What Skiing Forum is the Equivalent of TT?

[Kaptain Karl]

I just got back from three days at Alta. (Fun, cold and serious skiing.)

I'm at a loss for finding a comparable Web Forum for skiing ... like TT's.

Anyone?

- KK

 

[CanadianChic]

TT is the only forum I'm currently involved in KK, so I can't do a comparison in equivalency for you, but try these three:

http://www.big-boards.com/kw/ski/f/

http://forums.coskiing.com/

http://www.accmontreal.ca/cgi/boards.cgi


Hope you find what you're looking for. CC

 

[Kaptain Karl]

CC - Those links led to a super site. This Barking Bear forum is "just the ticket." Thanks!!!

(It's even hosted by the same service TT uses .... so the format is "familiar".)

- KK

 

[CanadianChic]

Glad to be able to help KK. It's nice to be able to return the favour once in a while.

 

[Voltron]

Hey, I thought I was the only skier on the Forum. Great to see there are others.

 

[Kaptain Karl]

Hey, Voltron! Which are your favorite mountains?

Alta, Snowbird, Copper and A-Basin for me.

- KK

 

[Voltron]

Assuming we are talking CO, copper is OK, but I like Winter Park(where I am now) more.

 

[Voltron]

Hey, Voltron! Which are your favorite mountains?

Alta, Snowbird, Copper and A-Basin for me.

- KK

How are the others.

 

[Craig Sheppard]

Hey, Voltron! Which are your favorite mountains?

Alta, Snowbird, Copper and A-Basin for me.

- KK

Hey KK, I've heard a lot of talk about Alta in UT... can you compare it to any of the mountains in Lake Tahoe? Haven't been to Colorado yet--booked my first trip to Breckenridge at the end of Feb--can't wait!!!

 

[Kaptain Karl]

Assuming we are talking CO, copper is OK, but I like Winter Park(where I am now) more.

How are the others.

It depends on what you like. What kind of skiing do you like to do? (Steep & Deep ... Chutes ... Bumps ... Trees ... Groomers/Cruisers ... etc.)

My Pass is good at both Copper and WP and I prefer Copper a lot more for the skiing. I think WP's Base Lodges are better (located / organized / with better views of the mountain and the skiing).

I like steep bowls, steep chutes, trees, 3-4 groomers where I can really let them run ... and two bump runs a day (on bumps not formed so close together my 188s cannot negotiate them.)

I can satisfy ALL of the above at Copper ... and Alta, Snowbird, A-Basin. I’m told by friends who know my preferences I would also love Crested Butte, Jackson Hole, and Lake Louise, if that helps categorize the type of mountain I likel

Winter Park / MaryJane has groomers which are too “tame” for me and lots of bumps. I have had one good powder day at MJ ... in 25 years. (That doesn’t mean they haven’t had more; it’s just the day my timing was right.)

A- Basin is a Spring Skiing paradise ... which is usually too cold and windy for me in mid-winter. The Colorado locale I miss terribly is Berthoud Pass. It was too much of a “local secret” when it was open ... and two owners in a row didn’t know what they were doing. I’ve heard it will never be a ski area again. Dooh!!!

188s were my "concession" to short skis; my best skis ever were my 210 Atomic RSs ... the "Red Sleds." Oh yeah, I am 6'2" and 200 pounds, so the longer version is more fitting for me....

Craig - What kind of skiing do you like to do? If you’ve never been to Breck -- and you’re planning to be there for multiple days -- find out if they have a “Guided Tour of Breck” you can sign-up for your first day. (Ambassadors who show you pretty much the whole area, so you know “I want to be sure and come back here once the Tour is over.” Most areas have them ... free.) Breck has Lifts and Peaks in such a scattered arrangement, you could ski a whole week and *miss* just the stuff you like, not finding out they had that type of terrain until you got back home.

- KK

 

[kevhen]

I skiied Alta and the Canyons in December. Here are a couple photos from Alta.

 

[backcourt]

Craig, if you like steep and deep, faces and bowls, Alta is hard to beat. But in my opinion Jackson Hole comes awfully close. If you are seeking powder, like I always am being primarily an eastern skier, Utah is the best, but I lucked out and hit Jackson Hole during a good week a couple of years ago. Definitely the most expert terrain of any area I have skied, and probably my favorite area. Haven't been to Whistler yet though.

I am heading out to Squaw Valley at the end of this week for three days of skiing. But they dont seem to have much snow, unlike Utah and Co. I will have a two day pass to Squaw and can ski a different area on the third day. What other areas do people like in Tahoe?

 

[backcourt]

Kevhen, awesome photos! Looks like I should have picked Alta for my trip this year.

