Trip Report Astro's Get Epic 2016. Vegas. Pk City. Beaver Ck. Vail. Breck.

Last day in Breckenridge, so I went all out. Hiked to the top of Peak 6 with a local snowboarder called Mike. Dropped in off a 6 foot ledge. Then found a fresh line of about 2 foot deep powder.

Only lasted about 10 turns. But best 10 turns of the year. Just awesome.

These are some shoots from the top, looking towards Peak 5 and Peak 4. You can see the ledge I dropped in off, about half way to Peak 5.

 

This is looking down from the edge. And then dropping off. Some turns from Mike's camera. Then Shots from my head cam.

 

I also went to the top of Imperial Chair. It's supposedly the highest lifted point in Nth America. <So the sign says anyway>

Then had some awesome mountain runs to myself.

Breckenridge really did knock all my expectations out of the Ball Park.

 

Thanks guys.

Well I'm sitting in LAX. Holiday done.

Was an awesome trip. @CarveMan was spot on. The Vail Group US Resorts were absolutely perfect for a family.

Mrs Astro wants to come back to Park City and Breckenridge, ASAP.

Beaver Creek and Vail were OK. But we won't be rushing back.

I want to do a resort review. Detailing what we liked and disliked at each resort. But I'll do that separately.

I've also got lots of fodder for RANT threads. I've been holding back and it's killing me

Thanks to everyone who posted or liked. I really enjoyed sharing.

Love you all.

Astro OUT.

 

Ok, seeing as so many are interested, I might address the resort reports in this thread.

I'll start with our least preferred resort. I'll just do one a day.

Beaver Creek.

What we liked compared to other resorts.

The village was very beautiful. Euro Village feel, Statues and Creek running through. Gorgeous.
Bachelor Gulch hotel was spectacular.

What we disliked compared to other resorts.

Very limited beginner area.
Lack of Green or Light Blue Run continuity. Mainly cat tracks if you wanted to stay on an easy run.
No dedicated Family Ski Areas.
Ridiculous ski in ski out accommodation costs. ($10K per week min Vs $2K at Breck and Park City)
Ridiculous on mountain food cost. ($7 US for a hot chocolate compared with $3.50 at Breck.) That's just stupid.
Least terrain and Lifts.
Ski School very expensive.
Too many, too flat, areas in Bachelor Gulch.
First resort World Wide, where a Ski Instructor, stopped my son and told him to do the whole element in a Terrain Park or ski around it and not do it at all. (I'll post the video in a RANT thread ) I nearly punched him out. What a douche !!!
No easily found or accessible hikes.
Lack of Glades. Glades beside runs, roped off everywhere. Ridiculous !!!

Conclusion .

My opinion is it's a resort to be seen at. Skiing plays second fiddle.
I will never return.

 

I actually got free passes from a promotions guy. But were enjoying Park City so much, we didn't worry about it.

 

As PC is linked to Canyons. I consider it one resort.

We loved skiing PC side in morning and Canyons side in the afternoon, once temps came up.

The other thing is. What we found a weakness. Others see as a strong point.

Many locals at BC loved it was expensive. Their thinking was. More expensive, must mean better quality.

Loved everything being roped off. It kept them from straying off the run.

It's all perspective, IMO.

 

I'm on holidays till Feb. So as soon as I'm back at work, my RANTING will begin.

Look in CONVO for them. I will be a naughty boy. So I make no guarantee about how long they'll last before the axe falls on them.

 

Vail Report

What we liked compared to other resorts.

The elevators to negate stairs.
Once again a beautiful village.
Mid Vail was a fabulous area to base our skiing. Gave us a variety of different skill level runs that we could ski together.
Different level ski runs well defined so Mrs Astro didn't stray onto difficult terrain.
On mountain food a little cheaper than BC.
Free cookies, muesli bars and hot chocolate handed out as you boarded Gondola.

What we disliked compared to other resorts.

Lack of Green or Light Blue Run continuity to get to the bottom of the mountain and avoid downloads on Gondola except for a Cat Track
Many Map marked Terrain Parks and Kids Adventure Zones had nothing set up in them.
Expensive ski in ski out accommodation costs. ($7K per week min Vs $2K at Breck and Park City)
Ski School very expensive.
Parking is expensive.

Conclusion .

Not a bad resort . I'd definitely return but not a first choice as other resorts are better bang for the family buck.

 

Only had 2 days at Vail. And I had friends from Australia staying with us, who weren't strong skiers, so I didn't get there.

First day there, there was about 10cm overnight. Next day was bluebird. But occasionally freshies found. But the resort locked you out of glades beside runs, with ropes, quite a bit. Which limited the hunt for freshies, when skiing with intermediates.

Let me just say. I'm not rating the resorts for best skiing. But more from a diverse family holiday at a ski resort.

If I was there with 3 mates. My perspective would be completely different.

 

There were designated gladed areas.

But what I'm talking about is a tree lined run. Mrs Astro would ski the run. Young Astro and I would duck, in and out of the trees.

But BC and Vail were roping the edges of the runs to stop you going into the trees. It was so annoying.

PC and Breck also did it . But much less. So we were able to find runs with fresh snow in the trees beside them. Hence it made skiing together more fun, as everyone could play at their level.

That said. Mrs Astro hurt her shoulder, and ended up in the Breck medical centre. And they told us they do have a high percentage of Skier Vs Tree injuries. There was an 8 year old in there with tree induced Head Injuries whilst we were there.

So perhaps that's the reasoning.

 

Young Astro feel into a tree well at Sun Peaks, 5 years ago, ducking into trees. It took me 20 of the scariest mins of my life to find him.

I always equip him a 2 way and pealess whistle.

I just think the onus should be on the skier. These are mid resort ski runs. The only risk is to the individual.

A sign at the chairlift saying skiing in gladed areas is dangerous and at your own risk, should be enough. imo.