skiing in not-Colorado

[Keller]

Utah? Wyoming? Vancouver?

I've spent a considerable amount of time in Tahoe/North CO mountains, we're looking to go somewhere else this year.

Anyone have input?

[Jorddyn]

If you like alcohol - avoid Utah at all possible costs.

Actually, scratch that. If you're not Mormon, avoid Utah at all possible costs.

[Allereli]

Lake Placid (Whiteface Mtn) is a great time. Definitely more to do than just ski.

Vancouver (Whistler) is hosting the 2010 olympics, so it's probably a good time to go there, too.

[MotleyCrew]

Vancouver (Whistler) is hosting the 2010 olympics, so it's probably a good time to go there, too.

:yeahthat:

Plus, Canadians really know how to party.

[Drisco]

:yeahthat:

Plus, Canadians really know how to party.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

He's right you know.

[Belnia]

Taos, New Mexico has some great skiing. When I was going to school in Santa Fe we'd take weekend trips up the road to Taos and rent a cabin. There are also some skii areas near Santa Fe up in the mountains if you like driving on crazy roads.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

Utah? Wyoming? Vancouver?

I've spent a considerable amount of time in Tahoe/North CO mountains, we're looking to go somewhere else this year.

Anyone have input?

Anywhere in the PNW. Whistler is awesome so that'd be my first recommendation.

Crystal Mountain, Stevens Pass, and Snoqualmie Pass in Washington State, are all close seconds for the region IMO. All of them have a lot to do besides just the skiing and boarding, as well.

[Sean of the Thread]

Utah? Wyoming? Vancouver?

I've spent a considerable amount of time in Tahoe/North CO mountains, we're looking to go somewhere else this year.

Anyone have input?

North or South Carolina has some nice opps. As well as the NY catskills.

I miss skiing.

[Keller]

Nice advice, all.

Utah is out because apres-ski bars are a must (with something more than watered down shitty beer).

I'm going to e-mail the group now about Whistler.

For posterities sake and making the thread useful: Beginner's Guide to Whistler (http://www.highlyobsessed.com/2006/12/02/an-unofficial-guide-to-whistler/)

[Keller]

North or South Carolina has some nice opps. As well as the NY catskills.

I miss skiing.


We were up in Stowe a couple of weekends ago. Nice, but not the greatest snow. Never been to the Carolinas though.

[Back]

There is skiing round these here parts, Kell.

http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/travel/3045.html

[Allereli]

There is skiing round these here parts, Kell.

http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/travel/3045.html

Those are sledding hills, not ski mountains

[Back]

Those are sledding hills, not ski mountains

You are talking to someone who grew up on the slopes of Mammoth Mountain out in Cali. True, the slopes around here don’t compare well, but hey, its close by.

[Keller]

You are talking to someone who grew up on the slopes of Mammoth Mountain out in Cali. True, the slopes around here don’t compare well, but hey, its close by.



Mammoth is like the catskills. They're both fine for cheap day trips.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

Mammoth is like the catskills. They're both fine for cheap day trips.

That's how I feel about most east coast places (including where I work). Fun for short trips but not amazing destinations.

Maybe I was just spoiled :/

[Stunseed]

Okemo in Vermont's a nice place, I used to live right near there for a minute.

[Proxy]

If you like alcohol - avoid Utah at all possible costs.

Actually, scratch that. If you're not Mormon, avoid Utah at all possible costs.

thats is worthy of signature status.

As for skiing, I'm told that there are places to ski in Arizona. Actual snow! not like skiing down sand dunes. Though, these accusations have yet to be validated. Likely they are something like Mt. Crescent in Nebraska.. gag...

[Daniel]

Anywhere in the PNW. Whistler is awesome so that'd be my first recommendation.

Crystal Mountain, Stevens Pass, and Snoqualmie Pass in Washington State, are all close seconds for the region IMO. All of them have a lot to do besides just the skiing and boarding, as well.

This.

Are you from the PNW?

I can't believe the olympics are going to be in Whistler!! I'm so fucking there!!!

[MotleyCrew]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

He's right you know.

She ;)

[Back]

Mammoth is like the catskills. They're both fine for cheap day trips.

Can you get any more pretentious?

[Keller]

Can you get any more pretentious?


I grew up skiing in southern Indiana. That doesn't mean I want to do it again.

And we made day trips to mammoth in grad school. We flew to tahoe for weekends. That is just the truth.

[Sean of the Thread]

We were up in Stowe a couple of weekends ago. Nice, but not the greatest snow. Never been to the Carolinas though.


I haven't been in at least 5 years but Carolina was nice. It always depends on what kind of snow you get.

Catskills actually suck come to think of it. It was nice because it was a short drive.

