Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
Welcome to Our Forums. Once you've registered and logged in, you're primed to talk football, among other topics, with the sharpest and most experienced fantasy players on the internet.
***Official Skiing Thread*** (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter chet
- Start date
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
got my wife a new pair of super light line skis, with the lightest possible Solomon bindings. i'm hoping that the lighter set up is more fun for her. 
Terminalxylem
Footballguy
Looks like Dec or April for avi training (3-day AIARE I), so as not to interrupt prime ski season. I‘ll see what I can negotiate with wifey, but I need to wait a bit. I’ve just returned from Vegas by myself, and have another solo trip planned later this month, departing the day after our anniversary. My wife is a saint, but I don’t want to push my luck by arranging other wifeless trips atm - gotta get Japan locked down first. Then again, she’s never been to Mammoth, so maybe can weasel more ski days out of it.
PC is Feb 10-16 with my reg ski group (you met the “B” team, excluding my wife). A couple of the guys are interested in the interconnect, but nothing finalized.
Terminalxylem
Footballguy
More fun for backcountry!got my wife a new pair of super light line skis, with the lightest possible Solomon bindings. i'm hoping that the lighter set up is more fun for her.
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Meaning that she’s crushing the groomers and doesn’t mind me going off piste? Hell yeah!! I too have a Saint for a wife, she doesn’t mind me in general.More fun for backcountry!got my wife a new pair of super light line skis, with the lightest possible Solomon bindings. i'm hoping that the lighter set up is more fun for her.
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Dec isn’t great for me. I work all through it and then take as much time off to ski as I can the next 3-4 months. I’m down for a mammoth trip anytime. It’s my home mountain basically. I’m booked for the 1st week of the year
Redwes25
Footballguy
That would be awesome but would be a long day to say the least.
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Just booked alta/snowbird. Super stoked. I’ve never been and always wanted to go.
Drunken knight
Footballguy
We are booked for South Shore (Heavenly) around New Year's
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
We’re in mammoth the 1st week of the year
Drunken knight
Footballguy
we like the North Shore. The last time we were at heavenly was maybe 25 years ago.
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Never been. I’ve always wanted to ski with that view. Looks amazing! I’ve been to the north shore a bunch.
Drunken knight
Footballguy
I don't remember heavenly being "great." What stood out to me was something similar to parts of Keystone.... there can be quite the convergence of runs...always have to look over your shoulder.
MTskibum
Footballguy
No pass for me this year and probably only a couple ski trips this year, however I am already in exercise mode.
Two years ago I was able to do double blacks all day long. However, last year I was not in near good enough shape and would get tired half way down any difficult run so i mostly stuck to the easier stuff.
I am not buying a pass this year, although I probably will be going a-basin or Loveland, those are my two favorite out of the Denver area.
I really want to do Silverton, however I have not used avalanche gear in over 15 years and would want to get training on the new equipment. Another contender would be Crested Butte if I want to drive a little more from Denver.
Two years ago I was able to do double blacks all day long. However, last year I was not in near good enough shape and would get tired half way down any difficult run so i mostly stuck to the easier stuff.
I am not buying a pass this year, although I probably will be going a-basin or Loveland, those are my two favorite out of the Denver area.
I really want to do Silverton, however I have not used avalanche gear in over 15 years and would want to get training on the new equipment. Another contender would be Crested Butte if I want to drive a little more from Denver.
Drunken knight
Footballguy
wolf creek? Telluride?
MTskibum
Footballguy
Yeah, those are on the list of ones I want to do someday, although my wife wants to go there as well so I do not think I can leave her at home with the kids and go there with my buddies/brother.
She doesnt care about Crested Butte.
Terminalxylem
Footballguy
Dates? I love Alta, and know the mountain a bit. I know Snowbird is awesome, too, but I’ve not figured out the best runs/terrain.
Highly recommend the Italian hot chocolate from Baldy Brews, mid-mountain Alta.
Terminalxylem
Footballguy
Yeah, I didn’t like Heavenly much. But the snow was terrible the year we went.
Terminalxylem
Footballguy
Silverton is on my list. We should coordinate a trip, after @DA RAIDERS and I get avi training.
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
2/12-2/15 might stay longer
Caveman33
Footballguy
I've done a little back country skiing, but this is on another level .
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
pray for snow people 2 weeks to go and we need it!
