POLL: Skiers of SoSH Locations

[Zososoxfan]

I wanted to post this in the skiing thread, but I didn't see an option to add a poll to a post. So, new thread!

Should be quick, I'm just curious how many skiers/riders we have following the skiing thread and where our folks are located. Perhaps we can do a meet up next season?

Edit: Added a few other options because they exist!

 

[Dogman]

I haven't participated in the skiing threads and I will in the future.

Western Montana. Missoula's Snowbowl, Lost Trail on the MT/ID border, Big Mountain in Whitefish are my places. Had a pass at Snowbowl this past season. Was able to get 24 days in and it was amazing skiing.

 

[GoJeff!]

LA. Ski mostly Mammoth, some local resorts.

Grew up skiing Killington and racing at virtually every area in NH, VT, ME and MA.

 

[DJnVa]

I'm Virginia--more mid-Atlantic than South.

 

[Zososoxfan]

I'm Virginia--more mid-Atlantic than South.

My buddy has been skiing on a shoestring budget at Snowshoe and he's getting ready for his first trip out west and Europe (!) next year. I can't wait to hear from him once he gets back. Do you want me to add an option, or is it OK for our amusement/purposes here?

 

[DJnVa]

My buddy has been skiing on a shoestring budget at Snowshoe and he's getting ready for his first trip out west and Europe (!) next year. I can't wait to hear from him once he gets back. Do you want me to add an option, or is it OK for our amusement/purposes here?

Oh it's fine. I mostly just read.

Snowshoe is fun though. Haven't been in a few years.

 

[jezza1918]

Northeast. I live on the southcoast in MA but lived in stowe from 05-12 so my skiing base is still there. Even though I was exceptionally annoyed with their paid parking system put in place this year so skipped on the EPIC pass. Will likely cave this upcoming season though.

 

[Icculus]

Big Sky checking in.

 

[Bowhemian]

I live in NH, and ski only in the northeast. I am not a good enough skier to go out west or do any of that big mountain/back country skiing thing. I am not yet ready to die.

 

[Zososoxfan]

Big Sky checking in.

I went with an Ikon pass for this year because I wanted to take the family to Winter Park. But the boys trip that comes before that is heading to either Big Sky or Alyeska!

 

[DJnVa]

I live in NH, and ski only in the northeast. I am not a good enough skier to go out west or do any of that big mountain/back country skiing thing. I am not yet ready to die.

Ha. Yes, my first time out west skiing in Colorado I learned my lesson there. "It said blue!!!" That would've been a black back east.

 

[Zososoxfan]

I live in NH, and ski only in the northeast. I am not a good enough skier to go out west or do any of that big mountain/back country skiing thing. I am not yet ready to die.

How dare you enter into this thread after your performance in the Bruins game thread last night!! /s

I grew up skiing New England and honestly I think if you can ski out there, it's much easier to transition out west than vice versa. If you can ski ice competently, the fluff out west ain't no thang. You will get tired AF because the runs are long and the elevation, but from a technique standpoint? You're fine.

 

[wibi]

I now ski the Cascades mostly but I used to be Utah based

 

[Bowhemian]

How dare you enter into this thread after your performance in the Bruins game thread last night!! /s

I grew up skiing New England and honestly I think if you can ski out there, it's much easier to transition out west than vice versa. If you can ski ice competently, the fluff out west ain't no thang. You will get tired AF because the runs are long and the elevation, but from a technique standpoint? You're fine.

Sorry...but I was right.
I hate that I was right. But I was. And I kicked myself in the nuts for that.

 

[Preacher]

"The stars at night are big and bright (clap, clap, clap, clap)"

Central Texas here. This is my least favorite place I've lived, at least in the US. My wife is currently living in Cambridge so we did a lot of NE skiing this year where I grew up skiing. We get the Epic pass because, with the discount, it's like $150. Before TX, we spent a year in Richmond, VA and hit up Snowshoe a bunch of times. Before that, it was two years in Italy and we were all over those Alps. It's where my wife learned to ski. Her first time skiing in the states was Snowshoe so that was an adjustment. In the last three seasons, we've hit up Park City a couple times, Crested Butte, Vail, and Sun Valley in addition to a bunch of places in NE. We're moving to Korea in a couple months and are limited on how much we can ship. The skis are definitely going in the ship pile (as opposed to the storage pile). Anyone ski Korea, Japan, New Zealand, or Australia?

