If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Solitude - good deal when backcountry skiing?
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 |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Solitude - good deal when backcountry skiing?
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? SLC on a shoestring budget? Stay in Sandy (at the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon & Big Cottonwood Canyon), buy your discount tickets at this place: http://www.canyonsports.com/tickets.html before going up the canyon, and go where the best snow is. That may mean going to Park City, Snowbasin or Powder Mountain, or maybe even Sundance. Don't lock yourself into a particular plan - you may find that you can't even get up the canyon if it really dumps, in that situation drive around to one of the resorts you *can* get to. The deal you talk about is $10/day cheaper than buying them on a day-by day basis. $60 is $60, but the way I'd play it is to remain flexible. Do you have to use them on consecutive days? If not it's probably a viable way to go - three weeks in SLC, every third day at Solitude. There is easy access out of Honeycomb canyon via the lift they put in a few years ago. Much to the consternation of the locals. You could probably yo-yo Honeycomb for six days straight and never take the same route twice. BTW, Solitude sells tickets by the ride too. $55 for ten rides. If you're serious about spending most of your time backcountry that may be the way to go. Powder Mountain has cheap cat skiing - you might want to check that out one of the days you're there. good Luck. Have fun. //Walt |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Solitude - good deal when backcountry skiing?
Sandi M. wrote:
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) Not only no formal prepared runs in the backcountry, but no lifts either... Pete. -- Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/ |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Solitude - good deal when backcountry skiing?
SLC on a shoestring budget? Stay in Sandy (at the base of Little
Cottonwood Canyon & Big Cottonwood Canyon), buy your discount tickets at this place: http://www.canyonsports.com/tickets.html before going up the canyon, and go where the best snow is. That may mean going to Park City, Snowbasin or Powder Mountain, or maybe even Sundance. Don't lock yourself into a particular plan - you may find that you can't even get up the canyon if it really dumps, in that situation drive around to one of the resorts you *can* get to. Well I found a cheap place to stay in downtown. I know that Sandy is pretty good located, but I cannot find any affordable places to stay there(well they only one I found looks kind of crappy...). And for skiing Powder mountain SLC is probably a bit too far away, so I'd prefer to stay somewhere there. I heard that Powder Mountain's supposed to be really good and that Park City has some decent backcountry as well (...experiendes...), but the snow seems to be better in Solitude, right? The deal you talk about is $10/day cheaper than buying them on a day-by day basis. $60 is $60, but the way I'd play it is to remain flexible. Do you have to use them on consecutive days? If not it's probably a viable way to go - three weeks in SLC, every third day at Solitude. Thanks, I already knew the page for affordable tickets. The good thing is that you DON't have to use them on consecutive days, so it seems to be a good deal! And we're still flexible... There is easy access out of Honeycomb canyon via the lift they put in a few years ago. Much to the consternation of the locals. You could probably yo-yo Honeycomb for six days straight and never take the same route twice. Ah, saw it on the trail map! Right, looks awesome! But what about the other resorts? Are there some where you will end up on a lift after a backcountry ride and be able to make more than just one run?Or will you end up in the middle of nowhere and need to find a way back out of the middle of nowhere? What about Snowbird and Brigton (too easy?)? BTW, Solitude sells tickets by the ride too. $55 for ten rides. If you're serious about spending most of your time backcountry that may be the way to go. Powder Mountain has cheap cat skiing - you might want to check that out one of the days you're there. That sounds awesome! good Luck. Have fun. //Walt Thanks :-) |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Solitude - good deal when backcountry skiing?
But in Solitude there seems to be one at least :-)
Peter Clinch wrote: Sandi M. wrote: 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) Not only no formal prepared runs in the backcountry, but no lifts either... Pete. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Solitude - good deal when backcountry skiing?
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. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Solitude - good deal when backcountry skiing?
The "off-piste/backcountry skiing" was more a language question. I'm no
native english speaker, so I was just wondering. We all have the right equipment (and we know how to use them) and we've done regular trips in the Alps, both backcountry and for convenience off-piste in some resorts. But I know that meteorological conditions are very different in the Alps and the Wasatch. Even if being an expert for the Alps (I don't wanna claim being that, but at least I have some experiences), it doesn't mean you're one for the Wasatch (probably similar for Canadian Rockies and Wasatch for example). But as you seem to know what you're talking about: How is it with avalanche formation especially there? I guess, as the snow is less dense and more powdery, that you won't find the typical layering (with more slippery layers in between) as in the Alps as sublimation, due to less humidity, prevails. And the temperatures are higher as well. But just my guess. What are your experiences concerning the main dangers (compared to other locations)? Thanks for the critics, you're absolutely right! 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. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Solitude - good deal when backcountry skiing?
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? You possibly need to do some more research if this is a serious question. Or, putting it another way, it really sounds like what you are looking for is in bounds un-groomed skiing which is NOT backcountry in spite of how some idiot resorts are flogging it. If that's what you're after, just about any western mountain and probably most bigger eastern mountains offer un-groomed on the off-piste (piste=trail loosely, so off-piste=off the groomed trail.) Just go looking for it. If you are really intent on real backcountry a few resorts offer lifts that let you access backcountry, although the purist would say one should hike up anyway. Solitude is one such. BUT if you are doing real backcountry you need at the least beacon, shovel, probe, pack with emergency gear, first aid kit, some food, water, AND an avalanche class with on-slope practice and beacon practice, AND preferably an several experienced skiers in your party. FYI several outfits offer classes in the whole show often over a long weekend culminating in a back country trip with overnight. Look into those to gain basic experience and then head on out - welcome to freedom. Hint: Honeycomb Canyon is NOT backcountry - there's a dam lift, even. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Solitude - good deal when backcountry skiing?
