Today might be the first day of Autumn, but it's definitely time for people to start planning any big trips they're taking for the year.

I've been talking with some buddies about where we'd like to go this season (for the big trip) and thus far it seems like some people (including me) are leaning towards Big Sky Montana and one person is inclined towards Taos. Everything I'm seeing about Big Sky seems pretty awesome and since flights are almost identical for each ($600) I'd rather go to Montana.

Who on here has been there (big sky), and can you offer any advice for booking a trip there?

9/23/2011 9:31:13 AM

I realize your question is about Big Sky or Taos....which I do not dispute. Hear me out, I am planning another trip...

I just finalized what looks like the cheapest trip out west I might ever take. R/T flight to SLC from JFK was $330, car rental for $250, and total cost of the 2 BR ski in/ski out, walk to Park City is $600 for 4 nights in mid-December...looks like it's going to be 4 of us on the trip, so pre food and lift tickets it's only $550 per person...here's the place in which we are staying:

http://www.vrbo.com/126261

When are you looking to do your trip? My friends and I were thinking about Big Sky in February...I've never been (although I've only been to Tahoe out west, so there's plenty I haven't done)

[Edited on September 23, 2011 at 12:19 PM. Reason : a]

9/23/2011 12:18:07 PM

I'm hoping to get in some snowboarding this year. Last year was the first time in a long time I didn't go.

9/23/2011 12:41:35 PM

I've been to Taos, great ski mountain, one of the last to hold out on letting snowboards in... definitely a skiers mountain though, I boarded it, but wished I was on skis the entire time. A lot of vertical challenging terrain, good size mountain.

Not been to Big Sky, but chances are a lot higher for LOTS of snow than with Taos. I had a couple friend that went there a couple years ago and loved it. Lots of good tree runs mixed with open bowls.

9/23/2011 12:44:39 PM

heading to brian head on the 26th of december. pretty pumped since i only skied one day last year.

9/23/2011 12:54:21 PM

Quote :

"I'm hoping to get in some snowboarding this year. Last year was the first time in a long time I didn't go."

9/23/2011 1:10:36 PM

Alright....

So who can recommend me a good travel agent to use? I feel like it was CarZin that used one in the past and posted on TWW about it.

10/3/2011 12:46:18 PM

Has anyone bought skis or snowboards off the internet before? Any websites you can recommend? I looked around here but not surprisingly there's not much locally either in my price range or what I'm looking for.

10/3/2011 12:47:49 PM

^^ TKE: I used Jackson Hole Central Reservations.

If you are going to Jackson Hole, these are the people to use. They have a unique relationship to the businesses in the area, and can offer you subsidies on airline/hotel fees that you will not find lower online.

10/3/2011 1:01:35 PM

picture of Snowshoe WV this morning. i was def surprised!!

10/3/2011 1:25:07 PM

dammmmmmmn

I think we're going back to Sugar for our annual snowboarding trip
but the plus is that lodging should be free if we get to stay in our friend's cabin again. Gonna have to see if I can get them to go out West again in 2013

10/3/2011 2:38:27 PM

Who all has been to Tahoe? We're planning an Easter trip out there April 24thish for a week and I'm worried about conditions being too warm and slushy. Has anyone been out to Tahoe that late in the season?

10/3/2011 3:06:56 PM

I've been to Tahoe a few times, the latest being near the end of March.

It's 'okay' that late, but that is full blown Sierra Cement season. Don't expect high quality snow. Lots of water content. Last year tahoe got an absolutely ridiculous amount of snow late into the season, but I suspect you wont that again.

Tahoe is a hard one to plan.

10/3/2011 3:44:22 PM

So I might be going one month after the latest you've been...eesh that doesn't sound good.

Given that my only trips out west have been Breck/Vail and Park City, I'm guessing I'm up for a step down in quality of skiing huh, at least in that point of the season.

10/3/2011 3:52:01 PM

Without doubt.

But who knows, they get get cold there in a heart beat. Its really hard to plan.

That late in the season, stay at Kirkwood. Highest base elevation of any of the slopes, and makes the Rockies look like the NC mountains as far as snow fall is concerned. When we last went there, I think it was late February. All the other resorts were getting snow at the bases the entire trip. We got 100% snow at Kirkwood. Wasnt great snow, but better than being rained on.

10/3/2011 4:02:17 PM

Quote :

"Has anyone bought skis or snowboards off the internet before? Any websites you can recommend?"

Can't speak for skis, but I recommend http://www.the-house.com for snowboards. They offer lots of different packages for most experience levels and budgets. I've been using them since the late 90's and have always had good experiences.

10/3/2011 10:38:06 PM

for snowboards, i've had good experiences with vertical urge in raleigh. anything they have left over from previous years can usually be had at massive discounts, more so than online stores.

10/4/2011 9:32:37 AM

^^^ thx for the feedback. So if we did want to go that week, where else should we be looking at? Only requirement is we can't go places like Breck because they're too high for some members of our party

10/4/2011 2:23:59 PM

the elevation is too high?

