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#1
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need advice on Alta/Snowbird
I am arriving to SLC in March and I will have 6 days for skiing from
March 14. I want to maximize my powder time; don't need any afterski. Where would you recommend to stay and to ski? I need simple accomodation (1 person). Is it worth of staying in SLC or it's better to stay in resort (Alta/Snowbird)? Sholud I split my time between Alta and Snowbird? What about lift tickets. Any advice and recommendations are highly appreciated, Paul (P.S.: I am arriving from Europe, I've never been skiing in US before) |
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#2
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paulk wrote:
I am arriving to SLC in March and I will have 6 days for skiing from March 14. I want to maximize my powder time; don't need any afterski. Where would you recommend to stay and to ski? I need simple accomodation (1 person). Is it worth of staying in SLC or it's better to stay in resort (Alta/Snowbird)? (P.S.: I am arriving from Europe, I've never been skiing in US before) Some observations: 1) There is no guarantee that there'll be fresh powder. (although the week you've chosen is a good bet) 2) If there is a powder dump, the road up to the canyon may be closed. 3) If there is a powder dump, you may not be able to ski until they finish the avi control, even if you stay on-site. If you're coming all the way from Europe to ski powder, you probably want to spend the extra money to stay at the resort instead of staying in town. That way you're positioned to nab it if there's a dump. See the three observations above. Staying at the resort is more expensive than staying in town, but you can offset that somewhat by not renting a car. You don't need a car - Alta and Snowbird are quite close together and serviced by inter-resort shuttles. There's also a bus that goes to Big Cottonwood Canyon with Solitude and Brighton. As for inexpensive accomodations in Little Cottonwood Canyon, please let me know if you find any. I haven't. There's a hostel-style place in Park City that rents dorm beds for $30 night http://www.chateauapres.com/ , but it's in PC which gets less powder than Alta/Snowbird. And of course there are a large number of inexpensive motels in town - stay in Sandy or Midvale for easy access to LCC/BCC. Sholud I split my time between Alta and Snowbird? I'd say ski each one the first two days, then see what you think. I greatly prefer Alta, but YMMV. A day trip to Solitude would be worth doing. If you rent a car and stay in town, you might consider driving around to Park City for a taste of what you're not missing. Or not. What about lift tickets. You can get discount lift tickets at the ski rental kiosk at the airport. Buy 'em while you're waiting for your luggage. If you stay in town and rent a car, you can get discounts from http://www.canyonsports.com/tickets.html Once you're up the canyon you're paying full price. -- //-Walt // // There is no Völkl Conspiracy |
#3
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On 2/28/2005 12:53 PM, Walt wrote:
paulk wrote: I am arriving to SLC in March and I will have 6 days for skiing from March 14. I want to maximize my powder time; don't need any afterski. Where would you recommend to stay and to ski? I need simple accomodation (1 person). Is it worth of staying in SLC or it's better to stay in resort (Alta/Snowbird)? (P.S.: I am arriving from Europe, I've never been skiing in US before) Some observations: 1) There is no guarantee that there'll be fresh powder. (although the week you've chosen is a good bet) 2) If there is a powder dump, the road up to the canyon may be closed. 3) If there is a powder dump, you may not be able to ski until they finish the avi control, even if you stay on-site. If you're coming all the way from Europe to ski powder, you probably want to spend the extra money to stay at the resort instead of staying in town. That way you're positioned to nab it if there's a dump. See the three observations above. Staying at the resort is more expensive than staying in town, but you can offset that somewhat by not renting a car. You don't need a car - Alta and Snowbird are quite close together and serviced by inter-resort shuttles. There's also a bus that goes to Big Cottonwood Canyon with Solitude and Brighton. As for inexpensive accomodations in Little Cottonwood Canyon, please let me know if you find any. I haven't. There's a hostel-style place in Park City that rents dorm beds for $30 night http://www.chateauapres.com/ , but it's in PC which gets less powder than Alta/Snowbird. And of course there are a large number of inexpensive motels in town - stay in Sandy or Midvale for easy access to LCC/BCC. Sholud I split my time between Alta and Snowbird? I'd say ski each one the first two days, then see what you think. I greatly prefer Alta, but YMMV. A day trip to Solitude would be worth doing. If you rent a car and stay in town, you might consider driving around to Park City for a taste of what you're not missing. Or not. What about lift tickets. You can get discount lift tickets at the ski rental kiosk at the airport. Buy 'em while you're waiting for your luggage. If you stay in town and rent a car, you can get discounts from http://www.canyonsports.com/tickets.html Once you're up the canyon you're paying full price. What is the discount at the airport in SLC? D |
