Washington Ikon Pass Trip

RRhighrider

Active member
I decided to go to Washington and ski Crystal and summit at Snoqualmie.

Next month, I am taking a week vacation to ski Ikon Resorts. I live in Central California and was planning on going to Utah in my Truck Camper. As I have done more research, driving in and out of the Canyons is going to add a lot of drive time to the trip( and seems like a pain in the ass), so I have been thinking of other options. Our final decision will be dependent on weather but any input or advise is appreciated. Thanks

Option 1 Utah-Stay at Park City RV and Mountain Shadows RV

pros

-shortest drive (about 830Miles, 12.5 hours)

-Would ski more resorts (Deer Valley, Alta, Snowbird, and Brighton)

-BLM camping on the way to and from Utah

Cons

-Long drive to resorts

-Would move camper every day

Option 2 Washington- Ski area lots

Pros

-Can park in ski area lots

-fun camping scene

-Visit wife's Friend in Eugene

Cons

-Longer Drive ( 950 miles, 16 hrs)

- Not as big of destination resorts

-Rest Area stop camping to and from Washington

Option 3 Jackson Hole and Deer Valley- Stay at Jackson Hole Campground and Park City RV

Pros

- Always wanted to ski Jackson Hole

-RV parks are less than 10 miles from Resorts

Cons

-Longer Drive (1,000 miles, 16 hours)

**This thread was edited on Feb 16th 2019 at 2:12:12am

**This thread was edited on Feb 28th 2019 at 2:24:06am

**This thread was edited on Feb 28th 2019 at 11:40:01pm
 
The canyon drives in utah are actually really short, plus id have to think you could find a place to park your camper somewhere closer than the park you have mentioned. Taking the ski bus is also a good option for the canyon resorts to limit driving.
 
13999968:billythegoat said:
The canyon drives in utah are actually really short, plus id have to think you could find a place to park your camper somewhere closer than the park you have mentioned. Taking the ski bus is also a good option for the canyon resorts to limit driving.

I will have my dog with me so taking the ski bus is a no go. Mountain Shadows RV park is the closest I have found to Alta/Snowbird but other options would be nice.
 
Looking at spots to camp around Cedar city and Beaver if anyone has Intel. Going to be staying at Mountain Shadows in Draper for the majority of the trip. Anything around worth doing on our day off of skiing?
 
14000044:RRhighrider said:
I will have my dog with me so taking the ski bus is a no go. Mountain Shadows RV park is the closest I have found to Alta/Snowbird but other options would be nice.

Just an FYI, you can not bring dogs up the cottonwood canyons.
 
Just called around, and I might be able to get a temporary pass for Alta. I understand the watershed issue but the more I look into it, the more I would prefer to go somewhere else.
 
14005780:eheath said:
Whoa dude pump the breaks we just don't want dogs shitting in the water shed

It was just the final straw for me to change plans. My dog is going to be with me on the trip and the reasoning to need to treat the water less is stupid.
 
14005833:jamsandwich said:
Youre gonna leave your dog in the truck all day while you ski? Its been too cold in jackson for that plan this winter.

I have a hardsided, 4 season rated camper, with a furnace. I take breaks to check on her throughout the day, she will be fine
 
topic:RRhighrider said:
I decided to go to Washington and ski Crystal and summit at Snoqualmie.

Next month, I am taking a week vacation to ski Ikon Resorts. I live in Central California and was planning on going to Utah in my Truck Camper. As I have done more research, driving in and out of the Canyons is going to add a lot of drive time to the trip( and seems like a pain in the ass), so I have been thinking of other options. Our final decision will be dependent on weather but any input or advise is appreciated. Thanks

Option 2 Washington- Ski area lots

Pros

-Can park in ski area lots

-fun camping scene

-Visit wife's Friend in Eugene

Cons

-Longer Drive ( 950 miles, 16 hrs)

- Not as big of destination resorts

-Rest Area stop camping to and from Washington

Can really only speak to WA resorts. Dunno drives to the others but you don't really have passes to come over if you drive south to north from oregon to wa, plenty of rest stops and gas stations. Plus sounds like you can cut it in half in eugene.

