the intermediate.

Steamboat also gets a lot of early season snow. When everybody else is moaning about the WROD in other mountains in mid-December, Steamboat could be nearly fully open and faceshot worthy. But the ‘boat lovers largely keep quiet about it.

And if the so call “expert” herd are not heading over there in droves (and elbowing their way to get in more runs), the low key ‘intermediates’ are happy to have the mountains all to themselves to enjoy, leisurely.

well to be fair there are a LOT more intermediates than experts. plus, experts will only elbow the intermediates lol

 

[machski]

Steamboat is a great town. Lots to do and still authentic. It is slowly changing though. I know some locals and they are not thrilled with the crowding. If you do go, be sure to visit Strawberry Hotsprings, the Old Town Hotsprings, and at least do an afternoon or evening at Howelsen Hill (the oldest continuously operating ski area in Colorado). Historically, Sundays are free ski days for everyone at Howelsen Hill. Ohana makes some really cool LOCAL souvenir wear. A stop to the historic F.M. Light and Sons on Main Street is a must to get that Stetson hat or western wear.

Honestly I think the Wild Blue is overkill. It will help with moving folks out of the base, but when you consider that there was a six-pack, a learner double, and a gondola there already, then it should give you pause to consider what that says about crowding. Portions of the base area will remind you of the ASC days. Be sure to hit up the T-Bar upslope of the base area. It is a cool locals hole-in-the-wall bar.

Having skied there now about ten days, I like it largely because of the town. Midweek non-holiday is still pretty manageable. Good variety, nice lifts, great views, really friendly folks, real western feel, and decent snow. The ski area itself feels like a combination of Stratton and Killington in that it is large, has a lot of cruisers, and different areas with different aspects and terrain. The backside is pretty underwhelming IMHO. The expert terrain is disappointing in my mind as a western skier for a decade now. There are no real open bowls or wide-open skiing. Frontside expert stuff has good pitch but it seems that they are all just bump runs. Backside stuff starts off with a nice drop but soon mellows out to flat gladed terrain and runouts. The hike-to options off the summit require minimal effort, have a couple gnarly chutes and pitches, while other aspects offer some good pitched terrain, but overall these runs are short and all dump out onto a groomed traverse loop that can be a long ways to get back to the main runs. Lots of groomed skiing that is fun for all levels, but it really feels like an east coast skiing experience in that regard, especially considering the snowmaking and grooming and that one cannot really "ski" the full vertical run after run because it really is 2 minor peaks and a high ridgeline with terrain off that ridgeline funneling to a couple escape routes on looker's left that wrap around and meander back down the frontside to the base area.

As the wise Bob R says, "it is what it is."

Not exactly fair with regards to crowding out of the base. Since you base in LCC to some extent, imagine Snowbird of even Alta with only one single base portal. How would that work out? That has always been Steamboat's one Achilles in my opinion, that one single portal (even with the six and original gondi. I do not count the beginner lift as it really gets you no where out of the base). Once you are uphill, there are a bunch of ways and lifts to Dan out on but the single base has always been a huge choke point. While Wild Blue doesn't open a second base access point, it will nearly double the capacity out of the singular base. So if you cannot build a second portal, this is probably a pretty good option IMHO.

As of now, the expert terrain is lacking but the trees are fantastic. Will wait to see what the Pioneer ridge expansion opens up for true expert terrain.

Strawberry hot springs for sure. Been a while since we were there, they used to run 4x4 buses to there quite often from the village proper so 4x4 rental car might not be required. Clothing optional after dark.

 

[abc]

well to be fair there are a LOT more intermediates than experts. plus, experts will only elbow the intermediates lol

I ski the best snow, not the hardest terrain.

Steamboat has snow as dry and as fluffy as the Utah mountains, but without the insane mad dash up LCC/BCC canyon drive.

I won’t bother making excuses for the lack of “expert terrain” at the ‘boat. That’s not what it appeals to me. Not everyone needs to ski the hardest terrain they can find. Nor do I need any excuse for not chasing the hardest terrain either.

There’re a lot of other “intermediate and boring” mountains the expert wannabe wouldn’t go. That’s fine by me. Hope that’s fine for all the other intermediates who aren’t too ashamed to admit they like the relaxed experience.

 

[ThatGuy]

Who gives a shit what level skier/boarder you are, as long as you’re having fun and not hurting other thats what matters.

 

[ThatGuy]

If people want to think they’re “too good” to ski somewhere let them, more fresh snow for me.

 

[joshua segal]

What’s “boring“ for the ”expert” wannabe, it’s heavens for the intermediate.

Steamboat also gets a lot of early season snow. When everybody else is moaning about the WROD in other mountains in mid-December, Steamboat could be nearly fully open and faceshot worthy. But the ‘boat lovers largely keep quiet about it.

And if the so call “expert” herd are not heading over there in droves (and elbowing their way to get in more runs), the low key ‘intermediates’ are happy to have the mountains all to themselves to enjoy, leisurely.

I was skiing with one of the best skiers I know, whom I consider to be my mentor. It was Killington She wanted to take a run on the South Ridge where the lift wasn't running.

I said, "Yes, it's a nice run, but once you get to the bottom, there is that long, boring and tedious flat stretch back to the base of Bear Peak."

She said, "You're sliding on snow. What can be boring about that?"

There are many levels to be an expert skier. Sometimes, the spiritual is more important than the physical.

 

[eatskisleep]

I was skiing with one of the best skiers I know, whom I consider to be my mentor. It was Killington She wanted to take a run on the South Ridge where the lift wasn't running.

I said, "Yes, it's a nice run, but once you get to the bottom, there is that long, boring and tedious flat stretch back to the base of Bear Peak."

She said, "You're sliding on snow. What can be boring about that?"

There are many levels to be an expert skier. Sometimes, the spiritual is more important than the physical.

Quoted for truth! Love this post!

 

[BodeMiller1]

My expert thoughts are "I am not an expert and will never be" I am an advanced intermediate, dam it. There's always room to grow. As an old man my goal is to ski from open to close and leave it ALL on the mountain (except for gloves, etc) and then hangout on the mountain and NOT in the emergency room. I've never been hurt skiing and I've done my share of crazy sh!t.

 

[2Planker]

Guns just started up at The Cat. Fri is a go
May have a soft opening for some (wink, wink) Thurs

 

[thetrailboss]

Guns just started up at The Cat. Fri is a go
May have a soft opening for some (wink, wink) Thurs

I will be interested to hear how opening day is if they open.