#5
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"paulk" writes:
I am arriving to SLC in March and I will have 6 days for skiing from March 14. I want to maximize my powder time; don't need any afterski. Where would you recommend to stay and to ski? You are describing Alta to a "T". Alta is elemental. There is nothing at Alta other than skiing, eating and sleeping. There is no afterski at Alta. None whatsoever. You eat at your lodge. You eat what your lodge is serving that night. Some lodges, (eg Alta Lodge and Rustler) have a couple of selections for main course. At others (eg Snowpine) you get what they're serving. (Fortunately, it's good). If you're there six days in March, you are very likely to get at least one good dump of the finest powder you have ever skiied. Alta's the best spot in the US for lift-served powder. Don't expect to ski groomers; they groom the bottom of one side of the hill and a few boulevards, but otherwise it's ungroomed. I just got back from three days of skiing, during which it snowed -- heavily and constantly -- for two days. There's lots and lots of snow on the mountain, so you'll have great skiing even if you don't get a dump while you're there. And there's no snowboarding, so the hill doesn't get scraped up. I need simple accomodation (1 person). Good, because that's all you'll get! If you're on your own and don't mind sharing a room with a dozen or more others of your gender, you can get a bunk in the dorm at one of the lodges. Rustler and Alta Lodge are what passes for luxury. Snowpine is quaint and basic. The Peruvian is a frathouse. (If you don't know what a frathouse is, the movie Animal House will acquaint you with the idea). Is it worth of staying in SLC or it's better to stay in resort (Alta/Snowbird)? Stay at the mountain. While prices may seem higher, remember that your meals are included. You don't want to miss any skiing if they close the roads to the canyon. Besides, you want to be there when they open the lift. At Alta, you can get on the lift 45 minutes early if you hire an instructor for the morning. You get to lay first tracks all over the mountain. It's a good idea anyway, as it can be tricky for first-timers to figure out how to get to the really good stuff. Sholud I split my time between Alta and Snowbird? What about lift tickets. For a premium, you can get a combined ticket for Alta and Snowbird. There are several passes between them. You might want to do it for a day and see how you like Snowbird. Snowbird has some interesting terrain, but I spend all my time at Alta. Alta has some of the lowest lift prices of any major spot in the US. (P.S.: I am arriving from Europe, I've never been skiing in US before) You've picked the right spot. -- dhs |
#6
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David Spencer threw down the gauntlet:
Alta's the best spot in the US for lift-served powder. Implying he's never been to Targhee. Alta may be second best, which is still PDG. |
#7
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On 3/1/2005 3:35 PM, David Spencer wrote:
"paulk" writes: I am arriving to SLC in March and I will have 6 days for skiing from March 14. I want to maximize my powder time; don't need any afterski. Where would you recommend to stay and to ski? You are describing Alta to a "T". Alta is elemental. There is nothing at Alta other than skiing, eating and sleeping. There is no afterski at Alta. None whatsoever. There is no place to have a nice beer or drink and relax to talk? |
#8
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#9
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writes:
On 3/1/2005 3:35 PM, David Spencer wrote: Alta is elemental. There is nothing at Alta other than skiing, eating and sleeping. There is no afterski at Alta. None whatsoever. There is no place to have a nice beer or drink and relax to talk? Sure. Each lodge has a bar and public sitting area for its guests. The selection varies from a half-dozen wines, beers and spirits to a full bar. Very relaxing. But that's it. No partying (except at the Peruvian ....). Which is just fine with me. When they say, "Alta is for skiers", they aren't kidding. -- dhs |
#10
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You're right alta is low key,though snowbird has the Tram bar which is
kind of fun. However,I just got done skiing alta/snowbird ect from mar10 to 16th and there has been no new snow for about 3 weeks save for an occasional dusting. The conditions sucked to be honest,very hard and scrapey. A real dissapointment,as alta can be the best. Get out the carving skiis. Just goes to show that base isn't everything. |
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