I'm going to be driving & skiing from Salt Lake City (leave the morning of Friday, March 20) to Spokane (need to work the morning of Monday, March 23). I'll have my Indy Pass, but no other multi-mountain passes. I'd like to check out some new spots, but also looking to keep spending relatively low. I'd generally like to drive for 2 hours or less in the morning, and 5 hours or less in the evening. To the extent possible, I'll be powder-dodging, since I'm driving a little sedan and my powder skiing skills/enjoyment are low--fast groomers are my favorite, but I enjoy exploring around, even if conditions aren't my ideal. And I'd like to have at least two general routes planned in case weather's looking better along one than the other. I'd love any recommendations, suggestions, advice, etc. for the drive, lodging, skiing, restaurants, etc. No need for nightlife this trip.
Day 1, Friday, March 20. Check out of the hotel in Salt Lake City. Ski ideas...
Day 1, Friday, March 20. Check out of the hotel in Salt Lake City. Ski ideas...
- Beaver Mountain: free on my Indy Pass, and I've never been in the winter. Looks fun, and I know the views are great in the summer, at least. A little out-of-the-way unless I'm heading to Wyoming next.
- Powder Mountain: less out-of-the-way, and one of my favorites. I haven't been since they opened Lefty's and Mary's, so that's the size of another whole ski area I could explore. My current car hasn't been on that PowMow road, and I'm leery of burning my brakes right at the start of a weekend road trip through remote mountains.
- Snowbasin: my old home mountain, and I'd love to see the re-done Mt. Ogden Road and Wildcat Quad. But day tickets are expensive.
- Cherry Peak, Pomerelle, Kelly Canyon, Pebble Creek? They all look like they might be fun, but seems like an already-paid-for Indy Pass day at Beaver Mountain likely beats paying to try one of these this trip.
- Ruled out: Nordic Valley (I've already explored it, and I've got better choices); Backtracking to SLC/Park City areas (I've tried most of them, and I'll have further opportunities in the SLC area, so focusing on the road trip this time).
- Lost Trail Powder Mountain: free on my Indy Pass, never been.
- Sun Valley, Jackson Hole: both are pretty out-of-the-way and expensive for day tickets. I skied a half day at Sun Valley, never skied Jackson--I'm sure I could have fun for a week at each, easy. And I'm inclined to leave them for when I have more time and maybe an Epic/Ikon/MCP in the future.
- Pine Creek, Snow King, Grand Targhee, Kelly Canyon? All sound fun. Are crowds or March weather a turnoff from any of them?
- Discovery: looks like fun, but looks like I need to pick either Lost Trail or Discovery--and Lost Trail is on my already-paid-for Indy Pass.
- Lost Trail Powder Mountain: free on my Indy Pass, never been. Is it worth doing 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) here, or should I pay for somewhere else?
- Montana Snow Bowl: never been, looks fun
- Brundage: free on my Indy pass, never been.
- Tamarack: looks fun, and I'm guessing the views are great.
- Bogus Basin: looks pretty cool, but I worry that Saturday might be swamped with locals.
- Magic Mountain: seems like maybe it wouldn't live up to the other choices, but I'm willing to be convinced otherwise.
- Brundage: free on my Indy pass, never been. Is it worth doing 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) here, or should I pay for somewhere else?
- Snowhaven, Cottonwood Butte, Little Ski Hill, Bald Mountain? I've never been on a t-bar, so I suppose I better try one earlier in the season to make sure I can stand it. I know these are all somewhat weather-dependent, too... but are any of them good enough even in great weather to pay for, instead of taking that already-paid-for Sunday at Brundage?