Skiing in the US?

[Paco Anton]

Every march I go skiing to to the French Alps with a bunch of friends. We have been going to the same resort (Avoriaz) for the last 4 years and someone suggested this year we could explore other resorts, so we have been thinking about skiing in the US.

The pros of going back to Avoriaz are many: cheap flights ($120 to Geneva), cheap lodging, no queuing in the lifts, 400 miles of runs in 14 interconnected resorts, skiing from the appartment doorstep (the resort is located at 5000 ft), ...

However, I think we are due for a change of scenario and I wonder if there is a place in the US where it can be worth it the effort and extra expense to do a "once in a lifetime ski trip" while on a moderate budget. I have heard about Aspen, Vail and Tahoe but have also read about high prices and long queues

We are exploring other options in Europe but Switzerland is too expensive and Austrian resorts are smaller compared with the French ones.

What do you guys say?

[KFC911]

There is an old saying "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence"...it simply isn't true.
In your case: "The snow is always whiter on the other side of the pond" probably isn't true either.

[stomachmonkey]

Expensive.

Way different culture in terms of behaviour.

Personally I prefer to base out of Innsbruck.

A-Basin is great skiing and really laid back.

You also have Keystone and Breckenridge and can do a 3 mountain pass.

I also like Steamboat.

[ckissick]

I think Utah has the best skiing.

[widgeon13]

My number one location has always been Alta, Utah. If you get lucky you'll have a dump and they will close the access road up the valley until cleared of avalanche danger. Anyway you look at it, great skiing, great food and beautiful scenery. It ain't cheap but what is these days.

[Don Plumley]

Here's my two euro cents:

California/Sierra Nevada (Squaw, Alpine, Northstar, Heavenly): Beautiful. Great skiing. Apres ski limited. New villages at Northstar and Squaw a pale comparison to Europe (what they are trying to emulate).

Utah (Alta, Snowbird, Park City): Best powder, great resorts. Alta kicks, but a bit isolated - best ski trip of my life.

Colorado (Vail): Best village/apres ski - probably closest to Europe

East Coast: Just say no. Snow dicey, ice.

Coming from an European perspective, your total package: Sights, Apres ski, environment would be really hard to top. Stay on the continent or go someplace unique like Japan, New Zealand...

[intakexhaust]

I'd say you've spoiled yourself nicely but if you want a flavor of Western America, you might like Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Good runs there to push yourself and for more advanced levels. When there, take one day and drive to Grand Targhee in Alta, Wyoming. A smaller hideaway always with big beautiful feeling powder and refreshing atmosphere.

Not so sure I'd suggest Squaw, Northstar, Alpine as mentioned above. Smaller, busy crowded. But YES to Heavenly.

Colorado's Vail bowls and lots of terrain to cover. I still like the town of Aspen for it's charm and laid back feeling with great skiing. Maybe Steamboat, seems family orientated.

Utah as always. Just fabulous feeling powder dumps. Park City will happily trap you. Yes indeed to Alta.

Sorry, but wouldn't suggest Eastern resorts. Hardpack heavy feeling snow, sometimes ice. It would be different if you lived in the states and wanted to explore the resorts, but no comparison to the west. Good luck.

[stealthn]

What about Canada?

Whistler is awesome and Lake Louise is a must do....

[crb07]

Sunshine and Lake Louise are great, plus a side trip to Kicking Horse when the vis is good, no lift lines to speak of except a few minutes during Easter- hard to beat. Though a little on the cold side in Jan-Feb but I am from Florida.

[kanadary]

try whistler. we were there during presidents week and the lines weren't too bad. the mountain closes early though

[450knotOffice]

I have to agree with stealthn about western Canada.

In the US, I've skiied Colorado and California. Vail is great for those immense back bowls but I'm not impressed with the front side or the completely fake looking "village".

Breckenridge is pretty big and has everything for every level of skier AND has a cool old-west feel to the town, which began life as a frontier mining town. Also, it sits in a big beautiful valley.

As for California, if you're into immense crowds (from the gambling town at its base) and generally ho-hum skiing, go for Heavenly. It IS big though, but I personally avoid that place.

Squaw is a fun mountain, and home to the '64 Olympics, but there's really nothing to do there, Apres Ski - at least when I was there ten years ago.

Mammoth Mountain in the central Sierra is a huge mountain with all sorts of terrain, but it can get really crowded on the weekends. Weekdays are fine though with no lift lines anywhere but at the base lifts. The town leaves much to be desired though. It's spread out and mostly pretty boring. However, they have begun to build a little "village" of sorts that has a few bars, restaurants, and shops all in one place.

For me, Austria had great skiing, a great view, and a fun Apres'-ski. However, the mind set at the lift lines was amazingly rude. One entry point into a lift line, which created mass pushing and shoving, with a biggest man wins attitude. It was very different from the organized, multi-lane, and controlled-entry onto the lifts that are the norm at North American ski resorts. Frankly, it greatly soured the actual skiing experience for me. Everything else though was awesome.

