USA 2016 - 2017 Trip Plans/Thoughts/Reviews

[miss_b_haven]

So there I was sitting in a sports bar here in the US a couple of days ago, watching the ice hockey on one of the gigantic screens, when who shows up on the screen wearing the team uniform?!

Well who knew our @TOFF was so multi talented?!

 

[TOFF]

So there I was sitting in a sports bar here in the US a couple of days ago, watching the ice hockey on one of the gigantic screens, when who shows up on the screen wearing the team uniform?!

Well who knew our @TOFF was so multi talented?!

I'm like herpes, I'm everywhere

 

[absentskier]

 

[absentskier]

 

[absentskier]

 

[absentskier]

 

[absentskier]

 

[absentskier]

 

[absentskier]

 

[absentskier]

 

[absentskier]

 

[PiedPiper]

....aaand thats why I'm going to mammoth for my super late season ski trip!
(end or april, + first day or may)

looks like there will be plenty of snow, but most likely a fair few lifts will be closed

 

[Zeroz]

Some of those numbers are amazing.
Mammoth gets stupid amount of snow in a normal season, and to be 200% of that...

@PiedPiper I hope the snow hasn't hasn't turned Mammoth into Northstar by filling in the bowls and steeps.


Also there's a cool logo you should be using instead of KH.

 

[Scooter]

Hey @absentskier - you subscribe to http://opensnow.com ? I had a quick look when you posted the graphics above but couldn't find the source but given they were hosted at Opensnow I assume you saw them posted in a news article or something and then just linked to them here?

I just wanted to see their Steamboat graphic (assuming started really well then dropped off a cliff) so if you were a member care to post it - or anyone else if they subscribe to the site.

@PiedPiper - check out http://mammothsnowman.com/ for plenty of info (current and historical etc.) on Mammoth if you didn't know about it. Might be able to find info about lifts running etc. closer to your go date.

 

[absentskier]

Hey @absentskier - you subscribe to http://opensnow.com ? I had a quick look when you posted the graphics above but couldn't find the source but given they were hosted at Opensnow I assume you saw them posted in a news article or something and then just linked to them here?

I just wanted to see their Steamboat graphic (assuming started really well then dropped off a cliff) so if you were a member care to post it - or anyone else if they subscribe to the site.

@PiedPiper - check out http://mammothsnowman.com/ for plenty of info (current and historical etc.) on Mammoth if you didn't know about it. Might be able to find info about lifts running etc. closer to your go date.

I just grabbed that from here. Not a member.

You're right about Steamboat's season though.

 

[PiedPiper]

@PiedPiper - check out http://mammothsnowman.com/ for plenty of info (current and historical etc.) on Mammoth if you didn't know about it. Might be able to find info about lifts running etc. closer to your go date.

OOh thanks for the link thats has plenty of good info + links.
Have people used liftopia before? is it reliable for getting lift tix from Aus before i leave?

 

[oldgeezer]

My last, and final ski trip away wasn't such a great experience, but did set me up for a new type of vacation over the summer, at the coast with the extended family.

Those short skis I bought on spec didn't help

far too heavy so onto Gumtree they will go and I shall revert to the old favourites.

 

[absentskier]

My last, and final ski trip away wasn't such a great experience, but did set me up for a new type of vacation over the summer, at the coast with the extended family.

Those short skis I bought on spec didn't help

far too heavy so onto Gumtree they will go and I shall revert to the old favourites.

Why was it your final ski trip?

 

[oldgeezer]

Final OS @absentskier. Next one is a week in Victoria at end of July.

I am retiring (again) at year's end so pennies will need watching and besides vacation money from SWMBO went into the aforesaid beach side vacation facility.

OTOH being retired means local mid week trips of a few days when conditions happen to be good will be easier to arrange.

 

[Scooter]

I just grabbed that from here. Not a member.

Cheers @absentskier - can see that article on Opensnow now - not sure how I missed it when you first posted the graphics. Will be interesting to see how the season ends for everyone. In my mind it just reiterates that its all about timing - just gotta be in the right place at the right time

My last, and final ski trip away wasn't such a great experience, but did set me up for a new type of vacation over the summer, at the coast with the extended family.

Did I misread? I thought you had a good trip so what wasn't such a great experience? Good luck in retirement @oldgeezer - which local resort will you hit up for some turns?

 

[oldgeezer]

Hi @Scooter it was a good learning experience, except for the feeling that I'd stumbled into a private ski club. Actually I realised today that rather than retiring (again) I shall revert to what worked a treat: part-time, three days a week with one being a shorter day, looking after the grandkids the other half of week and hoping maybe to get them to snow play which shall most likely be Perisher which is the usual local place altho I am looking forward to Buller in July.

