My brother is retiring in February and he advised me that his wife has given the ok for a "go ahead, get-it-out-of-your-system" ski trip. The wives don't ski, so just us boys.
Note: We're both working stiffs all of our lives and our dear mother has imparted a certain element of frugalness into our DNA. We pondered the options and we both liked the idea of a low-budget dirtball road trip, driving about the mountains of the west, taking in as many resorts as we can, finding budget lodging, brown bag lunches in the parking lot, etc. We have never done anything of this scale. He lives in Ohio and only gets 2-3 days a year at the local bump, with a week-long trip out west every 5 years or so. I live in Arizona and am able to get 8-10 days in per season.
The Mountain Collective pass immediately came to mind - a great value, offering 2 days at each of a respectable list of western resorts, with a bonus 3rd day at the resort of our choice.
I went to work and mapped out a tentative journey that could involve 21 ski days and sent the itinerary to my brother.
<photo>
Called him up:
"What do you think?"
"Sounds good."
"You know, that would be 21 ski days not counting travel?"
"Yeah... and?"
Right... $575 / 21 days of skiing = 23/24 Mountain Collective passes secured.
So, here's the plan: Hitting the road from Arizona February 23.
6 days @ Alta/Snowbird/Snowbasin
2 days @ Sun Valley
2 days @ Big Sky
2 days @ Grand Targhee
2 days @ Jackson Hole
3 days @ Aspen-Snowmass
2 days @ Arapahoe Basin
2 days @ Taos
Now we begin the work on the rest of the planning.
Routes to take.
Where to stay.
Where to park.
Details like required reservations.
Best breweries to visit or local beers to try (important stuff!)
Looking to the group for guidance and encouragement. I will follow-up with some more specific comments and questions as the plan develops.
THANKS IN ADVANCE!
Tom
Note: We're both working stiffs all of our lives and our dear mother has imparted a certain element of frugalness into our DNA. We pondered the options and we both liked the idea of a low-budget dirtball road trip, driving about the mountains of the west, taking in as many resorts as we can, finding budget lodging, brown bag lunches in the parking lot, etc. We have never done anything of this scale. He lives in Ohio and only gets 2-3 days a year at the local bump, with a week-long trip out west every 5 years or so. I live in Arizona and am able to get 8-10 days in per season.
The Mountain Collective pass immediately came to mind - a great value, offering 2 days at each of a respectable list of western resorts, with a bonus 3rd day at the resort of our choice.
I went to work and mapped out a tentative journey that could involve 21 ski days and sent the itinerary to my brother.
<photo>
Called him up:
"What do you think?"
"Sounds good."
"You know, that would be 21 ski days not counting travel?"
"Yeah... and?"
Right... $575 / 21 days of skiing = 23/24 Mountain Collective passes secured.
So, here's the plan: Hitting the road from Arizona February 23.
6 days @ Alta/Snowbird/Snowbasin
2 days @ Sun Valley
2 days @ Big Sky
2 days @ Grand Targhee
2 days @ Jackson Hole
3 days @ Aspen-Snowmass
2 days @ Arapahoe Basin
2 days @ Taos
Now we begin the work on the rest of the planning.
Routes to take.
Where to stay.
Where to park.
Details like required reservations.
Best breweries to visit or local beers to try (important stuff!)
Looking to the group for guidance and encouragement. I will follow-up with some more specific comments and questions as the plan develops.
THANKS IN ADVANCE!
Tom