I'll probably get down voted for this. But Crystal is very comparable to Alta and is better in a lot of aspects IMO. The snow is never as good. But for steep and deep its very good. Snoqualmie is cool if your looking for park. And you can check out alpy just for giggles if you choose to make the drive, but crystal as a lot of what alpy has to offer.

Also I mean if your making the trip consider down time. Crystal isn't necessarily close to Seattle but it's there and a really cool city. Better than salt lake for sure as far as big cities go.
 
14005780:eheath said:
Whoa dude pump the breaks we just don't want dogs shitting in the water shed

How does Utah keep other animals out of the reservoirs and other tributaries ? Golden tablets?
 
14005897:riverarunsdeep said:
How does Utah keep other animals out of the reservoirs and other tributaries ? Golden tablets?

Wild animals are not as much of an issue in the watershed because they are not vectors for human diseases the way that dogs are.
 
14005911:broto said:
Wild animals are not as much of an issue in the watershed because they are not vectors for human diseases the way that dogs are.

I guess I just don't believe this statement. Humans and dogs have lived in such close proximity for such a long time I find it hard to believe they have this much of an effect. There'd be way heavier regulations to dog ownership in rural areas. Now if you had said we don't want dogs effecting ecosystems of other flora and fauna of a specific protected national park i'd agree. But even then i find that to be stupid. But thats just an opinion.

For example the Olympic National Park in WA where i'm from just spend millions of our tax dollars on removing an invasive species of mountain goat BY FUCKING ATTACHING THEM TO HELICOPTERS AND FLYING THEM ABOVE THE PUGET SOUND and relocating them lol. And i can't bring my golden retriver for a short 4 mile hike in bounds or i get a fat fine. Cool.

Sorry rant and thread take jack over lol
 
Consider some of the smaller ski areas too. If you are in Eugene Willamette pass is in right now and so is Hoodoo. Don't know how late in March you are coming or what the weather will be but check and if it is good these places are gems and are not in every season and you might be able to camp in your rig near by. Don't try to camp at actual rest areas those places are sketch especially on I-5. Have a blast. Obviously Washington and Oregon are going to be way more chill than Wyoming or Utah.
 
When is your trip? Since WA and WY are the same distance, I'd go to Jackson Hole. Might be raining a ton in WA by the time you get here.
 
If your driving to washington i think it would be smart to check out some oregon Resorts, bachelor amd meadows come to mind, If you want steeps, goto alpental and crystal. stevens is dope but also vail. Baker can be worth the trek if the weather works out. Stevens and the summit have pretty good terrain parks, snoqualmie just finished a complete rebuild after a 4 foot storm and they have a good jump and feature selection. Everywhere on the weekends is packed, no matter the weather. Also sharpen your edges, washhinton ice can sneak up an ya.
 
Right now we are planing on leaving 3/15, Skiing Crystal 3/18 and 3/19. Stay in Auburn Washington disc golf and re supply. Ski Alpental/Summit at Snoqualmie 3/21 then drive the Oregon coast from Cannon Beach to Newport(my Wife really wants to stop at Tillamook Cheeses Factory) . Then drive the rest of the way home. We may end up skiing more but neither of us have been to Oregon and and want to budget plenty of time to get home. Nothing is booked yet and are just going off a rough plan but plan to see what we learn once we talk to people with local knowledge.
 
OR state parks are great for camping on the coast. Nehalem st park for example has good spots with power. There are lots of them. Also good spots to check out the beach n hike starting with Ecola all the way down that stretch.
 
14007668:RRhighrider said:
Right now we are planing on leaving 3/15, Skiing Crystal 3/18 and 3/19. Stay in Auburn Washington disc golf and re supply. Ski Alpental/Summit at Snoqualmie 3/21 then drive the Oregon coast from Cannon Beach to Newport(my Wife really wants to stop at Tillamook Cheeses Factory) . Then drive the rest of the way home. We may end up skiing more but neither of us have been to Oregon and and want to budget plenty of time to get home. Nothing is booked yet and are just going off a rough plan but plan to see what we learn once we talk to people with local knowledge.

Just rode both crystal and snoqualmie this weekend with a buddy of mine with the ikon. It'll be a good combo. But if its dumping snow, plan on just two days at crystal. You can thank me later.

If you want to ski oregon on a budget like oregondead mentioned, hoodoo or skibowl are your best options.
 
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