Best ski resort in america ?
- Thread starter LeBlanc
- Start date
JahJahBinks
Active member
Alta has lotso powder
skier_boy26
Active member
Hard to say.
Alta/snowbird gets a good amount of pow and could be a good bet, but everybody and their mom knows that so the place gets destroyed. Jackson is ill as well. With a light el nino, somewhere in the sierras might be good, depending on when. Ultimately, when is the question, because who knows when or if it'll snow, where, and how much. Good luck to ya.
Alta/snowbird gets a good amount of pow and could be a good bet, but everybody and their mom knows that so the place gets destroyed. Jackson is ill as well. With a light el nino, somewhere in the sierras might be good, depending on when. Ultimately, when is the question, because who knows when or if it'll snow, where, and how much. Good luck to ya.
selkirks
Active member
Normally at "best resort in the United States" I'd say Alta/Snowbird. In all respects, it wins: you get the best snow in North America, a great resort overall and the vibe of LCC (not nightlife, vibe -- there's no nightlife whatsoever).
However, since you're looking for an uncrowded resort I'm going to go ahead and recommend the BCC resorts: Brighton/Solitude. You get the same snow and very similar resorts, without the crowds. In addition, Snowbasin wouldn't be a bad choice either.
However, since you're looking for an uncrowded resort I'm going to go ahead and recommend the BCC resorts: Brighton/Solitude. You get the same snow and very similar resorts, without the crowds. In addition, Snowbasin wouldn't be a bad choice either.
skiminnesota
Active member
SLC is an easy place to get to if you are flying in from another country. which i assume you are.
that said, it snows, it snows, and then it snows some more at Alta.
when is your trip? i skied Pow the week after new years out there. again early April, and again late April.
there is no such thing as a sure bet. but if i were putting my money down, ide put it down on SLC... o yeah and if you dont get fresh snow, you will have a whole plethora of places to ski all within an easy drive.
that said, it snows, it snows, and then it snows some more at Alta.
when is your trip? i skied Pow the week after new years out there. again early April, and again late April.
there is no such thing as a sure bet. but if i were putting my money down, ide put it down on SLC... o yeah and if you dont get fresh snow, you will have a whole plethora of places to ski all within an easy drive.
*208*shill
Member
THE one and only bogus basin
BootySpunk.
Active member
BootySpunk.
Active member
Is that a jizz in your pants ugh or a that place is alright kinda ugh?
uh.... c'mon ns'ers, there is volumes of statistical info available, giving good info is great karma.
since he only wants powder and since they don't say if they can fly out on a moments notice from a dumping forecast - then you must play the odds, you send them to the resorts with the deepest historical averages.
In the USA it is Little Cottonwood Canyon ......... the odds are best for him to experience uncrowded mid week powder there.
http://webpages.charter.net/tcrocker818/
since he only wants powder and since they don't say if they can fly out on a moments notice from a dumping forecast - then you must play the odds, you send them to the resorts with the deepest historical averages.
In the USA it is Little Cottonwood Canyon ......... the odds are best for him to experience uncrowded mid week powder there.
http://webpages.charter.net/tcrocker818/
uosdwiSrjewoH
Active member
what grief is anyone caused by this simple of a question? i was caused way more grief by your forgetting of the rule i before e except after c. it rhymes! how do you forget?
as far as the actual question goes, you'll have an epic time at just about any resort, i haven't ever really gone to any of the "big" mountains and been disappointed. also, if i really had to pick a favourite, it wouldn't be in the states, so that's my best advice, just go somewhere, it'll be sick
as far as the actual question goes, you'll have an epic time at just about any resort, i haven't ever really gone to any of the "big" mountains and been disappointed. also, if i really had to pick a favourite, it wouldn't be in the states, so that's my best advice, just go somewhere, it'll be sick
yah Baker and Ranier are both over 600 however, I don't consider them "resorts". besides, the water content is often high and that doesn't translate to "powder" when playing the odds in booking a trip for powder only.
Hell he did say states, so Aleyska is way up there too.
But naaa.. a Euro, states first time, wants the best we got, Alta/Bird/Solitude/brighton
Hell he did say states, so Aleyska is way up there too.
But naaa.. a Euro, states first time, wants the best we got, Alta/Bird/Solitude/brighton
Funnel
Active member
If it's the right season, no doubt in my mind Mammoth or Squaw Valley could be the best places. There's a reason Mammoth has skied to 4th of July many times and the longest season there was October-August, yes, an 11 month season, correct me if I am wrong, but that is longer than Hood. Squaw has some super sick terrain and lots of snow. Now, you can either get shat on while you're here, or you can get no snow, the Sierras are extremely unpredictable when it comes to snowfall. No doubt you would like Squaw or Mammoth on a pow day though. It's supposed to be El Nino year too, that could mean lots of snow for us.
fLyInG-liNeS
Active member
LOL you make a FUNNY, but really bogus isn't that bad
BootySpunk.
