OK, last year we had a good thread going on skiing. Clearly there are some experienced guys here. Tonight I am securing my reservations for the winter....We do the family thing each year and ski NE 100% of the time. (I have only been out west 2X skiing and that was a loooooong time ago when I was 18)

We always do Sunday River for the kids winter break but this year I am thinking of going more exotic ....anyone ever ski Whistler/Blackcomb? (our winter break is the 1st week in March, different from most other schools) We have been just about everyplace in NE and I think it is time to takem out west.

The price is pretty decent (no more then SR) and I have enough freq flyer miles to take us all 1st class.
Is it worth the 1 full day traveling (with entire family) time each way for 4 days of skiing?
If you don't like whister what would you suggest as a west ski resort for an experienced NE ski family?

(of course if I go there I will need new skis too!:hihi: )

In your situation where I'd go:

Whistler/Blackcomb
Alta
Mammoth

I'll be at Mammoth for a full week this coming Nov.
If you're all skiers Alta can't be beat, W/B is very east coast like from the treeline down, Alta is the land of powder.

Mammoth has been getting absolutely pounded this year, so its a safe choice.

Actually in your situation, without the kids, I'd go Points North. :D

Lake Tahoe rocks. Squaw Valley, Edgewood or anymore of the 20 or so runs. Plus at night you can take the wife to South Shore and play blackjack. Always more snow than Mammoth without the LA crowds.

Explain "LA crowds" when LA is 6 hours away?

It's the closest ski resort to LA. Go there over the holidays or weekends and it gets ugly. The traffic on 395 gets bumper to bumper.

I'm not pulling this out of my trousers. I lived in California until last October.

Likwid, have you been to Alta? That place looks pretty sweet.
We are all skiers and I will be bringing my kids. I think I have narrowed it down to UT now and will put whister off for another time.
hey, where would you suggest we stay? (something like the Jordan or Grand hotels at SR would be ideal)

I guess you fly into Salt Lake and rent a car eh?

Alta is very cool. However, I've always liked Colorado more than Utah and California.

Whistler is great, but the conditions weren't as good as I expected. The party scene is something to behold though.

My recommendation would be Jackson Hole. Incredible terrain, incredible snow, and a vibe that's very different from most western resorts. Would make for a nice family trip in my opinion.

Navy Chief is right.

If you are young and solo, there are probably better places to chase powder but Lake Tahoe is the best all around vacation spot. Plan on pulling the kids from school for a couple extra days and take them to Napa, San Francisco, Monterey over a weekend when the slopes get crowded.

Beware - my family went there for vacation when I was 16 and I quit a perfectly good job when I was 25 to move there.

I took a trip to Breckingridge, CO years ago and it was awesome. There are 4 mountains close together so you can get a package plan to ski all four. Breckingridge, Cooper, Apprahoe, and Vail.

Hooked and Navy chief, I lived in SF from 94-2000.
I miss the bay area a lot.
Sory to hijack the skiing thread....

Travelled out west for the first time last year. Stayed at Breckenridge. It was AWESOME!!! Great all around mountain, great town and plenty of other mountains close by. One of which has night skiing.

Haven't been anywhere else out west so I don't know what else is out there. I was definitely happy with Breck.

And, you can have a guide take you fly fishing. Even in winter.

Alta is the holy land of powder.

Go there. :)

http://www.alta.com/

I'd say just check out their packages, I'm sure they have transportation from/to SLC and whatnot.

Probably can snag a sweet deal right now including rental and whatnot on the cheap.


http://xplorevacations.com/ski/images/alta_large.jpg

Alta Rocks!
Was out there in 1986 when the Pats were lining up for the Superbowl Shuffle!
Some of the best skiing I've ever seen!
Just ask Mikey, we used to be some of the best skiers in MA at the time!
Later,
Rick

For pure powder Alta is it.