*my knees physically hurt having thought about skiing now.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

This.

Are you from the PNW?

I can't believe the olympics are going to be in Whistler!! I'm so fucking there!!!

Yup! Whenever we got season tickets to Whistler we'd get a season pass for the train as well and then just take the train and shuttle in. Was really nice to just relax, especially on the way home and only have to worry about driving the short distance from the station to home.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

If you like alcohol - avoid Utah at all possible costs.

Actually, scratch that. If you're not Mormon, avoid Utah at all possible costs.

I lived in Utah and never had a problem drinking at all. It's a common misconception is all. There are bars, and they do sell beer/liquor at places like "Friday's" or whatever. It's near beer though (like 3.2% or 2.2% - I forget the percentage), unless you are in a bar, then it's whatever the manufacturer standard is.

On topic, though. I loved skiing in Utah. There was a reason their old license plates said

http://dmv.utah.gov/plates/skiutah.jpg

I'm only listing the places I've skied at, but honestly, I'd use this website as your bible (http://www.skiutah.com/snow_report/) (http://www.skiutah.com/snow_report/). It'll give you an idea of the base they are working with. I still have friends that live in Ogden and SLC, and they've told me this year the snow base is one of the best in easily a decade.

Deer Valley - This is up in Park City, where they do all the Sundance shit. It is a resort with a capital R in terms of skiing. They valet park your truck/SUV, bring in your ski's/snowboards for you, awesome log cabin lodge, good variety of slopes to pick from. Overall a good place, and Park City itself is really nice. You will pay through the nose there though. Most expensive place I went the whole time I was in Utah was here.

HomeStead - Another nice resort, there is even a volcano "basin" that has filled with water that you can scuba dive in (this was the summer that I saw this part, not sure if it's open during the winter). Good staff, awesome lodge, on par with Deer Valley in terms of service and variety. Again, expensive.

Snow Basin / Snowbird - I can never remember if Snow Basin was where they had the winter Olympics or if it was Snowbird. In either case, I loved both of these. THey were within an hour of Ogden, and always had snow (once the season started) or they made their own (sucks compared to the real stuff, but it's better than ice and rocks). On one of the either blue or black slopes, when you get off the lift you are actually at the apex of the mountain, and can see down both sides of almost at the same time - the views are gorgeous there, and the runs go from bunny up to double black I think. If you like groomed slopes or powder, between these two they'll have it.

Whichever one the Olympics was at, you can ski the Super G. I did it (once) and while I will admit I'm not the best skier in the world, I have skied for nearly 20 years now, and I got scared more than once on it. Maybe it's because I've done it for 20 years and feel more mortal now, I don't know. When you get off the lift, there is a sign that actually says "There is no shame in turning around" or something similar. Anyway, between these two, I probably went on 50-60 full day trips, with half again as many half days in the 3 years I was in Utah. I think they even have bundle packages with each other.

Those are the four I have personal experience with - I've heard Brian Head is very nice, and Alta is also very nice. I envy you, my ski's have been sitting in my garage for 3 years without use now, I either need to sell em or go visit my buddies in Utah.

[Jorddyn]

I lived in Utah and never had a problem drinking at all. It's a common misconception is all.

I travel to Utah about 4 times a year on business. The only place I can get alcohol in the town I have to stay in is a gas station. In order to get dinner and a beer, I have to drive 15 miles to a sports bar in Brigham City.

I tried to order a drink with two kinds of alcohol in it at dinner in SLC. They couldn't do it because they have to meter the alcohol, and if it isn't pre-mixed, you might wind up with a drop more than a shot. My dinner partner and I even offered to share (so they could make a double and split it), but they couldn't do that either.

Bartenders can't let you come near your next drink until they've cleared the previous one.

You can only get one drink at a time in the hotel lounges, but they will bring you a 12 pack to your room.

Basically, I hate laws that are trying to protect me from myself and just wind up pissing me off.

[Proxy]

I lived in Utah and never had a problem drinking at all.

Damn Mormon.

PS: I will admit the state liquor store in UT(IE the only ones) Are some of the better ones I've seen around the states.

[Belnia]

http://gizmodo.com/5121819/video-base-jumping-off-the-worlds-longest-peak2peak-gondola

Speaking of Whistler!

[RainyDay2080]

My favorite places I've skiied are Mt. Bachelor in Oregon and Sun Valley in Idaho. I've haven't been to Colorado or Utah yet though so not sure how those two stack up to the big time and I'm only an intermediate skiier. Bachelor isn't as well known so it's not quite as expensive as a lot of big ski areas. Sun Valley is known for quick lift lines so you can get in more skiiing in a day than a lot of other places.

RD

[Warriorbird]

Interlaken.