What makes a ski town?

newkid900

newkid900

Member
Hi guys. I'm working on a project for my local mountain. They're currently in the process of developing the marketing objectives and re-branding themselves. I'm curious in your guys opinions, what makes a ski town a ski town. I've grown up skiing from an early age but have never really travelled to a place like Jackson or Telluride. I would love to hear your thoughts!
 
Generally, skiers and snowboarders are welcomed warmly. True ski towns are unpretentious, genuine cities. Most were towns before they were ski towns. So they're full of interesting, cool people. The community is active and involved. Many are located near lakes or other forms of summer recreation--which extends the fact that ski town citizens live active lifestyles.
 
lots of bars very close together where locals gather and drink heavily, can walk home, then walk to the slopes the next day to start the cycle over.
 
Character, the town has to be something special some kind of culture. Skiing would be the biggest part of the town. So having lots of skiing related shops and bars are a way to go.
 
good pubs and bars nearby to chill at after a day on the hill and discuss the days accounts with fellow skiiers. Good nitelife nearby. A typically down to earth town, full of people all stoked for the same reason, to spend the day on the mountain
 
Chicks (preferably ones that don't wear flannel shirts, resist shaving and weigh in excess of 200 lbs), Bars, Plenty of floors to crash on.

Not a requirement, but having at least one establishment in town that can deliver a pizza is a huge plus.
 
There are two different kinds of "ski towns" for me.
There are the super nice areas like Aspen / Deer Valley and then there are core ski towns like Crested Butte.
I like ski areas more like Crested Butte, but more than anything climate and geography create a good ski town.
 
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and, going to places like jackson you will get on gondolas with kids that are skipping school because its a good day.
 
... And if you are lucky enough, they might show you how to drop into Corbets without dying. K to the infinite to the Jackson high school kids who let me follow them into Corbets. Memory of a lifetime for me.
 
Lots of ski shops and pizza places. Pretty much everything is based around the mountain. Everything is close together and in walkable range to the mountain.
 
My vision of a ski town?

i live in a pretty fake ski town so that aside I have never experienced this vision.

Small town, only main street is paved

All of the town within walking distance of base

No base village, just a cluster of old bars that were here long before the ski area was

Owner: 65 has a ponytail, hippie from the 60's who never gave it up, runs cattle on the slopes in the summer, the real money comes from the cows, slaughter house in town

the ski area is more of a hobby for him

tickets not required on powder days

lifts are old and rickity

maybe two tops but terrain is sick

Tourists don't live their, housing is cheap

 
I don't really think this is right, nor do I think your mountain wants the ski town atmosphere. Park City, is a tourist attraction.

A Ski town, in my opinion, is gonna be a lot smaller, kinda beat down, nothing really around it for a ways. Locals will have a few good bars close to the mountains. There isn't any pay parking bull shit that you get from big resorts, you can walk anywhere, people will regularly take snowmobiles to get around rather than cars of buses (not really sure if that happens anywhere, but it would be cool right...)

Basically, think Bull Mountain from Out Cold.
 
I think the only place with people as rich as in Aspen is Crested Butte, haha. But ya I know what you're saying.
 
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As overpopulated and overpriced as it is I feel like Whistler is probably the best example of a pure ski town.

It has some of the most expensive real estate in BC, a province that is already stupidly expensive. It isn't built near the ocean or in a geographically accessible location. People want to live there because of the resort and the high standard of living that's usually associated with a sport like skiing.

I love Whistler because it's one of the only places I've been where in the winter you'll see every other person carrying skis or a snowboard, and in the summer every other person is wheeling their downhill bike to the lift. Not only that, but every other store in the village is a ski store. It's ridiculous.
 
i could agree with that

: Amazing resort from expert to beginner

: Seemingly endless backcountry (sledding & touring)

: Nightlife (can be good and bad)

: Quality Ski Shops, Boot Fitters, etc

: Winter Stoke across the community
 
The most important thing i feel is a really good mountain. You're not going to get the vibe of a real ski town if the mountain doesn't have good skiing. Also you need to be in a place where everyone cares about skiing, i don't think you could have a good ski town if your mountain is in a place like PA because not that many people care about skiing compared to other places.
 
Truth! Bahahahaha . If the stories are true, the artist formerly known as Rowen could convert a truck stop into a ski town.
 
To be a successful, well-regarded ski town, I feel as though there needs to be a balance between tourist and locally feel. Tourists keep the mountain alive and rich, while the locals set the mood for everyone.
 
Not really sure. Bars and restaurants are nice. Maybe a few gift shops. The main thing is that it looks nice and kept up well. If it looks like the ghetto, it probably won't get too many customers.
 
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