Ski Season 2024/2025

[Chewbacca 7828]

8 hours ago, HouTex said:

It will be awesome but it’s a shame more of the mountain will not be open.  Aspen Highlands isn’t even open until 12/14 despite plenty of snow.  I suspect the demand just doesn’t justify opening.  

Yeah, wife asked me today why I'm not skiing.  The answer is that not enough of the mountain is open. And that's a staffing issue for probably all resorts.

[Mittens 8705]

Got both my boards waxed for $30 in Idaho Springs the other day.

[Chewbacca 7828]

Got both my boards waxed for $30 in Idaho Springs the other day.

Idaho Springs is not a resort town. You would have to make a special stop there, in the early season, to get a deal like that. I haven't paid less than 40 in WP in 10 years.

Check in Aspen to see what it runs while you're there.

[texasdago 7766]

Trying to think what I paid in CB last year. It was reasonable, I think.

[Mittens 8705]

This is ridiculous! We had the patio shoveled clean before bed last night.

[Mittens 8705]

10 hours ago, Chewbacca said:

Check in Aspen to see what it runs while you're there.

$10 - I just needed a wax, not a tune up.

 

https://www.aspenskiandboard.com/pages/services

[Chewbacca 7828]

$10 - I just needed a wax, not a tune up.

 
https://www.aspenskiandboard.com/pages/services

Gotcha. I thought you were talking tune prices.

Enjoy the snow. I got probably 2 feet at my place.

[HouTex 1935]

Snowmass snow stake.  I’ll be there after the new year.  Hope it continues.

[Mittens 8705]

Only 2 lifts open on Ajax today, but we had a pretty good time. I ate shit in the first powder run and couldn’t catch my breath til lunch. jfc. Low clouds made the groomed runs tough because visibility was 10 yards at best. When there was light, it was excellent. Pretty proud that I got to hit 2 of the more epic storms in CO in recent history (Vail 2014 being the other).

I’m trying to hit Snowmass tomorrow but no one wants to go with me. 😡

[HouTex 1935]

33 minutes ago, Mittens said:

Only 2 lifts open on Ajax today, but we had a pretty good time. I ate shit in the first powder run and couldn’t catch my breath til lunch. jfc. Low clouds made the groomed runs tough because visibility was 10 yards at best. When there was light, it was excellent. Pretty proud that I got to hit 2 of the more epic storms in CO in recent history (Vail 2014 being the other).

I’m trying to hit Snowmass tomorrow but no one wants to go with me. 😡

Bummer.  Unless they open more terrain, Snowmass may have fewer open runs than Aspen Mountain.  You may want to double check before you go.  

[Mittens 8705]

Always checking. Snowmass is my home mountain from like 3rd grade, so if I can knock out a couple hours before turkey and football tomorrow, that’s a win. 

[Born to Run 6601]

Skied Wolf Creek Tues-Thur . It  was incredible. 24" on the storm, and they already had a great base relatively T day. Amazing tree skiing. Love that place. We were supposed to Surf Santa Cruz but the weather sucked so we pivoted last minute to snow.  Wise choice.

Deep powder and zero lift lines ever. 

Only bummer was I trained for surfing not skiing and my quads were smoked early.

[Frank Drebin 5834]

On 11/26/2024 at 9:08 PM, Horns99 said:

Anyone skied Whitefish in MT? Thoughts on it ?

We have a place there.  I love the skiing.  Lift tickets are cheap for resort skiing.  Can get foggy at the top.  I ski blue groomers pretty exclusively and it has plenty of long blues to satisfy me.  I love the area.

[Firemans4Horn 18528]

Going to Telluride for the first time at the end of February with some buddies. We did Breck last year. Second ski trip in the last 10 years. Looking forward to it. 

[Pato del Muerto 53438]

Stevens pass opened a week early, last Friday.  We didn’t go, but plan on heading up this weekend. Has to be a good sign for snow when they open early, yeah?  Have local Icon passes.  I think they gets us discounted day lift tickets at other places but no plans to go anywhere else as of yet.  Maybe whistler in the spring, as we are waiting for the boys to turn 16 before renewing their passports to get to the 10 year expiry. 