 

[gortonator]

Was at Bachelor a week ago. A damp few days came good on Sunday - superb day. Report/pics at:

https://gortonator.wordpress.com/2017/03/28/mid-march-at-mt-bachelor/

There's a huge base so this should be an excellent Spring season. Passes on sale for $199. Will be skiing through end May

 

[FixedGrip]

I'd love to be over there having a bash now

 

[TOFF]

I'd love to be over there having a bash now

You only like it for the cheap ice cream

 

[FixedGrip]

You only like it for the cheap ice cream

Who's gonna argue with $3.79 B&Js?

Read that one slowly

 

[TOFF]

Who's gonna argue with $3.79 B&Js?

Read that one slowly

Got it

 

[gortonator]

Last weekend was rather fine at 49 Degrees North. Gotta love a solid Spring powder day with what seemed like our 10 best friends!! Pics/report at:

https://gortonator.wordpress.com/2017/03/31/spring-pow-at-49-degrees-north/

It's a great mountain, and practically unknown even in Washington State.Maybe 90 minutes from Red Mountain, and about 20 years behind

Probably just a day trip to Stevens this weekend. Hope the precip holds off ... it's too warm to be of the good variety.

 

[absentskier]

 

[PiedPiper]

Some of those numbers are amazing.
Mammoth gets stupid amount of snow in a normal season, and to be 200% of that...

@PiedPiper I hope the snow hasn't hasn't turned Mammoth into Northstar by filling in the bowls and steeps.


Also there's a cool logo you should be using instead of KH.

I wasn't gonna reply but oh well....
I actually used own/run a business called Pied Piper Productions!

yeah i def watch the show, it spins me out every time i hear / heard them talk about it.


To keep on topic, i gotta hire a car for my travels,
What do people suggest as the cheapest place to hire a car for traveling in the US.

Also looks like maybe another foot or so this weekend

 

[Born2ski]

To keep on topic, i gotta hire a car for my travels,
What do people suggest as the cheapest place to hire a car for traveling in the US.

I always use the UK sites.

www.hertz.co.uk
www.avis.co.uk
www.alamo.co.uk

Remember to check your insurances and damage waivers.

 

[PiedPiper]

I have been looking at www.europcar.com.au , and they seem comparable if not cheaper in price,
I am a bit confused by all the liability and waiver stuff but it seems to me, that the www.europcar.com.au are similar to the UK based sites in terms of liability/insurance etc.

Am i wrong here?

 

[Born2ski]

I have been looking at www.europcar.com.au , and they seem comparable if not cheaper in price,
I am a bit confused by all the liability and waiver stuff but it seems to me, that the www.europcar.com.au are similar to the UK based sites in terms of liability/insurance etc.

Am i wrong here?

A quick look at the site and they look good, they include the important Loss Damage Waiver and the Liability cover.

 

[absentskier]

Check out this great photo.

 

[Scooter]

I just wanted to see their Steamboat graphic (assuming started really well then dropped off a cliff) so if you were a member care to post it - or anyone else if they subscribe to the site.

http://opensnow.com/ was having a sneak peak of their paid content (the charts posted earlier and 14 day forecast etc.) for a couple of days if anybody wanted to check it out. As per my quote above I was interested in the Steamboat Base Depth vs Average so here it was:-

Doesn't drop off as much as I was expecting but then again they are using different Snowtel plots/readings as opposed to the ski hill so that might have softened it somewhat. Looking at the above you might be forgiven for thinking it wasn't that far off average but having followed the season the second half I would have said was far from it - basically no snow from mid Feb - March recorded just 11.25" which I understand was a record low and given they have also had a record low Jan (just over 10") within the last handful of years..........well, being a bit of a darksider I don't think its a good sign.

Of course averages are just that so gonna have some highs and lows (I just worry what the future holds given climate change for some areas) and after a handful of dire years for the Sierra's great to see them get smashed this season:-

As one example for the Sierra's. Anyway just thought I would post if anybody wanted to go see how their NA hill was tracking to date for this season according to http://opensnow.com stats/data

Great pic @absentskier

@mx_boarder what happened to your updates or pics?

 

[miss_b_haven]

I'm like herpes

Err, you do realise that's not quite what they meant when they told you to go forth and spread your mark on the world.

 

[TOFF]

Err, you do realise that's not quite what they meant when they told you to go forth and spread your mark on the world.

They say any publicity is good publicity

 

[gortonator]

Spent last weekend at a very good Stevens Pass. Got to ski some lines I've not hit before - Wild Katz is a superb steep run indeed

Spring finally brought some great corn snow by Saturday afternoon.

Lots more pics and report at https://gortonator.wordpress.com/2017/04/12/steeps-and-spring-at-stevens-pass/.

There's a huge amount of snow and the crowds have totally diminished. Shame they are closing mid week, and just two more weekends to go.

