***Official Skiing Thread*** (1 Viewer)

[the moops]

Just finished a week skiing at Solitude and Brighton. Perfect timing considering they have had #### for snow all year but got about 15 inches of fresh powder this week. 

Took the Amtrak from Iowa (drove down from the twin cities) and stayed right at Solitude Village. My wife grew up in Reno skiing Tahoe, I grew up in Boston skiing up in White and Green Mountains. My kids (8 and 10 boys) had only skied three times and all at pretty small Minnesota hills. Wife and have only skied once or twice ourselves in the past 20 years. The kids ####### rocked it though. After a quick morning break in they were comfortable on most blues and loved being in the woods. I am tired and sore and happy. Am actually on the train back home but can't sleep. 

Brighton was way more crowded but I enjoyed that hill way more than Solitude. Snow was much better, runs were longer and more varied. By the end of the week the 8 year old was right on my ### no matter where I skied. He picked it up so quickly and will very soon be a better skier than I ever was.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Just finished a week skiing at Solitude and Brighton. Perfect timing considering they have had #### for snow all year but got about 15 inches of fresh powder this week. 

Took the Amtrak from Iowa (drove down from the twin cities) and stayed right at Solitude Village. My wife grew up in Reno skiing Tahoe, I grew up in Boston skiing up in White and Green Mountains. My kids (8 and 10 boys) had only skied three times and all at pretty small Minnesota hills. Wife and have only skied once or twice ourselves in the past 20 years. The kids ####### rocked it though. After a quick morning break in they were comfortable on most blues and loved being in the woods. I am tired and sore and happy. Am actually on the train back home but can't sleep. 

Brighton was way more crowded but I enjoyed that hill way more than Solitude. Snow was much better, runs were longer and more varied. By the end of the week the 8 year old was right on my ### no matter where I skied. He picked it up so quickly and will very soon be a better skier than I ever was.

awesome!!  we stay at the inn at solitude.  can't get closer and the wife loves the cross country, right out the door.  we went night skiing at brighton and had an absolute blast!!  we skied back to solitude on the cross country track, in the dark.  i may or may not have had a few cocktails.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Looks like last year the IKON pass for the following (and current) season went on sale March 11th.  

Any idea when the '23 pass will be available?  We've waited this long, due to Mammoth not getting ONE INCH of snow THIS YEAR.  Yeah, 6 straight weeks since an inch of snow fell on 12/29, so at this point, might as well wait until next year's pass becomes available and get the ol' 2 for 1 deal.  

Then hope for some late season dumps this season.

april 10th for mammoth.  should get 10ish" on this next storm with a possibility of more, later in the month.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Having just skied 3 weeks at epic resorts (Vail, Telluride and Park City), I definitely noticed some major changes this season:

1. The resorts were more crowded. On average, we waited a couple minutes at the base lifts and popular areas, but never more than 5-10 minutes, except at the beginning of the day. There were less areas where we could ski directly onto the lifts than years past, though it still happened at the upper mountain. Parking and apres ski reservations were harder to find, too.

It helped to have "six-pack" lifts at Vail and PC, but those can be a cluster#### to load, especially if lifties aren't coordinating groups. Plus you can count on occasionally having the bar being lowered prematurely, and (if you're like me) against your will.

For better or worse, they're planning on installing an 8-person lift at Park City next season 

Granted, snow conditions were pretty poor (less terrain available), and we skied the week after Presidents' Day (didn't realize UT schools give students a "ski week" in addition to spring  break). I definitely won't make that mistake again.

2. A few lifts were shut down, but it seemed to be due to poor conditions, rather than understaffing. Either way, that didn't help with lines, and some lift attendants were a little salty. I also noticed several gondola cars at PC weren't operating, due to broken doors or other mechanical problems.

3. Understaffing was evident in other areas, especially the on-mountain facilities. Dining areas were largely limited to grab-and-go, seating was cordoned off, and bathrooms were a mess - paper towel and soap dispensers were empty, trash cans overflowing, and some toilets were clogged with sh!t/tp. This was most apparent in smaller buildings, as they probably prioritized staffing at the major lodges.

4. There were a ton of Hispanic people skiing. While hard-core South Americans skiers have always spent their summers in the northern hemisphere, it seemed like every other person spoke Spanish. This didn't negatively impact anything, but I'm wondering if Vail marketed in a way that promoted the influx of (presumably) Central and South Americans? Alternatively, covid restrictions may have kept other international guests away (especially places like Australia).

