 Poster: A snowHead
|
hi everyone
I've decided to go stateside this year as my regular partner can't make our usual Alberta trip.
Has anyone been to any of those 3 resorts? Any advice or experience at all would be appreciated to help me make my mind up!
I'll be travelling alone and so would appreciate a friendly place especially as I shall be experiencing a birthday there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
we looked at Jackson Hole for this year's trip - Mrs NBT and I decoded to givre it a miss as it seems to be pitched at expert skiiers, and we're not at that level yet
not been to steamboat
Mrs NBT and I met at Lake Tahoe - we spent 9 days there, 2 each at Kirkwood, Heavenly, Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley, with one day off (this was before I had realise that pre-holiday fitness training was essential!). We liked it. lots of variety with the amount of resorts available (27 dotted around the lake I think!) and lots of different style - corporate monoliths, small family resorts etc. It was awesome skiing from the California to Nevada at Heavenly and seeing the high altitude lake compared to the drop down to the desert.
If you choose Tahoe, make sure you have a rental car so you can visit the different resorts. Think about where you want top stay - North Lake tahoe is good for SQuaw, alpine etc. south lake tahoe is excellent for heavenly (there#'s a new cable car from the town itself I believe) and you can reach kirkwood or squaw within an hours drive.
South Lake Tahoe is a town of two halves - you can almsot see the state line as the california side is small houses tucked away between the trees, while the nevada side is full of high-rise monstrosities - the only redeeming feature being the excellent cheap food they serve to tempt you in to spend your cash in the casino
Hope that helps
NBT
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
Ah, Jackson...
Was there this year for a weekend. (took a break from Alta/Bird)
It is NOT expert only. (but don't tell too many people, as it's great to ski onto an empty blue run for a bit of a blast  )
I spent some time with a few skiers, some of whom were happy with greens and blues. There is a lot of skiing there for everyone, although the expert stuff is superb.
And, just up the road is Grand Targhee, which is pitched as a more intermediate mountain, but also boasts some good challenges.
If you're thinking of Steamboat, the Daily Mail Ski Mag are doing a trip to it and Winter Park late January/early Feb. WP is my favourite resort in Colorado, and I've heard great reports about Steamboat, so you may want to consider that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
What type of trip are you looking for? Ski only? Night Life? Out of those three, Jackson is by far my favorite. It's not an Expert only pitch, but it is a bit steeper than most. The skiing is incredible, but not much of a nightlife. There are a few places, but not much. Plus as Fox stated, Grand targhee is just up the road. Less corwded than JH and boasts better snow.
Tahoe has a variety of terrain and several slopes to chooe from plus it has the casinos if you enjoy that. Steamboat is a fun place, but it's more family oriented and has even less of a night life than Jackson.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Of the three Lake Tahoe should be the easiest to get to, one flight to San Francisco and then a relatively easy drive (say 3 hours) to Tahoe, on interstate most of the way. Alternatively fly into Reno, probably via San Francisco, and drive to the North end of the Lake in say 45 mins, only a bit more to the South end. Jackson Hole probably means two flights, Denver (for Steamboat) may mean two flights or a longer transfer (or 3 flights into Hayden).
The benefit of Steamboat or JH is you will likely stay put for most of the time or you can get a shuttle eg Grand Targhee from JH. For Tahoe there is no doubt that you need a car.
I have been to Tahoe a few times and love it, but I am not so sure that I would love it on a solo trip. It has a great number of ski areas around it ,but they tend to be of the you drive there in the morning, ski it and go home in the evening sort of place. Fine if you are in a group, as a solo traveller you may wish to stick to the one place and really get to know it(and meet some people).
Tahoe has the potential benefit of tacking on a weekend in San Francisco at the front or backend of the trip. The others are not so attractive but you could get a stopover somewhere eg Denver or Salt Lake City.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Although it is not really an answer to your question, if I was going solo I would go to Whistler and sign up for Ski Esprit and either the Dave Murray Camp (if you want to hone your racing skills) or Extremely Canadian (if you fancy steep/deep). Easy flight to Vancouver, bus to Whistler, no need for a car, arguably the best skiing in the US/Canada, a pedestrian village with all the restaurants/bars you could ever wish for and nice people.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for all your replies guys - and I must say at this stage I'm leaning towards Jackson Hole.
Colin - I did consider whistler but I always do Canada and I'm a bit of a socialist so not wanting to throw my money at Intrawest... 
Edit: I don't live in the UK anyway so wherever I go I have to change planes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
Alexandra, if you go to www.EpicSki.com there is a guy on there called Bob Peters. He lives in Jackson, and can give you a lot of advice of the town, and the skiing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Great Choice! if you want a good place to stay on a budget (it's in Jackson and not slope side though) look into the Wagon Wheel Village: http://www.wagonwheelvillage.com/
Within walking distance of downtown Jackson and they have shuttles to and from the slopes. It's not the Ritz, but very comfortable and great price. And definately look up Bob on Epicski for more advice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
Thanks DaMtnRider, that place looks great and they do some nifty packages too! I've emailed them to see what they can come up with.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
|
Alexandra, I'm going to Canada because I don't want America to have my money.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I'm with you on that one Helen, putting my few pounds where my mouth is
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
Going to Intrawest are you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Not as far as I'm aware Alexandra, don't think Banff is Intrawest.
But even if it was it's not the same in my eyes as paying all my money within America. including hotel accommodation, food etc. Intrawest may be an American company but then so are many companies whose clothes I buy, food I eat etc. I'm not obesessed with it but just think that as Bush has abdicated his responsibilities from so many international treaties/organistaions why should my international money aid his economy
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
I think Intrawest is a Canadian company. The main mountains round Banff (Lake louise, Sunshine, Norquay) are run by Resorts of the Canadian Rockies. Panorama is an Intrawest resort.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
stuarth, you're right, according to their website they are...
"Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Intrawest is a public company listed on the New York (IDR) and Toronto (ITW) stock exchanges."
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
I was at JH earlier this year. The Laramie bowl was nice (off the top of the Thunder Quad chair) and all of the blacks off the Sublette Quad chair were good, all the way down to the blue traverse at the bottom including the Hobacks. When I was there not much fresh snow so rutted ice and some slush featured but a great resort. Enjoy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Steamboat, I went in 1998, is amazing. The town may not have the best nightlife, but has a good irish bar, and many other attractions, the hot springs and the chocolate factory. It is a cowboy town essentially, and the ranches are still active in the winter, it's more than impressive to see these cowboys an their horses neck deep in snow. The people are friendly, the pizzas are huge, the snow is great and the famous "Champagne Powder" really does live up to it's reputation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
So after much deliberation I've opted for Jackson Hole and bent my principles because I want an out-of-this-world holiday.
