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Colorado or Utah...???

4K views 15 replies 7 participants last post by  BMW_TT 
#1 ·
I am from california and I have NEVER snowboard in another state.

I will be making my first ever out-of-state trip in the next few months and I am trying to decide between COLORADO or UTAH.

Throw me some suggestions.

My criteria:
- Easy to get to from SLC or DENVER.
- Good amount of terrain.
- Good park.
- Good vibes about snowboarders from out of state.
- Good facilities.
- Good nightlife.

I already have some in mind already...Park City, Brighton, A-Basin, Loveland, Breck.

I will be doing a 3 day/2 night type deal and am staying/lodging in SLC or DENVER. I am planning to rent a car and drive up to the hill but most likely its going to be hitching a ride on a bus/carpool/shuttle service.

Any other snowboard travel related advice and help would be appreciated too.

Thanks.
 
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#2 ·
Easy to get to is definitely won by SLC. I just moved to SLC this past summer and driving to the resorts is typically less than 40 minutes for Brighton and cottonwood canyons. From my house it's about 25 minutes to Park city and Canyons..

Besides that I can't help too much. I would guess SLC will beat Denver for all but nightlife. IMO if you're making a trip to board that should be low on the priority list. Easier to visit multiple resorts here without as much driving since Brighton and Solitude are right next to each other, Park City and Canyons are next to each other.

When I stayed in Denver for a trip last winter, it took me and my buddy two hours to get from Denver to Keystone/Breck....
 
#3 ·
My criteria:
- Easy to get to from SLC or DENVER.
- Good amount of terrain.
- Good park.
- Good vibes about snowboarders from out of state.
- Good facilities.
- Good nightlife.
Easy to get to? UTAH wins this easily. dude look how many resorts you have within 30 minutes of salt lake city... Colorado is really spread out... pic - http://i.imgur.com/Tnx8w.jpg

Good amount of terrain? UTAH you have more steeps, great parks, more snow. Brighton and Snowbird hit the top 10 best terrain category in the latest transworld issue.

Good Park? Canyons/Park City/Brighton

basically utah wins every category except nightlife. Colorado has more of a party feel - utah has more hardcore/dedicated riders in my opinion... i'm obviously biased as I moved here from california...

You'll have fun either way man. You can't go wrong.

Leaving California has probably got to be your best decision yet
 
#4 ·
Yeah...after reading a lot of posts and reviews...I figured it would come down to UTAH and SLC. Its easier, cheaper and still a lot of fun. I just hope the nightlife in SLC is pretty good.

PARK CITY and BRIGHTON...HERE I COME...!!!!!!!!!!
 
#5 ·
When are you coming out here?

Hit me up if you want to ride at Brighton. I got my pass there this year. Just moved here from Oklahoma this past July for grad school at U of U.

I'd say moving here from OK made more of a difference than moving here from CA ;)
 
#6 ·
For park and nightlife CO wins. I have done the stay in Denver and ride the resorts and it is silly how long that drive is. It depends what you want good park or maybe steeper terrain? Brighton isn't all that steep, but it has its gems for sure. Snowbird is the steepest place in UT by far but if it hasn't snowed recently it isn't nearly as much fun. Who likes ice? PC and Brighton aren't close as the car drives but right next to one another as the bird flys. They are probably an hour or more pending on weather from PC to Brighton and vice versa.
 
#7 ·
Utah by far.

I live in downtown SLC, Park city, Canyons, Brighton, Solitude, and Snowbird ALL with 40 minuites. 25 to Canyons for me (where I got my pass to this year).

Nightlife isn't that bad. I don't go out often, but when I do, I have a blast.... Though this could also be since I mainly go out with my gay roommate to gay bars which = tons of straight chicks, who by the end of the night, are fiending for a straight man, lol.


Edit:

Also check out the Canyon Inn at the mouth of the canyon coming down from Brighton/Solitude. Always a fun time there.
 
#9 ·
Canyons Park is pretty Epic but generally CO is going to win for Parks

No questions CO easily takes the cake for nightlife

I live in the Cottonwood Heights\Sandy\Midvale area which is 10 minutes from downtown SLC and 25 minutes from Brighton, Solitude, Snowbird and Alta. 40 Minutes from Park City, Canyons and Deer Valley and 55 Minutes from Powder Mountain and Snowbasin all world class resorts with EPIC terrain and some of the best backcountry access in the world.

Night life in park City is pretty good but not quite up to CO levels


My advice is to wait and see how the snow develops in mid January and then go from there, been a crazy weird weather pattern year here. IF was Summit County CO today versus SLC I would easily take SLC but who knows how things are going to change in the next month so follow the snow predictions.
 
#11 ·
Shit so far this year most days you could ride a scooter up into the canyons and over the passes but if it's puking your going to be driving the car and then getting on a ski or resort bus.

You should be able to use any vehicle to get you between the 3 resort areas which are Little\Big Cottonwood Canyons(SLC) + Park City + Ogden but once in the general area you'll need to ride the ski bus to get to the lifts which is not a big deal.

For me(if you have a 2-3 people) I'd rent a small subaru impreza their only a few $$$ more than the shit mobiles and then you can keep all your food and drinks in your car right next to the hill to save money that way and not have to deal with the bus bullshit.

so pay now or pay later and enjoy the convenience of having your vehicle 200ft away in the parking lot.
 
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