 

[kevhen]

I actually preferred skiing the Canyons by Park City over Alta which is smaller and has cheaper chairlifts, but the skiing was great at both places after 29 inches of snow was dumped on them in early December.

Alta is for skiers only so that was cool. I want to go back and ski at Snowbird and Park City. Brighton, Solitude, and Deer Valley might be nice too as we drove by and checked out all those places. I met a gold medal winner at the Olympic PArk too so it was an awesome trip to Utah and we saw the Jazz win as well.

 

[kevhen]

 

[Kaptain Karl]

I actually preferred skiing the Canyons by Park City over Alta....

I've skied Alta so much I "act" like a local ... and I am *definitely* an "Alta Snob." We Alta lovers think of The Canyons as being for the "fancy pants" crowd. But I *am* curious to know why you prefer it?

<edit> Great pics, kev! </edit>

- KK

 

[GRANITECHIEF]

Craig, if you like steep and deep, faces and bowls, Alta is hard to beat. But in my opinion Jackson Hole comes awfully close. If you are seeking powder, like I always am being primarily an eastern skier, Utah is the best, but I lucked out and hit Jackson Hole during a good week a couple of years ago. Definitely the most expert terrain of any area I have skied, and probably my favorite area. Haven't been to Whistler yet though.

I am heading out to Squaw Valley at the end of this week for three days of skiing. But they dont seem to have much snow, unlike Utah and Co. I will have a two day pass to Squaw and can ski a different area on the third day. What other areas do people like in Tahoe?

Unfortunately, you are right, not much snow. I am intimately familiar with Squallywood, as you may discern from my username, from teaching snowboarding there for 5 seasons. It hasn't snowed there for 2 +/- weeks and only a few flakes in the forecast on Saturday. So you may not get the greatest impression. However, try to get a taste of KT22 and Headwall, which is where i usually camp out for most of the day. Also, Broken Arrow and Silverado are awesome, although they will probably be closed due to coverage. Granite Chief is pretty awesome when you can hike to the top of the peak. But when the peak is closed, its just regular very good terrain accessed by a slow/crowded lift.

The other best ski areas for your 3rd day would be Alpine Meadows (right next to Squaw) or Sugar Bowl.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a356/granitechief/2-27-04SV2.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a356/granitechief/HW2.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a356/granitechief/HW4.jpg

 

[backcourt]

Unfortunately, you are right, not much snow. I am intimately familiar with Squallywood, as you may discern from my username, from teaching snowboarding there for 5 seasons. It hasn't snowed there for 2 +/- weeks and only a few flakes in the forecast on Saturday. So you may not get the greatest impression. However, try to get a taste of KT22 and Headwall, which is where i usually camp out for most of the day. Also, Broken Arrow and Silverado are awesome, although they will probably be closed due to coverage. Granite Chief is pretty awesome when you can hike to the top of the peak. But when the peak is closed, its just regular very good terrain accessed by a slow/crowded lift.

The other best ski areas for your 3rd day would be Alpine Meadows (right next to Squaw) or Sugar Bowl.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a356/granitechief/2-27-04SV2.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a356/granitechief/HW2.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a356/granitechief/HW4.jpg

Great Photos Granitechief, and exactly the type of conditions I was hoping for when I booked my trip a couple of months ago. Thanks for the tips on Sugarbowl and Alpine, which are both nice and close. Due to the limited snow do you think we should maybe head to Heavenly? It has never been at the top of my list but looks like they probably make alot of snow.

 

[Craig Sheppard]

Craig - What kind of skiing do you like to do? If you’ve never been to Breck -- and you’re planning to be there for multiple days -- find out if they have a “Guided Tour of Breck” you can sign-up for your first day. (Ambassadors who show you pretty much the whole area, so you know “I want to be sure and come back here once the Tour is over.” Most areas have them ... free.) Breck has Lifts and Peaks in such a scattered arrangement, you could ski a whole week and *miss* just the stuff you like, not finding out they had that type of terrain until you got back home.

- KK

Thanks KK! I'll try to look into that. We're out there for 5 days w/ 3 days of lift. I'm not too bad w/ bumps, I look for them for practice. I wouldn't go near trees. Bowls are a lot of fun, but I have to watch it so I don't get into trouble.

 

[Craig Sheppard]

Craig, if you like steep and deep, faces and bowls, Alta is hard to beat. But in my opinion Jackson Hole comes awfully close. If you are seeking powder, like I always am being primarily an eastern skier, Utah is the best, but I lucked out and hit Jackson Hole during a good week a couple of years ago. Definitely the most expert terrain of any area I have skied, and probably my favorite area. Haven't been to Whistler yet though.