[texasdago 7766]

26 minutes ago, Pato del Muerto said:

Stevens pass opened a week early, last Friday.  We didn’t go, but plan on heading up this weekend. Has to be a good sign for snow when they open early, yeah?  Have local Icon passes.  I think they gets us discounted day lift tickets at other places but no plans to go anywhere else as of yet.  Maybe whistler in the spring, as we are waiting for the boys to turn 16 before renewing their passports to get to the 10 year expiry. 

I want to try it again on a better day and when I say better I mean less fog and drizzle 

[GlenFromTheMailRoom 1640]

On 11/30/2024 at 1:27 AM, Born to Run said:

Skied Wolf Creek Tues-Thur . It  was incredible. 24" on the storm, and they already had a great base relatively T day. Amazing tree skiing. Love that place. We were supposed to Surf Santa Cruz but the weather sucked so we pivoted last minute to snow.  Wise choice.

Deep powder and zero lift lines ever. 

Only bummer was I trained for surfing not skiing and my quads were smoked early.

Late on reporting this but just got back from our place up there.

We probably skied passed each other at some point.  Can confirm.  Wolf Creek was awesome.  Great snow, no lines, and completely clear skies.  Heading back up the day after xmas.

[Upgrayedd 5866]

On 10/15/2024 at 8:08 PM, Upgrayedd said:

Got a new shell for birthday.  Any interest here in this Patagonia Powder Bowl shell?   No rips.  Some light fading in spots.  Figured the color might interest some.

Not actual shell.  If interested I’ll send pics.

No takers huh?  Someone has to want something in burnt orange.

[bluto 4995]

On 12/2/2024 at 7:38 PM, Firemans4Horn said:

Going to Telluride for the first time at the end of February with some buddies. We did Breck last year. Second ski trip in the last 10 years. Looking forward to it. 

Was just up there in Oct when first snow fell so no ski recs...but Brown dog pizza is legit. Grocery store in town is very solid. Had baby in tow so not much else to report

[Axle Hongsnort 210]

Never been, any tips on where to stay in Sun Valley? Curious about Ketchum versus SV Village which sounds sort of like Crested Butte with a base area coupled with a town a like mile away? Guys trip, so not lugging wives or kids…ski / apres / fat dinners and bed by 9 is the plan.

[GlenFromTheMailRoom 1640]

14 hours ago, Upgrayedd said:

No takers huh?  Someone has to want something in burnt orange.

What size is it?

[GlenFromTheMailRoom 1640]

On 12/2/2024 at 7:38 PM, Firemans4Horn said:

Going to Telluride for the first time at the end of February with some buddies. We did Breck last year. Second ski trip in the last 10 years. Looking forward to it. 

 

13 hours ago, bluto said:

Was just up there in Oct when first snow fell so no ski recs...but Brown dog pizza is legit. Grocery store in town is very solid. Had baby in tow so not much else to report

Can confirm.  Brown dog is great.   Also check out communion wine bar.  A buddy opened it a few years ago.  

 

[Upgrayedd 5866]

2 minutes ago, GlenFromTheMailRoom said:

What size is it?

Large.  Fits me well.  6-0 180#

[texasdago 7766]

3 hours ago, Upgrayedd said:

Large.  Fits me well.  6-0 180#

Sorry but I fit comfortably in coach seats and sports cars.  Would be too big.

[JCHIL 414]

10 hours ago, GlenFromTheMailRoom said:

 

Can confirm.  Brown dog is great.   Also check out communion wine bar.  A buddy opened it a few years ago.  

 

More Telluride recs and another vote for Brown dog: 1) Smuggler Union Restaurant and Brewery, 2) Cosmopolitan- upscale , 3) Siam - Good thai food 

[GlenFromTheMailRoom 1640]

For anyone considering Wolf Creek this season, check out this place in Pagosa.  Can also confirm the food is absolutely amazing.  Never would have thought Pagosa would have one of the best restaurants in Colorado.

https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/09/24/colorado-restaurants-new-york-times-50-best

https://www.meandereatery.com/

Edited December 7 by GlenFromTheMailRoom

[Damor 1246]

The boy just sent this to me from CB:

Living his best life.