 

[aksoxfan]

Juneau Alaska. Retired, skied about 65 days this season; skied yesterday. Sometimes do trips to Utah, BC.

 

[Zososoxfan]

"The stars at night are big and bright (clap, clap, clap, clap)"

Central Texas here. This is my least favorite place I've lived, at least in the US. My wife is currently living in Cambridge so we did a lot of NE skiing this year where I grew up skiing. We get the Epic pass because, with the discount, it's like $150. Before TX, we spent a year in Richmond, VA and hit up Snowshoe a bunch of times. Before that, it was two years in Italy and we were all over those Alps. It's where my wife learned to ski. Her first time skiing in the states was Snowshoe so that was an adjustment. In the last three seasons, we've hit up Park City a couple times, Crested Butte, Vail, and Sun Valley in addition to a bunch of places in NE. We're moving to Korea in a couple months and are limited on how much we can ship. The skis are definitely going in the ship pile (as opposed to the storage pile). Anyone ski Korea, Japan, New Zealand, or Australia?

I haven't skied there, but I somehow went down a rabbit hole the other day reading and watching about Korean snowboarding carving style. I didn't quite find what I was looking for--I didn't see anything that unique--but it's basically a tweak on Euro-carving from what I can gather. Japan is considered a true mecca of skiing. From what I know, Japow! is the only area that rivals the Rockies for quantity and quality of snow (sorry @GoJeff! but I'll take the light and fluffy stuff over the Sierras if I have to choose!). Not sure how Korea, NZ, or Australia compare.

 

[InstaFace]

I'm in Pittsburgh, so technically northeast by some definitions but culturally and geographically more midwest. But since US Airways used to be based here, it's pretty easy to fly just about anywhere.

 

[chrisfont9]

I now ski the Cascades mostly but I used to be Utah based

I spent the last 20 years skiing the Cascades, but my son is at U Utah and now I just hold out for family visits in winter.

OK, that's an exaggeration. Crystal Mountain a few times a year, and when I have a bit more freedom I'll zip up to Whistler again. Crystal... I guess people shouldn't fly here just for that, but it's pretty great.

Also I am a first timer in the skiing thread, glad to find there is one.

 

[Ralphwiggum]

Northeast here. I skied a ton when I was younger but then I didn't ski for about 20 or so years or so (long story, my ex-wife didn't ski). My now wife and I got back into it a few years ago. We are actually in the process of buying a place at Okemo as we speak. I mostly skied in Maine and New Hampshire growing up since we were north of Boston and those were closer than Vermont, but as we've explored the region the last few years my strong preference is Vermont (for both skiing and non-skiing reasons).

Skied out west a bunch of times in the 90s (mostly Steamboat and Vail). It's a different sport than skiing in the Northeast for sure.

 

[OnWisc]

Chicago. Skied Copper and Steamboat this year with the IKON pass. United flies direct from O’Hare to Steamboat, so actually can fly out in the morning, rent skis to replace the ones United loses, and ski in the afternoon.

I’ve been to Copper a handful of times over the years but have really developed an affinity for it after my last couple trips. Great variability in the terrain (for me, at least), and it’s possible to dodge the worst of the crowds even on the busiest days.

EDIT: Grew up in MA and learned to ski out east (Jay, Loon, Waterville, Gunstock……Ascutney and Balsams Wilderness). Probably skied out West for the first time around 2002 and haven’t skied the east since. Born from Ice? No thanks.

 

[Tangled Up In Red]

Voted West as a proxy for my spouse, but I don't (really) ski and won't be meeting up with you clowns

 

[GoJeff!]

From what I know, Japow! is the only area that rivals the Rockies for quantity and quality of snow

In terms of snow, I wouldn't rank the Rockies as a whole as a top place for snow. Utah with the lake effect gets a ton of snow, definitely the most snow days in the US, and interior BC (monashees/selkirks) routinely gets 800 inches (although the snowiest areas are really just heli/cat skiing). Japow is usually grouped with those two.

