Best Skiing in Western US

[Mens Rea]

Gentlemen,

I'm planning on heading west this year to ski, and I was wondering if any of you had any recommendations. I'm an advanced skier with a preference for glades and backcountry stuff. I've been to Vail/Beaver Creek and Park City/Deer Valley/Canyons. This year, we're considering several places, including Lake Tahoe and Whistler. Jackson Hole is at the top of the list.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

[jba]

jackson hole/grand targhee is the shizzle but can be hit/miss snow conditions.

SLC is always the best bet if you're booking months in advance, IMHO

[Boris]

So far it's been a kick ass snow year in the Rockies. This being the case, I'd go with Jackson Hole. Also consider Big Mountain in Whitefish, MT if they have good snow. If you go there you can also drive (2 hrs) to Fernie in southern BC. This little mountain rocks when they have snow. Steep and deep.

[Mens Rea]

Thanks guys - I'm definetly leaning toward Jackson Hole. From what I hear, the terrain is outstanding. What are the extracurriculars like? Any particular spots I should hit?

[kenberman]

Jackson has awesome terrain, no doubt, particularly with their open gates. well worth a guide for a few hours. the snow at Jackson is great as well.

Alta has comparable terrain, and even better snow. if you dislike hiking and/or have snowboarders in your crew, then avoid Alta. otherwise, the winter skiing at Alta might be the best in the USA.

My 3rd choice would be the Tahoe area, particularly if your trip is late in the season (March onward). Squaw is famous of course, but Alpine Meadows (same ridge as Squaw) and Kirkwood both have sick terrain. All 3 places get dumped on throughout the year, leaving a base big enough to hold up to the spring warmth/sunshine. You can even stay in South Lake and gamboool. Spring skiing at Tahoe is probably my favorite skiing in the world. see my picture (1st one) in the "Post a cool picture you've taken" thread, just a few down.

I've never been to Whistler, but from what I know the terrain is good. Snowfall is not as good as any of the above places, and it can rain. nightlife is outstanding.

[skiier04]

From my limited western skiing experience I have enjoyed Steamboat the best.... of course over 4' of snow the week I was there helped a little /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[kenberman]

Steamboat does get some good snow, and has good glades. it doesn't have the steeps/hardcore terrain that some other places do. nice town. nice spot for a group or family.

Can't go wrong with Jackson Hole or Whistler. Also, if you ever go back to SLC, do yourself a favor and skip Park City and go to SnowBird. Tahoe is a good choice if you want to get some gambling in as well.

[Mens Rea]

Whoa, whoa - slow down...

Did you just say there is poker in Tahoe?

That could sway things a bit.

[kenberman]

Harrahs has some low-mid limit action decent little room. I think Harvey's does as well. Search the B&M forum for up to date details.

these casinos are basically at the base of Heavenly, which has a bit of good terrain, but is mostly for cruising. good for 1 day.

this location is NOT ideal for skiing at any of the better places mentioned above. if you rent a car, about 45 minutes away

[spsurfin_Michael]

The next time you ski in Utah, the best kept secret is "Powder Mountain". You can ski the backside of the mountain if you are into deep powder and extreme black diamond sking on open terain. When you hit the bottom of the hill--which is hte road--buses run every 15 min. and will pick you up and bring you back to the resort.

Yeah, Reno is like 45 minutes away and there are a couple of casinos in South Tahoe. Haven't played poker there, maybe somebody can give you more info.

[jba]

[ QUOTE ]
The next time you ski in Utah, the best kept secret is "Powder Mountain". You can ski the backside of the mountain if you are into deep powder and extreme black diamond sking on open terain. When you hit the bottom of the hill--which is hte road--buses run every 15 min. and will pick you up and bring you back to the resort.

[/ QUOTE ]


shhhh powder mountain is for the locals (seriously though it is the [censored])

snowbasin is also in that neighborhood (like 1 hr north of SLC) and it expanded a lot for the olympics, there is a lot of very good terrain up there.

[ISF]

I would consider mammouth. Thats my favorite resort out west. Whistler village is a good time, but the conditions arent always that great. Often pretty wet snow.

