 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Reno is the local airport for Tahoe which is where most people head if skiing Cali/Nevada. The other major resort in California is Mammoth which is a few hours south, has its own airport with some limited connections.
Tahoe has heaps of resorts - the bigger places are covered here http://www.skilaketahoe.com/lake-tahoe-ski-resorts but you've also got Diamond Peak (at Incline Village), Homewood (West Shore), Tahoe Donner (local area for a housing estate), Sugarbowl, Donner Ski Ranch (Donner Summit), Boreal (I80). The state border runs through the lake so skiing Heavenly you can ski or stay in either CA or NV side of South Lake Tahoe or you can base yourself in Tahoe City, Kings Beach, Crystal Bay or Truckee for North Shore resorts
Personally I'd plan on splitting a stay between North and South Shore and covering the local resorts from there. I think most of the bigger resorts have some sort of adventure skiing programme e.g. Expedition Kirkwood or Alpine Steep Camp. Car is a big asset even if you're staying in a single location - increases flexibility for visiting different resorts and a help for shopping, dining out as being US services tend to be spread along the highway not village style.
No real CA/NV difference - Heavenly is in both states, Rose & Diamond Peak are in NV everywhere else in Cali. Rose is closest for Reno skiers but as I80 runs straight up to Truckee they also hit Squaw/Alpine/Gnarthstar midweek. Not enough to make you care although SF crowds at busy weekends can be noticeable.
When - its a flip of the coin, this season they've had a miracle March but a sustained drought and spring conditions in January. Worth bearing in mind many resorts will get locked down in really heavy storms in which case options like Homewood, Gnarthstar and Sierra come into their own.
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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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fatbob, Cheers , looking at the link I think I might need a month instead of a fortnight 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Neilski, a month would be good!!!
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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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Neilski, I've been advised by a california resident that Denver (international) is the better place to fly to, with lots of interconnecting flights and convenient drive times to resorts on west coast. I'm looking to similar next year (poss May this year if resorts stay open and can wangle holidays) Will PM later to discuss.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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snowgate, Denver doesn't feel particuarly logical unless you're skiing Colorado or hopping on to Utah. IME to maximise convenience in travel time you either want to fly direct to a major intl airport within reasonable drive of the snow or look for decent connections - this will generally involve going through a major hub of one of the US airlines that happens to partner/codeshare your transatlantic carrier. Transits through southern hubs like Atlanta and Dallas can be a better bet in winter than northern like Chicago for obvious reasons. For me time spent in airport limbo is still transit time so I often take the view that I'd rather have a longer drive if it means a direct flight. Also improves your chances of arriving with all your luggage.
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Neilski, If you're travelling as an independant then SF is your most likely long haul destination. (None stop/ direct flight). Car is an absolute must and pref upgrade yourself to a 4x4. Approx 4hrs drive to Tahoe/Squaw area from SF. (IIRC) Early season can be miserable as well as glorious. Poured with rain at Xmas a few seasons back at Squaw  . Check out combined accommodation/lift pass deals. eg. Squaw Valley used to offer Casino/Hotel in Reno with X number of days skiing for not a lot of money. www.squaw.com It's a few years since we were there but rooms were averaging about $30 per night. Reno is about a 40 minute drive to Tahoe.
Apres ski on Cal side of lake varied from chilled to almost non -existent. Nevada resorts have the casinos....take your pick. Personally i think Mammoth is worth a detour. It's not a bad drive unless a storm comes in and it gets an almighty amount of snow. www.mammothmountain.com.
PS. if you've got 14 days...........Salt Lake City is a days drive from Reno...hmmmm Utah powder anyone?
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Having returned from a Tahoe trip in March, I flew into and out of San Francisco. Once in the past I've flown to Reno - but as fatbob says you've got all the airport faff to go through again and you still have to either drive to Tahoe or catch a coach service like the South Tahoe Express from Reno Airport.
