President’s week, Big Sky vs Deer Valley?

[Ski&ride]

How crowded is Big Sky during President’s week? (but not the weekend itself as my pass is black out anyway)

I’ve only been to Big Sky twice. Both times were dead quiet. No line at the base, no crowd on the mountain... except of course the tram! Would the tram line be unbearable during President’s week?

I haven’t been to Deer Valley for like 10 years. Can’t remember much at all. Are there choke points that would get seriously stuffed during peak week?

Being a cubicle dweller, President’s week is a week everyone slaking off. So it’s THE week for me to take off. I’m told both Big Sky and Deer Valley are usually uncrowded. Hence they are my top choices.

Is one better than the other? Or both should be avoided and go somewhere else instead? (I have Ikon base, so Jackson and Solitude /Brighten are also options. But I suspect those are busier than DV/BS)

 

[KingGrump]

Aspen and Taos are two other areas that are usually not mobbed on President week. Busier, yes. Mobbed, nowhere like the other places.

You may want to check the protocol for skiing DV with the Ikon pass. I believe you have to make reservations in advance.

 

[Ski&ride]

Doing Aspen in January, together with Copper and Steamboat.

Taos is hard to get to. Also no nearby mountains to join with (doing a 10 day trip)

 

[KingGrump]

Do you have the base or unlimited Ikon pass?

 

[Jwrags]

I was at Big Sky Presidents' Day week several years ago and even on the weekend there seemed to be nobody there.

 

[Bob Simpson]

Big Sky spreads crowds out so well, even if there are a lot of skiers, it still seems empty! Now, with the Challenger 8-pack, the lines will be even less! In addition, the Sky is off to a great snow year already! I'd recommend Big Sky, for sure.

 

[Started at 53]

Big Sky, more remote so should have fewer people. I’d avoid DV

 

[Ski&ride]

What about the tram? I would imagine the tram line will be a bit longer on that week? Any tip on time of day etc?

 

[dbostedo]

Big Sky, more remote so should have fewer people. I’d avoid DV

Conflict-of-Interest!!! No DV local opinions allowed!

 

[Talisman]

What about the tram? I would imagine the tram line will be a bit longer on that week? Any tip on time of day etc?

The tram line is almost always long if it is sunny and good snow irrespective holiday weekend or not.

Tram line tips:

• Expect a 30-45 minute wait (if the line is outside the corral ~40 minutes plus).
• If there is poor visibility, wind or crusty snow, often the tram is ski on (for a reason). The summit in poor visibility or crusty snow can be spicy (talk to patrol first).
• Later in the day the line shortens. If you are doing a scenic trip the last tram trip is scenic only at ~3:30 PM and there is usually a very short line.
• If the tram line is long, go other places Challenger, Headwaters and Lone Tree have some steep shots, often better snow and typically very short lines
• The summit on a clear day with good snow is an amazing places.
• "We can see your tetons"

 

[Jack skis]

Given the differences between Big Sky and Deer Valley (terrain, ambiance, après ski activities, etc.) I am surprised one would be choosing between the two for a Holiday. Big Sky has a lot of space for people so crowds are not a big problem. But the Tram is another matter. It does get lines because it only carries 15-16 or skiers at a time. The attendants herd people along in a good way, and the crowd is usually in good humor (or scared silly at what's to come). When the Tram was designed and built in the 1990's I don't think anyone anticipated the number of skiers it would attract, but it got lines right from the start, though way shorter than nowadays. I was in that line the first day it was open to the public. Very dry mouth. Survived.

 

[Started at 53]

Conflict-of-Interest!!! No DV local opinions allowed!

I was just trying to be helpful

 

[Ski&ride]

Given the differences between Big Sky and Deer Valley (terrain, ambiance, après ski activities, etc.) I am surprised one would be choosing between the two for a Holiday.

I’m not choosing between the 2, only which one for THAT week. Will do the other at a different (non holiday) week.

 

[bbinder]

I’ve been to both during President’s week. To avoid crowds and lift lines, Big Sky hands down. If you get nostalgic for lifelines while at Big Sky, you can always visit the tram.

 

[skidrew]

Big Sky spreads crowds out so well, even if there are a lot of skiers, it still seems empty! Now, with the Challenger 8-pack, the lines will be even less! In addition, the Sky is off to a great snow year already! I'd recommend Big Sky, for sure.

This is really the key - Big Sky even on its busiest days can spread people around. Only at the beginning of the day and after lunch do the base lifts get some lines. And you'll quickly learn to stay up the mountain anyway.

BTW, @Bob Simpson - It's RamCharger 8. Challenger is a 3-person and isn't getting another upgrade to 8 (I can only imagine how hairy it would get up there if it started dumping out 8 skiers every 20 seconds).

 

[Ski&ride]

Do you have the base or unlimited Ikon pass?

Base.

I’ve got my answer. Will do a Big Sky & Jackson combo for President’s week.

Will be keeping an eye on how much terrain is open in Taos early January while I’m at Copper to see if it justifies the 4 1/2 hr drive down...

 

[Bob Simpson]

This is really the key - Big Sky even on its busiest days can spread people around. Only at the beginning of the day and after lunch do the base lifts get some lines. And you'll quickly learn to stay up the mountain anyway.

BTW, @Bob Simpson - It's RamCharger 8. Challenger is a 3-person and isn't getting another upgrade to 8 (I can only imagine how hairy it would get up there if it started dumping out 8 skiers every 20 seconds).

Whoops, I should know better! I've been enjoying watching the construction progress almost everyday on the web cam with the sign blazing "Coming Soon, Ramcharger 8"! Thanks for the correction!
Bob

 

[James]

Is this like an early April fools day thread?

 

[dbostedo]

Is this like an early April fools day thread?

Because you don't believe someone would actually be considering Big Sky vs. Deer Valley?

Maybe you just haven't come to accept all the realities of having an Ikon Pass.

 

[James]

Because you don't believe someone would actually be considering Big Sky vs. Deer Valley?

Maybe you just haven't come to accept all the realities of having an Ikon Pass.

It's still the same ridiculous question.

One should obviously go to Deer Valley. Closer to the airport, better food, more stuff around, no grizzly bears in the area, no snowboarders. Leave Big Sky for those who just want to ski. Moonlight Basin-hunt and ski. Bridger Bowl if you get bored, Yellowstone club if you get invited.