[spsurfin_Michael]

[ QUOTE ]
shhhh powder mountain is for the locals (seriously though it is the [censored])

[/ QUOTE ]

I used to be a local /images/graemlins/wink.gif /images/graemlins/wink.gif I miss that big old hill /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[bennyk]

[ QUOTE ]
Steamboat does get some good snow, and has good glades. it doesn't have the steeps/hardcore terrain that some other places do.

[/ QUOTE ]

Steamboat doesn't have as much of this type of terrian, but it's absolutely there.

As far as snow conditions, there will be a least a 65" base by the time I get there on Thursday. So stay away.

[ThinkQuick]

Any experts on the Canadian Rockies this year?

[BadBoyBenny]

If it's only skiing and not nightlife you are after, and you are into powder, Aleyeska is your answer.

I've been to Whistler a couple times and thought it was overrated, but never caught a serious amount of fresh snow.

[slamdunkpro]

If you liked Vail, and you want to go back to Colorado try Keystone or Breckenridge (you can do both on the same trip). Big Sky Montana is another good choice. Jackson Hole is great!

Tahoe is Sierra cement – heavy wet snow most of the time. Getting good snow at Whistler is like hitting the lottery – the elevation is so low that you can get rain halfway up the mountain. I’ve never had a good week at Whistler.

The way the snow has been this year I’d head for Colorado.

[jba]

"Aleyeska" are you kidding? that place sucks and boy is it out of the way

Vail. Blue Sky Basin behind the back bowls is unbelievable when it dumps.

[BadBoyBenny]

[ QUOTE ]
"Aleyeska" are you kidding? that place sucks and boy is it out of the way


[/ QUOTE ]

Every time I have been there it gets somewhwere in the neighborhood of 2-3 feet of fresh powder a week. And the north face has excellent runs.

[bicyclekick]

[ QUOTE ]
jackson hole/grand targhee is the shizzle but can be hit/miss snow conditions.

SLC is always the best bet if you're booking months in advance, IMHO

[/ QUOTE ]

Grand targhee hit or miss for snow? Ha. They're probably the MOST consistant when it comes to snow year in and year out. We actualy got too much snow the week we were there...86". 45" one night...just a little too much. Jackson not quite as consistant but still they do decent...better than most CO resorts. The hobacks are sweet at Jhole.

SLC - Alta is my personal fav of all areas. Snowbasin is sweet and out of the way (both a plus and a minus...a little over an hour drive from SLC)

Big mountain is pretty cool in MT. Can be really foggy though.

Most of CO is for people who want a 'ski vacation' more than they want skiing. A lot of the CO areas feel resorty and are crowded. They work well for a lot of people...but in reality don't actually get half as much snow as a number of other places.

Gonna spend most of the winter after xmas out west...I can hardly wait!

[Leaky Eye]

I prefer SLC (Little Cottonwood Canyon), then Jackson Hole. Because of my location I mostly go to Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows though. As someone said earlier, these are the best spring skiing locations in the country. Once you learn to love the endless sun and slush anyway /images/graemlins/smile.gif On a clear day you can see Mt Diablo from the peaks at Squaw.

[w_alloy]

[ QUOTE ]
"Aleyeska" are you kidding? that place sucks

[/ QUOTE ]

This is an absolutely ludicrous comment. I have skied all over and had some of my absolutely best runs at Alyeska. North Face on a powder day is incredible. Not many other places you can you find lots of 40+% pitch runs for 2500 vertical, with almost 600 inches annual.

Edit to add something relevent to the topic: I would def. go to Jackson. If you want to go to tahoe, and like steep backountry, go to alpine. I am in Reno right now and most of the good local skier/snowboarders I know have passes to alpine.

But (barring weather) you really cant go wrong.

[banditbdl]

If you're looking for glades/backcountry then there are many answers but Alta is the best I've been to.

[Mens Rea]

[ QUOTE ]
Vail. Blue Sky Basin behind the back bowls is unbelievable when it dumps.

[/ QUOTE ]

Probably the best skiing of my life so far. Last winter while I was there, they were getting new snow every night. Unbelievable.

And to answer someone's point above - I am looking for skiing - not a ski vacation. Just me and a couple guys who are all better than average skiiers. The resort is not really a concern - no families. Just skiing.

[bicyclekick]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Vail. Blue Sky Basin behind the back bowls is unbelievable when it dumps.