If your going out for 14 days I'd recommend spending at least a couple of nights at the end in San Francisco, it would be a real shame to travel all that way and not see more of the city than the international airport. Also staying a few nights in San Francisco gives you a buffer for any weather problems getting out of the Tahoe Basin, so takes away or at least reduces stress about the weather and travel.
Whether a car is essential, useful or unnecessary will depend on where you base yourself around the Lake, the accommodation you are in and where you want to ride. From South Lake Tahoe you can ski Heavenly, Kirkwood, Squaw Valley and Sierra at Tahoe without a car. So you could certainly do a chunk of your trip car-less which would give more funds for sliding!
All the resorts you can access by shuttle bus from South Lake have copious numbers of lockers for rental so not having a car with you is much less of an issue as you can take stuff with you and leave it securely.
How I did it in March:
Flight from LHR to SFO (San Francisco International)
Stayed overnight in the Airport South Travelodge at Millbrae, just across the street behind the Travelodge (relative to reception) is the Millbrae BART station. Courtesy shuttle from Airport will take you to the Travelodge (You could do it on BART, but the station is more obvious from the Travelodge than the TL is from the Station).
Following morning caught an early BART service from Millbrae to Richmond. (Broadgauge trains lots of space for carting luggage).
From Richmond connect with the Amtrak Capitol Corridor service to Sacramento. At Sacramento you change onto an Amtrak coach to South Lake Tahoe, which stops at the South Wye, Stateline and Kingsbury Grade transit centres in South Lake. Bus has wifi and toilet on board. Can sit back, chill and take in the views as you start to climb into the Sierras rather than focus on driving.
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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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Neilski, I'd be looking to avoid Presidents Day in Feb. next year...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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^18th, 19th and 20th February look like the busiest dates around president day next year (holiday is Mon 20th), but it can be noticeably busier a couple of days either side of these.
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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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Neilski, if your going in May is it for work or holiday? You might be able to sneak in a cheeky day or two at Squaw or Mammoth - worth checking out if their staying open.
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Are you dead set on Tahoe?
Colorado and Utah might have as much snow, and better QUALITY of snow.
| Winterhighland wrote: |
| Neilski, if your going in May is it for work or holiday? You might be able to sneak in a cheeky day or two at Squaw or Mammoth - worth checking out if their staying open. |
I'll bet my penny Squaw will still be open! (well, depends on which part of May you'll be there)
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You know it makes sense.
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Ive been looking at Utah and Colorado, maybe do an 11 night tour with 5/6 nights at each.
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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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Winterhighland, the may trip is from the 7th starting in LA and spendning two week driving up to san fran, but no time to ski , which is a real shame, cause i am sure mammoth would still be open :roll
abc, nothing is set in stone as yet, have been to aspen before and thought it was heaven on earth whilst there , but a nightmare trip home sort of took the shine of it , dont fancy vail at all, but the idea of some champagne UTAH POW is very appealling
Ricklovesthepowder, like the idea of seeing two or three different resorts
basically want to sample some great snow and a different vibe from a european ski trip , along with getting in some in-bounds deep and steep skiing instruction, so any ideas are welcome 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Neilski, to go that far a week would not be enough so 11 or so nights would be great, hire a car and then simply pick where the fresh snowfall is. Would be great to do this!!!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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abc, after a five star week of great skiing on all four of aspen mountains, we arrived at the small town airport for our journey home, then the dreaded delay sign came on , and after a five hour delay , due to bad weather at o'hare we left aspen, then had a horrendously rough flight back and had to circle chigago for a long time raising fears of having to land elsewhere, we finaaly touched down in chicago and switched terminals and rushed to the desk to see what they could sort out for our missed connection , they had all gone home , leaving us to defend for ourselves, eventually got on a flight back to london(we had left from manchester) and this was delayed so we missed our shuttle back to manchester and so had to endure another five hour wait to get home. final straw was the lost bags one of which never turned up.
but all that said i have to agree that aspen is one of the best places i have ever skied, but next time i go i think i would forego the luxury of flying into their airport and instead drive from denver
p.s. on the aniversary of the ash cloud i aam reminded it was a lot worse for others last year
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Ahhh... I see.