Def at Crystal this weekend. Staying over at the Alpine Inn Saturday night for some Snorting Elk debauchery. If you've ever stayed at Crystal, you'll know what I mean

 

[absentskier]

Spent last weekend at a very good Stevens Pass. Got to ski some lines I've not hit before - Wild Katz is a superb steep run indeed

Spring finally brought some great corn snow by Saturday afternoon.

Lots more pics and report at https://gortonator.wordpress.com/2017/04/12/steeps-and-spring-at-stevens-pass/.

There's a huge amount of snow and the crowds have totally diminished. Shame they are closing mid week, and just two more weekends to go.

Def at Crystal this weekend. Staying over at the Alpine Inn Saturday night for some Snorting Elk debauchery. If you've ever stayed at Crystal, you'll know what I mean

Looks great.

 

[miss_b_haven]

Who's gonna argue with $3.79 B&Js?

Read that one slowly

Lawdy, was I ever ripped off then!

$3.79 for B & J ?! <clearly pronouncing the 'and'>

I paid $4.99!

Still, Chunky Monkey.


Next time though, I might just have to stay with you guys in the cheap end of town.

 

[miss_b_haven]

Meanwhile, where Winter appears to have taken up permanent residency. . .

 

[PiedPiper]

Just over a week until i get to mammoth!

I know they are shutting down some of the lifts this week, but apparently they will be opening a bit beyond the normal late season lifts over the weekends, due to larger numbers expected! Thankfully I;m there sat, sun, + Mon!

 

[gortonator]

https://crystalmountainresort.com/blog-winter/john-kircher-acquires-crystal-mountain/

good news!!

 

[PG2736]

All, looking for some thoughts on best venue for a family USA trip this coming North American season (first couple of weeks of Jan). Historically Whistler has been our go to but we are now looking for something different. 2 adults/2kids aged 8&9. All are strong skiers. Current thinking is between Snowmass, Jackson & Park City. Accom prices at Vail are off the charts. Does anyone have any recommendations of other US resorts or good accom recommendations at any of the above. Thanks

 

[Legs Akimbo]

I haven't skied Park City. You wouldn't go wrong with Jackson or Snowmass. Have you looked at Telluride?

 

[PG2736]

Thanks - Haven't considered Telluride. Will have a look.

 

[Sbooker]

If you're used to Whistler you've been spoilt by the amount of acreage and a great variance in terrain. Jackson will give you all the expert runs you need but won't have the intermediate terrain that you're used to. Snowmass and the other 3 Aspen areas (easily reached by a efficient free bus system) will offer a lot of acreage and heaps of intermediate terrain but not as much expert areas. The snow in the US will likely be lighter than you've experienced at WB.
Park City will offer heaps of acreage and miles of intermediate terrain and you've got another half dozen world class hills close by. A day or two at Snowbird would more than likely interest you.
Mammoth Mountain in California is huge and has a lot of acreage and caters to experts too.

 

[Legs Akimbo]

I disagree about intermediate terrain at Jackson. Although the percentages are low the absolute area of moderate is quite high because of the size of the resort. All of Apres Vous chair, the Gondola and Casper chair all have lots of intermediate terrain off them. I haven't skied the Teton chair, but it seems to access the Moran Face and Woods, which are high blue/low black.

 

[tr+h]

Hope you are taking those kids to Disneyland!

From there, 4-5 hour drive to Mammoth. From Mammoth, 3-4 hour drive to Tahoe. Then fly home from San Fran.

There is a couple of weeks well spent.

Mammoth has reliable snow that time of year and Tahoe can vary.

 

[Scooter]

Hi @PG2736 - How off the charts are the accommodation prices at Vail?

If cost if a consideration and your usual destination was Whistler what made you decide on US as opposed to just going interior/smaller Canadian resort? With the AUD v USD rate sitting where it is currently (approx 30% premium) I would have thought for 2 weeks a CDN destination would have been a possible consideration from a value proposition as the AUD v CDN is 1:1 right now.

For US I really rate Steamboat as a family destination but seeing as I have been there the last 7 seasons some might consider that recommendation somewhat biased It is a great Ski hill and town and has a great vibe and community with plenty to do for the family so worth throwing into the mix. The big plus as far as skiing goes is the tree skiing which is awesome (condition dependent of course) and it has a good range of terrain (to suit all levels) however it does lack sustained steeps and big open bowls so keep that in mind.

My pick of places to look at based purely on where I would like to visit in the US would be Jacskon followed closely by Telluride with probably Big Sky (Montana) rounding out the list a little ways back from the other two.

Good luck

 

[Scooter]

Further to what @Legs Akimbo is saying I know when I initially went to the US I never considered Jackson Hole as my expectation was it was mostly advanced to expert terrain (and I had young kids) however over the years I have seen plenty of people saying that it had broader appeal and was a destination suitable for all levels. If memory serves @Crystal went with young kids some may be able to comment further.