Where to ski this year?
Discussion
I skied Utah a couple of years ago. We flew to Salt Lake City (via Chicago - no direct flights at that time), stayed in Ogden (standard US town) for 2 or three nights, skiing Powder Mountain (quaint & old fashioned) with ancient lifts but acres of untracked off-piste. Only saw a handful of people all day! Then spent a couple of days in Snow Basin (Winter Olympic resort) - great resort. We then moved on and stayed in Park City for the rest of the holiday. Good skiing, nice ski town, plenty of restaurants and a local micro-brewery. From here we were able to travel daily to The Canyons, Deer Valley, and my favourite - Snowbird/Alta. I would strongly recommend this area for the seasoned skier.
I've not skied Verbier since the late 80s, but liked it a lot back then. The Medran gondola up the mountain was a nightmare back then but much improved since I believe. Probably still as packed though!
We've now given up on Europe (hideous, pushy crowds) in favour of the USA or Canada.
I've not skied at Whistler but
go here
click the link to a download showing the Whistler/Blackcombe ski mountain in Google Earth to see the mountain.
I've got some Google earth info for the above Utah resorts if you'd be interested.
Looking to do a similar style trip to Lake Tahoe in Feb 09.
Steve
I've not skied Verbier since the late 80s, but liked it a lot back then. The Medran gondola up the mountain was a nightmare back then but much improved since I believe. Probably still as packed though!
We've now given up on Europe (hideous, pushy crowds) in favour of the USA or Canada.
I've not skied at Whistler but
go here
click the link to a download showing the Whistler/Blackcombe ski mountain in Google Earth to see the mountain.
I've got some Google earth info for the above Utah resorts if you'd be interested.
Looking to do a similar style trip to Lake Tahoe in Feb 09.
Steve
its got to be whistler the town smallish and is all pedestrianised so its easy walk about so easy to get to different bars and lifts
heli sking brilliant as well
skied utah in the early 90's with the now wife ,stayed in salt lake city and drove to all the resorts every day as there was more to do in the city in the evening ,great snow but it is a mormon state {Dry State) so there were not loads bars about
mite have change now though
Edited by BRE77M on Tuesday 9th December 20:53
Thanks, Snowbird sounds interesting, think its between Utah and Whistler, think i will discount Verbier.....hmmmm
As for Vermont, I spent a ski season there once and didn't like it, snow record is a bit too hit and miss, lovely looking place though.
As for Lech, never been, but been to St Anton which is only just down the valley, so would like to try somewhere very different.
As for Vermont, I spent a ski season there once and didn't like it, snow record is a bit too hit and miss, lovely looking place though.
As for Lech, never been, but been to St Anton which is only just down the valley, so would like to try somewhere very different.
I own a one bed flat in Whistler. I'm going on Boxing Day for two weeks.
Haven't skied the other two but I don't feel I need to. If your mates are competent (ie top level ski school+), try the two day Extremely Canadian ski school. I've never felt so terrified and yet delighted with my skiing.
Haven't skied the other two but I don't feel I need to. If your mates are competent (ie top level ski school+), try the two day Extremely Canadian ski school. I've never felt so terrified and yet delighted with my skiing.
My vote is for Whistler, traffic free village, great choice of skiing as you effectively have two separate mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, ski school was excellent, and you could sign up for a first tracks program that got you up the mountain for a fantastic breakfast and an hours skiing ahead of the mountain opening. Have fun!
Just my views and experiences ...
Utah
Loved it, hard not too though with a couple of days of deep powder.
Stayed in Salt Lake city and drove up to Snowbird or Alta each day.
It was very cheap, about 55 USD for the hotel including lift pass and breakfast.
No real clue about the nightlife
Whistler
We must have been unlucky, crap snow and it rained quite a bit. Despite this the lifts were pretty busy.
Our accomodation was great though. We had far more fun on ski-doos than we did skiing or boarding.
Nightlife was decent.
After hearing so many of my friends rave about it, it was very dissapointing (but probably down to crap conditions)
Verbier
Great skiing when I regularly went 10+ years ago, but pretty busy back then (not sure what new lifts there have been since)
Nightlife was awesome, we were out everynight until 3 or so.
A firm favourite of those working in the city
Vermont
Tends to be icy and cold and it was very icy and very cold when I was there.