It's always a worry flying into small airport in the mountains. My trip TO Aspen was flawless, but my trip OUT was full of drama a bit like yours. My trouble wasn't all that unusual for flying in and out of mountain airports so I just chuck it up as bad timing.
Though from what I heard, Aspen airport is worse than others in terms of cancellation and delays. Judging from how many had encounter issues in at least one leg of their flight, I'd say I share your conclusion.
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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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| Neilski wrote: |
| i would forego the luxury of flying into their airport and instead drive from denver |
I flown into Aspen (via Denver) many times and also the regional airports (then bussed up) when when landings were aborted due to bad weather.
I have also driven up from Denver countless times.
As a car is not needed in Aspen, the last few times I rented a one day one way rental DIA to Aspen Sardy Airfield & one day one way rental back. Saves ALOT of Cash. Call the Hotel (even the cheaper places) your staying at & there send a car to get you from Aspen Airport.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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stanton, great tip thanks, how is the drive from denver is there any closure risk on route ??
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Driving from Denver would be great. Get to see some of the American mountians on the way, it cant be that far, 3 hours maximum to the main hub of resorts.
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| Ricklovesthepowder wrote: |
| Driving from Denver would be great. Get to see some of the American mountians on the way, it cant be that far, 3 hours maximum to the main hub of resorts. |
Depends where you are heading for - Aspen is around 4 hours IIRC
If you are thinking of an 11 night trip better to stay in Utah, rather than waste the time driving to Colorado. We spent 15 days in Utah skiing this year hitting 9 mountains and still wanted more time there  Its a great destination when the conditions are good ( and they were ) DIY was so easy and everything is within easy driving distance when you land.
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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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Bones, cheers, Utah looks great, and it would be DIY, everytime i have gone to America i have always done it DIY. Lots of places to eat and stay etc.
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| Neilski wrote: |
| stanton, great tip thanks, how is the drive from denver is there any closure risk on route ?? |
2009/2010 . I was not driving to Aspen on this occasion but planned to use I-70. On the night I arrived a massive Rock slide in Glenwood Canyon closed the Interstate 70. Just by luck I heard about this on TV in the morning before I set off.
Dont worry this was a freak thing but needed a 200 mile detour !!
The Drive is generally OK but as always depends on the weather. I've done Denver to Aspen in 3.5hrs(the norm) but also 8hrs & once an overnight (in 90's) in Eagle.
There are 3 passes at 8500- 10000ft !!! Its a Major route so they work 24*7 to keep it open but its not unheard off to have 2 or 3 ft dump of snow overnight , this takes time to make safe & clear !!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Typically, if there's so much snow to close the passes, the same weather would make the chance of landing/taking off at Aspen airport rather iffy.
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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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Manchester to Reno is a pain - usually 3 flights so it makes much more sense to fly to SFO and drive to Tahoe - airport to Squaw can be 3 1/2 hours during none rush hour and clear weather. Reno to Squaw is 45 minutes, we have a number of employees who commute daily. Avoid the whole week of Feb 20th - bay area schools are off so we are busy. Mid March is usually good snow wise, and quiet. We're open until May 8th, then F, S, Su til May 30th, plus the 16th. Rumour also is that we're opening for July 4th!
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skinanny, Cheers for the concise advice , march seems like the best time for me, but mid July would be interesting to say the least
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You know it makes sense.
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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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I would love to do the road trip idea. Lodging is cheap, fuel is cheap. Just hire a nice comfy 4x4 and hire the skis for x amount of days then off we go. All we would need to book is flights and the car, the rest just go win the flow!!! Those slopes look deserted!!! I want to go!!!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Ricklovesthepowder, Drop me a line if you do - we've done it for the last 3 years, total freedom and easy too.
The slopes are pretty well deserted too 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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1. Jackson Hole;
2. Snowbird.
Steepish and snowy.
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