Skiing out west

[HuskyDevil]

I was going to throw in Snowbasin and Powder Mountain in the Ogden Valley (about 45 minutes from Park City). But there is absolutely no night life nor any real on-site lodging.

They are very different mountains. Snowbasin is big, with more clearly defined groomed trails and a good deal of off-piste, both open and treed. It also has the Men's downhill from the 2002 Olympics which is a start that everyone should do at least once in their lives, if only to gauge just how massive the balls must be on these guys. Also, because they wanted to impress the world, the facilities are magnificent. The Con is that it has zero beds on mountain and extremely limited lodging options nearby.

Powder Mountain is the polar opposite. It has very limited groomed runs which are on the short side. It is a throwback to old time skiing as far as the facilities go. Think Arapahoe Basin, but not as nice (lol - seriously). It is massive if you can ski off piste. You can access almost 9,000 acres of powder in glades and open face. I say glades because while Snowbasin has more classic fairly tight trees, Powder Mountain has widely spaced trees which reduces the risk factor while giving deep, fluffy Powder. The majority of the lines are what we call low angle powder. They are plenty steep enough to ski, but not steep enough to do endos. It caps its lift ticket sales to 1,500/day (never an issue midweek) so there are never any lines or crowded groomed slopes. Often times if you are off piste you don't see another soul. This can be disconcerting. A quick story. The first time I took my brother we were off in a snowfield and blowing through some widely spaced trees when we stopped to catch our breath. My brother was ecstatic but then paused and said "We haven't seen anybody for the past 30 minutes. What if you're skiing alone and get hurt?" Good question. Something to think about. There is very little lodging on the mountain, but more options in the valley 10 minutes away. One other thing. you drive up the the top of Powder Mountain to the parking and lodges. The "bottom" is back in an are with no roads, building etc. Nothing.

Both mountains are remarkably low priced. The window rate at Snowbasin is $109/day, but There are discounts all over the place. Powder Mountain is just under $80/day. I'm not sure about Liftopia options.

So, even though neither works for the OP unless he goes to Park City and he and his buddies are looking for a day trip, everyone should give both Snowbasin and Powder Mountain a look. I've met very few people who have skied them and weren't blown away.

Shhhh...Powder is our secret hidden gem!

 

[Husker Husky]

Shhhh...Powder is our secret hidden gem!

I know. I'm conflicted. I'd like to share, but at the same time hoard the Pow. But, with limited ticket sales and 9,000 acres I'm never at a loss for untracked lines.

 

[HuskyDevil]

I know. I'm conflicted. I'd like to share, but at the same time hoard the Pow. But, with limited ticket sales and 9,000 acres I'm never at a loss for untracked lines.

The only line you ever wait in there is for the poma...and even then 5 minutes is a long time!

 

[Jay-Bone]

@CAHUSKY @UConnJim Hey guys, last year I did the Utah mts and this year I'm thinking Tahoe and have never been before. You two seemed to know that area. I have the Ikon pass which covers Heavenly and Kirkwood. I feel I should check out Squaw as well. Maybe two days at each. I can do most terrain, but don't need to seek out the harry stuff. I won't have the time to do much hiking. Any tips for where to stay, etc? I like to stay close to the mts if reasonably affordable. Looking for mild nightlife and some blackjack too. Should I book the trip early, or wait to see how the snow season plays out? I'm thinking early March. Any mt advice for someone who loves bumps, trees and some small rocks?

 

[Danzz]

@CAHUSKY @UConnJim Hey guys, last year I did the Utah mts and this year I'm thinking Tahoe and have never been before. You two seemed to know that area. I have the Ikon pass which covers Heavenly and Kirkwood. I feel I should check out Squaw as well. Maybe two days at each. I can do most terrain, but don't need to seek out the harry stuff. I won't have the time to do much hiking. Any tips for where to stay, etc? I like to stay close to the mts if reasonably affordable. Looking for mild nightlife and some blackjack too. Should I book the trip early, or wait to see how the snow season plays out? I'm thinking early March. Any mt advice for someone who loves bumps, trees and some small rocks?

One of the major things I hate about getting old the inability to do the things I loved. Skiing is right up there. Enjoy your trip!