[Pato del Muerto 53438]

22 hours ago, texasdago said:

Sorry but I fit comfortably in coach seats and sports cars.  Would be too big.

Do you have super baggy gear for when/if you decide to snowboard instead?

Edited December 7 by Pato del Muerto

[texasdago 7766]

20 hours ago, Pato del Muerto said:

Do you have super baggy gear for when/if you decide to snowboard instead?

Used to LOL.  I tried snowboarding in 1988.  I'm good. 

[Pato del Muerto 53438]

 

14”overnight but 32 degrees so a little icy 

[Chewbacca 7828]

More Telluride recs and another vote for Brown dog: 1) Smuggler Union Restaurant and Brewery, 2) Cosmopolitan- upscale , 3) Siam - Good thai food 

221 South Oak is fantastic. Put that one on the list.

[texasdago 7766]

Taos

It's never going to snow again

At least they're finally expanding snowmaking to open up more runs but daaaamn...

[The Royal We 3100]

Anyone ever stayed in a ski in/ski out at Steamboat? I'm looking around at condos on the Steamboat website and most everything looks like it was last updated in 1992. I'm trying to take my 2 sons for a quick trip over President's day weekend and don't really need anything too fancy, but some of these units have reviews like "great location but could use a good cleaning."

Storm Meadows East and Storm Meadows Club both look like they are right on one of the lower runs.

https://www.steamboat.com/plan-your-trip/lodging/lodging-accomodations/condominiums?arrivalDate=2025-02-13&departureDate=2025-02-17&adultCount=1&childCount=2#_

[GlenFromTheMailRoom 1640]

7 hours ago, The Royal We said:

Anyone ever stayed in a ski in/ski out at Steamboat? I'm looking around at condos on the Steamboat website and most everything looks like it was last updated in 1992. I'm trying to take my 2 sons for a quick trip over President's day weekend and don't really need anything too fancy, but some of these units have reviews like "great location but could use a good cleaning."

Storm Meadows East and Storm Meadows Club both look like they are right on one of the lower runs.

https://www.steamboat.com/plan-your-trip/lodging/lodging-accomodations/condominiums?arrivalDate=2025-02-13&departureDate=2025-02-17&adultCount=1&childCount=2#_

Both are.  A thing to keep in mind - if they're not ski in/ski out and they are around the base, they all have shuttle services that will take you to base in about 3 min.   

[Chewbacca 7828]

7 hours ago, The Royal We said:

Anyone ever stayed in a ski in/ski out at Steamboat? I'm looking around at condos on the Steamboat website and most everything looks like it was last updated in 1992. I'm trying to take my 2 sons for a quick trip over President's day weekend and don't really need anything too fancy, but some of these units have reviews like "great location but could use a good cleaning."

Storm Meadows East and Storm Meadows Club both look like they are right on one of the lower runs.

https://www.steamboat.com/plan-your-trip/lodging/lodging-accomodations/condominiums?arrivalDate=2025-02-13&departureDate=2025-02-17&adultCount=1&childCount=2#_

Trailhead Lodge has its own gondola to take you right to the base.  Great location.  I've stayed there a couple times.

[texasdago 7766]

Waiting... 

[NTVTXN 1436]

On 12/7/2024 at 12:07 PM, Damor said:

The boy just sent this to me from CB:

Living his best life.

That’s the top of Painter Boy.

I taught my kids to ski on that hill. 
We love CB. It’s our annual destination.

👏🏻👏🏻🙌🏻🏂⛷️🎿❤️

[texasdago 7766]

CB is the best 

[LonghornJones 838]

This forecast is shit. I'm really glad we decided on a January ski trip instead of December. 9% of Park city is open with little relief in site. This pattern desperately needs to flip in the next 3 weeks.

[Pato del Muerto 53438]

Another funday Sunday on Stevens. 