Snow Bird is just as good!! I actually hit Lil Cottonwood 2 days after skiing deep powder at Copper in CO. There definitely is a distinct difference at Alta and Snowbird. It is the epitomy of champagne powder there. I'm a bit nervous to hit the slopes after the knee operation last winter. I'm thinking about taking up snowboarding. Ricky and I have been skiing since we were 2. I don't even remember learning. We both placed in the top three in Western MA in our division our senior year. Basically, skiing has always been a big part of my life, and it will be a big blow if my injury closes the book on my skiing career.:( Well, there is always ice fishing.

Exercise and wear a knee brace.

Mikey, snowboarding it is. I used to be an accomplished skier until I blew out my PCL (went way too big in the park and landed in the flat), and the Doc said that I should never ski again. I told him that I would not be able to not ski, and he told me that I could snowboard without any question becuase it takes all of the torque off of your knees. Five years later, my knee is stronger than ever, and I still won't even consider getting back on my skis.

Give snowboarding a shot. It's a more confortable ride, a little less tiring, you're only carrying around one piece of equipment instead of four, and I won't even talk about the powder days.

The waist on my skis is way over 100, I don't have problems in powder. :D

I've ridden some real planks through the pow, and the snowboard still takes the cake for me.

been a snowboarder for over 10 years and on tele's for a total off/on for 6 years

i'll take fat tele's over a snowboard any day in champagne pow

but that also takes skill. :D

Yeah, the doc told me the same thing. Looks like I'll become a knuckle dragger this season. Actually, this works out since my fiance has only been skiing once (last year). While she learns to ski, I can learn to snowboard. I know when I brought her last year, it was kind of tough having to wait around for her the whole time and only hit the beginner/intermediate runs. I think my learning curve will be a bit steeper then hers since I know the ways of the snow, but at least we will be closer to the same experience level.

Snowboarding is easy to learn, usually takes people a day or so to get on blues...

Actually, I used to have a Burton Cruiser 165. One of the first boards Burton made out of their Elite series. I was only using it in peoples back yards since they were not allowed at most ski areas yet. I sold it a year after I got it. I can only imagine what I would be like today if I stuck with it??? I got some buddies that were doing some sick tricks into their second year of riding.:smash:

Mike,,,,,If ya want I can show ya a few things about snowboarding,,,did it for 7 years then mt.tom closed and I kind of just threw in the towel, I hiked mt.tom last january, there was some nice fresh powder and still some good trails.

Well, after lots of hemmin and hawin, it came down to where I could go on my frequent flyer miles without kickin into preimum miles...the easiest for me was to go to Denver. So we are doing almost a week at Breckenridge with a 5 mnt pass to ski vail, beavercreek, breck, keystone and one other. If I make it to breck, vail and beaver creek I will be happy. The price was pretty good I thought...lodging and lift was less then the east coast! Since the air was a freebe (1st class no less!)the only real cost was renting a car in denver for a week and a airport limo...that reminds me...I need to talk to MrMacy about getting a limo to the airport now..:D

Mikey the best way to learn on a snowboard is to go a little faster in the beginning. I have been riding for over 10 years and I have seen to many people give it up because they believe it is to hard. You may want to start on the flater bunny slopes but it is difficult to try and balance through a curve when you are going so slow. If you go a little faster your body weight and the board will pull you through the turn. Less time on your butt also.

Sandman, I don't think you'll be disappointed. The drive from Denver to Breck is something I will never forget. Heading into the Rockies was amazing. Also, there is a fly fishing guide right in downtown Breckenridge if you're interested. Have a good trip.

fly fishing in feb?

summit county is alot of fun. all the areas mentioned in this thread can and are epic in there own right. the key to any good trip is good snow. the hardest snow or boiler plate i've ever skied was on a heli trip in valdez, not the epic powder you see in the mags.

Just moved back to Killington this week. guns are running and some natural snow thursday and friday. mountain opens on tuesday. 10 trails and a park, a real opening with some real base. usually they only blow for 2 days this year there going for 7. one more fishing trip this week then i say
LET IT PUKE.:D

fly fishing in feb?

