WOLF CREEK, WP, STEAMBOAT in CO FTW. Summit County is a rat race hell. I would only ski the pass in SC.
Ranking Ski Resorts
- Thread starter Triggermv
- Start date
WOLF CREEK, WP, STEAMBOAT in CO FTW. Summit County is a rat race hell. I would only ski the pass in SC.
Semi-related, but we'll be going to Copper Mountain and Beaver Creek for our first time this year in a couple weeks.
Any tips on either place? Must-do runs? Parking secrets?
As for my ski level, I'm a confident blue skier who will do blacks but avoid double blacks and moguls where possible.
Any tips on either place? Must-do runs? Parking secrets?
As for my ski level, I'm a confident blue skier who will do blacks but avoid double blacks and moguls where possible.
Don't have any advice on Beaver Creek as I haven't been there. However, with Copper Mountain, I've got advice. First of all, USE COUPONS there. You can either get them at Gas Stations/Grocery stores in Denver or I think there is booklets you can buy (not sure where) OR, what I do is usually just buy them on Ebay for a small amount.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...ns.TRS0&_nkw=copper+mountain+coupons&_sacat=0
As for skiing Copper, the resort is known for its segregated areas where the right side of the mountain is mostly greens, the middle mostly blues and the left mostly blacks. This makes it really easy for new people to know where to go. A couple other things to keep in mind is that the top lifts of the mountain are above the treeline and can get REALLY snowy and windy up there, so beware depending on conditions. With that said, one of those lifts is Storm King, which I remember as actually being a T-Bar, so if you haven't experienced one of those, there you go. Again, it will be like taking a single t-bar through a frozen tundra usually though
. Also, if you want more of a challenge, Copper does have a couple good back bowls with one where you can take a free snowcat over to go down more remote areas (only place I know of that has a free snowcat available, which is cool). However, the snowcat area will be all expert terrain. Lastly, as for parking, I don't remember it being too bad in comparison to other Colorado resorts. Just make sure you get there early to avoid a longer walk.
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Jackson Hole is near the top of any list. I just got back from Utah (been there quite a few times). Deer Valley is great, but yes no boards, same could be said for Alta though. Snowbird is fun, but don't go on weekends.
Vail bought Park City and Canyons and mergerd them. It's so ridiculously spread out that you still only need to ski one side in a day.
I'm loath to mention it since it's a best kept secret but Snowbasin rules.
Vail bought Park City and Canyons and mergerd them. It's so ridiculously spread out that you still only need to ski one side in a day.
I'm loath to mention it since it's a best kept secret but Snowbasin rules.
Yeah, both Park City and Canyons were monstrous resorts in and of themselves before they merged. I can't even imagine skiing the monstrosity all together. In fact, when I skied to old Park City, I tried really hard to ski it completely out in a day, but failed. Therefore, with the combined resort, I'd say you could easily ski 3 full days there and not really have to repeat many runs. Therefore, for a ski-in ski-out place, it would be a good option for people not wanting to get bored with skiing one place.
FYI... for those considering Utah. While Snowbird is amazing, it isn't for the faint of heart or beginner. Shoot, if you take the tram and get off, your options are pretty much double-black, double-black or double-black. Most everything is steep, and that might be an understatement. There is still a few beginner runs, but not many. For beginners, I'd strongly consider skiing Brighton or Solitude if you want cheap, or Park City, if price isn't a problem. Personally, if I was bringing my kids to teach them to ski, I'd definitely start them at Brighton.
Good info on Utah, would like to get out there sometime soon.
As far as your original post, you have me somewhat worried I missed something really good about Keystone. I thought it was alright, probably on par with Breck, but I've really enjoyed Copper or WP much more. I'd personally probably go to A-Basin again over Keystone, since I usually stay in Frisco and the ski towns are not as important to me. Now I'm thinking I need to try Keystone some more as I only went for a day along with some night skiing.
As someone else mentioned, I would definitely try Steamboat as well. Really enjoyed the mountain and town, enough that I thought it was worth the extra time to get out there.
Ha ha yeah it's pretty obvious just looking at Snowbird how steep it is. I can't imagine a novice even wanting to get on the tram. BTW if you want to save a few bucks, The Powder House near the entrance to Big Cottonwood Canyon has discounted tickets for the 4 resorts down there.
For sure, if you want to wet your pants a bit, just take a look at a Snowbird trail map online or simply just drive by it. As for the discounted lift tickets, every ski rental place in SLC sells the discounted tickets. That is the best way to get them too.
Wolf Creek is great. I just went there for the first time. Kind of curious how it compares to some of the Utah resorts having never been there. I'm a fan of the hot springs in Pagosa as well.
I'm going to Crested Butte for the first time in two weeks. Other than maybe a trip or two to WP or Monarch that might be it for me this year.
I do have a buddy skiing Taos as we speak. I'll be interested to see what he says about New Mexico skiing. I've never done it, but have heard some good stuff about Taos.
We spent some good time in Mineral Basin as well when we were there last week. We had some pretty decent fresh powder, so it was pretty spectacular. That back bowl is difficult skiing, but nothing too crazy hard at all, which can be fun. Utah in general just doesn't have all the back bowls that Colorado resorts provide, but Mineral Basis at Snowbird is about as close as Utah gets to providing one. Most resorts in Utah are just front-side skiing. That doesn't mean there isn't some bowl-type skiing on those front sides at all, because there is still some decent ones, particularly at Snowbird and Alta.
I'll be the first to admit that my Keystone love is probably a little too strong and a bit biased based on what it actually it. However, that is fine. I still stand by it.
Hey, its not my fault some people just haven't seen the light and still live in the year 2000 ;-). Fads come and go, just like rollerblades.
Been to all of them, plus Whistler, Val d'isere, Tignes, Innsbruck. I lock the Rockies and Sierras to a lesser extent because the trees create for more consistent snow throughout the day. Of course, nothing beats the views of France.
I personally don't mind the consistent snow throughout the day. In fact, I like it, as long as visibility doesn't get too poor. The trees also keep the wind more tame, which can be crucial.
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