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
leaving tomorrow morning at 0 dark thirty. can't wait!! snow is so-so. forecast is for snow all week. 
i have 5 teenagers in tow. 
my sister 
the wife 
my childhood ski buddy. 
my best friend and my kids god father. and a full tank of gas 
i have 5 teenagers in tow. my sister the wife my childhood ski buddy. my best friend and my kids god father. and a full tank of gas
Drunken knight
Footballguy
1/4-1/8 at south shore. Only 1 ski day. We’ll see. Looking forward to any snow
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Should get some snow at least for the rest of the week.
Terminalxylem
Footballguy
Overlaps with our PC dates. May be a stretch, but I’ll see if I can finagle a day at Alta.
ETA Return to Niseko mid-January
Terminalxylem
Footballguy
Also, lodging has gone way up. Hotels we’d get for $3-400//night five years ago are now $1K+. Might need to do more air b&b further from the slopes.
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Any chance I tag along for Japan. Work is slow.Overlaps with our PC dates. May be a stretch, but I’ll see if I can finagle a day at Alta.
ETA Return to Niseko mid-January
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
If you look hard enough, and it’s a pia, one can find decent deals. We have a 2/2 condo walking distance to the lifts. $600/night for the holiday week.
Drunken knight
Footballguy
That’s pretty good
Terminalxylem
Footballguy
We got a $400/night hotel (more like $500 after “resort fees, etc) in Vail, with shuttle to slopes. Not ideal, but I need some cost control to have any hope for another week in March, somewhere
Last edited:
Terminalxylem
Footballguy
Are you talking about backcountry, or less crowded/accessible resorts?
I can’t really speak to the former, though Silverton is the closest “resort” to backcountry skiing.
Telluride and Crested Butte are big name resorts, but inconvenient enough they tend to be less crowded than I-70. Wolf Creek is smaller, and gets a ton of snow.
And most places have untracked lines, if your willing to hike a little.
Actually what I am looking for is a good place within an hour or so of Denver. The altitude and my bp don't mix so I want to stay closer to Denver and a manageable altitude but have a skier and a boarder that want access to good hills - they are less experienced so a mainstream hill but it doesn't have to be Breckenridge or Vail
Terminalxylem
Footballguy
Eldora is smaller, but decent. Loveland and Winter Park also meet your criteria.
Drunken knight
Footballguy
kirkwood today (probably last time was when i was in HS). no powder, but snow was nice. glorious hot tub at 105.
i am now making bourguignon for the group. fun trip...very bizarre with no daughter nor pup.
i am now making bourguignon for the group. fun trip...very bizarre with no daughter nor pup.
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Leaving mammoth today after a week. It never disappoints. Dust on crust the first few days and then 15” over two days. Great last few days!
we go to solitude in less than 3 weeks.
we go to solitude in less than 3 weeks.
MTskibum
Footballguy
Loveland is smaller, especially when it comes to the blues, but is one of my favorite hills.
The only downside imo is there is only one high speed lift, however other people may find fault with the fact that the restaurant is lacking compared to the resorts.
Terminalxylem
Footballguy
Back at Niseko, I was deeply disturbed by the hotel shuttle driver:
“You’re lucky to be here, as it’s a very special week. It snows most the time, but this looks like a bluebird week - sunny and clear. You’ll have a chance to see everything this town has to offer.”
I didn’t come to Niseko to window shop, thanks. And as per my slightly superstitious routine, I dared not look at the weather forecast. But there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
Anyway, I avoided saying something sarcastic to the driver (who wasn’t joking, I assume), and sulked to our room. Oh well, there are certainly bigger problems than spending a week in Japan, snow or no snow.
At breakfast the following day, I was surprised to see overcast skies and light snowfall. Overheard the next table say we got a couple cm overnight. Certainly better than the zero I was expecting.
And just like last year, snow depth here isn’t measured like it is in the states. There was at least eight inches of fresh powder on much of the mountain. And it kept snowing most of the day. So I did laps with my wife in the side-country off the highest elevation lift, which accumulated enough snow to submerge our boots by days end.
All in all, just a great day skiing. And I barely saw the sun at all.
“You’re lucky to be here, as it’s a very special week. It snows most the time, but this looks like a bluebird week - sunny and clear. You’ll have a chance to see everything this town has to offer.”
I didn’t come to Niseko to window shop, thanks. And as per my slightly superstitious routine, I dared not look at the weather forecast. But there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
Anyway, I avoided saying something sarcastic to the driver (who wasn’t joking, I assume), and sulked to our room. Oh well, there are certainly bigger problems than spending a week in Japan, snow or no snow.
