OT: Snow Ski Question?

[drail14me]

We're planning our 4th year skiing somewhere. Thinking of going someplace completely different from Colorado and looking at Alyeska Resort outside of Anchorage, AK. Has anyone skied Alaska? How does it compare to Colorado?

I like the elevation difference. Colorado= 10,000' Alaska= 2,500' That first day in Colorado always gets me.

 

[LawDawg97]

I've never skied alaska, but I liked Whistler Blackcomb north of Vancouver

I would imagine skiing Alaska would be great for the experience and the scenery, but damn that's a long way. You can fly in to Vancouver and drive up the coastline into the resort. Gorgeous scenery, huge mountain resort, and Canadians are fun to hang around (at least in my experience). My only complaint was the powder was not as great as what I was used to in Colorado. I think being near the coast they do get a mix of rain with their snow more often than the Colorado resorts. Still good skiing though.

I will say that I've skied a lot of places outside of Colorado and I'd take most of the resorts in Colorado any day. I have the same problem with the first day acclimation though.

 

[Bcash2]

Just go to Jackson Hole. It's the best resort skiing in the lower 48. Lower elevation than Colorado too.better snow and more of it.

 

[Corona Con Lima]

Big Sky Montana

Largest and best skiing in the lower 48 states.

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[Bcash2]

JH has more vertical than big sky, more snow annually, a way better base area and the famous aerial tram
That carries 100 people from the base to the top in 12 minutes. Not to mention direct flights to JH from all over the country.

Big Sky is great, ivr just lived in JH since graduating from State, so I'm biased (but I'm right)

 

[aspendawg]

Questions 1.) How good are you? If you're not very good then I would not go to Jackson Hole or Alyeska. Alyeska has very few greens/blues a lot of the mountain is diamond or x2diamond.
2.) Are you going to just ski or do you want some nightlife or other activities? Alyeska is really neat and has a nightlife but nothing like Aspen, Vail, Breck, Telluride, Jackson Hole, or Tahoe. You can also do glacier tours on snow machines or do some guided skiing with a cat carrying you back a ways behind the mountain.
3.) Flights are expensive and long.. On average it cost me around 850$ to fly home to Jackson and your longest leg of the trip can vary from 5 hour to 7 hour flight.
4.) Are you going with kids?
5.) If you're a newbie then I would go to Snowmass. You can have access to the third largest ski resort in the nation and it has tons of beginner/intermediate runs and it's not overly crowded like breck and you can also drive over to buttermilk which was built specifically for beginners. A one day pass at Snowmass gives you acess to all 4 Aspen ski Co mountains which is awesome and the public transit bus system in the valley is the best anywhere I've seen.

 

[Bcash2]

Jackson Hole is definitely challenging, but they've done a lot expand the blue terrain in the last couple seasons.

 

[cb6228]

If this is your fourth ski trip I would not advise Alyeska. It's a long way and completely different than most in the US. You can get way more vertical in the states and cheaper. Go to Alaska when you are capable and can afford to Heli-ski. I agree too with the poster who said no to Jackson hole unless you are seasoned. Probably the toughest mountain in the US I have skied, though the chutes on crested butte are pretty sick. Grand Targhee nearby is stellar though.

I grew up skiing in CO, but am sold on Utah now.

My advice is alta/snowbird or park city/canyons. So easy to get to. Great powder. Park city is great for intermediate skiers be you can ski the groomed blacks to ease into tougher/steeper runs. If you know a local go back country with them or off to Powder Mountain.

Big Sky is great but a pain to get to.
Banff is a prettier version of Tahoe with better snow.
Telluride and the Butte are the best mountains in CO.

 

[Bcash2]

Can't really argue with the Utah resorts. Top notch skiing and accessibility

 

[MarkDallas]

If I flew all the way to Alaska (I have), I wouldn't spend it skiing.

 

[GeneFrenkle]

We visited Park City Mountain Resort earlier this year and had a blast. Good nightlife & great snow. We are going back in a couple of months, hitting Canyons & Deer Valley too.

 

[ethanoldawg]

Alyeska Resort

We're planning our 4th year skiing somewhere. Thinking of going someplace completely different from Colorado and looking at Alyeska Resort outside of Anchorage, AK. Has anyone skied Alaska? How does it compare to Colorado?

I like the elevation difference. Colorado= 10,000' Alaska= 2,500' That first day in Colorado always gets me.

Its nice but usually very cold. I worked in Alaska several years and skied there several times...always very cold.

 

[411dawg]

The best thing going for Colorado is the weather. We tried Whistler a few years ago and it was way too cold. We went in March with temps in the upper 20's, but the wet air makes it feel much colder. I would think Alaska would be similar. I love the dry cold.