Active member
hey it's the best place I have ever skied!
Ben.
Active member
yeah. and i love the sky. after all its my home hill. but i def dont think its the best skiing in the world. i have at least 3 resorts ahead of it that i love even more.
steamboat (just overall vibe) my favorite mountain. where i learned how to ski
snowbird - pretty obvious. the most snow ive ever skied in my life, i thought i was gonna drown
breck - awesome park, and honestly i like a lot of other stuff there too. lake chutes are fun. windows is a good time with good snow.
steamboat (just overall vibe) my favorite mountain. where i learned how to ski
snowbird - pretty obvious. the most snow ive ever skied in my life, i thought i was gonna drown
breck - awesome park, and honestly i like a lot of other stuff there too. lake chutes are fun. windows is a good time with good snow.
DrStrangelove
Active member
this will be my 2nd season living in vail and this year im doing patrol 4 days a week
i LOVE it, but i can understand why people would hate on it because it CAN get crowded...but if youre willing to study the trail map and listen to some advice and plan your day pretty carefully you can hit some super sick shit even on a crowded day...there's just soooooo much in vail. and if you get tired of it, you can ski beaver creek with your vail lift ticket, and beaver creek has pretty much everything vail doesnt, including park...and yeah, vail's park is pretty lacking, esp compared to most of the places nearby.
also, dont forget that vail pass gets snowed in a ton, so on big pow days it usually keeps most of the denver people from moving past breck/key, so whoever's there gets to shred, and most of the tourists avoid the real real good stuff
but im just defending vail before anyone hates, i wont deny that some of these other places people have mentioned are also AMAZING, particularly jackson and whatnot
i LOVE it, but i can understand why people would hate on it because it CAN get crowded...but if youre willing to study the trail map and listen to some advice and plan your day pretty carefully you can hit some super sick shit even on a crowded day...there's just soooooo much in vail. and if you get tired of it, you can ski beaver creek with your vail lift ticket, and beaver creek has pretty much everything vail doesnt, including park...and yeah, vail's park is pretty lacking, esp compared to most of the places nearby.
also, dont forget that vail pass gets snowed in a ton, so on big pow days it usually keeps most of the denver people from moving past breck/key, so whoever's there gets to shred, and most of the tourists avoid the real real good stuff
but im just defending vail before anyone hates, i wont deny that some of these other places people have mentioned are also AMAZING, particularly jackson and whatnot
Spacekroft
Active member
in January, February
DrStrangelove
Active member
primary problem with breck is that it's windy as fuck and can be cold as fuck and they have a tendency to shut down a lot of their lifts because of high winds...ive had a few miserable days there, but also quite a few really fun ones, you just have to get lucky.
and the only problem with steamboat is that it's way the fuck off the beaten path, kinda like telluride...except i would almost pick telluride over steamboat for my favorite CO spot outside of the summit/vail corridor
and the only problem with steamboat is that it's way the fuck off the beaten path, kinda like telluride...except i would almost pick telluride over steamboat for my favorite CO spot outside of the summit/vail corridor
skiminnesota
Active member
true. in my experiences at breck the imperial was shut down so much because of wind..
however. the Tbar is an experience in and of itself. IMO riding the Tbar is a skiers right of passage. haha especially if you ride it with your snowboarder buddies.
the Burn is pretty good too at Breck.
had my first real pow day at breck. shedding a tear as i type just thinking about it. haha
however. the Tbar is an experience in and of itself. IMO riding the Tbar is a skiers right of passage. haha especially if you ride it with your snowboarder buddies.
the Burn is pretty good too at Breck.
had my first real pow day at breck. shedding a tear as i type just thinking about it. haha
factory81
Active member
I am not sure how many NS'ers actually have to flip their own travel bills. But I travel out west....on my own dime, not my parents. So like you I want the same things in a trip on a budget.
SLC is the ONLY location that is feasible for a budget. Here is why
1) Non-Stop flights from a brazillion cities with many carriers
2) Dozen ski resorts within a 1 hour drive from the airport.