 

[CAHUSKY]

@CAHUSKY @UConnJim Hey guys, last year I did the Utah mts and this year I'm thinking Tahoe and have never been before. You two seemed to know that area. I have the Ikon pass which covers Heavenly and Kirkwood. I feel I should check out Squaw as well. Maybe two days at each. I can do most terrain, but don't need to seek out the harry stuff. I won't have the time to do much hiking. Any tips for where to stay, etc? I like to stay close to the mts if reasonably affordable. Looking for mild nightlife and some blackjack too. Should I book the trip early, or wait to see how the snow season plays out? I'm thinking early March. Any mt advice for someone who loves bumps, trees and some small rocks?

Sounds like you have EPIC pass not IKON. IKON is Squaw Valley/ Alpine meadows while EPIC is Heavenly, Kirkwood, Northstar. I’m a huge Squaw guy as I have lived and worked on the North shore for years and have my season pass there. The North shore is quieter with more upscale lodging/restaurants. South shire is big casinos and more people. Both are in the middle of the National forest surrounding the most beautiful lake on earth and are spectacular. Spend a couple of nights on both sides of the lake, ski Squaw, Heavenly, Kirkwood and Northstar and leave a happy man.

I was at Squaw today. It was awesome. Lots of early season snow. Let me know if you have any specific questions. Happy to help.

 

[Drumguy]

Sounds like you have EPIC pass not IKON. IKON is Squaw Valley/ Alpine meadows while EPIC is Heavenly, Kirkwood, Northstar. I’m a huge Squaw guy as I have lived and worked on the North shore for years and have my season pass there. The North shore is quieter with more upscale lodging/restaurants. South shire is big casinos and more people. Both are in the middle of the National forest surrounding the most beautiful lake on earth and are spectacular. Spend a couple of nights on both sides of the lake, ski Squaw, Heavenly, Kirkwood and Northstar and leave a happy man.

I was at Squaw today. It was awesome. Lots of early season snow. Let me know if you have any specific questions. Happy to help.

Great to know. Love the pic of all that fresh snow! I'm flying into Reno on Thursday next week for a long weekend of skiing at Squaw. Staying at my son's place in Carnelian Bay. I have the Ikon pass and looking forward to getting some use out of it relatively early. Heard there's been a big dump over the last week!

 

[Drumguy]

@CAHUSKY @UConnJim Hey guys, last year I did the Utah mts and this year I'm thinking Tahoe and have never been before. You two seemed to know that area. I have the Ikon pass which covers Heavenly and Kirkwood. I feel I should check out Squaw as well. Maybe two days at each. I can do most terrain, but don't need to seek out the harry stuff. I won't have the time to do much hiking. Any tips for where to stay, etc? I like to stay close to the mts if reasonably affordable. Looking for mild nightlife and some blackjack too. Should I book the trip early, or wait to see how the snow season plays out? I'm thinking early March. Any mt advice for someone who loves bumps, trees and some small rocks?

If you want to get some of the local Squaw flavor and epic ski lines (which are mostly way out of my league), pick up a copy of Squallywood - Shane McConkey and Robb Gaffney are local legends. There's a kind of memorial movie to Shane called Gnar the Movie. (not for children). Just a lot of goofiness.

 

[CAHUSKY]

If you want to get some of the local Squaw flavor and epic ski lines (which are mostly way out of my league), pick up a copy of Squallywood - Shane McConkey and Robb Gaffney are local legends. There's a kind of memorial movie to Shane called Gnar the Movie. (not for children). Just a lot of goofiness.

Shane and Rob (and his brother Scott) are old friends and roommates of mine. Come ski with me and I’ll teach you how to earn max GNAR points. You can start by screaming this every time you drop in on Palisades....”I’m a better skier than you”. RIP brother Shane. The best skier who ever lived. Died skiing in Italy the day we won the west regional in PHX in 2009.

 

[CAHUSKY]

Great to know. Love the pic of all that fresh snow! I'm flying into Reno on Thursday next week for a long weekend of skiing at Squaw. Staying at my son's place in Carnelian Bay. I have the Ikon pass and looking forward to getting some use out of it relatively early. Heard there's been a big dump over the last week!

