Forgive this rambling thread. I just got back from my annual guys trip, and I'm already daydreaming about the next one.
Our group consists of 7-8 guys. We love renting an affordable (less than $500 per night) ski in/out place, and we ski for 3-4 consecutive days.
We're trying to decide which mountain to target next year, and the first-world problem we're having is that we've already checked so many off our bucket list.
Likes:
-Long, fast groomers
-Mellow trees
-Steep groomed terrain or wind buffed bowls (35-40 degree pitch seems steep for our ability)
-Venturing off trail on blue and black terrain.
-The feeling of exploring a bigger mountain
-Scenic views
-Affordable ski in/ski out, or at least a convenient shuttle to the mountain
-Mangy Moose at Jackson Hole (for its down-to-earth vibe and cheap craft beer)
-Easy, cheap places for dinner. Burritos, pasta, or pizza is always a hit.
Dislikes:
-Lift lines longer than a couple chairs
-Cliffs and chutes
-Long hikes to terrain
-Double fall lines (Looking at you, Canyons...)
-Flat runouts back to the lift (Looking at you, Winter Park...)
-Fine dining or expensive dinners
Indifferent:
-We're not powder hounds. Soft snow conditions are obviously preferred, but crazy deep powder isn't a must. On the recent trip, a soft bluebird day was raved about more than the 6 inches of continuous snow the day before.
Favorite Mountains, in no particular order:
Again, pardon the novel. Can you tell I love thinking about ski vacations?
Our group consists of 7-8 guys. We love renting an affordable (less than $500 per night) ski in/out place, and we ski for 3-4 consecutive days.
We're trying to decide which mountain to target next year, and the first-world problem we're having is that we've already checked so many off our bucket list.
Likes:
-Long, fast groomers
-Mellow trees
-Steep groomed terrain or wind buffed bowls (35-40 degree pitch seems steep for our ability)
-Venturing off trail on blue and black terrain.
-The feeling of exploring a bigger mountain
-Scenic views
-Affordable ski in/ski out, or at least a convenient shuttle to the mountain
-Mangy Moose at Jackson Hole (for its down-to-earth vibe and cheap craft beer)
-Easy, cheap places for dinner. Burritos, pasta, or pizza is always a hit.
Dislikes:
-Lift lines longer than a couple chairs
-Cliffs and chutes
-Long hikes to terrain
-Double fall lines (Looking at you, Canyons...)
-Flat runouts back to the lift (Looking at you, Winter Park...)
-Fine dining or expensive dinners
Indifferent:
-We're not powder hounds. Soft snow conditions are obviously preferred, but crazy deep powder isn't a must. On the recent trip, a soft bluebird day was raved about more than the 6 inches of continuous snow the day before.
Favorite Mountains, in no particular order:
- Steamboat - The mellow tree skiing is amazing. Mixed with fantastic long groomers. Crowds have never been too bad.
- Big Sky - great variety with no crowds. Liberty bowl was a highlight.
- Snowmass - Loved the long groomers, with enough advanced terrain to keep it interesting. Zero chair liftlines was a huge bonus too.
- Jackson Hole - Loved the steeps, the feeling of exploration (especially the Hobacks), constant amazing views, and down to earth town of Jackson.
- Winter Park - Just never had that "this is amazing" moment. Felt like a series of mediocre mountains pasted together. Parsenn bowl had long runouts or double fall lines. Vasquez ridge had the most ridiculous runout I've ever seen. Bus-sized moguls on Mary Jane were a little above my ability. Exploring Eagle Wind was fun, but the trees were too dense for me. Enjoyed the Zephyr lift and Sleeper run.
- Canyons - Seemed like every run was plagued with double fall lines and eventually funneled into a crowded people mover.
- Aspen AJAX - Crowded runs. The town of Aspen wasn't my scene. Looked for a laid back meal and could only find fur coat shops, Louis Vuitton stores, and $$$$ restaurants.
- Whistler: Best mountain I've ever experienced, but the crowds were unbearable.
- Vail: Terrain fits our preferences perfectly, but I've spent one too many Tuesdays in 25 minute lift lines to ever go back.
- Return to Steamboat or Snowmass. Would be guaranteed to have a good time, but it's fun to mix things up.
- Return to Big Sky or Jackson Hole. Went to both of these this year, so this is the least "exciting."
- Telluride - one of the last major resorts we've never visited. I do wonder if the major allure here, which seems to be the great beginner terrain and awesome hike-to chutes of Palmyra, aren’t the best fit for our preferences.
- Squaw or Mammoth have always been on the bucket list, but I've heard they carry Vail-like crowds.
- Solitude and Brighton always look interesting, but I’m never sure what to do about lodging for our big group.
- Same with Alta/Snowbird, but add some concerns about the crowds.
- Deer Valley? Had a blast there four years ago. Only had 1 day and stuck to the groomers, so it would be fun to explore more off trail.
- Give Whistler another shot? Maybe we just got unlucky with 45 minute lift lines on Saturday? Maybe a Monday to Wednesday trip would be better?
- Other??
Again, pardon the novel. Can you tell I love thinking about ski vacations?
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