I’m going to Killington this january, how is it?
Favourite resort: Tignes in France.
That said, I haven’t been to that many good ones.
/Jacob
tryin2getbig, where have you skiied so far? If you’ve only done PA/NJ/MD, then Killington will be paradise for you. It’s the largest ski resort in the East coast. It’s spread over 6 mountains, and I belive is linked to Pico (is that the right name?), another resort next to it. Therey have many long begginner trails that are fun to speed along, including a 3, a 4, a 5, a a 10 mile trail. You;ll be skiing more than riding lifts. If you’re into harder terrain, you’ll love Bear Mtn. You must try Outer Limits. It’s a long, steep mogul run. The moguls were anywhere from waist to shoulder height (for me).
So, it’s real nice, but probably doesn’t compare to anything out West.
Favorite terrain:
Aspen Highlands. MUCH cooler & relaxed than the other Aspen Mts, lots of steep & deep powder. No snowpark but don’t need it with all the steeps and tree runs.
Honorable mention: backcountry near A-Basin, CO
Tashiro Kagura Mitsumata, Niigata, Japan. Great powder dumps & can jump into the trees anywhere you like.
Sounds better than Mt High out here in Socal Jeff. Probably better than Big bear too.
So is it mostly lake effect snow out east or is there a good base all season long?
I rode at Blue Mountain in Ontario Canada a couple years ago and it was all lake effect but damn there was a lot of it!
Most of the reasorts in the East completely really on man made snow! Like I said, I’ve only skiied fresh snow once. I’ve heard that the Eastern US is the hardest place in the world to ski, due to our conditions.
Of course, the further North you go, the more natural snow they get. Even so, Killignton boasts that it is “the largest snow making facility in the world.”
Jeff Rage,
Actually i’m a very novice skier…i’ve only gone 3 times but I think its an awesome sport, really works those legs. I’ve been to pretty crappy resots by your standards i’m sure- mountain creek and hidden valley (i think thats what its called)?
Alta in Utah is good, unless you’re a knuckle dragger. Last I heard it’s for two plankers only.
Snowbird next door is good too.
I like Red Mountain (Rossland BC) for terrain, snow, friendly locals, and good beer.
Sun Valley is a good total experience if you have plenty of $$$.
Vail is over rated unless you need to prop up your ego. On a big powder day it would be awesome though.
Copper Mountain is really good. It’s big, has varied terrain, good steeps, good cornices, and a few good places to drink.
I have yet to hit Whistler when it had good snow. The terrain has lots of potential if you get the right conditions. I guess the same is true about A Basin in CO. When I was there the coverage sucked.
One day I’d like to get to Jackson Hole before I’m too old to do it right. I guess we’ll see. This year it’s going to be hitting the local hills as much as I can afford and a week or so in CO. I have a four day discount pass to Copper Mountain ready to go.
tryin2getbig, you will love Killington! The only thing is that you’ll probably get tired from skiing so much, as opposed to riding the lifts. Their beginner trails go accross the fall line and then turn back to cross the fall line in the other direction. This makes for very long trails.
You guys out West probally couldn’t comprehend some of the resprts in PA. At the one where I worked at, the longest trail took less than 90 seconds to go from top to bottom (if you didn’t stop). I think the ride up was 12 minutes. And of course, you usually have to wait in a lift line.
Favorite Mountain: Fernie, BC (right now). Except last year, every time I go there it dumps powder to my waist. They’ve got huge terrain now See here, not as big as Whistler, but still more than you need) and lots and lots of steeps! The town is pretty small, but usually fun. Honourable mention to Lake Louise, AB for skiing and Banff and Jasper for partying (though Banff is one of the STD capitals of the world, so watch your willy).
That said, given that I live in Edmonton, where it gets COLD in the winter, I can't say I'm too fired up for winter... - - - flee
But flee…
You have that kick ass mall up there right?
not that it’s any consolation.
Find your way to San Deigo in Feb, the riding sucks in comparison to the resorts you have up there, but you can ride in snow pants and a t-shirt…
B.
Apparently there is NO winter in Phoenix this year. Still over 100 degrees and approaching November. Will the jacket every come out of my closet?
Nobody’s mentioned Baker yet??? I guess its not really a resort - or wasn’t the last time I went- but the hill/area rips.
PS Blue Mountain isn’t really a mountian :).
Yeah gord, I know what you mean. It should be called “Blue Knob” or “Blue Bump” I guess they call in a mountain for marketing purposes. It’s always pretty busy when I go there though, probably because of it’s close proximity to Toronto and because I’ve only been there around X-mas time.
Oh yeah, the mall. There is a certain shame that comes from growing up in a place known only to the rest of the world as “that place with the big fucking mall”.
I was in San Diego in November a couple years ago, and will be again next November (2004). Never thought of the skiing, but I'm still pissed I didn't try surfing (I've body surfed and boogie boarded, but never tried real surfing). - - - flee
There’s a Blue Knob ski resort in PA.
UHG Winter!! I freakin HATE winter. If this winter is anything like last winter, I think I am going to kill myself…;o)
Have any of you tried any double black diamond runs… they are few and far between.
Lake Loise has a couple I believe.
I have done a few on Skis but have yet (don’t know if I ever will) on a snowboard.
Snowed last night… I guess winter is here now!