 Poster: A snowHead
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Not the sort of choice usually thrown up I know.
But if you were looking for a bit of decent snow and had to choose between the two for a trip in late Jan/early Feb, where would you go? 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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FWIW, I went to Verbier once, many years ago, in Jan or Feb, and had fairly crap snow; lots of it, but very wet and heavy. I also went to Aspen once, slightly less long ago (12 years in fact) in Feb, and the snow was perfect. Not what you'd call a scientific comparison; presumably histroical snow records are on the SCGB site or the resorts' sites or somewhere. My gues is that both will be good but Aspen will be more reliable.
Aspen was, for me, a much pleasanter place than Verbier, and would be my choice of the two for a return visit (but that's not what you asked).
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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?
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| richmond wrote: |
| Aspen was, for me, a much pleasanter place than Verbier, and would be my choice of the two for a return visit (but that's not what you asked). |
I don't know, I thought it summed it up very well.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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marc gledhill, glad to have been of (slight) assistance, in that case.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Never been to Aspen and when I went to Verbier about 6 years ago, the snow was excellent. But surely Verbier will be cheaper?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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halfhand, lots, and easier to get to. But I want that nice snow lots 
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marc gledhill, snow quantity & quality is totally immaterial - as testified by Rockrobin who was ripping it on his Gotama's at Xscape last night 
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Aspen 1st but for extreme challenging skiing Verbier.
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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.
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Is this with family or without Marc?
If with I'd say Verbier to avoid the jetlag/height with kids, if without kids, Aspen, or some of the other resorts in Colorado!
Cheers,
Greg
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gregh, on my own thankfully. It means that costs aren't so much of an issue and I get to ski all the time the lifts are running
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Why Aspen then?
Is Jackson Hole an option, and do you want someone to carry your skis 
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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.
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Aspen isn't that far for a side trip to Silverton which looks like a great place from reports I've read. Guess it really depends on the snowpack/snowfall the time you go - long run average I'd expect Colorado to be superior, obviously more and potentially more extreme terrain in Verbier.
Why Aspen specifically - do you want the pampering or celeb spotting?
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Mainly, Aspen for this or Verbier for this.
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You know it makes sense.
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I did the Aspen-Teluride-Silverton combo three years ago (17days of skiing), mainly because I had a friend living in Aspen at the time and I could stay at her place. In terms of skiing (expert, mainly off piste) it was nothing special, though quite different to the Alps. Aspen has quite limited inbounds skiing for a fast skier, Snowmass is more like a sprawling European resort with lots of variety. I would prefer Verbier if snow conditions were equal. In terms of convenience, service and friendliness it was very nice.
fatbob, I found Silverton quite disappointing, unless you are really closeby I would not recommend it....one old/slow chairlift, short runs and quite a lot of (guided) groups on one smallish mountain ...after 2 days I was happy to move on.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Aspen to Silverton is about 5 hours' drive.
marc gledhill, both Aspen and Verbier are famous for their nightlife. But bear in mind that ESA will actually be based at Snowmass, where there is very little nightlife.
In terms of the skiing, the noticeable differences are the usual ones that you'd find between the Alps and the Rockies. Verbier would be more above-tree-line skiing, with plenty of untouched off-piste accessible via hiking. Avalanche safety gear essential.
Aspen: plenty of steep in-bounds, avalanche-secured terrain, mainly in the trees, with some (relatively) untouched, more open off-piste accessible via hiking (Highlands Bowl at Aspen Highlands).
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Poster: A snowHead
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You have to get into the back country around Aspen. Inbounds as Martin says theres Highlands Bowl or over in Snowmass Hanging Valley Wall, Cirque.
I hike up Highland Bowl a couple of times last season. Heres a shot from Google Earth (summer time)
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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You have to get into the back country around Aspen. Inbounds as Martin says theres Highlands Bowl or over in Snowmass Hanging Valley Wall, Cirque.
I hike up Highland Bowl a couple of times last season. Heres a shot from Google Earth (summer time)
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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?
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If you are talking about terrain and the skiing, I'd gove to Verbier, but if its about those courses, then I wouldn't know
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| marc gledhill wrote: |
| Mainly, Aspen for this or Verbier for this. |
marc gledhill have you experience of either Warren Smith or Epic ?
Warren Smith and Snoworks look quite attractive. Epic always seems to cost a fierce heap of money to me -as does most US tuition. I have no experience of any of them though.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Latchigo, had a go at the Epic event last year, in a very snowHead intensive group (all of us were poster including the coach).
If I hadn't enjoyed it and learned as much as I did, then I wouldn't even consider going back this year due to the extra cost of the Aspen event.
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