Sandi M. wrote:
Me and some friends are going to SLC around 20. December for 2-3 weeks for
skiing/snowboarding.

As we wanna do some off-piste/backcountry skiing (is there a difference
btw? Is offpiste patrolled and backcountry not? Sorry, might be different
in Europe) and on a shoestring as well, we we're thinking about getting the
Deal at Solitude: 6 days for $36/each

So do you think it's worth it? I mean will we get an easy access to the
lifts when we ski down? Honeycomb? Or is it better to get single ride
tickets (I know they got those at Brighton)?
What about the other resorts around (even in the north like Powder
Mountain)? Does somebody have a better suggestion than Solitude?

Thanks, Sandi

Backcountry means just that. You generally don't buy lift tickets if
you are doing backcountry skiing. You hike to where you want to go.
If Solitude lets you buy single ride tickets you could use those to
access the backcountry. There are usually gates at many of the ski
areas where you can access the backcountry. However, if you are
planning on doing this, you better know what you are doing and from the
sound of your post, it doesn't sound like you do.

Remember, in the backcountry, you are responsible for your own rescue
which can get very expensive if search and rescue needs to be called
in. You will need proper equipment including shovels, avi trancievers
and probe poles at a minimum. Plus the knowledge of how to use them,
how to read the terrain and how to choose a proper route. If you don't
have this equipment and knowledge then don't go into the backcountry.
If you haven't had an avalanche awareness course and some training on
how to use an avi trancever then you should stick to inbounds skiing.