10/4/2011 2:29:03 PM

elevation sickness. it's sad but some people think they can fly straight from sea level to Breck without spending a night or two in Denver, they don't drink enough water, drink too much, and get sick, then blame it on altitude sickness that could have been avoided.

Steamboat in CO is still pretty fun and a lot lower, I think their base is only 7,000 and top out at 10,000 (for reference Breck starts at 9 and goes to 12)

[Edited on October 4, 2011 at 3:26 PM. Reason : .]

10/4/2011 3:25:51 PM

I guess thats another benefit of not drinking and skiing. I dont think I've ever had any real issues with elevation. Its unusual if I have a single beer when I am on the slopes. Too much risk.

I am really hoping to make a big sky trip this year. seems to be quite an underappreciated slope.

10/4/2011 3:48:59 PM

I, too have never had a problem with altitude. I don't drink while skiing anymore, but when I was younger I certainly did. Even at home, if i drink beer i get too tired/lazy to do anything remotely active.

The only time I ever had altitude related symptoms was foot-trekking to the top of peak 8 at breck, where I started seeing blue spots n shit. we just rested for about 20 minutes when we got to the top and was fine after that.

10/4/2011 3:53:06 PM

Quote :

"So if we did want to go that week, where else should we be looking at?"

http://bestsnow.net/

It doesnt get any better than this. I use this site to pick the week for my ski trips. Give you historical analysis of what weeks are best for snow and conditions.

10/4/2011 3:55:05 PM

Thanks for the link CarZin but we're not going to Jackson Hole this year.

Quote :

"(for reference Breck starts at 9 and goes to 1213)"

Quote :

"Only requirement is we can't go places like Breck because they're too high for some members of our party"

Not to be rude but tell the members of your party to get in shape. They have plenty of time to prepare themselves physically before you go out there. Come November I always change my workout routine with high altitude skiing in mind (and skiing in general). Staying in Breck definitely requires an adjustment (cabin I stayed in last year was 10,000+ ft) but if you're in good shape after a day or so most fit people are fine in my experience. Nobody on my trips (3 to Breck, Vail, Copper etc) has ever had any serious issues with altitude and most of us drank pretty heavily every time.

And by drink heavily I mean at night. Skiing in the Rockies, esp the bowls and glades, is serious business and I wouldn't ever think to endanger my life (or someone else's) doing something as retarded as skiing and drinking.

[Edited on October 4, 2011 at 4:54 PM. Reason : k]

[Edited on October 4, 2011 at 4:58 PM. Reason : 13]

10/4/2011 4:53:54 PM

it's 12,998, i was approximating based on the just over 3,000 vertical change... but i bet you had to look that up

a lot of people can drink at altitude, big whoop. my point was about people new to skiing at altitude that don't take care of the bodies doing the simple things, fitness, hydration, acclimation... i see it all the time, i live here, and with all the people that come visit, none of them have issues if they heed the advice and just prepare.

it's the people like college kids on spring break that come out here not knowing any different. alcohol is a diuretic and dehydration is the #1 cause for nausea and headaches out here.

[Edited on October 4, 2011 at 5:09 PM. Reason : /]

10/4/2011 5:06:49 PM

LOL. As someone that's climbed to the top of Peak 8 4 times (and tore is ACL shortly thereafter once) I can assure you I know what the elevation is at the top of Breckenridge's tallest peak

And yeah, I wasn't disagreeing with any of your points (though maybe you weren't referring to me?)

[Edited on October 4, 2011 at 11:35 PM. Reason : k]

10/4/2011 11:34:30 PM

Quote :

"Thanks for the link CarZin but we're not going to Jackson Hole this year."

I dont understand. The site I posted gives historical data for all the major ski resorts in the nation.

10/5/2011 9:09:33 AM

Sorry I should have said lead, not link. I was referring to your mention of "Jackson Hole Central Reservations" when I asked about travel agents

10/5/2011 10:57:23 AM

Quote :

"Not to be rude but tell the members of your party to get in shape. "

Haha whatever man. A couple members of our party are in their mid to late 60's (including my pops) so I'm willing to cut them some slack on the altitude thing.

^^ confused me too. thanks for the link.

10/5/2011 11:08:52 AM

hahaha, yeah that does change things a bit. Though my party included 2 60 year olds one year. I made my dad hike up Peak 8 too. I grabbed my skis and his skis and just started climbing. Once I did that he really didn't have another option

10/5/2011 2:38:23 PM

Trip booked to Utah! woooooooooooooooooooooo!

10/5/2011 11:59:34 PM

Earliest US ski resort opening in a long time!

