So I’m wanting to get out west this winter for some snowboarding. I’m considering two potential timeframes: Between Christmas and over New Years or in January or February. I realize the Jan/Feb will be considerably cheaper as it is non-holiday rates. My biggest question is where to go… I’ve never been out west for snowboarding/skiing. My options so far are:
Utah: Several options, where would you recommend as the best place to go?
Tahoe: I’m partial towards going to Kirkwood based upon a friend’s recommendation who used to be a local there.
Colorado: My impression on going to Colorado is that it will be too crowded and overblown. Am I mistaken?
Whistler: Would love to go but I think the winter olympics are there this year, right?
So what is important to me: First of all, great snow conditions and terrain. I want to experience it all, from groomers to powder bowls to some butt-pucker advanced runs. I’m not big on the glitzy touristy attractions at a resort, give me a couple choices on food and a lodge bar and I’ll be a happy man. I also do not want to lodge outside the resort. I want to wake up, walk to the lifts, and ride. A the end of the night after many drinks in the bar I want to (somewhat) walk back to my bed.
Utah. Stay in park city and you can hit park city resort and the canyons in town. I think Deer valley (also in town) still doesn’t allow snowboarders. Park City resort is probably best --it’s bigger–if you must be walking to the lifts and don’t want to drive/bus a few minutes to the other resorts. Plus, the resorts are just about 45 min away from the airport, rather than two hours for denver.
I’m not a big snowboarder or skier, but I just got back from Red Mountain in Rossland - I was there for work in the fall - if I were planning a ski trip, I would certainly check it out. I The lift base was an easy walk from where I was staying, the area is freakin’ gorgeous, and I bumped into people who run heli- and cat- skiing operations.
I can only speak for Tahoe.
I ski, and from my snowboarding friends I can tell you that Heavenly, as beautiful as it is, has relatively large areas of flat ground around the lifts that make it difficult for boarders. I’ve heard similar complaints about Mt. Rose.
I’ve never been to Kirkwood, but it’s supposed to be awesome. I’m going to try to check it out this year. The only negative I’ve heard is that there is a resident population of reckless boarders who dart out from the trees onto the runs without looking.
My favorite non-Heavenly area is Sierra-at-Tahoe.
Sunshine or Lake Louise in Alberta are both pretty fantastic.
Depending on the conditions Lake Louise would be my top choice; however, if it’s been a scant snow year, Sunshine is better - it’s snowy right into July.
If it’s very snowy Fernie in BC is amazing as well. They get a metric assload of snow every year. 75 cm of champagne powder…drool.
Whistler is perfect for you, then. Huge mountain with a wide range of runs, and the village is fantastic for eating, drinking and socializing after a day of skiing/boarding. Tahoe is lovely, but it can’t compare to Whistler.
My feeling as well. I don’t ski or snowboard, but I’ve been there a few times. I’ve parked the car in the big lots outside the built-up area and haven’t needed it during the rest of my visit–the place is small enough that everything (hotels, resorts, restaurants, ski lifts, etc.) is within easy walking distance of everything else even when you’re toting boards or skis. Watch your dates though–there will be Olympic events there.
More votes for Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Fernie. Kimberley might be an option as well; it’s another small place where things are handy to each other but maybe not as close as in Whistler. Anyway, I’ve heard good things about all of these from folks who keep going back to them, so they must be pretty good.
I’ve been to two of the places of which you inquire.
Kirkwood was far from Tahoe proper, but was amazing. Great snow, great trails, but the drive was tough, especially if it starts snowing while you’re on the slopes. It could be tough to get back to Tahoe proper.
Utah was also great, staying in Park City. But I drove from Park City to Snowbird, and found that Snowbird was much better skiing than I found in the couple of areas I found in Park City. Park City did have a great nightlife (for Utah) in easy distance from our hotel.
Unfortunately, I also blew out my knee in Park City, which pretty much ended skiing for me, but hopefully, this won’t happen to you.
I don’t think you can go wrong with any of your choices, as long as you plan your Whistler trip outside of the Olympic dates.
I would suggest Banff. With most packages you get a tri-area lift ticket, good at 3 very different ski mountains – two already mentioned Banff Lake Louise, Sunshine Village/Goats Eye (two near mountains that merged) as well as Banff Mt. Norquay (much smaller, “local” mountain, considerably warmer than the other two). Shuttles run from all hotels to the mountains, so there is no need to drive or agree on daily plans (if you are traveling with friends). Sunshine Village, is largely above the treeline and consists of “skiable terrain” rather than runs per se.
All of the mountains have “Ski Friends” which are volunteer guides who will take you around the mountain and help you avoid undesirable terrain at any level (let’s say you can’t do moguls, they will know which runs are moguled up and which are smooth. They will literally give detailed guidance up to: there is a patch of ice 30ft down on your right). I believe Ski Friends programs under various names are common at all large Canadian resorts and it really adds a lot to the experience. (the volunteers get a free or very reduced season pass for their time!)
The exchange rate is slightly favorable at the moment, so Canada is the more economical choice.
Just to a little different Wolf Creek in southern Colorado will avoid most of the problems with crowded slopes and has the most snow of any resort in Colorado, last year they averaged just over 110" base. The nearest town is about 30-45 min from the resort and the nearest airport is about another hour away but once you’re there it’s pretty fantastic.
Just as a check, if you’ve only skied in the East being out West can be somewhat disorienting. The resorts are MUCH bigger, the runs are much steeper, altitude can kick your butt, and out of bounds is really out of bounds. There are places even in bounds where avalanche danger can be a real concern. Stay in bounds unless you have some real experience with avy terrain and self-sufficiency.
I’d lean towards Tahoe for a first trip out West, but you really can’t go wrong with any of the places mentioned. Utah is a bit of a logistic problem since the best place to stay is Park City, which, frankly, is the poorest ski area out there. It’s big, and has some nice terrain, but it’s crowded, overly groomed, and doesn’t get the snow that the other ski areas get. Aside from Alta and Deer Valley which don’t allow snowboards, all the other areas would be a good place for a day or two. That’s a good thing about Utah and Tahoe, you can reach several places quickly and get some interesting variety.
Another choice would be Summit County in Colorado. You can hit A-Basin, Keystone, Breckenridge, Copper, and Vail/Beaver Creek.
Don’t go nuts on your first day. The snow will be different, altitude can cause problems, and the terrain available is beyond what you normally see back east. But you’ll love it.
What about Telluride? I remember (20+ years ago anyway) the lifts being right on the edge of town and no shortage of ‘butt-pucker’. Might be kind of a pain to get to. Beautiful valley, nice place to get snowed in.
Somewhat out of the way compared to most of those mentioned, but you might give a thought to Big Mountain. I’ve only been there in the summer, but my skiing/boarding acquaintances who have been there have been universally positive about the experience.
Thanks so much for the suggestions, a lot to think about. I don’t take vacations very often, in fact the last vacation I took was in 2001. I want to choose wisely! I’m going to look over the responses more and may have some follow-up questions shortly!
We did the Banff/Lake Louise package a couple of years ago. It was awesome. We stayed at the Chateau Lake Louise and had to take a bus to the mountains. Food at the Chateau was $$$$$.
We’ve done Jackson Hole, Whistler, and Park City. Can’t say I was disappointed at any of them. Jackson was my least favorite, but the terrain was a little too advanced for me.
Normally, we ski Snowmass/Aspen, so that is always my favorite. Snowmass has lots of varied terrain and a park. Snowmass is large, so it isn’t crowded and it is far enough away from Denver that you don’t get day skiers like in Vail or other resorts closer to Denver. Plus, you get four mountains on one ticket. You can easily stay in Snowmass at a ski in/out lodge. Their on mountain lodges range from $$$$$ to $$. Pokolodi Lodge is the cheapest, I think on Snowmass Mountain. They also have free shuttle service to the other mountains and in to Aspen itself. Food is accessible, Zane’s Tavern on the Mall at Snowmass is a local’s favorite. Burgers and beer at reasonable prices.
Snowbird is great, and closer to the airport than Park City. If you want to do it really cheap, you can stay in SLC, and shuttle out to the resort. You seriously can be on the slopes on an incredible mountain an hour after you get your luggage. Unreal!
I can speak about Colorado resorts. They will be very crowded on the weekends, as most are only about 2-3 hours from Denver. The weekdays will be fine and Colorado has some absolutely great skiing. Snow conditions in January and February will be great and while it is up to pure luck whether you will have a dump of fresh powder or not, you are pretty much guaranteed a good base and packed powder conditions (will not be icy at all). I think Steamboat Springs fits what you are looking for best in terms of accommodations and a bit more low key feel to the city (as well as being an absolutely fantastic resort). I think Vail is a must go to in Colorado, but it is more a place I like to drive too, but not really stay at.
