Early season visit to mainland USA 2017/2018 - Recommendations Please

[hrstrat57]

They've happened, sure. But not in the sense of 'getting lucky' more in the sense of "natural catastrophe".

As in: if it snows that hard in PA they can't leave 'coz the flights are grounded.

Which would leave Elk Mountain the only choice then!

 

[jmills115]

I would vote for buying Mountain Collective.

Our ski area scenery may not measure up to the Alps, but Aspen Highlands, Telluride, Squaw, Mammoth and Jackson are among our best and have some high alpine ambience.

Salt Lake should be the gateway airport for its central location even if you don't spend a high proportion of your ski time at Alta, Snowbird and Snowbasin. You are positioned an easy day's drive west to the Sierra, north to Jackson or Sun Valley or east to Aspen/Telluride. You can make the choice which way to go when you arrive based on current conditions.

As for Jackson's cold weather, that's when you want to be there before warmer weather degrades the predominant SE exposure. Late Jan/early Feb is an ideal time there.

I agree on the mountain collective. Even if you don't leave the three Utah resorts you are skiing 7 days at $60 a day. The three resorts are all under an hour from the SLC airport and Sun Valley a 5 hour drive from SLC if you want to add days to the trip.