Ranking Ski Resorts
- Thread starter Triggermv
- Start date
There is a industry conference there every January (pre-vid) that I kept getting axed for more senior people... All I've heard is that it's nice but $$$. I'll look into it.
I would say the feel is less touristy even though that’s just the “feeling” and probably not the reality. Kind of a more “exclusive” feeling than Summit County/Vail Beaver. I’d say it’s more like a Telluride experience where you feel more “off the beaten path”. It’s not as “Raw” as Winter Park and it’s not like Summit County where people are basing in Silverthorne, Dillon, or Frisco and webbing out to all of the different resorts in the area. Plus it’s an amazing mountain to ski/ride.
Didn't know this thread existed.
Anyone mention Whistler/Blackcomb?
I'm not a skier, went there one year at the end of ski season for a conference. I thought it was gorgeous and some shops were transitioning from skiing to hiking/mountain biking. Someday I'll get back there to bike/hike.
I was there couple of years before the Vancouver Olympics.
Anyone mention Whistler/Blackcomb?
I'm not a skier, went there one year at the end of ski season for a conference. I thought it was gorgeous and some shops were transitioning from skiing to hiking/mountain biking. Someday I'll get back there to bike/hike.
I was there couple of years before the Vancouver Olympics.
Been on a 3-day trip with my wife so far this year to Park City, went on a 2-day trip where we skied both Vail and Beaver Creek with cousins, and am taking the whole family on the trip to Keystone this weekend where we ski one day at Keystone. Honestly, the big snowstorm centered East of the divide this weekend is making me a bit nervous. Unlike my other trips, we are driving this one and will likely be headed on I-70 through the mountains mid-afternoon on Friday. Looks like most the storm starts more Friday late-afternoon or even at night. Any advice on driving? I've made the drive many of times, but never really with snow like this. At least we will be in a 4wd Tahoe. We are trying to rearrange stuff where maybe we can get there a bit earlier.
Also, even the skiing is making me a bit nervous too. If it was just me, I'd be in heaven, but my kids are age 3 and 6 and have never been in the mountains, much less skied any type of powder. Both are pretty good little Midwest skiers by now, especially for their age, and can ski even Midwest blacks some. At least it looks like West of the divide will likely be more like 6 inches rather than the multiple feet East of the divide. Any advice on skiing with the kids with heavier snow? I've skied powder many of times myself in the mountains, love it, but I can't remember if some of the greens get groomed at all during heavier snows to make things a bit easier on the kiddos.
Unfortunately our hotel at Keystone is only Friday and Saturday night with us staying Sunday night in Denver. Luckily, that Denver Sunday hotel is cancellable, as I'm prepared to have to stay up in the mountains for Sunday night as well where we will just have to grab a different hotel room there.
Also, even the skiing is making me a bit nervous too. If it was just me, I'd be in heaven, but my kids are age 3 and 6 and have never been in the mountains, much less skied any type of powder. Both are pretty good little Midwest skiers by now, especially for their age, and can ski even Midwest blacks some. At least it looks like West of the divide will likely be more like 6 inches rather than the multiple feet East of the divide. Any advice on skiing with the kids with heavier snow? I've skied powder many of times myself in the mountains, love it, but I can't remember if some of the greens get groomed at all during heavier snows to make things a bit easier on the kiddos.
Unfortunately our hotel at Keystone is only Friday and Saturday night with us staying Sunday night in Denver. Luckily, that Denver Sunday hotel is cancellable, as I'm prepared to have to stay up in the mountains for Sunday night as well where we will just have to grab a different hotel room there.
I'd say that isn't really an option for us. For one, we are probably too cheap for ski school. For two, I'm bringing them because my wife and I wanted to show them and ski with them in the mountains, so we don't want to split up. I've been waiting for this chance where I thought they were skilled enough to feel comfortable bringing them along. I'm also the one who has taught them all along the way with our Sundown season passes, and can't wait to teach them more skiing in the mountains. I've skiied Keystone multiple times myself, so learning the mountain isn't really a concern in the slightest as much as simply the snow conditions we'll be facing.