If I remember correctly, his place is a beautiful lakefront next to Garwoods. Well done Drumguy JR.

 

[Jay-Bone]

Shane and Rob (and his brother Scott) are old friends and roommates of mine. Come ski with me and I’ll teach you how to earn max GNAR points. You can start by screaming this every time you drop in on Palisades....”I’m a better skier than you”. RIP brother Shane. The best skier who ever lived. Died skiing in Italy the day we won the west regional in PHX in 2009.

"If you're getting rad, and there's no one there to see it, are you really getting rad?"

Are you in the movie?

 

[CAHUSKY]

"If you're getting rad, and there's no one there to see it, are you really getting rad?"

Are you in the movie?

Heck no. I’m not in the same sking stratosphere as those guys. Lots of friends are in it.

 

[Jay-Bone]

Heck no. I’m not in the same sking stratosphere as those guys. Lots of friends are in it.

I wouldn't expect you to be pro, I'm so much sicker than you. Haha! I just watched the movie.

Have you at least skied naked? Can't say I ever have.

GNAR was a nice tribute to Shane.

 

[Drumguy]

Shane and Rob (and his brother Scott) are old friends and roommates of mine. Come ski with me and I’ll teach you how to earn max GNAR points. You can start by screaming this every time you drop in on Palisades....”I’m a better skier than you”. RIP brother Shane. The best skier who ever lived. Died skiing in Italy the day we won the west regional in PHX in 2009.

I'm impressed, very cool! I've now adopted SV as my new favorite, I like the real local flavor.

I should hook DG Jr. up with you CA - he and his wife ski there often but there's always some parts of the mountain that you only know by skiing it forever! (He's also way better a skier than I).

 

[Husker Husky]

The only line you ever wait in there is for the poma...and even then 5 minutes is a long time!

Since they opened Lefty's and Mary's, I've avoided the Poma except for M-F when there's rarely more than 2 people ahead of you. This has also added about 30 minutes to my "circuit":

Something down Hidden Lake, back up and over to Lefty's. Trees to the Village lift, then back down via the trees on the south face, back up the Village lift

Over and down to the bottom of Mary's in the trees, One more (or several) in Mary's before heading past Magic Bus down to Paradise (or straight across to do something around Sanctuary).

Down Paradise and back up before the face back to the bottom of Hidden Lake.

Naturally, the best snow will determine how much time I send in the different areas. But, all in all, that circuit is a great way to fly around the mountain.

Notice I didn't even mention Powder Country (I prefer the Sundown access) or James Peak.

All in all, Powder gives me more than enough terrain to keep me happy, especially when you can go all season and not ski the same line twice

 

[uconnell]

Utah or Lake Tahoe. Both are close to major airports, Salt Lake and Reno.

If Utah, spend a few days at Snowbird and Alta and then a few days in Park City. Great snow. No nightlife at Alta and Snowbird, but pretty good nightlife in Park City. Both areas are about 30 minutes from Salt Lake airport.

Lake Tahoe has great ski areas, Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Heavenly, and Kirkwood. The only problem is snow can be heavy some times. Plus, the resorts are on the Nevada border so there are casinos and you can bet on games during apres ski due to the time difference. And, ski season is actually off season in Lake Tahoe, so lots of places to stay.

Lake Tahoe is one of the most scenic beautiful places I have ever been to. Heavenly Valley was impressive even though it was off season. The lake is just as blue as seen in pictures.
We drove there from San Francisco thru Sacramento up the mountains If you plan on going up the mountains bring food with you only one restaurant at that time. Along! Long time ago.

 

[uconnell]

None of you yahoos have skied unless you have skied Tuckermans Ravine. 2 1/2 mike walk uphill with all your equipment clothes! Food!etc. barely room at the top of the bowl to stand on your skis with either end hanging out in air. Once started downhill if you don’t lose control, you may make it down in one piece. If you don’t you have to wait for help to arrive.

 

[Palatine]

Park City has connected The Canyons with Park City Mountain and Deer Valley. It's more fun to spend a day at each (no snowboards at Deer Valley) The litle town is fun and walkable, there is also a little free bus that goes around town. You don't need to join a club to go to the No Name or many other places.