At breakfast the following day, I was surprised to see overcast skies and light snowfall. Overheard the next table say we got a couple cm overnight. Certainly better than the zero I was expecting.
And just like last year, snow depth here isn’t measured like it is in the states. There was at least eight inches of fresh powder on much of the mountain. And it kept snowing most of the day. So I did laps with my wife in the side-country off the highest elevation lift, which accumulated enough snow to submerge our boots by days end.
All in all, just a great day skiing. And I barely saw the sun at all.
Terminalxylem
Footballguy
Finishing up our second trip to Niseko. Once again, it was great, though not quite the same as last season.
The good:
1. Snow. Again, it snowed nearly every day (so much for bluebird days), and the powder consistency/moisture content is second to none. Explanation here.
2. Food. Our hotel improved its restaurant fare, such that we chose to eat in a couple nights. Also tried the food trucks, probably a mistake while it was snowing, but good stuff nonetheless. And cheap, under $20 a meal. Missed out on upscale dining, as we were too lazy to make early reservations, but never a problem finding ramen and other Japanese comfort food. You need to go directly apres-ski to avoid lines though.
3. Free hot chocolate, at the upscale hotel near the base of the resort. And not powdered instant garbage; rich, creamy chocolate, churned in a special dispenser. As good as the “Italian hot chocolate“ served in tiny cups at Alta, for like $4/oz.
4. Private onsen with wife
There were a couple blemishes on this trip, however:
1. Crowds. The secret of Japow is out, and without a pandemic, there were ~2-3x as many people on the mountain, many Australians and Chinese. Unlike the Japanese, they embrace the crowd concept of waiting in groups, where it’s every man for himself getting to the lifts. This was a stark contrast the deferential, ordered queues we encountered last year, when there were lines at all.
2. Wind was really strong several days, which shut down the upper lifts. Sometimes they’d open up later, but our last day only the base lifts were running. Given the layout of the mountain, with four different “base” areas (a vestige of smaller resorts combining to form Niseko United), we were effectively trapped doing laps on the gondola. This compounded #1, leading up to 40 minute waits for a single run.
Overall, still my favorite ski destination. As I told my wife, wind or no wind, we’ll be going every year moving forward.
The good:
1. Snow. Again, it snowed nearly every day (so much for bluebird days), and the powder consistency/moisture content is second to none. Explanation here.
2. Food. Our hotel improved its restaurant fare, such that we chose to eat in a couple nights. Also tried the food trucks, probably a mistake while it was snowing, but good stuff nonetheless. And cheap, under $20 a meal. Missed out on upscale dining, as we were too lazy to make early reservations, but never a problem finding ramen and other Japanese comfort food. You need to go directly apres-ski to avoid lines though.
3. Free hot chocolate, at the upscale hotel near the base of the resort. And not powdered instant garbage; rich, creamy chocolate, churned in a special dispenser. As good as the “Italian hot chocolate“ served in tiny cups at Alta, for like $4/oz.
4. Private onsen with wife
There were a couple blemishes on this trip, however:
1. Crowds. The secret of Japow is out, and without a pandemic, there were ~2-3x as many people on the mountain, many Australians and Chinese. Unlike the Japanese, they embrace the crowd concept of waiting in groups, where it’s every man for himself getting to the lifts. This was a stark contrast the deferential, ordered queues we encountered last year, when there were lines at all.
2. Wind was really strong several days, which shut down the upper lifts. Sometimes they’d open up later, but our last day only the base lifts were running. Given the layout of the mountain, with four different “base” areas (a vestige of smaller resorts combining to form Niseko United), we were effectively trapped doing laps on the gondola. This compounded #1, leading up to 40 minute waits for a single run.
Overall, still my favorite ski destination. As I told my wife, wind or no wind, we’ll be going every year moving forward.
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Just got to solitude. Lift is 100 yards away. Can’t wait to test drive my new kore 93’s
massraider
Footballguy
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Headed to snowbird as we speak
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Alta snowbird is awesome.
Terminalxylem
Footballguy
How’s the snow?
Currently at Park City. Snow is mid, as the kids like to say. No cap.
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Little sus. But pretty good. It snowed a little last night. We’ll see how today is.
Terminalxylem
Footballguy
I‘ll look for you from the summit of PC.
DA RAIDERS
Footballguy
Deal. I’m headed the closest spot at Alta. I’ll wave.
Terminalxylem
Footballguy
Snow much better today. Was lapping 9990 most of the day. Thought I saw a guy in an orangish jacket, in a helmet with a bunch of stickers over at Alta.