Overall, the changes were most evident at PC, followed by Vail, then Telluride. But that also corresponds to the best to worst snow conditions, with the confounder of crowding due to "ski week."

I've been loyal to the epic pass, and was pleasantly surprised when I received a refund for lost ski days the first year of the pandemic. But skiing isn't cheap, and some of the changes are unacceptable. I'll probably keep Epic one more year (receive a discount on pass renewal), to give them a chance to clean up their act, but I'm considering getting Ikon as well. Planning a trip next year with classmates to Revelstoke anyway, and Jackson Hole is probably my favorite resort, so I can ski a couple weeks and still get my money's worth for the epic with a week at Vail.

For those that have Ikon, are there any downsides to the pass? How much does it cost? Looks like a week at Revelstoke costs $5-600, so I'm already spending that much next season.  

ikon added sun valley, snow basin and freaking chamonix for next year.  i'm already planning the chamonix trip.  might do zermatt on the same trip.

1079 for new pass holders 979 returning, for the full pass.  there's a 969/919, 769/719 options as well.  there are some new 2, 3 and 4 day passes as well.  young adult is 799.

 

[Terminalxylem]

ikon added sun valley, snow basin and freaking chamonix for next year.  i'm already planning the chamonix trip.  might do zermatt on the same trip.

1079 for new pass holders 979 returning, for the full pass.  there's a 969/919, 769/719 options as well.  there are some new 2, 3 and 4 day passes as well.  young adult is 799.

Nice. Consider this my **official** invite for your Chamonix trip - I always wanted to try ski mountaineering

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Nice. Consider this my **official** invite for your Chamonix trip - I always wanted to try ski mountaineering

Excellent. When are we doing revelstoke?

 

[Terminalxylem]

Excellent. When are we doing revelstoke?

I realize you’re half joking,  but we already reserved a place for next Feb. I don’t know the exact dates off-hand, but can let you know. Also please don’t take this this the wrong way, but I’m also not sure how open my friends would be to hanging out with internet randos…

 

[DA RAIDERS]

I realize you’re half joking,  but we already reserved a place for next Feb. I don’t know the exact dates off-hand, but can let you know. Also please don’t take this this the wrong way, but I’m also not sure how open my friends would be to hanging out with internet randos…

How. Dare. They. 

that is some horse ####!

are they aware that I shred the guh-nar?

anywho, I’m still down  they’ll love me.  especiallly since I’ll chip in for the heli   

 

[Kanil]

Starting our yearly spring break trip to Vail on Monday.  Here's to a week with lots of skiing, drinking, eating, and no broken bones!

 

[Redwes25]

Just returned from a week in Telluride.  Had a blast and got in some great skiing.  Also, took my son on his first double black diamond.  

Think I am done for the season with 10 total days (which is about what I have averaged the last few years) as I doubt the mountains out east stay open much longer as it is very warm at this point.  

 

[Harry Frogfish]

Mammoth's monthly snow totals for this year:

Jan 0"

Feb 7"

Mar 7"

Yeah, they were at less than a foot before yesterday's 3" dump.

Going back to 1969, this is by far their lowest ever.  In '15 they finished with 43" in that span, which was their previous historic low, BY FAR.  I'm not about to crunch the numbers but their average going back 50+ years would be well over 100" on the year by now.  Hell, many with over 200".

35 of those years, or roughly 70%, they averaged well over 150" these first 3 months.

 

[JaxBill]

So my son, total Florida boy, took a job in Park City. He had never seen snow before October. 

When in Rome

he's covering the  National Moguls  championships this weekend.

it's balmy 63 in Park City today, look at the fans

@Bfarrell727: Thinking that dual moguls should be an Olympic sport https://twitter.com/Bfarrell727/status/1508170448797941771/video/1

 

[DA RAIDERS]

he's covering the  National Moguls  championships this weekend.

it's balmy 63 in Park City today, look at the fans

@Bfarrell727: Thinking that dual moguls should be an Olympic sport https://twitter.com/Bfarrell727/status/1508170448797941771/video/1

cool!  it is an olympic sport.

 

[Drunken knight]

 

[MTskibum]

Just finished my last day of the year, we did all double blacks all day on the top of Loveland. Even did a couple cat skiing runs that were awesome. 

I am tired now.