[/ QUOTE ]

Probably the best skiing of my life so far. Last winter while I was there, they were getting new snow every night. Unbelievable.

And to answer someone's point above - I am looking for skiing - not a ski vacation. Just me and a couple guys who are all better than average skiiers. The resort is not really a concern - no families. Just skiing.

[/ QUOTE ]

I hate to bring the P word in...but think of it like this -

If what you want out of a ski trip is fresh snow and lots of it (and that's what it sounds like)...call it EFS...expected fresh snow...then colorado is generally not the place to go. Colorado has one of the lower EFS values. They're (CO) is off to a super year so far though this year...

That's not to say you can't get big dumps or have a fantastic freaking time in colorado or any of the other places that don't get as much snow, it's just that so many people have pretty big misconceptions about snow in the west.

I recommend checking out this site (http://members.aol.com/crockeraf/). They keep historical of almost all the resorts and keep you up to date on who's got what snow with updates every week or so:

[trying2learn]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Telluride - one of my favs - though it's been 5 or 6 years since I've been.

[bicyclekick]

Yeah telluride is on my list of places to check out this year...they're hurting for snow so far though. I hear great terrain, though.

[trotski]

If you have any desire to hit the Pacific Northwest, Mount Baker is excellent (especially since it's on your way to Whistler). But my fave in Washington state is Mission Ridge. Driest snow in the state, since it's on the east side of the mountains, and the best-kept secret here. Although that could change since they put in a high speed quad.

I can't compare it to Tahoe or Colorado, since I've never been, but MR is fantastic.

[kenberman]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Vail. Blue Sky Basin behind the back bowls is unbelievable when it dumps.

[/ QUOTE ]

Probably the best skiing of my life so far. Last winter while I was there, they were getting new snow every night. Unbelievable.

And to answer someone's point above - I am looking for skiing - not a ski vacation. Just me and a couple guys who are all better than average skiiers. The resort is not really a concern - no families. Just skiing.

[/ QUOTE ]

I hate to bring the P word in...but think of it like this -

If what you want out of a ski trip is fresh snow and lots of it (and that's what it sounds like)...call it EFS...expected fresh snow...then colorado is generally not the place to go. Colorado has one of the lower EFS values. They're (CO) is off to a super year so far though this year...

That's not to say you can't get big dumps or have a fantastic freaking time in colorado or any of the other places that don't get as much snow, it's just that so many people have pretty big misconceptions about snow in the west.

I recommend checking out this site (http://members.aol.com/crockeraf/). They keep historical of almost all the resorts and keep you up to date on who's got what snow with updates every week or so:

[/ QUOTE ]

This is why I have basically 3 ski areas on my rotation of Western trips. Jackson, Alta, and Alpine/Squaw/Kirkwood.

there are valid reasons to go other places, but for a ski trip with other good skiers, I don't think you can beat those 3 areas.

[Boris]

The word from my buddy who lives in Bozeman is that Big Sky is having one of its best snow years in recent memory so far. They also put in a new resort on the backside of Lone peak. Might want to check it out.

[bicyclekick]

[ QUOTE ]
If you have any desire to hit the Pacific Northwest, Mount Baker is excellent (especially since it's on your way to Whistler).

[/ QUOTE ]

Almost went to baker a couple weeks ago when they were getting dumped on but couldn't find anyone else that could go. /images/graemlins/mad.gif /images/graemlins/mad.gif /images/graemlins/mad.gif

[trotski]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If you have any desire to hit the Pacific Northwest, Mount Baker is excellent (especially since it's on your way to Whistler).

[/ QUOTE ]

Almost went to baker a couple weeks ago when they were getting dumped on but couldn't find anyone else that could go. /images/graemlins/mad.gif /images/graemlins/mad.gif /images/graemlins/mad.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Bah, that sucks. At one point in November, Baker had the deepest base in N.America...crazy snowfall this year.

[bicyclekick]

[ QUOTE ]

Bah, that sucks. At one point in November, Baker had the deepest base in N.America...crazy snowfall this year.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, I know. It was sick. Really a shame.

Now it looks like the snow is shutting off til at least christmas. At least big dumps. A few 6" here and there mb but nothing worth travelling for. Then of course it's crazy times for ski areas cause of xmas break so looks like I really wont be getting out til after the new year. LAME!!