 

[Zososoxfan]

Chicago. Skied Copper and Steamboat this year with the IKON pass. United flies direct from O’Hare to Steamboat, so actually can fly out in the morning, rent skis to replace the ones United loses, and ski in the afternoon.

I’ve been to Copper a handful of times over the years but have really developed an affinity for it after my last couple trips. Great variability in the terrain (for me, at least), and it’s possible to dodge the worst of the crowds even on the busiest days.

EDIT: Grew up in MA and learned to ski out east (Jay, Loon, Waterville, Gunstock……Ascutney and Balsams Wilderness). Probably skied out West for the first time around 2002 and haven’t skied the east since. Born from Ice? No thanks.

I'm very jealous of your ability to get into Hayden. If I could, I'd make Steamboat my home mountain. I've also been trying to get to Copper for awhile, but they keep all the best accommodations to the resort so there aren't many deals to be found. That said, I'm on the IKON next season so never say never!

 

[Tokyo Sox]

Uhh, "other." Didn't grow up skiing/boarding, started when I moved here in the late 90's. Mainly go to Niseko for Japow. Some of your IKON or whatever passes will give you a couple days free in Niseko I think. That plus the exchange rate should really get some of you out here.

 

[Zososoxfan]

In terms of snow, I wouldn't rank the Rockies as a whole as a top place for snow. Utah with the lake effect gets a ton of snow, definitely the most snow days in the US, and interior BC (monashees/selkirks) routinely gets 800 inches (although the snowiest areas are really just heli/cat skiing). Japow is usually grouped with those two.

All the more reason I'm trying to get out there for my 40th bday celebration!

 

[Preacher]

Uhh, "other." Didn't grow up skiing/boarding, started when I moved here in the late 90's. Mainly go to Niseko for Japow. Some of your IKON or whatever passes will give you a couple days free in Niseko I think. That plus the exchange rate should really get some of you out here.

We looked into that when looking at renewing our Epic passes. I think the issue is that we only get like 5 days and they all have to be used in a row. We'll probably make more than one trip to Japan during the season.

 

[Spelunker]

PNW, but while I include some Cascades I generally ski Utah and Co. This year, the trips were all ID and WY, though.

 

[chrisfont9]

PNW, but while I include some Cascades I generally ski Utah and Co. This year, the trips were all ID and WY, though.

It was very noticeable how hard it was to book a flight from Seattle to SLC during any part of Seattle Public Schools winter break. Not quite Honolulu levels but lots of like mindedness here. I waited until a week before to book so I could see forecasts (got there right before a major storm) but the direct flights were gone.

 

[Spelunker]

It was very noticeable how hard it was to book a flight from Seattle to SLC during any part of Seattle Public Schools winter break. Not quite Honolulu levels but lots of like mindedness here. I waited until a week before to book so I could see forecasts (got there right before a major storm) but the direct flights were gone.

It's even quicker going to, say, Jackson Hole, but man the Seattle - SLC route is just an easy trip. Hour something in the air, and then a 30 minute uber ride to Park City. It's not that much harder than getting to Crystal on a weekend (but yeah, best to work around school vacations: it's gotten harder the last few years). Certainly easier than dealing with the fucking Denver airport and the drive from there.

I also really like Alyeska (although obviously a much longer flight to Anchorage).

 

[GoJeff!]

Was thinking about the best spot for this, and nominate Snowbird.

-great mountain, great snow
-easy to get to from almost anywhere
-huge range of places to stay if you are willing to drive up LCC (and plenty if you are not)
-on IKON, which helps some percentage of us
-if we don't like Zososoxfan and his snowboard lifestyle, we can go to Alta

 

[Devizier]

Reppin' the mid-Atlantic! It's lonely out here. And short.

 

[bohous]

Icecoast.
Mostly NH/VT. I am lucky to get out a few times each season and as I get older realizing I'm happier sticking with the smaller, less crowded spots. My brother has a place near Stratton so I usually get there once a year as my splurge (which is still pricey even with a buddy pass). Last year I discovered Ragged when they had a 4pk deal for something like $280 bucks, which was a great deal and its a really fun little mountain. I'll take 4 days at Ragged or Pat's over 2 at Stratton or Killington crowds.