We only went there for day trips.
Generally I tend to go to Switzerland to more scenic resorts that are reasonably close to good airports. Doing disasterous coach transfers out of Lyon airport etc. just doesn't interest me anymore. I have become an old fart!
Utah
Loved it, hard not too though with a couple of days of deep powder.
Stayed in Salt Lake city and drove up to Snowbird or Alta each day.
It was very cheap, about 55 USD for the hotel including lift pass and breakfast.
No real clue about the nightlife
Whistler
We must have been unlucky, crap snow and it rained quite a bit. Despite this the lifts were pretty busy.
Our accomodation was great though. We had far more fun on ski-doos than we did skiing or boarding.
Nightlife was decent.
After hearing so many of my friends rave about it, it was very dissapointing (but probably down to crap conditions)
Verbier
Great skiing when I regularly went 10+ years ago, but pretty busy back then (not sure what new lifts there have been since)
Nightlife was awesome, we were out everynight until 3 or so.
A firm favourite of those working in the city
Vermont
Tends to be icy and cold and it was very icy and very cold when I was there.
We only went there for day trips.
Generally I tend to go to Switzerland to more scenic resorts that are reasonably close to good airports. Doing disasterous coach transfers out of Lyon airport etc. just doesn't interest me anymore. I have become an old fart!
Edited by 2something on Tuesday 9th December 21:38
DjSki said:
Looking to book a ski trip, always like to go somewhere new each year. Will be a group of 4-6.
Shortlist is.....
Verbier
Whistler
Utah
We are not bad skiers and like a drink but don't stay up till 3am every night....too old now.
Anyone been to all three?? Any views?
Alternatively:Shortlist is.....
Verbier
Whistler
Utah
We are not bad skiers and like a drink but don't stay up till 3am every night....too old now.
Anyone been to all three?? Any views?
http://www.cresta-run.com/html/video_livecam.cfm#
Done Whistler a few times, but much prefer Colorado. Plus, you can base yourself at Vail; and Arapahoe Basin, Copper Mountain, Beaver Creek and even Aspen are all easily drivable for a days sliding. Hard to beat.....
....until I skied Tahoe. Maybe I'm just getting old but I loved that mountain so much I bought a timeshare there (2nd hand...so reasonable value...andthe dollar was near 2:1
). Plus there's Squaw & Kirkwood (and smaller places too). And gamblin' 
In truth, Heavenly's a fairly ugly 'resort', but great skiing and fabulous views. Looking forward to my March trip already 
.
Not done Utah yet so can't comment; but it's on my list. But if you haven't done Colorado then it's be my choice well ahead of Whistler and Europe...if just for the variety assuming you are happy to drive between ski areas. Aspen alone has 3 great separate areas - Ajax, Highlands and Snowmass. And of course Vail's great too, especially Blue Sky Basin over the back.
alternatively you could take a trip to Cairngorn 
....until I skied Tahoe. Maybe I'm just getting old but I loved that mountain so much I bought a timeshare there (2nd hand...so reasonable value...andthe dollar was near 2:1
). Plus there's Squaw & Kirkwood (and smaller places too). And gamblin' In truth, Heavenly's a fairly ugly 'resort', but great skiing and fabulous views. Looking forward to my March trip already .Not done Utah yet so can't comment; but it's on my list. But if you haven't done Colorado then it's be my choice well ahead of Whistler and Europe...if just for the variety assuming you are happy to drive between ski areas. Aspen alone has 3 great separate areas - Ajax, Highlands and Snowmass. And of course Vail's great too, especially Blue Sky Basin over the back.
alternatively you could take a trip to Cairngorn 
Tvrolet
After doing Copper Mountain last time (+ Brekenridge, Beaver Creek and Vail) would you have any advice on a 10 day trip to Lake Tahoe? eg: best base/s for two centre trip, places to avoid/places not to miss etc. Have in mind to ski Squaw Valley, Heavenly and Kirkwood at least.
Steve
After doing Copper Mountain last time (+ Brekenridge, Beaver Creek and Vail) would you have any advice on a 10 day trip to Lake Tahoe? eg: best base/s for two centre trip, places to avoid/places not to miss etc. Have in mind to ski Squaw Valley, Heavenly and Kirkwood at least.
Steve
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