 

[randystewart]

Let me second Park City. I especially like Deer Valley and Alta as neither allow snow boarding.

 

[BulldogBacker]

It depends on your skiing skill level...

We're planning our 4th year skiing somewhere. Thinking of going someplace completely different from Colorado and looking at Alyeska Resort outside of Anchorage, AK. Has anyone skied Alaska? How does it compare to Colorado?

I like the elevation difference. Colorado= 10,000' Alaska= 2,500' That first day in Colorado always gets me.

Here are some of the GREAT areas outside Colorado: I have skied them all.

1. Park City/Deer Valley/Alta... Utah, you can't beat the powder in Utah. I've skied most of the ski areas in the United States when I was CEO of a non-profit dependent on the ski industry, and the snow in Utah is the best.

2. Sun Valley, Idaho....a great place, both skiing and the apres ski in Warm Springs and Ketchum. The Sun Valley Resort Lodge is the creme dela creme. Sun Valley has great snow, on par with Utah.

3. Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe, CA...there are about 6 areas around Lake Tahoe and there is casino's and lots of things to do apres ski in South Lake Tahoe and Reno (not that far away.)

4. Jackson Hole....some of the steepest terrain in the country is here. There is a lot of expert terrain, but only about 25% beginner.

5. Big Sky, Montana...lots and lots of terrain of both beginner and expert. You might run into Tom Brokaw, one of my former Board members.


East Coast:

1. Waterville Valley New Hampshire....lots of 5 diamond shopping in the valley. Lots of medium level and some expert terrain.

2. Stowe, Vermont....this is a ski town, and lots of excellent skiers here. Really nice mountain, but like most eastern ski areas it can get icy.

3. Sugarbush, Vermont...much like Stowe, but lots of area. Quaint local villages.

4. Killington, VT...probably the best ski area in area in the East.

5. Mt. Snow, VT...an excellent area for a good skier.

Canada:

1. Whistler/Blackcombe: Over 4000 feet of vertical. Can be either great or icy as Hell, depending on weather or spring conditions. Nancy Greene, the Silver Medalist, has a lodge at Blackcombe. This is a world class ski resort, the best in Canada.

2. Banff: It is smaller than Whistler/Blackcombe, about 1/3 the area, but the views from the top when you get off the gondola is magnificent, and the Banff/Lake Louise area is great!

3. Mt. Tremblant, Quebec: About 90 miles north of Montreal, is on par with the Vermont resorts, just not as much vertical. I had a great time there, back when I was a beginner.

I would not go to Alyeska...it can be bitter cold or very icy.

 

[patdog]

I grew up skiing in CO, but am sold on Utah now.

It's been a while since I skied, but this. CO and UT have some of the best skiing resorts in the world and UT is much more accessible and convenient.

 

[TheGoat.sixpack]

Let me also give a BIG thumbs up to Utah. Most of the resorts are close to Salt Lake City, so you can stay there for cheap (if needed). You can usually fly pretty cheap to SLC.

I LOVE Deer Valley...probably the best resort I've ever skied. I like Park City too...old mining town that reminds me of Breckenridge, CO.

 

[AlanDawg]

Weed is legal in CO. That's all you need to know.

Lock it down

 

[Rog.sixpack]

Ski Taos.

They've got all the vertical you want. Great village too with a Euro feel to it.

We're planning our 4th year skiing somewhere. Thinking of going someplace completely different from Colorado and looking at Alyeska Resort outside of Anchorage, AK. Has anyone skied Alaska? How does it compare to Colorado?

I like the elevation difference. Colorado= 10,000' Alaska= 2,500' That first day in Colorado always gets me.

 

[123.sixpack]

Alyeska is great. My one and only ski trip was to there because the flights out of GTR to Anchorage were cheap on points back in '09. Girdwood is basically at sea level so there aren't any elevation sickness problems. My favorite part of the trip wasn't trying to ski, it was doing a snowmobile tour to a glacier.

 

[Lawdawg.sixpack]

I also HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend Whistler. Fly to Vancouver, rent a car, and drive yourself. Sea to Sky Highway is incredible. The ski area is HUGE, and the peak to peak gondola allows you to cover tons of terrain each day. Next time, I'm going to schedule a couple of days in Vancouver too.

Also, Park City is great. Be sure to ski Deer Valley if you go. No snowboards = awesome.

 

[fishwater99]

I am partial to Colorado, but Utah has really great snow(fluffy)..
Wolf Creek and Silverton have some of the best snow around.
Snowmass or Telluride are great for families.
Jackson Hole is a great resort too, the snow in BC can get a little wet and heavy like in Cali.
I've never been to AK...

email my buddy at ski.com and you can check out some packages

[email protected]

 

[Wicked Pissah]

Ive skiied about eveywhere. Overall, Telluride is my favorite. That old town puts it over the top for me.