You aren't going to have many options driving. You will be at the mercy of I-70. Hit it as early as you can Friday and I think you will be ok from reports I am seeing, **** is supposed to hit the fan overnight.
As for skiing, and take this with a grain of salt coming from a 50 something, I think the kids do well on Copper Mtn for summit county options. They are geared more toward younger crowd in my opinion and it is just 30 minutes around the corner form Keystone, if that is an option. I don't know how classes are now with Covid but that is always a good investment for kids I think. We haven't hit Summit this year, doing Steamboat so far.
But ultimately, you are going to get some EPIC snow. Forecast is for up to 5 feet in Summit County. I would kill to be on back bowl of Breckenridge Sunday.
Tire chains? throw a long handled shovel in so if you get hung up you can get the snow out from under you so your not high centered. that would be my 2 suggestions.
I bet your kids have fun in the powder since they already have the basics down. The most fun day skiing I every had was at Grand Targhee on a powder/snowing heavy day. Took an epic yard sale didn't hurt a bit because of the snow. Of course I was a lot younger then.
3-12-21 Update: Disclaimer - Some of these rankings are based on only one day there. So if it was an awesome day or crappy day it can influence. I've done vail 7-8 times and still holds up.
Rankings:
1. Vail. This is still by far my favorite basically because of the back bowls. The views never get old, the variety of fast groomers yet tree runs. Poppyfields is probably my favorite run ever. Downside is the crowd/prices. Tons of catwalks, but I've been here enough that I usually know when to pick up speed or which catwalks to avoid.
2. Heavenly. Almost rivals if not beats Vail for views given Lake Tahoe. Tons of variety of runs, no lift lines. Free parking. Awesome day.
3. Deer Valley. Not cheap but had amazing snow. Great groomers, views, fun tree runs. Perfect weather the day we went.
4. Brighton. Was blown away by this place. There were runs we could just stay in the trees off the side for a long time and mess around. Also had some fast groomers. Easy to get around. Definitely my favorite resort for the value. Had a nice local feel to it. We were able to get a good local 16oz beer for only 6 bucks.
5. Keystone - Love that it has multiple mountains and the back two peaks are a blast. Beautiful views as well. Some of our group loves the terrain parks there. I'm too much of a wimp for large jumps.
6. Park City - Had some really good groomers on a beautiful cloudless day. Some runs near the back through the trees and also ones you can bomb down. A little pricey, but its a Vail resort so not surprised.
7. Squaw Valley. Really challenging runs, neat views/vibes. Layout was fun as well. Lots of huge rock formations protruding that made it feel like your non typical ski resort. Also cool views of Lake Tahoe from the top.
8. Breckenridge - always seems to be crowded and full of tourists but I've been enough to know where to go. A lot of runs go back to the front where the crowds are so makes it a bit harder to get around. Peak 10 has some great runs. Also love going to the peak above Peak 8.
9. Alta. Really fun runs, neat layout. Lift lines were manageable. Lots of variety.
10. Copper Mountain - only have been here once but had a great day. Lots of variety and enjoyed going to the peak here. Want to try it more.
11. Solitude: We only spent part of an afternoon here with the Sol-Bright combined pass. However, the runs we did weren't anything special compared to the morning at Brighton. Also, the snow was kind of run down/slushy. Definitely want to get here and try the runs first thing in the morning. Hopefully next year.
12. Canyons (treating this as a separate resort than Park City). I think this place has more potential but we didn't enjoy it as much due to having to wait 45 minutes for the first lift, 12" of snow in white out conditions, and couldn't seem to find any run that didn't have moguls. However, I wanna give it another shot.
13. Snowbird. Front side felt like your basic up and down resort but the backside was pretty awesome skiing along the walls of a canyon.
14. North Star. Was underwhelmed by this place. Some decent groomers, but snow wasn't great, lift lines were 20 minutes plus each time and lifts were undersized (barely any 6 person chairs). Would like to try on a week day. Parking also was $50.
15. A-Basin - loved being able to tailgate at lunch. However, with a lot of this resort above the treeline, lots of ice at the top runs we ran into.