[texasdago 7766]

2 hours ago, LonghornJones said:

This forecast is shit. I'm really glad we decided on a January ski trip instead of December. 9% of Park city is open with little relief in site. This pattern desperately needs to flip in the next 3 weeks.

Yeah... Taos got that early season dump and then... 

[pops 7135]

On 12/5/2024 at 7:58 PM, Axle Hongsnort said:

Never been, any tips on where to stay in Sun Valley? Curious about Ketchum versus SV Village which sounds sort of like Crested Butte with a base area coupled with a town a like mile away? Guys trip, so not lugging wives or kids…ski / apres / fat dinners and bed by 9 is the plan.

I love sun valley. I would stay in the village, personally. Ketchum is fine and you can find something, and you will be closer to baldy, I just don't think you can beat the village. 

You can always book through the resort, obviously, but most places, other than the lodge, are privately owned but still have resort privileges.  Most have their places listed on Airbnb or VRBO. 

My order of preference would be the lodge apartments, then wildflower, then cottonwood, cottonwood 2, then atilier, then villager. 

Just provides a great p base camp. And you will have access to the pools/hot tubs at the inn and the lodge. 

Have to have a dinner at the ram. 

Ketchum has staples like grumpy's sawtooth and the pioneer. 

Grab breakfast at the kneadery. 

Atkinson's is the only grocery store in town.  It is expensive but they have really good shit.

Apres on the mountain is decent. 

Parking at baldy is plentiful. 

 

 

 

[wackawacka 198]

Got a foot plus a day after we arrived in the valley while over 2 ft in the mountain. Great experience.

[Pato del Muerto 53438]

Your Porsche wheel reminds me that on Sunday I parked next to a cayenne that was lifted and wearing oversized falken wildpeaks.  Don’t know that I ever saw such a choice before, and it did it no favors in my eye.  Guessing it voided any manufacturer warranty as well. 

[texasdago 7766]

When I talk of skiing in Europe being cheaper, its not just about the lift tickets.  It is the combination of many factors.  Yes, I know... if you live in Denver or SFO and can bolt over to the slopes, this doesn't apply to you.  But if you live in Austin or Houston and often fly to go skiing, this absolutely applies to you.   This post is just me venting about the absurd on-mountain prices in the US.

Latest example that I saw someone post (from Park City)

 

At that price, you better be getting a burger in Switzerland (no, Switzerland is not what I would call cheap.  I learned that once)

Anyway, from a slopeside restaurant in the 4 Valees in Switzerland

Wait, that's expensive! 

Yeah, so here's a light bite at a mountain terrace in Montgenevre...

Or you can go to Hohe Mut Alm in Obergurgl (one of my favorite mountain restaurants in the alps) and I strongly recommend the hash brown dish... Hash browns?  It is this and they are glorious...

[GlenFromTheMailRoom 1640]

Welp.  

https://wolfcreekski.com/wolf-creek-ski-area-colorado-weather-forecast/

I picked a hell of year to splurge on new boots, skis, bindings, etc. 

@texasdago tangential to your point - this is also why we ski wolf creek.  A Paloma and a hamburger runs $20.

Edited Friday at 02:35 AM by GlenFromTheMailRoom

[Frank Drebin 5834]

Prices in Whitefish ski area are reasonable.

 

 

[texasdago 7766]

Yeah definitely 

[HouTex 1935]

News flash.  Skiing isn’t cheap at major resorts.  Especially with the whole family.  Resorts know that if you can afford to even get there, rent a place and pay for lift tickets you’ll have no issue paying $25 for a burger and fries.  That said, there are ways to keep lunches reasonable.  I’ll cook a big breakfast when skiing and my wife and I will usually split a burger or chicken sandwich or other meal.  The portions are huge and half a burger with fries is plenty.  Dinners out are another issue, especially at the high end resort towns.  

[Sbbruin 22142]

Headed to Mammoth on Monday with the fam.  Doing Christmas up there.  They've had decent snow, with a bit more on the way.  Health reasons have kept me off any mountain since Park City in Feb '22.  My stamina is still shit, but I'll just cruise groomers with my kids and be happy.