They are all fun. Telluride is kind of hard to get to though.

 

[CoastDawg18]

Don't know anything about Alaska but here are my top 5.

1. Whistler/Blackcomb
2. Telluride
3. Banff
4. Big Sky
5. Tahoe

All other CO places come in after these 5 for me. Like others have said, it depends on your group, skill level, and nightlife needs as to where you would prefer. If you haven't been to Canada to ski you should not fly over it to go to Alaska. Go to Alaska to fish or hunt.

 

[Delmar]

Which would have the best ski school for young kids? Also plenty of terrain for awful adult skiers and not crowded.

 

[aspendawg]

If you are a good skier, and by good skier, I mean you can do the back country or ski double blacks like a bauce then you should definitely come to Alaska to ski.. Alyeska records the second highest snowfall of ANY resort in North America. There's more terrain here than anywhere in America and Valdez records the most snowfall on average than any other place in the world so heli-skiing or cat skiing is beyond epic there. If it's your fourth ski-trip then I would stick with Utah/Colorado. The Highlands in Aspen, CO is the most underrated mountain in America bar none..

 

[SirBarksalot]

Which would have the best ski school for young kids? Also plenty of terrain for awful adult skiers and not crowded.

We'll be taking our kid back to Steamboat this year. Great ski school. Plenty of terrain for JONGs like you, the whole right side of the mountain(skiers left) is very mellow despite the blue rating. The base is compact, everything at one base. The town is real and has a lot to do. Getting around is easy. Snow is usually awesome. Take lessons yourself. Buy 2 get one free small group lessons at SB.

Park City/DV would be good, avoid the canyons if you suck...zero beginner terrain outside the bunny slope. Snow on that side is not like the 2 canyons on the other side.
Haven't been to Aspen but probably great for what you want.

WTF with some of the recommendations people are making. They've only skied 4 times, quit recommending JH. He said they are awful.

 

[Irondawg]

Ive skiied about eveywhere. Overall, Telluride is my favorite. That old town puts it over the top for me.

They are all fun. Telluride is kind of hard to get to though.

Second this - the skiing wasn't my favorite place, but the beauty of that place and the town itself are awesome. And you can get some pretty good rates on unbelievable rental houses up there.

 

[Irondawg]

Also as far as ease of travel, not much beats Utah with Park City/Deer Valley. Good ski schools there too and lots of beginner/intermediate terrain.

Steamboat is fantastic too. Probably my overally favorite I've been to, followed by Telluride.

 

[fishwater99]

Which would have the best ski school for young kids? Also plenty of terrain for awful adult skiers and not crowded.

Snowmass has the best ski school, imo.
You can stay right at the base of the village and be right there too..

 

[Wicked Pissah]

Second this - the skiing wasn't my favorite place, but the beauty of that place and the town itself are awesome. And you can get some pretty good rates on unbelievable rental houses up there.

I enjoyed the mountain. Not as many novices bouncing around and there were minimal snowboarders (compared to other Colorado mountains), which I liked. I also didnt have to worry about bouncing into 30 kids in a ski school.

That said, it wasnt my favorite mountain but close. I also really like Vail mountain and the town, although the town is pretty much exact opposite of Telluride.

 

[drail14me]

1.) How good are you?

Not very good. I'm old an fat. I've been to Winterpark twice and Granby once. Grandby was back in March and I skied every run there but it took until the last day until I was really moderately comfortable on them all.

2.) Are you going to just ski or do you want some nightlife or other activities?

Not really interested in much nightlife party wise. In the past, we've skied all day, had dinner , hit the tubes/ice skating/hot tub, and gone to bed most every night. Also see #4

3.) Flights are expensive and long.. About the cheapest I've found is $752 from Jackson to Anchorage. Found flights to Denver from Nashville for $192 so starting to lean that way. We LOVE Winterpark but I'm mad at Colorado for their new liberal gun laws so kind of want to take my tourist money somewhere else.

4.) Are you going with kids?

Yes, will be traveling with our three daughters 9, 10, 13.


5.) If you're a newbie then I would go to Snowmass.

Gonna look into Snowmass. I liked the Alaska idea cause Alaska is on my bucket list. If we went out that far, we'd stay a week and do other stuff. Probably only ski one or two days. The rest would be seeing other stuff including the Northern Lights.

Aspen, did you move from Colorado to Alaska in the past few years? I think you are the one that first turned me towards Winterpark 3 years ago.

 

[TheDawgOfWar]

I live in Denver metro and have a pass for Winter Park and Copper Mountain. I do this because it is quick and easy to drive up too.

My favorite is Breckenridge because of peak 7. The town is nice and there is lots to do in Breck. Tons of family fun.

