 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi
Looking for some advice on a ski trip to North America. The plan is to go early March or potentially February if conditions will be much better, the main things we are looking for is good skiing obviously and a lively apres/nightlife scene for a younger crowd.
The main places we have looked at so far are Aspen, Breckenridge and Whistler. Has anyone got any recommendations on which would be best or any other suggestions?
Thanks
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Of those three
Whistler, Aspen, Breckenridge for all around
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
That said, Revelstoke boasts the “Best Sex Shop in BC, 2008” - which must mean something?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Whistler is the only place that really hits the mark for lively quasi Euro style nightlife. All have plenty of skiing though Breck and Whistler also include a lot of flattish overcrowded stuff. Aspen is a bit of an oddity - it's the real deal with lots of locals who kill on the slopes but also a very spendy tourist rep and you probably need to bus it to the better mountains (Highlands and Snowmass). If you've got plenty to burn you can party with the Trust funders at the rich man's Folie Douche - Cloud 9.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Jackson Hole.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Revelstoke also has the "folk dancing".
But Whistler is best for projectile vomit and drugs and all that. Colorado isn't really that market.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
+1 to @Dave of the Marmottes comments above. Sounds like you're coming a long way, and the Rockies are generally a better bet for snow quality. It starts better and stays that way longer than out here on the coast, including Whistler. Of the 3 places you cited, I think Aspen is the easy choice. I would send you to Jackson Hole, however. Best combination in North America of terrain, vertical, snow quality, lift system, lack of crowds, and still some nightlife. You can also pop over Teton Pass and ski at Grand Targhee, a terrific under-the-radar area worth 2-3 days all by itself. Its also not far from Big Sky and Sun Valley, two gems also not mentioned much.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Re Jackson Hole & Breck.
You may not want much nightlife if you suffer from altitude sickness, at least for the first week or so until you get used to it anyway.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Out of those three - Whistler, Breck then Aspen for night life. Aspens apres is more low key, than lively tbh.
Jackson would be another good choice, and ticks all your boxes, reasonably well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| Bones wrote: |
Out of those three - Whistler, Breck then Aspen for night life. Aspens apres is more low key, than lively tbh.
Jackson would be another good choice, and ticks all your boxes, reasonably well. |
Big Sky and Sun Valley - are gems but for après/nightlife not so. Ketchum has some stuff going on in the bars around town but Big Sky was very quiet when we were there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
If Euro style apres is important to you just stay in Europe.
North American skiing is superb though. In my view it is appreciated by those that will take advantage of relatively safe 'off piste' skiing. If you want to stick with groomers there is no point crossing the Atlantic.
All three places you mentioned will offer a fantastic experience although I would have Whistler and Aspen above Breck.
If you can forgo the euro style apres a wonderful skiing experience that would show off the best of what skiing is in North America I would fly into Salt Lake City and stay on the mountain at either Alta or Snowbird. If there is a better combination of inbounds terrain, snow quality and snow quantity anywhere in the world I would like someone to tell me about it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| sbooker wrote: |
If you can forgo the euro style apres a wonderful skiing experience that would show off the best of what skiing is in North America I would fly into Salt Lake City and stay on the mountain at either Alta or Snowbird. If there is a better combination of inbounds terrain, snow quality and snow quantity anywhere in the world I would like someone to tell me about it. |
And if you want apres and culture and concerts stay in Salt Lake City or Park City and drive to a different resort and ski experience each day
https://www.skiutah.com/
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| Mike Pow wrote: |
| sbooker wrote: |
If you can forgo the euro style apres a wonderful skiing experience that would show off the best of what skiing is in North America I would fly into Salt Lake City and stay on the mountain at either Alta or Snowbird. If there is a better combination of inbounds terrain, snow quality and snow quantity anywhere in the world I would like someone to tell me about it. |
And if you want apres and culture and concerts stay in Salt Lake City or Park City and drive to a different resort and ski experience each day
https://www.skiutah.com/ |
Hi Mike.
We almost always stay downtown at the Crystal. We will be doing so in February. You mentioned apres. Any recommendations? Plenty of bars and breweries that I know of but I’ve not been to any rocking hangouts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
@Jj86, you mention “good skiing”
On, or off piste?
I wouldn’t go that far just to ski on piste.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
I echo the Apres comments by sbooker. Not that I’ve been everywhere of course but resorts I’ve been to in Colorado and Canada just haven’t come close.
Haven’t been to whistler though  heard good things about there!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| sbooker wrote: |
| Mike Pow wrote: |
| sbooker wrote: |
If you can forgo the euro style apres a wonderful skiing experience that would show off the best of what skiing is in North America I would fly into Salt Lake City and stay on the mountain at either Alta or Snowbird. If there is a better combination of inbounds terrain, snow quality and snow quantity anywhere in the world I would like someone to tell me about it. |
And if you want apres and culture and concerts stay in Salt Lake City or Park City and drive to a different resort and ski experience each day
https://www.skiutah.com/ |
Hi Mike.