 

[Leon Trotsky]

Icecoast here as well (from Boston). Been an Ikon pass fam for the last couple years, so mostly did Loon/Sunday River/Sugarbush, but also trips to Aspen/Snowmass last two years. Next year going to Big Sky, which I am super psyched for. My 5 and 8 yo are progressing well, so that will hopefully make things a little more fun in the coming years as well (though they are starting to move up in hockey as well, and I'll have to work that into the equation).

 

[Bowhemian]

Icecoast.
Mostly NH/VT. I am lucky to get out a few times each season and as I get older realizing I'm happier sticking with the smaller, less crowded spots. My brother has a place near Stratton so I usually get there once a year as my splurge (which is still pricey even with a buddy pass). Last year I discovered Ragged when they had a 4pk deal for something like $280 bucks, which was a great deal and its a really fun little mountain. I'll take 4 days at Ragged or Pat's over 2 at Stratton or Killington crowds.

I'm a regular at Pat's (season pass holder). I went there 15 times this past season, and it gets a little boring. I went to Ragged one day this year, and it kicks Pat's ass. I would give up my Pat's pass and get one for Ragged, but Ragged doesn't have night skiing. Since I have a day job, I do most of my skiing at night. That said, both places are a lot of fun.

 

[bohous]

I'm a regular at Pat's (season pass holder). I went there 15 times this past season, and it gets a little boring. I went to Ragged one day this year, and it kicks Pat's ass. I would give up my Pat's pass and get one for Ragged, but Ragged doesn't have night skiing. Since I have a day job, I do most of my skiing at night. That said, both places are a lot of fun.

My other brother lives in Weare and had been a Pat's regular (and instructor) for many years, so I have spent quite a bit of time there with him as well. I also prefer Ragged and IMO its worth the extra :20 - :30min drive from MA. Just wish I was more confident in all those glades. I don't get out enough to justify full Ikon or Epic, but I did jump on a 5 days Epic day passes for next season which is a really good deal, so will be spending more time at Sunapee and Crotched.

 

[chrisfont9]

Was thinking about the best spot for this, and nominate Snowbird.

-great mountain, great snow
-easy to get to from almost anywhere
-huge range of places to stay if you are willing to drive up LCC (and plenty if you are not)
-on IKON, which helps some percentage of us
-if we don't like Zososoxfan and his snowboard lifestyle, we can go to Alta

the Bird is fantastic. I've had bad weather luck there, lots of whiteouts at the top, but on those days you can stay down lower and be in great shape. My UU son mostly skis BCC (Ikon is unlimited at Solitude) but wants the Alta/Bird pass next year instead. Even with the larger crowds it's worth it.

I'm planning to hit Snowbasin next winter though, heard great things and although it's only a slightly longer drive from SLC, it doesn't get the same crowds. Anyway, my first 20+ years were in New England so this is all just a wealth of great choices.

 

[petefungtorres]

We're passholders and homeowners at Sunday River and ski there almost exclusively, occasionally making it to Vermont to visit some family.

 

[88 MVP]

For skiing purposes, I selected “Midwest.”

I grew up skiing all over NE, mostly NH, but I live in Buffalo now, and my home “mountain” Holiday Valley has a whopping 750ft of vertical. Most years since moving here I’ve managed to make it out west — this year I managed to log 100k over 5 days at Breck, Vail, and Keystone. I miss being able to drive up to Cannon or Waterville on a whim for a Saturday day trip.

 

[bigq]

I grew up in Maine and learned to ski at Lost Valley. In middle school, high school and into my 20s I did most of my skiing at Sunday River and Sugarloaf. My first time skiing outside of the northeast was a shoestring budget trip to Salt Lake City during spring break of my senior year of college. A friend and I stayed at a cheap motel in SLC for something around $35 a night and took the bus to Alta each day. It was an absolute blast outside of seeing a teenage kid ski out of control off a cliff in Catherine’s Area. He was life flighted off the mountain in really bad shape.

