 Poster: A snowHead
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I have used my IKON pass for some awesome Euro skiing ... now my snow season shifts to NA.
I have 14 days dedicated for this trip total, hoping to ski at least 4 different IKON areas included in pass., hoping for 10 ski days ... I am aware of distances and the time it takes moving around.
Anytime between now and April 1.
I like spring skiing and corn snow on piste, trees and open bowls with some bumps. I do not like crowds and long lift lines ...
Colorado (really bad snow year so far), Utah (I skied there before - over rated IMO), California (skied there a lot, kind of "home area", like it but the crowds are getting out of control) ...
Thinking Eldora (small warm up), Winter Park (wanna be bougie), A Basin (skied there before and would love to revisit), Copper Mt. (never been) and Steamboat (another newbie)
What else is left, suggestions please !?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Colorado has had a recent reset, snow wise so things are looking better.
You could drop down to Taos -NM, so long as you dont hit holiday season it'll be quiet - Aspen has plenty of terrain, and drivable back from Taos - maybe drop into Monarch ( not Ikon) for a day to break it up - you could then hit Copper and A Basin. Although earleir A Basin only had a small ammount of terrain open.
You should be able to get more than 10 days skiing - its doable to ski and move on in the evenings, rather than take days off to drive.
Or you could head north - fly to SLC, ski a day in the Cottonwoods, then Sun Valley, Jackson Hole, Big Sky - back to SLC to fly home.
Why werent you impressed with Utah ?
You could head to Canada instead - Banff area, Revelstoke, Panorama are all close enough - Easy enough to throw in Sun Peaks or stretch it to Red Mtn instead. Can. dollar is good atm and conditions havent been too bad, should be better by March time.
Done this sort of trip many times to most of these places - not bothered with Eldora.
All easy driving, although some distances involved. 
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Wed 28-01-26 16:05; edited 1 time in total
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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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2 weeks full Ikon road trip:
Fly DEN
Winter Park
Steamboat
Jackson Hole
Deer Valley
Altabird
Aspen
Copper
DEN
But really watch the snow or end load until at least March this season.
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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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I don’t get the 4 mountain in 10 day thing.
But, of the list you haven’t been Aspen is the obvious. 4 mountains right there! Or you can mix it up with Copper to stretch your IKON pass. However, I don’t know how bad the conditions are there right now.
Big Sky and Jackson is another combo that may work. (Add Sun Valley) But again, condition isn’t great at the moment either. Further more, if CO and UT continue to suffer, it’ll push people to Jackson and Big Sky. Also, if you don’t care for UT, I’n not sure you’ll like JH and BS.
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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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IKON base pass, I think I made a mistake there 
My thinking was - I don't ski on "blackout/holiday" dates ... oh well ...
I liked skiing in Utah, skied there few times and all I remember is horrible traffic and lift lines in Cottonwoods and Park City (stayed in SLC suburbs close to Cottonwoods) and not so bad drive to Snowbasin which I liked the best. Not sure if my ageing body would still be in agreement with Snowbird, Alta or Jackson Hole.
I have also skied more than few days at Aspen, Jackson Hole and Deer Valley and what used to be Canyons before being gobbled up by MTN/Vail and would like to check out some new to me ski areas.
Would probably settle for Steamboat, Winter Park and Copper if conditions improve enough. Would 2-3 days at each be enough to get the good feel of these resorts ?
I am not in a rush but would like to squeeze about 20 total days on IKON pass before season is over, used 10 days in the Alps.
Canada sounds interesting, I will look into it more.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Cheapski, We're using IKON base pass for a Canadian roadtrip this season, hence why I suggested it - out there for just over 3 weeks.
Hitting a couple or so places not on IKON but its covering most places 
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@Bones, thank you for suggesting Canada, just checked and accommodation is much cheaper in Canada (makes "cheapski" happy  ) , how difficult it is to drive to Big3 resorts if based in Bannff ?
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Cheapski, You're welcome  Its easy to drive to all the ski areas aropund Banff, the highway is ploughed regularly when its snowing, and the time you're going should be fine. So long as you're happy driving in winter conditions.
We actually stay in Canmore - will keep you even happier. 15 minutes down the highway, but in real time to get the the ski areas about the same, as by the time you've got out of Banff onto the highway.
As you'll need a park pass you can visit Banff for the tourist stuff if you wish to. Canmore is more treaditional Canadian rather than tourist destination. The drive to Invermere - ski Panorama - is easy and around 1.5 hrs IIRC.
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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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| Quote: |
| Its easy to drive to all the ski areas aropund Banff |
Is the free ski bus from Banff still on the go? If so, why drive?
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Second Canada.
In fact I may be heading that way myself. I’ve been to all but Revelstock, so hope to hit that if the condition warrants.
I didn’t find Canmore that much cheaper, while involves additional driving.
Driving from Banff to Sunshine is quite easy. Norquay even easier as it’s just outside of Banff. Lake Louise ok in good weather. Panorama and Reve, on the other hand, involves a mountain pass so I personally wouldn’t do either as a day trip.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| mountainaddict wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Its easy to drive to all the ski areas aropund Banff |
Is the free ski bus from Banff still on the go? If so, why drive? |
We'll have a car - staying in Canmore so no ski buses - plus when we move on its far easier.