 

[Terminalxylem]

Just finished my last day of the year, we did all double blacks all day on the top of Loveland. Even did a couple cat skiing runs that were awesome. 

I am tired now.

Nice. I just purchased the Ikon pass, and will renew Epic as well, so hopefully will get more days/resorts in next year.

 

[Harry Frogfish]

Nice. I just purchased the Ikon pass, and will renew Epic as well, so hopefully will get more days/resorts in next year.

I was gonna buy the Ikon pass this week hoping to get in some skiing the rest of this year on it (starting 4/11), and obviously all of next year.  But damn if the weather is just a total joke.  The worst 3+ months to start a year in Mammoth history. 

Canyon Lodge closing soon and other ####, slush galore, they hit crazy high temps.  No hope on the horizon, I'm out.

Read some brief stuff on La Niña, how 3 years is the most it lasts or whatever, but looks like we are going on 4 for the first time.  Something like that, I don't know the details, quit reading, too depressing.

Maybe next year a mountain that got well over 150 inches of snow the first 3 months of the year in over 70% of the last 50 years, will get over 20" (this year's approx total, historic low, by a lot).

 

[Terminalxylem]

I was gonna buy the Ikon pass this week hoping to get in some skiing the rest of this year on it (starting 4/11), and obviously all of next year.  But damn if the weather is just a total joke.  The worst 3+ months to start a year in Mammoth history. 

Canyon Lodge closing soon and other ####, slush galore, they hit crazy high temps.  No hope on the horizon, I'm out.

Read some brief stuff on La Niña, how 3 years is the most it lasts or whatever, but looks like we are going on 4 for the first time.  Something like that, I don't know the details, quit reading, too depressing.

Maybe next year a mountain that got well over 150 inches of snow the first 3 months of the year in over 70% of the last 50 years, will get over 20" (this year's approx total, historic low, by a lot).

With nearly $4K in passes for my wife and I,  we’re all-in on it snowing somewhere.

As for this season, don’t forget resorts in the Southern Hemisphere: 4 on the IKON pass - their winter is coming soon!

 

[DA RAIDERS]

I was gonna buy the Ikon pass this week hoping to get in some skiing the rest of this year on it (starting 4/11), and obviously all of next year.  But damn if the weather is just a total joke.  The worst 3+ months to start a year in Mammoth history. 

Canyon Lodge closing soon and other ####, slush galore, they hit crazy high temps.  No hope on the horizon, I'm out.

Read some brief stuff on La Niña, how 3 years is the most it lasts or whatever, but looks like we are going on 4 for the first time.  Something like that, I don't know the details, quit reading, too depressing.

Maybe next year a mountain that got well over 150 inches of snow the first 3 months of the year in over 70% of the last 50 years, will get over 20" (this year's approx total, historic low, by a lot).

Passes are cheaper now. If you ski 5 days next year, it’s a deal. 

 

[MTskibum]

Nice. I just purchased the Ikon pass, and will renew Epic as well, so hopefully will get more days/resorts in next year.

I will not be getting a season pass because I lose my accommodations on the west side of denver. My brother's wife is pregnant with their first kid. We will still probably go 2-3 times, but that will be it.

If the snow is good enough and depending on when you are in Colorado next year though we should hit up a-basin. I will probably want to ski more than my brother.

 

[MTskibum]

Passes are cheaper now. If you ski 5 days next year, it’s a deal. 

They are cheaper than when I was in college. Bridger bowl was 450 and big sky was even more back then.

I think I paid that same amount this year for my pass.

 

[MTskibum]

I did get one picture from this week, it was near the top of golden bear peak from the cat skiing.

It is facing Loveland ski area, but in the other directions you can see a-basin, keystone, and Breckenridge. 

I admit that i skiing above the tree line.

https://twitter.com/FishSkiand/status/1513278649411137540?s=20&t=G7WMYNlUPSWbSIwF2EuWqg

 

[DA RAIDERS]

They are cheaper than when I was in college. Bridger bowl was 450 and big sky was even more back then.

I think I paid that same amount this year for my pass.

i meant that they're cheaper to buy now, as opposed to next month.  but yes, they are a great deal.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

F it. Heading to mammoth, solo, tomorrow morning. I NEED to get back on the skis. It fills my soul with happiness. 

 

[Harry Frogfish]

F it. Heading to mammoth, solo, tomorrow morning. I NEED to get back on the skis. It fills my soul with happiness. 

