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Looking for a trip?

6K views 74 replies 16 participants last post by  Oze boarder 
#1 ·
Planning a trip for next year during mid January and am not sure where I want to go. I am not very limited, anywhere in North America (besides Alaska). I just want a somewhat big resort that isn't like Park City or Northstar crowded and has definite powder runs. Just some mellow tree runs or sidecountry type of thing. Just want to ride some real powder. Any help would be great. Would be willing to pay anywhere up to 1,200.
 
#3 ·
Check in to Montana. I have never been, but I think that is where we will end up this year. Flights are actually somewhat reasonable in to Bozeman ($400 from Detroit, probably a little more from NY).

If you're down with doing some trekking, fly in to Spokane and rent a car, you can be in BC interior in ~3 hours like Red Mountain, etc. again it's on my bucket list but never been, but I hear things like "tits deep powder" and "trees for days"...
 
#4 ·
Yah, I like the idea but I've never even been anywhere near a REAL resort, so I just want an in bounds powder runs. I don't care if I have to hike a little. I am really liking Revelstoke but I'm not to sure about the amount of in bounds treeless powder runs.
 
#6 ·
I hear Revy is steep, and in terms of layout it's really more of a skiers' resort, but like I said I've never been.

You would like Targhee I think. It's got plenty of what you're looking for. When we were there, lodging options near Targhee were pretty sparse unless you stay at the resort which will buttrape your $1200 budget, you'd probably have to stay in/near Jackson which is ~60 miles away unless someone else can shed some local knowledge.
 
#9 ·
Two or three including me. I have literally no powder knowledge so idk what that means. I just want some light tree powder, or none if possible in bounds. Nothing real steep or challenging. I thought about Jackson Hole but remembered I wasn't rich and I don't want a tourist resort.
 
#47 ·
JH isn't really a tourist resort... because it's so damned difficult to get to, it's only really busy during holiday weeks. But if you aren't looking for "steep or challenging," definitely stay away from there...as for Targhee, it's a great resort that has great terrain that isn't too steep, and they get tons of snow, but like JH it's not easy to get to. Most of the airports in the area are regional, so there aren't many direct flight options...and if you don't have the ability to rent a car, you're relying on a shuttle, so you're looking at staying in Driggs, Idaho or Jackson, WY...and if you're in Jackson, WY...

Have you looked at SLC? You'd have a number of great terrain options within 45 minutes of the resort, and you can get cheap lodging in Midvale or Sandy and still be on the shuttle routes for the UTA buses...and if you can get to Canyon Sports, you can get some decent lift ticket discounts...
 
#10 · (Edited)
If you're willing to try out something different (under the radar), you might want to check out Schweitzer at the tip of Idaho. 2900 acres, a wide variety of terrain difficulty, massive amounts of tree riding and in-bounds off piste, and almost non-existent lines. The thing I love most about this mountain is that while it has a ton of groomers, it's been treed enough in most areas so that you can ride your own line from top to bottom without ever getting funneled into a groomer. If you get here after a storm, you're pretty much guaranteed fresh lines all day long.

Flying into Spokompton and then driving is the best bet from east coast, Spokane air-fair is usually fairly decent and hotels/cost of living is pretty cheap in this area, they can't afford to buttrape you like other bigname resorts.

Oh, and if you want light powder your kinda stuck with Utah/Colorado. PNW gets primarily wet snow, with it getting lighter the further you go east. We have been known to have some really sick light pow days here, but most of the time it's middle of the road.
 
#11 ·
JH is super steep as well as Revy. You probably wouldn't have as good of a time if you went there. I would seriously look into PC. You can do it true scumbag style since you're under 21. Fly into SLC and take the bus line to PC. They are putting a bus service I think it is 10 bucks each way? There are also shuttles that go to PC I don't know how much they are though. PC is less steep than the cottonwoods resorts and plenty to do there nightlife wise if you have a fake ID.
 
#13 ·
That looks so sick. By mid January or early February would you say someone like me, non-local, could find powder lines without a big storm before? That looks like the best so far. I just can drive anywhere because I can't rent a car. I need to stay close enough to the mountain that I can walk.
 
#14 ·
I know this may be a dumb question but PC= Park City right? I have a friend out there, Air Force base. It didn't look like it had promised powder though. I've never been though so you do know best.
 
#16 ·
certain places will give you better odds than others, but nobody can "promise" pow turns.

I've been to Tahoe & Whistler in January without a drop of precipitation, riding on ice that makes the midwest look tame, JHMR suffered from a thaw & freeze right before we went there (NASTY, btw), got rained on Park City in early Jan., etc.

Then again, I rode 15" of fresh with Snowvols at Brighton in April :)
 
#15 ·
Yes, PC is Park City. Your buddy is stationed at Hill which is a bit aways from PC. Maybe an hour or so from PC but he could maybe help you get there? You get a little under 400" a year on average for snowfall. The cottonwood resorts get 500" on average but you will get pow turns if it snows in PC.
 
#28 ·
If you do PCMR, you won't have to pay a shuttle. If you do the cottonwoods (Brighton, Snowbird, Solitude), you can take the public transit which is pretty cheap. Just make sure wherever you stay is nearby to a bus stop, and you're golden.

Park City proper does get some crowds, and on a good pow day or a Saturday you're going to battle some chairlift lines in the morning no matter where you go that's just the way it is. Stay away from the main/base-area lifts at lunch time and you'll be OK.
 
#22 ·
Dude...Utah has everything you're looking for and way more. If you don't like Park City you have 11 more resorts to choose from, all right next to each other. SLC has pretty good public transportation. Best snow/powder in the country and some of the best terrain. What else do you need?
 
#27 ·
Yah I know, it's just that I know I can't go from 500 foot vertical drop to Alaska. I wanna cheap and relaxing trip. Alaska is for later, when I get a little powder riding under my belt. Not SLC but Park City. I just want a more secluded place. I probably will go there eventually but I just don't think I like it right now. I have never been there so I can't judge, but from the pictures and trail maps I like schweitzer better because it seems bigger and less glades.
 
#30 ·
Also.. I don't really see how a small not well known mountain is going to do you any good.. only the major ones are going to have a shuttle service. Maybe hit under the radar places once you're old enough to rent a vehicle.
 
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