I am heading out to Squaw Valley at the end of this week for three days of skiing. But they dont seem to have much snow, unlike Utah and Co. I will have a two day pass to Squaw and can ski a different area on the third day. What other areas do people like in Tahoe?

Hey... if you're at Squaw I guess you're staying up north. When I lived in the Bay Area a few years ago and went out, we almost always went to Sugar Bowl, mostly b/c it was close. But it had enough variations to keep coming back.

I stayed a week in Heavenly last year down south. I have to say, other than it being really big, I wasn't overly impressed. I probably wouldn't go back for another week. Maybe if I was in the area and wanted to try for a day.

My favorite was probably Kirkwood, but that's off the beaten path down south. Just seemed less crowded and more interesting, albeit smaller. They always tout the quality of their snow.

I should mention I'm not an expert, just a ski-for-fun type, but good enough of a skier to hit all but the double-blacks.

 

[GRANITECHIEF]

Great Photos Granitechief, and exactly the type of conditions I was hoping for when I booked my trip a couple of months ago. Thanks for the tips on Sugarbowl and Alpine, which are both nice and close. Due to the limited snow do you think we should maybe head to Heavenly? It has never been at the top of my list but looks like they probably make alot of snow.

Conditions at Heavenly will be roughly the same so i wouldn't suggest that. I have a pretty good feel for it, have talked to my buddies and basically it will be very hard snow with crappy coverage everywhere in Tahoe. Man made snow sux and shouldn't even count as they usually can't make it on the good runs.

Best bet would be to choose an alternate location such as Utah, Co, Wy. Or simply delay until at least 2 more feet drop in the Sierras.

 

[Kaptain Karl]

Craig - I just called Breck (because I didn't see what I was describing on their site). You want to look for "Guest Services" windows or People. (The People all wear Blue Jackets with an "i" on their backs.)

But the Mountain Tour they conduct leaves from the Base of either Peak 8's or Peak 9's main Lift's at 10:00 each morning. They give you a two-hour tour of the whole area ... and it's for Intermediates or better. Have fun!

The "i" People are *everywhere* and they're really helpful....

- KK

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

[b]www.Skiing-Warehouse.com/message.boards[/b]

And their moderators are much, much nicer to the peanut-gallery as well. :razz:

 

[backcourt]

Hey... if you're at Squaw I guess you're staying up north. When I lived in the Bay Area a few years ago and went out, we almost always went to Sugar Bowl, mostly b/c it was close. But it had enough variations to keep coming back.

I stayed a week in Heavenly last year down south. I have to say, other than it being really big, I wasn't overly impressed. I probably wouldn't go back for another week. Maybe if I was in the area and wanted to try for a day.

My favorite was probably Kirkwood, but that's off the beaten path down south. Just seemed less crowded and more interesting, albeit smaller. They always tout the quality of their snow.

I should mention I'm not an expert, just a ski-for-fun type, but good enough of a skier to hit all but the double-blacks.

Ya, we have two nights slopeside at Squaw, and an additional day to ski elsewhere. A bunch of people have strongly recomended Kirkwood, but due to short duration of stay and distance we will probably hit a northern area; unless of course one of the south Lake Tahoe areas gets more snow. Haven't skied at any of these areas but love the open look of Sugarbowl, Alpine and Squaw, as opposed to Heavenly. I just assume that with little snow, Heavenly probably grooms more than the other areas.

 

[backcourt]

Somewhat off topic, but since we got a bunch of skiers here, has anyone recently flown Southwest with their equipment? and if so were you charged extra ($50) for having a ski bag longer than 62 inches? I have called the airline several times and seem to get different responses.

 

[nuskool]

well you could try newschoolers.com or try the tgr fourm

 

[North]

Good to see other skiers here. I'm with the other easterner who loves powder. I love pretty much anywhere in Utah and try to make a pilgrimage there at least once a year. Having a friend in SLC to stay with helps so I get to ski a different place every day if I want.

I've skied several places in Colorado and Tahoe but can't get enough Utah powder. It's also the most fun for telemarking, which I learned several years ago. The resorts are good for downhill telemark but there is also a lot of room for backcountry free-heel skiing.

I no longer travel with my skis. I ship them and carry-on a bag with my boots and ski pants and everything I'd need to ski for a couple of days, while wearing everything onto the plane that I'd need to ski (layers, layers...). that way, if my checked luggage gets lost, I still have my skis and boots and ski stuff. Shipping has proved absolutely reliable so far.

 

[Craig Sheppard]

Good to see other skiers here. I'm with the other easterner who loves powder. I love pretty much anywhere in Utah and try to make a pilgrimage there at least once a year. Having a friend in SLC to stay with helps so I get to ski a different place every day if I want.

I've skied several places in Colorado and Tahoe but can't get enough Utah powder. It's also the most fun for telemarking, which I learned several years ago. The resorts are good for downhill telemark but there is also a lot of room for backcountry free-heel skiing.

I no longer travel with my skis. I ship them and carry-on a bag with my boots and ski pants and everything I'd need to ski for a couple of days, while wearing everything onto the plane that I'd need to ski (layers, layers...). that way, if my checked luggage gets lost, I still have my skis and boots and ski stuff. Shipping has proved absolutely reliable so far.

North, if you didn't have a friend to ship to, would you ship them to a hotel or resort? Would they accept them?

 

[backcourt]

well you could try newschoolers.com or try the tgr fourm

Thanks for the tip. The tgr site had a five page thread on this issue. I could say that its forum is a bit on the vulgar side compared to these boards, but that would be the understatement of the year.

 

[backcourt]

Conditions at Heavenly will be roughly the same so i wouldn't suggest that. I have a pretty good feel for it, have talked to my buddies and basically it will be very hard snow with crappy coverage everywhere in Tahoe. Man made snow sux and shouldn't even count as they usually can't make it on the good runs.

Best bet would be to choose an alternate location such as Utah, Co, Wy. Or simply delay until at least 2 more feet drop in the Sierras.

Wish I could delay but am locked in with reservations. Looks like a possibility of a little snow Sat. I hope!!!!

BTW without manmade snow there would be no skiing at all so far in New England. But I hear ya, its better than nothing but that's about it. I also prefer it over ice.

 

[nuskool]

i know newschoolers is vulgar but tgr isnt bad

 

[GRANITECHIEF]

Wish I could delay but am locked in with reservations. Looks like a possibility of a little snow Sat. I hope!!!!

BTW without manmade snow there would be no skiing at all so far in New England. But I hear ya, its better than nothing but that's about it. I also prefer it over ice.

Can't wait to hear the highlights and see some photos!!!!

 

[backcourt]

Can't wait to hear the highlights and see some photos!!!!

Had a great time skiing Squaw, despite the lack of fresh snow. Stayed two days slopeside at Squaw Valley Inn, and did alot of fast cruising in addition to a few runs down KT 22 Granite Chief and Headwall. All three of those lifts would be awesome with fresh power or at least more snow. Granite Chief was still great, though we had to pick our way through some rocks at the top to get to a good line. Had perfect Bluebird weather, and enjoyed the awesome views of the lake, both from the trails and from the bar at the top of the tramway. Found a little unbroken albeit old snow in the glades off the lift to the far left on the lower mountain. Generally, off trail was crusty until mid day, when some of it softened up.

Will definitely visit Squaw again, hopefully with fresh powder.

Skied Sugar Bowl the first day, which was a nice warm up day, and significantly less $ than Squaw; a nice mountain, which also would have benefited greatly from more snow, but overall definitely preferred the wide open bowls and faces at Squaw.

Sorry no pictures. We all forgot to bring cameras, so I picked up a disposable at the mountain, which wont translate well to the web.

 

[GRANITECHIEF]

Sounds like fun, thanks for the recap. Were all the runs off KT22 open? Did you go over by Olympic Lady and Red Dog Ridge?

 

[backcourt]

Sounds like fun, thanks for the recap. Were all the runs off KT22 open? Did you go over by Olympic Lady and Red Dog Ridge?

Not sure if all the runs off KT22 were open, we went skiers right from top of the chair. Olympic Lady was closed. Skied Red Dog a few times, and if the Ridge is that extremely steep section under the chair, I think it may have been closed, it looked pretty rocky and I never saw anyone on it. WHat looked really nice was Sun Bowl, but we couldn't figure out if you could get back to the lifts if we skied too far down it, then didn't make it back up Headwall.

 

[kevhen]

The main run at Alta was probably better than any run at the Canyons but the Canyons is huge and had so many great runs and much faster lifts even if the snow wasn't always as well groomed. Views at Alta were generally better but the lifts were slow and or not working very well with delays whereas the Canyons lifts were excellent. I like to ski alot and not just wait for a slow lift. Alta main run flattens out at the bottom and the run is not as long as many at the Canyons. Both are good places to ski though. I would like to go back to Snowbird and Park City Resort since we didn't get to ski those two and then maybe ski Brighton at night if my legs would hold up for that much skiing.

 

[North]

North, if you didn't have a friend to ship to, would you ship them to a hotel or resort? Would they accept them?

Sorry to take so long to respond. Every resort I've ever gone to has accepted the skis if they arrive the morning of the day I get there. I've even had places hold them overnight. I guess there are places that might not accept them but I haven't run across any yet.

I use FedEx (the delivery people, that is) and they have been good about getting the skis to the resort the day I arrive and picking them up the day I leave. No problems.