Other friends from Jackson swear by Big Sky (ski trip every year) and Crested Bute. CB because it is a great town and not touristy. All restaurants are local and chains not allowed.

I have not skied in Utah or Montana but have back east a lot. The east sucks compared to here because of snow itself. The dry climate makes the powder. Heck of a lot of fun.

When it snows here for instance I cannot go out and make a snowman with my kids. The 13% humidity in winter makes the snow true powder.

It does depend on when you want to go though. It is in the 60s here today in the valley. Colder in mountains. We were at WP this past weekend and it was in the 50s. That's awful hot to ski.

I like bone chilling teens or zero myself.

The best time for Colorado is January.

 

[fedxdog]

You didn't mention kids...

We're planning our 4th year skiing somewhere. Thinking of going someplace completely different from Colorado and looking at Alyeska Resort outside of Anchorage, AK. Has anyone skied Alaska? How does it compare to Colorado?

I like the elevation difference. Colorado= 10,000' Alaska= 2,500' That first day in Colorado always gets me.

if kids are involved, expecially teenagers, then think about Park City, Steamboat (public bus systems)...one idea would be to fly to Denver and drive west to Frisco and stay....from there you can ski Copper Mt, Breckenrige and Keystone. Frisco is a fun town that's affordable 'cause it's not a ski area itself...
Alyeska is 'advanced'...their blue runs are blacks everywhere else...
Steamboat is our favorite but lately we've been skiing with friends in Granby, CO, north of Winter Park...very 'country club' skiing...small, well managed and nice runs...not crowded and affordable...
enjoy...do some research and don't overpay...

 

[Dogariffic]

I second Taos.....good time. And have to put in a vote for park city as well.

They've got all the vertical you want. Great village too with a Euro feel to it.

 

[GeneFrenkle]

If you're thinking of traveling out of Nashville, give Park City some serious thought. Southwest flies to Salt Lake City & you can get a 30 minute shuttle from the airport, if you don't want to rent a car. I can't speak to activities for the kids because I have none. However, my BIL took his wife/three kids to Deer Valley & said it was their favorite vacation to date.

 

[drail14me]

if kids are involved, expecially teenagers, then think about Park City, Steamboat (public bus systems)...one idea would be to fly to Denver and drive west to Frisco and stay....from there you can ski Copper Mt, Breckenrige and Keystone. Frisco is a fun town that's affordable 'cause it's not a ski area itself...
Alyeska is 'advanced'...their blue runs are blacks everywhere else...
Steamboat is our favorite but lately we've been skiing with friends in Granby, CO, north of Winter Park...very 'country club' skiing...small, well managed and nice runs...not crowded and affordable...
enjoy...do some research and don't overpay...

We are going with kids. Three daughters age 9, 10, 13. Did Granby last year and liked it. Staying in a friends slope side house. Not enough beginner slopes for the kids though but I liked the light crowds.

We really like Winterpark. We like how close it is to Denver. We take Home James shuttle from the airport to the front door of the Zepher Lodge. From there, we hardly leave the resort other than a bus ride into town for DeAntonio's. They also have tons of green runs for the whole family. It's just an easy vacation. Plus, we've gone at the end of Feb and crowds have been VERY light. On our last day, I spent the day on the back side of Mary Jane running the Switchyard and Village way under the Hi-Lonesome Express lift and I was lonesome, hardly saw another person on the slopes.

I've thought of trying Apsen but just don't like the idea of a 220 drive after the flight in. The Alaska idea was more for seeing Alaska with some skiing while there.

With all my searching, I'm still finding my best deals back at Winterpark.

 

[SirBarksalot]

The best time for Colorado is January.

actually March is best for Summit county..
http://50.87.144.177/~bestsnow/nrocnet.htm

Someone mentioned Copper/Frisco. We did a mid-April dirtbag trip to Friso/Copper last year, skiing at Copper is great, not much of a base village though; didnt try Breck. You can stay in Frisco, on the bus route and take the bus directly to Copper or Breck. I think you can change buses in Silverthorne and go straight to Keystone.

April in Summit county can be awesome. We skied pure spring conditions, and got a foot of snow the last day...they do start closing some chairs/runs after the first week because there are no crowds.

 

[drail14me]

Why January?

 

[SirBarksalot]

Why January?

its not January, depending on what you are looking for...if snow quality and coverage is a priority, then March,,,,,,,quite simple,
this is just for central resorts, further south can differ, and SB can differ due to low alt.

your not going to CO for some reason, so id pick utah, or montana. Utah...you could ski the day you arrive....and it USED to be for free. Worst end of a promo ever...if i was going to utah, id have a lot of different pick other than the park city area, but thats your best bet for what you are looking for(with family)...i should be out there end of Feb...working though...

if your rich as **** stay and the Montage in DV, or stein, or any other number of lodges.