We almost always stay downtown at the Crystal. We will be doing so in February. You mentioned apres. Any recommendations? Plenty of bars and breweries that I know of but I’ve not been to any rocking hangouts. |
Was a lifetime away sorry - 2005 - can't remember where I saw bands. It was great though.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
"Salt Lake City" and "Apres" do not belong in the same sentence! Literally NO ONE goes to Utah for nightlife, though it has improved significantly vs the old days of "setups" etc. Go to Utah for the great snow and tree skiing, and stay in SLC if you want because its cheap and reasonably well located. BTW on piste, I find the cruising is not great there. Runs are mostly short....Altabird is heaven in pow, terrible on groom for example. Snowbasin is the sleeper area there. Longer runs, old lift system got updated for the Olympics, and less crowded. Park City has decent nightlife, nothing special but at least its a ski town and SLC is not. I like the suggestion to drive around and sample different areas, they really do have their own vibe. Even Sundance is fun for a day, and Solitude has some great skiing. DV/PC skiing is only ok, lots of nice but short faces with long approaches or runouts. But if you are going full-bore for powder, stay at Alta or Snowbird. Little Cottonwood Cyn road can close, and you want to be on the right side of the gate if so!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
1. Jackson Hole
2. Aspen
3. Whistler
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
A budget trip was mentioned, was it not?Aspen lift ticket worked out at £93 a day for our Jan 2018 trip. It'll be far worse now, with the state of sterling...
Glad we went, as it was on our bucket list - but didn't think it was significantly better than previous trips to the likes of Whistler, Breckenridge, Banff, Fernie, Salt Lake City areas etc. Some excellent steeps at the various Aspen areas but it was a poor snow year overall and we got no powder.
We found accommodation prices very expensive - ended up in Snowmass, which we really enjoyed, as it was so much cheaper. The bus service is excellent - so it was no bother getting to the other Aspen areas.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
All western resorts have "good" on piste skiing. The key variables are how steep do you need it, how much variety you need and how much crowding are you prepared to put up with. And then there is off piste - the real reason for travelling to western US.
And pretty much it does not make economic sense to go without an Epic or Ikon pass.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
People are really overcomplicating this. Whistler has great skiing and arguably the best resort nightlife of anywhere in North America. It's perfectly fine choice that meets your requirements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Surprised no one has yet mentioned South Lake Tahoe? Several different ski areas all within a short distance of SLT. Something for everyone in the skiing department. There is always plenty of entertainment ON the mountains and at night pop over the border, IE cross the road, and take advantage of the Navada casino's. Also nowhere near as expensive or pretentious as Aspen or as crowded with pot heads as Whistler, despite Canada's laws relating to the foul smelling stuff.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Old Man Of Lech wrote: |
| Surprised no one has yet mentioned South Lake Tahoe? Several different ski areas all within a short distance of SLT. Something for everyone in the skiing department. There is always plenty of entertainment ON the mountains and at night pop over the border, IE cross the road, and take advantage of the Navada casino's. Also nowhere near as expensive or pretentious as Aspen or as crowded with pot heads as Whistler, despite Canada's laws relating to the foul smelling stuff. |
The volatile snow record (feast or famine) in Tahoe makes planning overseas trips to that location a bit more risky than some of the other options.
I didn’t find Aspen pretentious. I thought it was pretty real. Real town with real people.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nah Aspen's legit. You can just as easily be riding a chair with a billionaire as a 40+ year skibum and you wouldn't really know the difference as everyone's into the skiing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| Quote: |
The volatile snow record (feast or famine) in Tahoe makes planning overseas trips to that location a bit more risky than some of the other options.
I didn’t find Aspen pretentious. I thought it was pretty real. Real town with real people.
|
Agree on both counts. There's "Big Money Attitude" available at all major ski areas, not just Aspen. You can steer clear of it easily in town, and up on the hills, the VERY legit terrain of Ajax and Highlands separates the wheat from the chaff. As for Tahoe, it is indeed more fickle these days. Even when it dumps like it can (28' in Feb 2019 at Squaw) you don't necessarily want to be there then, either! We don't call it Sierra Cement for nothing. Come to the Sierras for the terrific spring skiing when you know the base will be good (or not), and make your big midwinter bets nearer to the continental divide.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
i haven't skied north america just europe so far good posts on the subject interesting opinions .
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
salt lake city was a great base for the wasatch mountains but the city i agree very quite
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
. . . . & the odd STD or two 