16. Afton Alps - you just can't compare the midwest with the Rockies
17. Welch Village
18. Sun Down
19. Mount Kato
20. Seven Oaks
Rankings:
1. Vail. This is still by far my favorite basically because of the back bowls. The views never get old, the variety of fast groomers yet tree runs. Poppyfields is probably my favorite run ever. Downside is the crowd/prices. Tons of catwalks, but I've been here enough that I usually know when to pick up speed or which catwalks to avoid.
2. Heavenly. Almost rivals if not beats Vail for views given Lake Tahoe. Tons of variety of runs, no lift lines. Free parking. Awesome day.
3. Deer Valley. Not cheap but had amazing snow. Great groomers, views, fun tree runs. Perfect weather the day we went.
4. Brighton. Was blown away by this place. There were runs we could just stay in the trees off the side for a long time and mess around. Also had some fast groomers. Easy to get around. Definitely my favorite resort for the value. Had a nice local feel to it. We were able to get a good local 16oz beer for only 6 bucks.
5. Keystone - Love that it has multiple mountains and the back two peaks are a blast. Beautiful views as well. Some of our group loves the terrain parks there. I'm too much of a wimp for large jumps.
6. Park City - Had some really good groomers on a beautiful cloudless day. Some runs near the back through the trees and also ones you can bomb down. A little pricey, but its a Vail resort so not surprised.
7. Squaw Valley. Really challenging runs, neat views/vibes. Layout was fun as well. Lots of huge rock formations protruding that made it feel like your non typical ski resort. Also cool views of Lake Tahoe from the top.
8. Breckenridge - always seems to be crowded and full of tourists but I've been enough to know where to go. A lot of runs go back to the front where the crowds are so makes it a bit harder to get around. Peak 10 has some great runs. Also love going to the peak above Peak 8.
9. Alta. Really fun runs, neat layout. Lift lines were manageable. Lots of variety.
10. Copper Mountain - only have been here once but had a great day. Lots of variety and enjoyed going to the peak here. Want to try it more.
11. Solitude: We only spent part of an afternoon here with the Sol-Bright combined pass. However, the runs we did weren't anything special compared to the morning at Brighton. Also, the snow was kind of run down/slushy. Definitely want to get here and try the runs first thing in the morning. Hopefully next year.
12. Canyons (treating this as a separate resort than Park City). I think this place has more potential but we didn't enjoy it as much due to having to wait 45 minutes for the first lift, 12" of snow in white out conditions, and couldn't seem to find any run that didn't have moguls. However, I wanna give it another shot.
13. Snowbird. Front side felt like your basic up and down resort but the backside was pretty awesome skiing along the walls of a canyon.
14. North Star. Was underwhelmed by this place. Some decent groomers, but snow wasn't great, lift lines were 20 minutes plus each time and lifts were undersized (barely any 6 person chairs). Would like to try on a week day. Parking also was $50.
15. A-Basin - loved being able to tailgate at lunch. However, with a lot of this resort above the treeline, lots of ice at the top runs we ran into.
16. Afton Alps - you just can't compare the midwest with the Rockies
17. Welch Village
18. Sun Down
19. Mount Kato
20. Seven Oaks
Best area for an early March weekend trip with the boys? All have moderate to decent incomes, so nothing that we need to refi the house on to have a good time. More of a brewpub crowd that loves good food over a night club crowd.
Would love opinions and shared experiences.
Would love opinions and shared experiences.
Could you narrow it down a bit? Are you talking about going West to the mountains or looking for something around the Midwest? Are you wanting to stick to Colorado because you want to drive for instance, or are you willing to fly anywhere to open up a lot more possibilities?
Rockies. Dollar goes further the closer you stay to Denver since several already live there and can/could drive.
Flight areas that have been thrown out are Jackson Hole and the SLC area resorts.
Do your buddies have Ikon or Epic passes already that you can get the "buddy" discount?
Also can determine where they go if near Denver. Ikon = Winter Park/Copper Mtn/Steamboat Epic = Breck/Keystone/Vail
100% agree, not to mention the fact the you get to ski the inside of a volcanic crater. Priceless.