You Bet! As long as it's not too cold and the rivers freeze completely over. They were guiding when I was there in January. Here's a link to the guide right in downtown Breck. I think there are a few others too.

Breckenridge Fly Fishing Link (http://www.breckenridgeoutfitters.com/fishing.asp)

Brrrrrrrrrrrrr!!

Since we are talking skiing here if anyone is in the Sugarbush/ mad river area leyt me know, i would love to talk fishing while skiing. i don't think you can go wrong at most western areas if the snow is there. the only advantage a snow board has over skiis is in extremely tight woods.with deep powder.

I'll be sporting these (http://www.pmgearusa.com/bromodel/bromodelf.htm) in about a month and a half as my BC ski.

Designed/built/tested by people off a ski forum. :D

Yup...that time of year again. Rappin Mikey, i have two daughters that races out of big bad Blandford in the tri-state program in Western Mass. I am one of the coaches and a lot of kids on the team also ski for their schools. You must of been pretty good in your day to finish up there. I've had two acl replacements in the same knee and still mange to rip it up, so you can't use that as an excuse :)

Likwid, you up at Sunday River working as a ski bum again this year?

Have fun in Breckenridge Sandman!!!!

My brother is a professional snow boarder in Vail. He is all over the place out there. I have been out to ski those mountains and watch him. It's great out there. I can give you a few good spots for food and a few apre ski beers if you are interested. He is still out there launching himself off anything big all season long. Let me know if you have any questions.... and there IS fishing out there in the winter.:happy:

Gary, I'll probably be there again this winter. Looks like I start around Dec 5th (gonna be in California till then).

Bronko,

Thanks, any ski apre advice will be great, pm me some places you like. I think I will leave the fishing stuff at home this trip. I want to do as much skiing as my body will allow while I am out there. I am not as young nor as professional as many of the guys here ( I probably ski 30 days per year) so 4 or 5 full days will pretty much wipe me out...and when i get back, I will be thinking herring season....

Thanks for all the advice guys!

K-Mart is open

Sunday River opens today
Bretton Woods opens today

Welcome to winter. :D

This year's quiver (including what I plan on buying)

169 Public Enemies (general crap around resort ski to beat to hell)
169 Seth Pistols/Hippy Stinx (bc/soft resort ski)
179 Seth Pistols/Hippy Stinx (bc/resort powder ski)
188 PMG Bro Models (tucks/bc pow ski)

all mounted tele :D

Nice choice Sandman. I'll actually be at Vail during the same time frame.

Breck is a blast. Make sure you make it over to Arapahoe Basin which is a great experience. Very western skiing. I'm sure your kids would dig it too because it has a different feel to it.

Trying to decide if I feel like driving to Sunday River for a couple runs this weekend as it's all paid for already, but I'll probably end up wallpapering instead. Uggh.

Likwid,
11/9... that is amazing. I think it will hit 60 tomorrow here.

http://www.killington.com/sections/HTML/otm_photoofday.aspx

All those skis...you must be single...;)

have a bunch of skis to get rid of. all skis are in good shape and are tuned and ready to go. All skis are less than one season old (5 days to 50 days). heres the list:

188 K2 AK enemy(big moutain twintip)w/ Salamon 914 Titanium
173 K2 enemy (all mountain twintip)w/ Salamon 912 Titanium
183 K2 enemy w/ Salamon 997
176 Head Madtrix Mojo (All moutain twintip) w/ Tyrolia Demos
170 Fischer Sceneo 500 (all mountain carver) lifter plate no bindings
163 Fischer RC4 Slalom Race Stock (sidewall ski) lifter plate with Salamon 916
183 Fischer Airstyle (bump ski twintip) Salamon S900 Titanium
170 Fischer Big Stix 106 (monster fatty twin) w/ Salamon 912 Pe2
175 Volkl Straight Line (bump ski) Brand new never used
165 Dynastar Concept (twintip) w/ Salamon S900 Demo

Any of these skis can be had with or without bindings. I'll remount the skis if they need for nothing and they all have been freshly tuned on a wintersteiger tuning center. Where'd the skis come from? I work in a shop and have some good industry connections (sponsors, friends). Make some offers. All skis are negotiable.
:cheers:

wow that is some collection. You guys collect skis like I have plugs.