Whenever I've priced Canmore its always come out cheaper than Banff, as there's no NP premium to pay on lodgings. As for the extra drive - its 10-15 minutes max. It can take more than that to get from out of Banff to the highway. I've done both so know this. Thats without the rail crossing closed for a train - in that case might as well grab a coffee while you're waiting
abc You wouldnt do either as a day trip but cheapski does have the IKON pass both of which are covered, and they are planning a roadtrip so really its easy. Lake Louise is fine to drive even if its snowing. If you fancy a day trip to either ping me a message - have some friends/family deals with my ikon pass which will get you 50% off. Offers open to anyone else too if you can use it.
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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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I'd suggest Canada as well, SkiBig3. It is offseason in the Canadian Rockies, so everything is much less expensive. Get a rental car at Calgary airport and go enjoy. The town of Canmore has something for everyone. Visit Banff but stay in Canmore.
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| Bones wrote: |
| Lake Louise is fine to drive even if its snowing. |
It isn’t “difficult” to drive to Lake Louise. It’s just a long’ish drive. So it’ll easily take up to an hour if it is snows. That’s my limit for a day trip.
| Quote: |
If you fancy a day trip to either ping me a message - have some friends/family deals with my ikon pass which will get you 50% off. Offers open to anyone else too if you can use it.
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Thanks for the offer. I also have IKON this season. So I’m fine ticket-wise.
I haven’t price out the lodgings yet. But if I go, I’d stay put nearby when skiing Panorama or Revy. I’ve done Big3 several times. Time to venture over the pass to Pano/Revy. If the condition warrants, that is.
I like the town of Banff. I don’t feel Canmore compares. But if you’re there just to ski, I suppose Canmore will do? I tried to price Canmore once and didn’t find the difference to be significant enough to lose the variety Banff can offer. There’s one thing Canmore speaks to me though. I cross country ski. The xc course at Canmore is out of this world!
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You know it makes sense.
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My 3 girls (wife and 2 daughters) are pushing for Dolomites, window narrowed to March 17-30, spring breaks, work and usual BS made it that way ... go figure !?
Girls like mild skiing (except older daughter that would probably out ski me this year), spa, shopping, good food and scenery, not much time in the car and a side trip to an exciting city for "couple of nights" on the way or back ...
Still pushing hard for Canada, anything interesting there (Banff) that would align with the above cited "requirements" ?
Maybe side trip to Canada for me and then we all head elsewhere to celebrate BIG birthday ?
Banff lodging/car came out in the middle of the spectrum with Colorado most expensive and some great deals on lodging/car in Dolomites !
Very disappointing with Colorado ski conditions and offers for late March skiing
They have subpar snow pack and yet ask for premium prices for accommodation !? They are out !
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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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| Cheapski wrote: |
My 3 girls (wife and 2 daughters) are pushing for Dolomites, window narrowed to March 17-30, spring breaks, work and usual BS made it that way ... go figure !?
Girls like mild skiing (except older daughter that would probably out ski me this year), spa, shopping, good food and scenery, not much time in the car and a side trip to an exciting city for "couple of nights" on the way or back ...
Sunshine Village can be about as mild as you can get. It might be one of the better beginner resorts in North America. Lake Louise also has some mild terrain, but it suits intermediate and advanced skiers a bit better. Banff is the best mountain town in North America for non-skiers. Their are tons of spas in the hotels around town (Banff Springs Hotel or Chateau Lake Louise), there's the Banff Hot Springs and lots of shopping in the village. It also has the best scenery in North America... Arguably in the world. You'll be sure to see deer or elk walking around at least at some point during the trip. I'd suggest a walk out to Johnston Canyon.
Still pushing hard for Canada, anything interesting there (Banff) that would align with the above cited "requirements" ?
Would they be interested in taking in an NHL hockey game in Calgary? The Flames have quite a few home games while you're there. There's the malls your expect from a city of over 1M people, if that's of interest.
Maybe side trip to Canada for me and then we all head elsewhere to celebrate BIG birthday ?
Banff lodging/car came out in the middle of the spectrum with Colorado most expensive and some great deals on lodging/car in Dolomites !
Very disappointing with Colorado ski conditions and offers for late March skiing
They have subpar snow pack and yet ask for premium prices for accommodation !? They are out ! |
I provided some comments inline.
I might also add you might be smarter to go a la carte instead of using SkiBig3 or any of the packagers. Check out the Ski Louise and Sunshine Superpass for discounts including free days at Revelstoke and Panorama (depending on the card).
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Poster: A snowHead
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IKON base, Banff seems more attractive for bud's trip than family vacation ... driving is that's killing me (and this trip), after long years - I can't stand the sound of "are we there yet" !!!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Cheapski wrote: |
| IKON base, Banff seems more attractive for bud's trip than family vacation ... driving is that's killing me (and this trip), after long years - I can't stand the sound of "are we there yet" !!! |
That's right!
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FAQ