3) Since SLC is right there and close...you can stay in SLC for $50 a night
4) They have a transit system that is low cost and included in the Salt Lake Super Pass
5) The Salt Lake Super Pass = ski Alta, Brighton, Snowbird, Solitude and get free transit on UTA from many locations in the city at a cost of only $56 a day, and right now they have a buy 4 days get 1 free even (booked my trip before this deal, damn)
6) As people have said the snow is pretty plentiful
7) Tons of terrain
8) SLC is cheap compared to Aspen and Tahoe
You think about Whistler....well you gotta have a passport....thats another $100. Canada has mad taxes, so your trip might only cost $1200 for lift tickets and transportation, after taxes it is like $1500
You think about Denver, but I-70 is a shit show and you are practically forced to stay in or around Dillon, and you might pay a premium for those hotels. And you are basically required to rent a vehicle.
Go ahead and price a trip out......but I got 9 nights / 10 days in SLC, December 25th - January 3rd for $501 per person non-stop flight. American Airlines, so ski bag is considered normal checked luggage. This is with 2 people before lift tickets. Hotel + airfare out the door. So for $1000 you can go skiing for 8 full days, afford food, lift tickets, transportation.....per person. You can find round-trip flights for as low as $219 out the door from Chicago to Salt Lake literally all the time.
Apres-ski lacks, but are you a gaper tourist who has to have a madd overpriced ski-town at the bottom of the hill? Yeah it looks cool, but you can go to Park City for that in Utah if you feel the need for that vibe
Best ski resort, or most cost effective trip.....I dunno I haven't been to enough to say which is the best. But I know that Utah will give you tons of terrain and snow and do it for cheap.
Every resort has its ups and downs, but I think if I had to pick a dream ski resort....from what I read and see Whistler would look the best on paper. They are hosting the 2010 Olympics also so everything is getting pimped out for that I imagine.
Planning a trip out on your own can be a little intimidating. There are a lot of costs you have to factor in that you might not plan. Want to rent a vehicle? Oh you are under 25? Thats a 30% hike in your bill (as much as $25 per day fee for being underage)
Good luck with your trip planning.
SLC is the ONLY location that is feasible for a budget. Here is why
1) Non-Stop flights from a brazillion cities with many carriers
2) Dozen ski resorts within a 1 hour drive from the airport.
3) Since SLC is right there and close...you can stay in SLC for $50 a night
4) They have a transit system that is low cost and included in the Salt Lake Super Pass
5) The Salt Lake Super Pass = ski Alta, Brighton, Snowbird, Solitude and get free transit on UTA from many locations in the city at a cost of only $56 a day, and right now they have a buy 4 days get 1 free even (booked my trip before this deal, damn)
6) As people have said the snow is pretty plentiful
7) Tons of terrain
8) SLC is cheap compared to Aspen and Tahoe
You think about Whistler....well you gotta have a passport....thats another $100. Canada has mad taxes, so your trip might only cost $1200 for lift tickets and transportation, after taxes it is like $1500
You think about Denver, but I-70 is a shit show and you are practically forced to stay in or around Dillon, and you might pay a premium for those hotels. And you are basically required to rent a vehicle.
Go ahead and price a trip out......but I got 9 nights / 10 days in SLC, December 25th - January 3rd for $501 per person non-stop flight. American Airlines, so ski bag is considered normal checked luggage. This is with 2 people before lift tickets. Hotel + airfare out the door. So for $1000 you can go skiing for 8 full days, afford food, lift tickets, transportation.....per person. You can find round-trip flights for as low as $219 out the door from Chicago to Salt Lake literally all the time.
Apres-ski lacks, but are you a gaper tourist who has to have a madd overpriced ski-town at the bottom of the hill? Yeah it looks cool, but you can go to Park City for that in Utah if you feel the need for that vibe
Best ski resort, or most cost effective trip.....I dunno I haven't been to enough to say which is the best. But I know that Utah will give you tons of terrain and snow and do it for cheap.
Every resort has its ups and downs, but I think if I had to pick a dream ski resort....from what I read and see Whistler would look the best on paper. They are hosting the 2010 Olympics also so everything is getting pimped out for that I imagine.
Planning a trip out on your own can be a little intimidating. There are a lot of costs you have to factor in that you might not plan. Want to rent a vehicle? Oh you are under 25? Thats a 30% hike in your bill (as much as $25 per day fee for being underage)
Good luck with your trip planning.
As someone in Europe, the last two posts were more or less correct.
I've done SLC on a budget. And arguably, if the OP is looking for powder powder powder til you puke, that's probably the best place in the U.S. to do it.
The deals are there, and means are there. What I do:
1. Take the bus from the airport downtown.2. Stay downtown, you can get reasonable, but basic digs at places like Super 8.3. It's a block or two walk to the public transit to the Cottonwood Canyons.4. The ski rental shops have discounted tickets.5. Don't bother with the Snowbird tram, IMHO not worth it. Peruvian takes you nearly there.
So, you don't need a rental car (that's what, 200-300 per week).The ski bus is easy to use, if you don't mind adhering to a schedule, and getting up a bit early to catch it.
There you go.
I've done SLC on a budget. And arguably, if the OP is looking for powder powder powder til you puke, that's probably the best place in the U.S. to do it.
The deals are there, and means are there. What I do:
1. Take the bus from the airport downtown.2. Stay downtown, you can get reasonable, but basic digs at places like Super 8.3. It's a block or two walk to the public transit to the Cottonwood Canyons.4. The ski rental shops have discounted tickets.5. Don't bother with the Snowbird tram, IMHO not worth it. Peruvian takes you nearly there.
So, you don't need a rental car (that's what, 200-300 per week).The ski bus is easy to use, if you don't mind adhering to a schedule, and getting up a bit early to catch it.
There you go.
factory81
Active member
Rental for someone under 25 for a full size 2wd vehicle is no cheaper than $400 per week unless its a last minute kinda deal. Want an SUV? Yeah those start out at like $1000 for a week.....
I have a corporate account through my work so I can get the under-25 fee waived, so I managed to get a full size 2wd for $313 out the door. These prices are for the time period of December 26th - January 2nd though.
Salt Lake Super Pass includes Snowbird tram if you the original poster was going to consider SLC.
I have a corporate account through my work so I can get the under-25 fee waived, so I managed to get a full size 2wd for $313 out the door. These prices are for the time period of December 26th - January 2nd though.
Salt Lake Super Pass includes Snowbird tram if you the original poster was going to consider SLC.
Haven't used the SuperPass, actually. I found a very slight savings just winging it and making last minute decisions on where to go, but the SuperPass would probably be more convenient.
I think the only time you'll need a car is if you're going to hit the resorts further away from SLC, like Snowbasin and I'm not sure if the Park City resorts are accessible by public transit. They do run those airport shuttles, though.
I think the only time you'll need a car is if you're going to hit the resorts further away from SLC, like Snowbasin and I'm not sure if the Park City resorts are accessible by public transit. They do run those airport shuttles, though.
DrStrangelove
Active member
yah t-bar is a blast when it's the right weather, lotta lotta fun...last time we went up there was just perfect too, zero wind but kinda foggy with about 5 inches of fresh so you could bounce through it on park skis and fly around and jump all over the place kinda like being in a bouncy castle full of snow
i have mixed emotions about imperial cause i went up there like my 3rd day after moving to CO last year and my fatties werent mounted yet and my legs werent quite in skiing shape so i was skiing tired and i broke off a slab and almost blew my knee out and ended my season before i even moved into my house...but it's definitely a sick spot on the right day
but the conditions are so variable, that's why i cant just overtly recommend it to everyone unless all they wanna do is ski park...but even then the wind shuts the park down a lot
i have mixed emotions about imperial cause i went up there like my 3rd day after moving to CO last year and my fatties werent mounted yet and my legs werent quite in skiing shape so i was skiing tired and i broke off a slab and almost blew my knee out and ended my season before i even moved into my house...but it's definitely a sick spot on the right day
but the conditions are so variable, that's why i cant just overtly recommend it to everyone unless all they wanna do is ski park...but even then the wind shuts the park down a lot
Ben.
Active member
haha yeah it does get windy as fuck. i remember riding the tbar and feeling like i was on some sort of antarctic expedition.
and as for steamboat. thats why i love it. it doesnt get so damn crowded, but also doesnt feel like dead/empty like moonlight and even big sky do some times. i just love the vibe there.
and as for steamboat. thats why i love it. it doesnt get so damn crowded, but also doesnt feel like dead/empty like moonlight and even big sky do some times. i just love the vibe there.
BootySpunk.
Active member
Perfect North Slopes Indiana is my favorite place to ski 
Learned to ski there and the people there are fuckin' sick
But can't wait to slay some real shit at Big Sky.
Learned to ski there and the people there are fuckin' sick
But can't wait to slay some real shit at Big Sky.
BootySpunk.
Active member
haha little rails are fun as hell for preseason since I somehow forget how to slide rails during the summer.
michael_bc
Active member
I've made several trips to the USA flying in from Switzerland. I've skied in: A-Basin, Loveland, Keystone, Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, Vail, Aspen & Snowmass, Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Park City, Snowbasin and Powder Mountain.
Based on this I would highly recommend SLC area. My favorite resort in the USA is Snowbird. Alta/Snowbird would be a great choice, then you can also go night skiing in Brighton.
I would recommend against Vail and Aspen/Snowmass. They are very lame.
Based on this I would highly recommend SLC area. My favorite resort in the USA is Snowbird. Alta/Snowbird would be a great choice, then you can also go night skiing in Brighton.
I would recommend against Vail and Aspen/Snowmass. They are very lame.