Hey does anyone know where you can order replacement lenses for ski goggles online?

i knew a site that had lenses.
i'll find it by sometime tomorrow

devil: pm sent :D

sandman try prolense.com. i'm not sure if thats the exact site but its something close to that and they have all the brands and models covered. sometimes the lenses are as much as the goggles themselves and thats why its not effective for the shops to carry lenses.

http://www.skilens.com/ is it.

thanks...I'll give them a call

well my season just got blown to #^&#^&#^&#^&.

just got back from Southern California

and now im headed to take a boat to the US Virgin Islands in a week.

woe is me. :D

(im not complaining since there's a considerable lack of snow this season.... hey island gimp... you got floorspace for up at Jay after the new year?) :hihi:

Sunday River is hands down the BEST DAMN SKI RESORT IN THE EAST!!! can't ski anymore due to White Heat,,, she got me one day in February

likwid,

Life is tuff eh? floor space @ jay? sorry, wife wouldn't go for it.:rolleyes:

I like SR as well. It is my sons favorite too. I think that have a wonderful great (and huge) layout there and each year it gets better (the addition of the fantastic resturant last year (I am still talking about it) IMO was a great idea...they lacked that before). My favorites are stowe, Jay and SR in that order but I am happy anytime I am going downhill.

i was asking the other island gimp :laughs:

but he seems to be neglecting us currently

leave tomorrow morning for warm weather

then a couple days till our window opens for much warmer weather.


spring will be Utah. :hihi:

someone died on White Heat up at Sunday River last week :eek:

Had two pretty good days at stowe then the warm weather set in (after an ice storm) Took the kids to B&J factory...

Me and my brother making the best of a warm ski day...

:laughs:

Don't worry

Its comin.

I'm sure of it now.

skis wasting away in the basement waiting to get mounted
soon as im sure of real snow they'll get mounted

otherwise they'll wait in plastic

likwid,

Do you have a way to self sharpen your ski's.?..like with a hand stone or file gizmo? I would like to just touch them up each time I use them. If so what do you use?

Sandman....most use a diamond stone to touch up edges on a regular basis.

Superfine diamond hone on me and a Swix sharpener sitting in the car.

Also keep a gummy stone to turn those tips and tails so you don't hook up in the bumps and knock down any burrs.

When you do your edges, hit it with a soft swipe of the gummy, just like a knife, there is a slight burr that remains from sharpening.

Likwid...I lost the finer points of tuning when I hung up my skis as I don't like my board to be all that sharp, but that was pretty much what I used to do too. Well, minus the gummy.

I'm finally making my first turns of the season this weekend. Can't wait.

Snowing here at K-mart with around 8 inches expected maybe more. Hopefully this is a change in weather its been a wet season so far. First decent snow in central VT for about 3 weeks.

PRAY FOR SNOW:rolleyes:

I tune my and my two daughters skis as we all race. I bring them into a shop about two or three times a year to have them stoned grined. I also have The Beast sharpening system which has tools to do both the edge and base. 3 degrees for the edge and one for the base. The Beast edge tool allows for 1, 2 3 degrees. Gummy stone for removing bers etc. And petex of course when rocks bite. I usually touch them up after each outting.

I'm damn proud of both daughters. My oldest finished 5th in Western Mass Tri-State Girls GS first race of the year and my youngest, who races in recreation Interclub in Western Mass came in 3rd in her first ever race. Cool stuff.

They both said they raced for their grandma, my mom, who passed away Wednesday. I'm sure they made her proud as well.

Bunch of friends from here on the EC pulled the trigger and flew to Tahoe last Friday.

They got some BIGTIME. :hihi:
Just wish I could have afforded it after not working for over a month.

My turn comes in a month or so. :cool: