Ski Season 2024/2025

[LonghornJones 837]

I second Copper by way of the route below. So beautiful, and you avoid I-70.

 

[Chewbacca 7,778]

On 11/8/2024 at 8:13 AM, LonghornJones said:

I was not familiar with Silverton. I had to look it up. That's even more desolate and difficult to get to than Wolf Creek.

Silverton is truly an experts only mountain.  Friend of mine went there.  She spent the second half of the day crying in the car because it was too stressful for her even though she is a fantastic skier.

[7KHorn 2,629]

On 11/10/2024 at 10:56 AM, Frank Drebin said:

My uncle sent these from his house in Santa Fe yesterday.  

From my back deck, fair amount has melted by now. 

[ftf82 485]

On 11/11/2024 at 10:53 AM, CoTex said:

Thinking about doing it again a day or two after Christmas - head to an I-70 destination.  I'm looking for tips, stories, interesting things to see, and ways to pass the long drive across Texas.

Any of the mountains in Colorado or New Mexico are going to be a shitshow with crowds the week between Christmas and New Year. Twenty years ago we decided to start doing Christmas in Angel Fire when my kids were young. We would drive out the week before though. No crowds at all the week before (although sometimes the snow wasn't all that great, but hey it's New Mexico). Wake up Christmas morning and open presents and then ski Christmas Day afternoon. Now it's a family tradition and my kids want to do it with their kids when they are old enough to ski. Highly recommend that approach if it works with your schedule.

[Chewbacca 7,778]

42 minutes ago, ftf82 said:

Any of the mountains in Colorado or New Mexico are going to be a shitshow with crowds the week between Christmas and New Year. Twenty years ago we decided to start doing Christmas in Angel Fire when my kids were young. We would drive out the week before though. No crowds at all the week before (although sometimes the snow wasn't all that great, but hey it's New Mexico). Wake up Christmas morning and open presents and then ski Christmas Day afternoon. Now it's a family tradition and my kids want to do it with their kids when they are old enough to ski. Highly recommend that approach if it works with your schedule.

And then GTFO the morning of the 26th.  This is the way. I've driven to Denver on the 26th several times.

[ftf82 485]

7 minutes ago, Chewbacca said:

And then GTFO the morning of the 26th.  This is the way. I've driven to Denver on the 26th several times.

Exactly what we do and forgot to mention it in my post. Seeing the long line of Suburbans with Thules heading NW up US 84 as we drive home on the day after Christmas was also an ftf82 family tradition.

[Chewbacca 7,778]

3 minutes ago, ftf82 said:

Exactly what we do and forgot to mention it in my post. Seeing the long line of Suburbans with Thules heading NW up US 84 as we drive home on the day after Christmas was also an ftf82 family tradition.

For me it's the westbound traffic jam on I-70 at Floyd Hill.

[Vegas64 675]

On 11/12/2024 at 2:51 PM, ftf82 said:

Any of the mountains in Colorado or New Mexico are going to be a shitshow with crowds the week between Christmas and New Year. Twenty years ago we decided to start doing Christmas in Angel Fire when my kids were young. We would drive out the week before though. No crowds at all the week before (although sometimes the snow wasn't all that great, but hey it's New Mexico). Wake up Christmas morning and open presents and then ski Christmas Day afternoon. Now it's a family tradition and my kids want to do it with their kids when they are old enough to ski. Highly recommend that approach if it works with your schedule.

We've done Angel Fire a lot (young kids and grandkids - toddler/tots age) and Santa Fe too. Usually that was NYE and not Christmas.

That said, we are doing Thanksgiving week this year (opening week) somewhere in New Mexico, maybe Red River. Will let you know how the snow is in late November in N.New Mexico.

[texasdago 7,573]

12 hours ago, Vegas64 said:

We've done Angel Fire a lot (young kids and grandkids - toddler/tots age) and Santa Fe too. Usually that was NYE and not Christmas.

That said, we are doing Thanksgiving week this year (opening week) somewhere in New Mexico, maybe Red River. Will let you know how the snow is in late November in N.New Mexico.

Looks cold enough to be making snow on top of existing natural snow.  I think another round is coming maybe next week?

Taos has started the bootpacking process on their runs to get them ready for more snow.  

[Vegas64 675]

1 minute ago, texasdago said:

Looks cold enough to be making snow on top of existing natural snow.  I think another round is coming maybe next week?

Taos has started the bootpacking process on their runs to get them ready for more snow.  

Thanks I’ve never skied opening day so early in the season. This will be a new experience, for sure.

[texasdago 7,573]

1 minute ago, Vegas64 said:

Thanks I’ve never skied opening day so early in the season. This will be a new experience, for sure.

I've never skied opening day anywhere but always see long ass lines.  That said, Red River does not seem to be the kind of mountain that can support long lines.  Where are people coming from?  Its not like the I-70 mountains.  Whatever... turns are turns and holidays in the mountains are awesome!

[Vegas64 675]

3 minutes ago, texasdago said:

I've never skied opening day anywhere but always see long ass lines.  That said, Red River does not seem to be the kind of mountain that can support long lines.  Where are people coming from?  Its not like the I-70 mountains.  Whatever... turns are turns and holidays in the mountains are awesome!

Honestly no idea. We always go to Copper mountain during spring break. I literally just google searched and most placed weren’t open until December and red river was the only mountain I saw opening last week of November….

[LonghornJones 837]

Great conditions to establish a nice base in the forecast. Keep adding to it every day.

[Frank Drebin 5,639]

Been checking the webcams in Whitefish daily.  Pumped about going next month for 9 days.  And then again in January.  And again in February.  And finally again during Spring Break.  Getting a season pass for $750 and having a place there is going to really increase my ski days.

[Litig8r 414]

Redirected post

 

Good morning you filthy animals.  Thanks for beat down November 11.  In order to ease the pain, I was thinking about going to Alps to ski this season.  I really would prefer French Alps but I'm open to most places in the French/Swiss/Italian alps.  What is the easiest area to get to.  I assume there are no places super close to airports like Deer Valley and Summit County.  TIA.  Hope y'all win out. 

[texasdago 7,573]

18 minutes ago, Litig8r said:

Redirected post

 

Good morning you filthy animals.  Thanks for beat down November 11.  In order to ease the pain, I was thinking about going to Alps to ski this season.  I really would prefer French Alps but I'm open to most places in the French/Swiss/Italian alps.  What is the easiest area to get to.  I assume there are no places super close to airports like Deer Valley and Summit County.  TIA.  Hope y'all win out. 

It all depends how far you want to drive... here are some of your airport options, depending on your preferred airline and how much driving you can tolerate when you land.  I can tolerate 3 1/2 hours or rather that's the furthest I've done upon landing.  Anyway, here's what I know based on experience and where I've been.

Geneva - you have quite a few resorts in France within 1 1/2 hour of Geneva like Megeve/St. Gervais, Flaine, Avoriaz, La Clusaz, Chamonix, etc.  If you are planning on going more towards spring break, go for something snowsure.  Chamonix Valley kicks ass for many reasons but it is somewhat spread out.  No problem if you have a car and you don't mind chasing snow.  From Geneva the Portes de Soleil network covers France and Switzerland.  Les Diablerets in Switzerland is also reasonable from Geneva.  You can also go further to Verbier, Zermatt, Crans-Montana or Saas-Fee.  Also, from Chamonix you can drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Courmayeur in Italy.  I can only speak to skiing near Chamonix (Les Grands Montets, La Tour/Vallorcine, St. Gervais and Courmayeur).  Each one is different.  Depends what you want.  Saas-Fee was great in Switzerland but, man, get ready for $urpri$e$ on some costs.  Saas-Fee is snowsure.  Les Grands Montets usually us but the big cable car may not be up and running this season which is a massive downer.  When it runs, you get glacier skiing and a 6,600 foot vertical drop.  ESF Argentiere has exceptional instructors.  Guides in Chamonix are world class.

Munich - lots of options in Austria.  We have used Munich to go to Obergurgl and Solden but there are many options that are closer.  Both Obergurgl and Solder and snowsure.  Obergurgl is more quaint, good vertical drop, lots of options.  Good ski school.  Amazing views.  Solden is nice and big, bigger vertical drop, has glacier skiing but the town is a bit cheesier.  Bottom runs can get mushy towards the end of day in spring.

Conference call... to be updated later.

[Litig8r 414]

1 hour ago, texasdago said:

It all depends how far you want to drive... here are some of your airport options, depending on your preferred airline and how much driving you can tolerate when you land.  I can tolerate 3 1/2 hours or rather that's the furthest I've done upon landing.  Anyway, here's what I know based on experience and where I've been.

Geneva - you have quite a few resorts in France within 1 1/2 hour of Geneva like Megeve/St. Gervais, Flaine, Avoriaz, La Clusaz, Chamonix, etc.  If you are planning on going more towards spring break, go for something snowsure.  Chamonix Valley kicks ass for many reasons but it is somewhat spread out.  No problem if you have a car and you don't mind chasing snow.  From Geneva the Portes de Soleil network covers France and Switzerland.  Les Diablerets in Switzerland is also reasonable from Geneva.  You can also go further to Verbier, Zermatt, Crans-Montana or Saas-Fee.  Also, from Chamonix you can drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Courmayeur in Italy.  I can only speak to skiing near Chamonix (Les Grands Montets, La Tour/Vallorcine, St. Gervais and Courmayeur).  Each one is different.  Depends what you want.  Saas-Fee was great in Switzerland but, man, get ready for $urpri$e$ on some costs.  Saas-Fee is snowsure.  Les Grands Montets usually us but the big cable car may not be up and running this season which is a massive downer.  When it runs, you get glacier skiing and a 6,600 foot vertical drop.  ESF Argentiere has exceptional instructors.  Guides in Chamonix are world class.

Munich - lots of options in Austria.  We have used Munich to go to Obergurgl and Solden but there are many options that are closer.  Both Obergurgl and Solder and snowsure.  Obergurgl is more quaint, good vertical drop, lots of options.  Good ski school.  Amazing views.  Solden is nice and big, bigger vertical drop, has glacier skiing but the town is a bit cheesier.  Bottom runs can get mushy towards the end of day in spring.

Conference call... to be updated later.

What is the best time to try to be sure there is snow?  

[texasdago 7,573]

1 hour ago, Litig8r said:

Redirected post

 

Good morning you filthy animals.  Thanks for beat down November 11.  In order to ease the pain, I was thinking about going to Alps to ski this season.  I really would prefer French Alps but I'm open to most places in the French/Swiss/Italian alps.  What is the easiest area to get to.  I assume there are no places super close to airports like Deer Valley and Summit County.  TIA.  Hope y'all win out. 

OK... next one before running off to another call

Milano you have multiple options in about a 2 - 2 1/2 hour drive.  First Valle D'Aosta which has big vert off piste paradises in the Monte Rosa area, you have Cervinia (the Italian side of the Matterhorn/Zermatt), Pila (smaller resort with some nice runs), Courmayeur and La Thuile.  The one time we stayed in Courmayeur, we used that as our base but bought a skipass that allowed for La Thuile and Pila.  Courmayeur is the better town to stay in.  Great views of Mont Blanc on the Italian side.  Great guides there.  Cervinia is big vertical, lots of above treeline, high alpine, can have issues with wind.  Never been but heard town is a bit charmless.  There are other options within 3 hours of Milano but we'll leave it at that.

Turin you can reach the Via Lattea ski network that covers both Italy and France.  Something like 400 runs.  We stayed in Montgenevre one year and really liked it as a base.  Nice skiing in Montgenevre, easy access to Italy... quick drive to Sestriere which has nice bombable WC and Olympic runs and is snowsure.  Sestriere is not the prettiest of towns but I did like the skiing there.  Can recommend an instructor/guide.  

25 minutes from Montgenevre you get to Serre Chevalier which is where we are going next.  Big vertical of 4,000+ feet, tons of tree skiing, snow sure, 50+ lifts with some proper towns including Briancon which is a cool historic town.  Skied it one day when we went to Montgenevre and I vowed to go back.  

Enough for now

[texasdago 7,573]

2 minutes ago, Litig8r said:

What is the best time to try to be sure there is snow?  

Spring break is great because they don't have school holidays then and the snow is in great shape in many places.  Avoid February?  When.  A V O I D  F E B R U A R Y!!! School holidays.  Also, January can be hit/miss especially in Italy where they have the settimana bianca (white week) when a lot of people holiday.  March?  Man... I'm telling that the longest lift line I can remember was about 7 minutes and it felt like an eternity since you can often run laps.  The exceptions were the Grands Montets cable car to the top in whiteout conditions and the Cresta Youla cable car in Courmayeur on a bluebird powder day.  

[Litig8r 414]

Great.  I was looking at flights and it was only about $2K per person for premium select...which i assume is business class.  

[AUinHsv 579]

1 hour ago, Litig8r said:

Great.  I was looking at flights and it was only about $2K per person for premium select...which i assume is business class.  

Might want to check  on that ...  I think with American it is bigger seat but coach meals. But that might be premium economy. They keep changing the name and I quit travelling when I retired

[texasdago 7,573]

1 hour ago, Litig8r said:

Great.  I was looking at flights and it was only about $2K per person for premium select...which i assume is business class.  

I'm a cheapo that flies coach and buys what I can with miles so I'm not sure.  

Here is where you should invest:

- Private guides

- Private lessons

Definitely cheaper than in the US.  Instruction in Europe is excellent and the French are great!  Can recommend ski schools/guides in a few locations.  Big fan of APeak in Montgenevre.  ESF usually very solid.  Most of the guides/instructors you will meet in Europe are former racers and exceptional skiers with amazing track records.  In Italy I once had an instructor who was leading an expedition to the Himalayas.  Have had former European Cup racers, etc.  Quality is very high. 

[Litig8r 414]

12 minutes ago, AUinHsv said:

Might want to check  on that ...  I think with American it is bigger seat but coach meals. But that might be premium economy. They keep changing the name and I quit travelling when I retired

It was Delta and they had economy, comfort plus, premium whatever and Deltaone.  There were only 28 seats in premium.

[Litig8r 414]

12 minutes ago, texasdago said:

I'm a cheapo that flies coach and buys what I can with miles so I'm not sure.  

Here is where you should invest:

- Private guides

- Private lessons

Definitely cheaper than in the US.  Instruction in Europe is excellent and the French are great!  Can recommend ski schools/guides in a few locations.  Big fan of APeak in Montgenevre.  ESF usually very solid.  Most of the guides/instructors you will meet in Europe are former racers and exceptional skiers with amazing track records.  In Italy I once had an instructor who was leading an expedition to the Himalayas.  Have had former European Cup racers, etc.  Quality is very high. 

the lodging and lift tickets looked a lot cheaper than US but who knows how close the lodging is to actual skiing.  If I do decide on this, I'll hit you up for some recs.

[texasdago 7,573]

Sorry... one more thing.  Going off piste?  A guide is pretty important in Europe.  You can also go with a group which won't cost much at all.

Going into glacial terrain?  Mandatory guide.

Example of off-piste pricing on Serre Chevalier (specifically Monetier) for one person in a group going freeriding.   Yes, that is daily pricing.  Includes safety equipment.  Insurance is usually extra but it is cheap.

This may be going further afield.  

[texasdago 7,573]

4 minutes ago, Litig8r said:

the lodging and lift tickets looked a lot cheaper than US but who knows how close the lodging is to actual skiing.  If I do decide on this, I'll hit you up for some recs.

All depends.  Last time we went we stayed here... button lift took you up to a run to ski down to a gondola.  Go price out slopeside in Taos or Breckenrdige and then compare to something like https://www.anova-hotel.com/public/ 

F'ing Google is removing ski lifts and runs from Google Maps.  Seriously pisses me off.

 

[texasdago 7,573]

Meanwhile at Mt Bachelor...

[texasdago 7,573]

[LonghornJones 837]

 Now THAT is impressive.

I have seen pics of Ski Apache looking like a xmas card. What an early season for those folks. They deserve it...especially what Ruidoso has been through the last few years.

[Litig8r 414]

19 hours ago, texasdago said:

All depends.  Last time we went we stayed here... button lift took you up to a run to ski down to a gondola.  Go price out slopeside in Taos or Breckenrdige and then compare to something like https://www.anova-hotel.com/public/ 

F'ing Google is removing ski lifts and runs from Google Maps.  Seriously pisses me off.

 

man that looks sweet.  Is the week of March 17 a good time? 

[texasdago 7,573]

26 minutes ago, Litig8r said:

man that looks sweet.  Is the week of March 17 a good time? 

Definitely.  No big French school holidays that I know of it and snow should be good, particularly at higher altitude.  

[texasdago 7,573]

3 hours ago, Litig8r said:

man that looks sweet.  Is the week of March 17 a good time? 

This should be your European ski trip planning Bible below.  Pretty self-explanatory.

https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=167136&sid=4e689adbebca9d92cda873ea4c198bb6