[stoxtrader]

another vote for jackson hole here. depending on how flexible you are though I pick 5 places you would like and check snow reports.

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Taos. For a strong skier (no snowboards), taos is awesome.

Who said they liked vail? vail is terrible for a strong skier. Most of colorado isso-so, but they do have good snow this year. telluride, winter park and crested butte pretty much the best mountains in CO i think. I've never been to steamboat, but heard good things about the glades, not the steeps though.

The steeps at taos is awesome. The backcountry at jackson is awesome.

[Mens Rea]

I'm not really that flexible. I'm from the east coast, so this thing is going to have to get set up in advance. I'm looking at February, so I'll probably have to book near Jan 1.

Regarding Vail - I can see what you mean about Vail not being the greatest for an advanced skier. I found the majority of the trails there to be fairly pedestrian. However, I still thought the blue sky basin was fantastic. I can't remember the trail name, but that one wall on the left side of the mountain coming up the main lift - outstanding. Also, there were some rediculously steep, tight, paths through the woods that were insane.

So, from what everyone says, its starting to look like Jackson Hole. I'll keep checking for opinions.

I appreciate all your opinions

[benza13]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Steamboat does get some good snow, and has good glades. it doesn't have the steeps/hardcore terrain that some other places do.

[/ QUOTE ]

Steamboat doesn't have as much of this type of terrian, but it's absolutely there.

As far as snow conditions, there will be a least a 65" base by the time I get there on Thursday. So stay away.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm living in Steamboat this year. We got 9' in about 2 weeks, then its been a week of bluebird. Dumping again today though. Almost the whole mountain open. Most snow in Colorado still (we were tops in the country for a while, not sure about this one now). If you know the right spots you can get freshies up to a week after the last storm sometimes.

That said, the mountain is a little tame, without hiking there aren't too many steeps, and many of the glades are already heavily tracked and will need a big (3'+) storm to be really good again. Its still one of my favorite mountains, just a much better place for cruising groomers than for the most challenging terrain.

Edited to add: If you haven't been to Jackson Hole and are looking for some challenging stuff, go there immediately, you won't regret it.

[onthebutton]

[ QUOTE ]

Who said they liked vail? vail is terrible for a strong skier. Most of colorado isso-so, but they do have good snow this year. telluride, winter park and crested butte pretty much the best mountains in CO i think. I've never been to steamboat, but heard good things about the glades, not the steeps though.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agree on Telluride and Crested Butte. If the snow is good, the terrain is fantastic. If you're looking for a place that always has great snow, and isn't as busy as big resorts, you might want to check out Wolf Creek and Purgatory in Colorado. Best snow I've ever been on between the two, and always lots of it.

[brick]

Whistler has a cool town and tons of vertical.
1 mile of vertical drop is pretty awesome. It's been a good year so far but it can get warm and rainy at the low elevations.

Utah is the best bet for consistent powder.

One of my best friends from college is from Baker and he says it is amazing. Most snowfall in the US annually and always skiing fresh tracks. After the new years, I will probably ski patrol in CO for the rest of the ski season.

[Ray Zee]

jackson gets some terribly cold weather. be prepared for it as its not like skiing in tahoe. last few years has been mild so some are spoiled.
best snow is on the west side of mountains as thats where it drops. east side resorts get drier snow but much less.
big mountain whitefsih and fernie are small town atmosphere. nice. with no lift lines.
alpine in tahoe is great and sunny with mild weather. no back country. thats my favorite and it has some steep stuff.

[kenberman]

[ QUOTE ]
jackson gets some terribly cold weather. be prepared for it as its not like skiing in tahoe. last few years has been mild so some are spoiled.
best snow is on the west side of mountains as thats where it drops. east side resorts get drier snow but much less.
big mountain whitefsih and fernie are small town atmosphere. nice. with no lift lines.
alpine in tahoe is great and sunny with mild weather. no back country. thats my favorite and it has some steep stuff.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ray! come ski with me at Stowe or Jay Peak sometime. makes Jackson seem as warm as Alpine /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Leaky Eye]

[ QUOTE ]
Yeah telluride is on my list of places to check out this year...they're hurting for snow so far though. I hear great terrain, though.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you are going to the San Juan mountains Taos is worth checking out as well.