[Neilk]

I think one of the big differences between the US and Europe, besides the higher tree line, is that your food options will be limited to burgers and pizza. When we went to Courchevel many years ago, I remember eating one great lunch after another while never leaving the slopes.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by 450knotOffice

.....the mind set at the lift lines was amazingly rude. One entry point into a lift line, which created mass pushing and shoving, with a biggest man wins attitude. It was very different from the organized, multi-lane, and controlled-entry onto the lifts that are the norm at North American ski resorts. Frankly, it greatly soured the actual skiing experience for me. Everything else though was awesome.

LOL, that's exactly what I meant by my earlier comment, the behaviour is different.

Ever time I take one of my American friends to Europe I tell them the same thing.

You need to be aggressive on the lift line.

Forget that "dude you're standing on my skis and scratching them crap".

Little old ladies will stab you in the nads with their pole to get in front of you.

They never believe me and I'll be on the lift heading up and they are still stuck at the back of the "line".

I don't mind it at all.

I actually prefer it.

[Dottore]

On a good day the skiing at Whistler is the best in NA. Highest vertical drops, most runs, incredible acerage etc. However the weather at Whistler is not as reliable as that at the higher altitude resorts in Colorado. But catch Whistler on a good day and you will be hooked.

Of course what Neilk says about the food is spot on. The food on the slopes in Europe is light years ahead of that in NA. There's great food also in Whistler, but it's in the village and not on the slopes. But crickey, it's hard to imagine better food than in Cortina for example....

[89911]

I think Colorado and skiing Breckenridge, Vail, and Keystone is a nice taste if they get enough snow. I have been to Alta and Snowbird and like it also. The only downside is the location and the Utah atmosphere, which is next to nothing. I thought Jackson Hole and the town had plenty to offer for a one place destination.

[450knotOffice]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

LOL, that's exactly what I meant by my earlier comment, the behaviour is different.

Ever time I take one of my American friends to Europe I tell them the same thing.

You need to be aggressive on the lift line.

Forget that "dude you're standing on my skis and scratching them crap".

Little old ladies will stab you in the nads with their pole to get in front of you.

They never believe me and I'll be on the lift heading up and they are still stuck at the back of the "line".

I don't mind it at all.

I actually prefer it.

Ahhh That made me laugh! I had a feeling that's what you were referring to, lol.

My wife, who's a little woman of 5'2", was just learning to ski at the time and she was being manhandled in that scrum. It was ugly. I had an exchange of words with a couple of young Brits who just about ran over the top of her just to get in front. Idiots. I'd like to see those guys try that in the States.

[porwolf]

I have skied Zugspitze, Kitzbühel, Arlberg, St. Moritz, Verbier, Zermatt. In the US I skied Tahoe, Snowmass, Park City, and Mammoth. Mammoth mountain, of course, is the closest high alpine ski area to Southern California. I think it is being under appreciated. It is rather high altitude skiing, between 9,000 and 12,000 feet (3,000m- 4,000m). The snow situation is usually fantastic. It can be up to 30 feet (10m). Season can be from October through May. Traditionally they even have 4th of July ski races there. For an American resort it is a quite large area with various skiing experiences. What I like best is that most of the area is above the timber line with very wide and extensive views over the Sierra Nevada snow covered peaks. It reminds me of Verbier and the weather is quite sunny rather than overcast.

[dedbird]

I may be a little biased (check my location), but it is hard to beat Vail. Combination of great skiing, nightlife, and good dining options are hard to beat. That along with the ability to take trips to other areas in close proximity make it hard to beat. I travel all over Colorado and Utah with my kids for ski races. Many good places but I always leave thinking that they all have their strong points, but Vail seems to have to most universal appeal. The only criticism that I agree with would be the lack of steep terrain.

No doubt that Utah has great skiing, but as others have mentioned the nightlife is pretty poor. Snowbird and Alta are fantastic but remote with limited dining. Not impressed at all with Park City. Big Sky/Moonlight in Montana has some great skiing as well with a good western atmosphere. Great steeps and no lift lines.

Let me know if you need any specifics or guidance on Vail.

[gprsh924]

I've done Vail, Breck, keystone, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, heavenly, Big bear, Alta, and Park City.

But my favorite so far has been Jackson Hole. The skiing at Alta was close, but Jackson is a better overall package.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

My number one location has always been Alta, Utah. If you get lucky you'll have a dump and they will close the access road up the valley until cleared of avalanche danger. Anyway you look at it, great skiing, great food and beautiful scenery. It ain't cheap but what is these days.

Alta is really good, but since it is at the end of a valley, the storms can get stuck there. If you are reallllly lucky, The road won't open and you'll be stuck in your hotel for the entire trip, looking out the window as the snow completely covers a VW bus.

Aspen is my favorite. I grew up at Vail and Mammoth Mountain. I've also skied pretty much everything that has been previously mentioned as well.