Sandi M. wrote:
SLC on a shoestring budget? Stay in Sandy (at the base of Little Well I found a cheap place to stay in downtown. I know that Sandy is pretty good located, but I cannot find any affordable places to stay there(well they only one I found looks kind of crappy...). Try this place: http://www.utahvacationhomes.com/default.aspx We rented one of their units last December - quite affordable, convienently located. I heard that Powder Mountain's supposed to be really good and that Park City has some decent backcountry as well (...experiendes...), but the snow seems to be better in Solitude, right? Higher elevations generally mean better conditions, especially in early & late season. Alta & Snowbird get the most snow, followed by Solitude and Brighton. But if you're looking for freshies, what's important is where the last storm tracked, not where the seasonal average is highest. Hence my advice to park yourself in Sandy and stay loose. The deal you talk about is $10/day cheaper than buying them on a day-by day basis. $60 is $60, but the way I'd play it is to remain flexible. Do you have to use them on consecutive days? If not it's probably a viable way to go - three weeks in SLC, every third day at Solitude. Thanks, I already knew the page for affordable tickets. The good thing is that you DON't have to use them on consecutive days, so it seems to be a good deal! And we're still flexible... You could do much worse than spending three weeks in SLC and skiing Solitude every third day. Are there some where you will end up on a lift after a backcountry ride and be able to make more than just one run? Or will you end up in the middle of nowhere and need to find a way back out of the middle of nowhere? Generally "backcountry" means that there are no lifts. But if you are looking for large swaths of ungroomed natural snow on natural terrain that's accessible via lifts, yes that's readily available. Especially at Alta. What about Snowbird and Brigton (too easy?)? "Snowbird" and "easy" are rarely used in the same sentence. Brighton has abundant easy terrain, but there's some challenging terrain there too if you look for it. Don't ever go to Brighton on a Saturday. //Walt |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Solitude - good deal when backcountry skiing?
Walt wrote:
Sandi M. wrote: SLC on a shoestring budget? Stay in Sandy (at the base of Little Well I found a cheap place to stay in downtown. I know that Sandy is pretty good located, but I cannot find any affordable places to stay there(well they only one I found looks kind of crappy...). Try this place: http://www.utahvacationhomes.com/default.aspx We rented one of their units last December - quite affordable, convienently located. looks nice, but as everywhere they're rising the prices during the holidays. Think we stay in SLC downtown. Haven't checked it out, but there's supposed to be a good bus system to the resorts as well, right? If not- we got a car I heard that Powder Mountain's supposed to be really good and that Park City has some decent backcountry as well (...experiendes...), but the snow seems to be better in Solitude, right? Higher elevations generally mean better conditions, especially in early & late season. Alta & Snowbird get the most snow, followed by Solitude and Brighton. But if you're looking for freshies, what's important is where the last storm tracked, not where the seasonal average is highest. Hence my advice to park yourself in Sandy and stay loose. The deal you talk about is $10/day cheaper than buying them on a day-by day basis. $60 is $60, but the way I'd play it is to remain flexible. Do you have to use them on consecutive days? If not it's probably a viable way to go - three weeks in SLC, every third day at Solitude. Thanks, I already knew the page for affordable tickets. The good thing is that you DON't have to use them on consecutive days, so it seems to be a good deal! And we're still flexible... You could do much worse than spending three weeks in SLC and skiing Solitude every third day. Are there some where you will end up on a lift after a backcountry ride and be able to make more than just one run? Or will you end up in the middle of nowhere and need to find a way back out of the middle of nowhere? Generally "backcountry" means that there are no lifts. But if you are looking for large swaths of ungroomed natural snow on natural terrain that's accessible via lifts, yes that's readily available. Especially at Alta. What about Snowbird and Brigton (too easy?)? "Snowbird" and "easy" are rarely used in the same sentence. Brighton has abundant easy terrain, but there's some challenging terrain there too if you look for it. Don't ever go to Brighton on a Saturday. The "easy" was related to Brighton only. Yeah, I heard that it's kind of crowded on weekend. We'll avoid going there on weekends! //Walt |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Skid, slip, and carved turn | yunlong | Alpine Skiing | 96 | February 22nd 05 07:27 PM |
Is this a good package deal on Sims equipment? | Arnold | Snowboarding | 2 | December 19th 03 12:07 AM |
Barely Used Rossignol Bandit XX for $400...Good Deal? | nafod40 | Alpine Skiing | 4 | November 12th 03 11:13 PM |
Skiing in North America over Christmas - Do not want to go to Whistler. How about Fernie or Kirkwood? | Markus Hornkvist | Alpine Skiing | 51 | October 10th 03 02:48 PM |
very good deal on bonfire stuff | Dave Wang | Snowboarding | 3 | July 31st 03 03:35 PM |