In my late 20s I moved to San Francisco and for several years rented ski houses around Lake Tahoe. Skied a bunch at Kirkwood, Alpine Meadows and Squaw.

These days I am living outside of Boston and most of my skiing is with my wife and kids in MA and ME. I work for a Vancouver based company and am enjoying having a good excuse to go to Whistler Blackcomb. I hope to be able to continue to do that for several seasons.

 

[uncannymanny]

Grew up in Boston, could barely afford to ski once a year but I loved it. We went on a school trip to Mt Cardigan for cross country skiing when I was 12 or so. I hit one downhill slope and that was it for XC until my 40s.

In my 30s I could finally afford to ski, but was living/stuck in NYC. My uncle is a ski patroller in western NY so I had a small mountain that I could ski at least a few times a year for free, but most years well under 10 days. Never more than 15.

Moved out to Eugene, OR two years ago and primarily ski Mt Bachelor. I had to learn how to ski powder, bumps and trees and I’m inching into touring. It’s difficult to do the latter because I don’t have any friends here yet that do it. I’m at 30 days this year and have a month to get in the great spring skiing at Bachelor. Palmer at Timberline is open through August. I’ll probably get some uphill laps in there this summer to improve.

My plan for next year, instead of the full mountain pass, is to go back to the Ikon pass and do 1 week every month at a resort in the west and roll with the 7 Bachelor days.

 

[Titans Bastard]

With a young child at home and a wife who doesn't ski, I'm not able to get out that much these days. However, one of my friends is a huge backcountry skier so we do some stuff together — I've done Tuckerman a bunch of times, as well as Hillman's Highway, Gulf of Slides, and South Baldface. Next on my list is Monroe Brook on the opposite side of the Presidentials.

At this point the large majority of the skiing I have done has been at Mad River Glen, which is my true skiing love. There are just so many challenging, great runs, both on the trail map and off. There are a lot of solid places in the Northeast, but for me nothing else compares to what MRG offers.

 

[teddywingman]

I'm not a skier, but I live in Steamboat. Hit me up! Hildy did when she was there with the fam winter before last.

 

[3Olympics]

I'm a VTer & have skied Burke for over 40 years, kids raced for BMA junior program & daughter (3 Olympics) is an alumna. Simply a great mountain if you don't need bells and whistles. Inexpensive, uncrowded (weekdays can be lonely...) & a tad "skiing as it used to be". We've skied all over, with Sugarloaf as my favorite big mountain NE experience.

 

[Bowhemian]

Any of you older skiers in NE ever ski Boston Hill back in the day? I went their once as a kid, but don't remember much about it

 

[3Olympics]

Boston Hill takes me back...as a very young skier, I remember most strongly this illusionary feeling that if I weren't careful, I'd end up on Rte. 114 squashed by a car or truck...

 

[GoJeff!]

& daughter (3 Olympics) is an alumna

Alpine or XC? (I know a lot of burkies)

 

[chrisfont9]

I'm a VTer & have skied Burke for over 40 years, kids raced for BMA junior program & daughter (3 Olympics) is an alumna. Simply a great mountain if you don't need bells and whistles. Inexpensive, uncrowded (weekdays can be lonely...) & a tad "skiing as it used to be". We've skied all over, with Sugarloaf as my favorite big mountain NE experience.

Giving me memories of Sugarbush North on a Tuesday back in the 80s. Always loved Town Meeting Day, IIRC UVM would close for the day.

 

[fairlee76]

I am a mile west of the Denver border and was lucky enough to meet up with a fellow SoSHer/grad school buddy a few months ago at Snowmass for a day.

Ski mostly Copper and Steamboat locally, with a few days at Jackson thrown in this season. No Taos this year; need to remedy that next season.

Also, if anyone is thinking Steamboat for next season, Rabbit Ears Hotel is super cheap on Hotels.com right now. About $150 a night for peak (Jan - March) nights compared to the $400ish per night I was seeing this year. I have two weekends booked already; can't wait.

 

[3Olympics]

Enrolled as an alpiner, but is small & blessed with a huge engine, so she switched to xc when BMA hired current USST xc head coach.