Hope you left super early and made some tracks.  Today looked glorious and had to be one of the best days of the year (not season) on the mountain.  Great call by you!  Love getting rewarded like that.  Dedication.

Think I'm going to go Thursday.  They might even get some snow again.  And I get next year's pass before it goes up 100 bucks.  What do you think the conditions will be later in the week?  I guess I'm more curious about what your updates will be like after Monday and Tuesday because those are likely the conditions we'll be looking at next weekend.

 

[Caveman33]

They are cheaper than when I was in college. Bridger bowl was 450 and big sky was even more back then.

I think I paid that same amount this year for my pass.

I looked at Aspen/Snowmass and it costs $2,900 for the year!  Better deals for college and 70+ but I remember it being like $1,300 little over 10 years ago and hotel/restaurant employers would cover most the cost.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Hope you left super early and made some tracks.  Today looked glorious and had to be one of the best days of the year (not season) on the mountain.  Great call by you!  Love getting rewarded like that.  Dedication.

Think I'm going to go Thursday.  They might even get some snow again.  And I get next year's pass before it goes up 100 bucks.  What do you think the conditions will be later in the week?  I guess I'm more curious about what your updates will be like after Monday and Tuesday because those are likely the conditions we'll be looking at next weekend.

Today was great early. the snow was nice up top. lots of mashed potatoes in the afternoon full on slush down low

got a SWEET run down the ridge line of 5. And powdery mashed potato down 22. Cornice was decent, hit it too late. 1:30. 
 

its fun, but it’s mid april.   The pond skim and after party was epic. 

 

[DA RAIDERS]

just re-upped my ikon passes.  if you are renewing for next year, prices go up $100 tomorrow.

 

[Harry Frogfish]

just re-upped my ikon passes.  if you are renewing for next year, prices go up $100 tomorrow.

Still conflicted, I keep going back and forth, after reading your 7-11 Slurpee report earlier in the week.  This year's toast.

I can "risk" the 100 bucks on next year being another dud, and sit on the late-season double-dip / two year pass if I want.  If not, great, that means they finally got a lot of snow.  In which case, we don't mind the slight premium for a pass.  All good.

 

[Terminalxylem]

Still conflicted, I keep going back and forth, after reading your 7-11 Slurpee report earlier in the week.  This year's toast.

I can "risk" the 100 bucks on next year being another dud, and sit on the late-season double-dip / two year pass if I want.  If not, great, that means they finally got a lot of snow.  In which case, we don't mind the slight premium for a pass.  All good.

Not sure you’ll have any meaningful weather info for winter 2022-23 by the time the passes are no longer available. How late can you wait?

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Still conflicted, I keep going back and forth, after reading your 7-11 Slurpee report earlier in the week.  This year's toast.

I can "risk" the 100 bucks on next year being another dud, and sit on the late-season double-dip / two year pass if I want.  If not, great, that means they finally got a lot of snow.  In which case, we don't mind the slight premium for a pass.  All good.

it was phenomenal early.  after 1ish..elephant snot.

 

[dkp993]

Today was great early. the snow was nice up top. lots of mashed potatoes in the afternoon full on slush down low

got a SWEET run down the ridge line of 5. And powdery mashed potato down 22. Cornice was decent, hit it too late. 1:30. 
 

its fun, but it’s mid april.   The pond skim and after party was epic. 

22 is my favorite chair, generally love the Lincoln side better. On pow days there’s sick tree runs there.  Love 23 too when the weathers right.  After this years early season dump I had some of the funnest rides I’ve had in years bombing 14.  

 

[Harry Frogfish]

Not sure you’ll have any meaningful weather info for winter 2022-23 by the time the passes are no longer available. How late can you wait?

La Niña, which is rare to have gone on so long.  And sometimes the gurus can call a big winter -- like El Niño and ####, I guess I was seeing if there might be any calls like that -- but things have changed.

F it, getting a pass now. 

 

[DA RAIDERS]

22 is my favorite chair, generally love the Lincoln side better. On pow days there’s sick tree runs there.  Love 23 too when the weathers right.  After this years early season dump I had some of the funnest rides I’ve had in years bombing 14.  

You’re speaking my language!  22,23,5,the backside, trees off 12.  Had a sublime run on 23, this year during the Xmas/new year dumpage. 

 

[Harry Frogfish]

You’re speaking my language!  22,23,5,the backside, trees off 12.  Had a sublime run on 23, this year during the Xmas/new year dumpage. 

All well and good but Upper Dry Creek deserves mention if you are to talk about 5.  And where's Dragon's Back on that list, early morning, after a dump?

Tell me you guys have skied the Hole.

 

[dkp993]

You’re speaking my language!  22,23,5,the backside, trees off 12.  Had a sublime run on 23, this year during the Xmas/new year dumpage. 

My favorite mountain. Lived there for a season too a lifetime ago.  Got 100+ days in that year.  Was epic.  I ride though, don’t ski, so not sure I’m allowed in this thread. 

 

[Harry Frogfish]

My favorite mountain. Lived there for a season too a lifetime ago.  Got 100+ days in that year.  Was epic.  I ride though, don’t ski, so not sure I’m allowed in this thread. 

No wonder you want no part of Dragon's Back, too much traversing.  I don't blame you.  How about Hangman's or Philippe's or Balls to the Wall, Huevos Grande?

 

[Terminalxylem]

 I ride though, don’t ski, so not sure I’m allowed in this thread. 

Ewwww.

 

[dkp993]

Ewwww.

I know, us cool people will hang somewhere else.  

 

[dkp993]

No wonder you want no part of Dragon's Back, too much traversing.  I don't blame you.  How about Hangman's or Philippe's or Balls to the Wall, Huevos Grande?

Yeah the runs off the top are great too, hell the whole mountain can be fun at times, but the wind and hard pack have me going else where more often then not.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

All well and good but Upper Dry Creek deserves mention if you are to talk about 5.  And where's Dragon's Back on that list, early morning, after a dump?

Tell me you guys have skied the Hole.

Of course upper dry creek is included in 5. As is the slope directly to the skiers right, that opens up when it gets deep. 2 steep ### pitches that dump you out at the bottom of UDC.  Dragons back is on the list, it’s a little bit of a pia to run laps on. 
 

never done the hole. Hiked it. Never skied it. 

 

[DA RAIDERS]

My favorite mountain. Lived there for a season too a lifetime ago.  Got 100+ days in that year.  Was epic.  I ride though, don’t ski, so not sure I’m allowed in this thread. 

Ewwww.

I’ll allow it. Anyone that respects the send is ok in my book. 

 

[belljr]

I guess I'll start here.....

Is there a market for a used 1992-1994 snowboard?  I'm not sure the exact year.

I'm cleaning out my garage and have my old NALE board.   I guess I need to find the model number.

Just curious if anyone knows before I just trash it

 

[DA RAIDERS]

I’m a skier but skis that old are just trash

 

[belljr]

I’m a skier but skis that old are just trash

Yeah - Im more concerned I have some rare version of said brand then it actually be used.  I'm extremely doubtful but I've trashed a couple things in hindsight I could have got a couple hundred bucks for but not overly concerned about it

 

[Harry Frogfish]

So, the last three years in Mammoth, in May, 90+ days? 8 TOTAL inches ... in 3 years.  

Those late seasons that used to come around and hit the Sierras?  No mas.

They have finished with 300 inches or (WAY) less in 8 of their last 11 years.  FOR THE SEASON.

From '94/95 until '10/11, they had only ONE season under 300 inches (in 17 years).

 

[DA RAIDERS]

So, the last three years in Mammoth, in May, 90+ days? 8 TOTAL inches ... in 3 years.  

Those late seasons that used to come around and hit the Sierras?  No mas.

They have finished with 300 inches or (WAY) less in 8 of their last 11 years.  FOR THE SEASON.

From '94/95 until '10/11, they had only ONE season under 300 inches (in 17 years).

Still an awesome mountain.  Easter was unreal this year. 

 

[MTskibum]

I started my exercise routine for this years ski season. I have not worked out a day since the last time i went skiing and i am out of shape.

I think I am going to get a 3 day pass at a-basin and then i will probably go 1 more day at a different mountain.

 

[MTskibum]

Ended up purchasing a 5 day pass to a-basin, i think that will be no problem to do some back to back days. I was in shape last year enough to hit double blacks all day and not be extremely sore the next day, however this year I have a goal to be in much better shape than that even.

I will still probably hit another hill as well over spring break, will need to decide/book that shortly as well but i have a few months.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Jonesing. First trip scheduled (so far) first week of the year. Mammoth. Can’t wait.