Quote :

"WOLF CREEK SKI AREA, COLO. – The ski season in Colorado officially began on Oct. 8. It was announced not with the din of snow-making machines pasting a path of man-made snow between dirt and rocks, but the distant whoops of avalanche-control bombs. And accompanied by heaps of powder. On Oct. 8, 1,500 skiers and snowboarders converged on remote Wolf Creek Ski Area, four hours from Colorado Springs, Colo., for the most memorable ski season opening in recent memory. Every year, the Interstate 70-corridor ski areas Loveland and Arapahoe Basin compete to make enough snow for an 18-inch base on one or two ski runs to open first. But as both were firing up snow guns for the first time on Oct. 6, an autumn storm was dumping 3 feet of snow on Wolf Creek, in the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado. Photo gallery from opening day In a coup that will long be remembered in skiing circles, Wolf Creek announced it would be the first resort in the U.S. to open, the earliest opening in resort history. They had three lifts and 600 acres of terrain open. “Despite the fact Loveland or A-Basin are often first, we’re usually right behind them,” said vice president Rosanne Pitcher. After another 8 inches of snow fell the night of Oct. 7, cries of joy echoed through Wolf Creek’s pines all day. Skiers talked about the conditions in hushed tones. “This is a very rare treat,” said Charles Vogel, who drove 6 hours from the Western Slope. “I grew up in Colorado. I’ve been skiing since I was 4 years old, and I’ve never seen anything like this.” “This is one of those days that I’m going to remember for years to come,” said Drew Petersen, of Silverthorne, Colo. “It’s definitely worth the drive, and I’ve got a smile on my face that hopefully lasts for a while.”"

It's going to be a great season!

http://www.OutThereColorado.com

[Edited on October 13, 2011 at 1:35 PM. Reason : k]

10/13/2011 1:34:53 PM

A-basin opened today actually.

10/13/2011 2:10:50 PM

^ really, wow! This is an el nino year, right? That means big snow late in the season, right?

Just took my MR 179s in to get mounted yesterday. Can't wait for my second season on skis!

Quote :

"a lot of people can drink at altitude, big whoop. my point was about people new to skiing at altitude that don't take care of the bodies doing the simple things, fitness, hydration, acclimation.."

Totally true. My buddy had his bachelor party three weekends ago, and we were camped above treeline at 12,000 with a keg of Avery IPA. It's fine for some people, but acclimation is key.

10/14/2011 4:26:50 PM

I'm pretty sure this is a la nina year actually.

10/15/2011 1:57:13 AM

Definitely La Nina. Big one too:

10/18/2011 2:47:27 PM

Mmmm ENSO. Sadly, La Nina never delivered on our hurricanes dammit!

10/18/2011 3:34:20 PM

Just wanted to get some general opinions in here. I'm organizing a trip for 8 people and called up Vail and Copper yesterday to see about getting some deals. What I came up with for a 4 day 3 night stay was:

Vail: 3 bdrm condo (with private hot tub) 5 min (shuttle ride) from Vail Village, airline ticket, shuttle to/from airport and lift tickets (2 days skiing) for $800/person

Copper: 3 bdrm condo (public hot tub) in the middle of Copper resort, airline ticket, shuttle to/from airport, and lift tickets for $650/person

I've skied both so that's not the issue for me. How do those prices look?

10/19/2011 9:08:39 AM

i'd compare with vrbo

10/19/2011 9:41:32 AM

^^ I'm living out here in CO now, so I can't compare to another ski trip, but I actually think that looks pretty good. At least I know what I'll need to budget to ski out here if I take a job in Raleigh.

For the $150 difference, I'd definitely do Vail over Copper.

10/19/2011 2:59:28 PM

Quote :

"Not to be rude but tell the members of your party to get in shape. They have plenty of time to prepare themselves physically before you go out there. Come November I always change my workout routine with high altitude skiing in mind (and skiing in general). Staying in Breck definitely requires an adjustment (cabin I stayed in last year was 10,000+ ft) but if you're in good shape after a day or so most fit people are fine in my experience. "

Inadequate acclimatization may lead to altitude illness in any traveler going to 8,000 ft (2,500 m) or higher. Susceptibility and resistance to altitude illness are genetic traits, and no screening tests are available to predict risk. Risk is not affected by training or physical fitness. Children are equally susceptible as adults; people aged >50 years have slightly lower risk. How a traveler has responded to high altitude previously is the most reliable guide for future trips, but is not infallible. However, given certain baseline susceptibility, risk is largely influenced by rate of ascent and exertion (see Table 2-06). Determining an itinerary that will avoid any occurrence of altitude illness is difficult because of variations in individual susceptibility, as well as in starting points and terrain.

10/20/2011 1:30:58 PM

While that's all true the bottom line is that there is less oxygen at the higher altitude and someone in better shape will able to engage in more physical activities than someone out of shape. So you should still prepare your body for the rigorous activity that is high altitude skiing. Regardless of whether you're more susceptible to altitude sickness or not, you should prepare for those conditions to the best of your ability.

Also, just came across this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUecg8Y4oDs

Winter Ski Fest 2012! Premie or mod plz embed, it's hilarious.

[Edited on October 21, 2011 at 10:01 AM. Reason : k]

10/21/2011 9:53:01 AM

Quote :

"When are you looking to do your trip? My friends and I were thinking about Big Sky in February...I've never been (although I've only been to Tahoe out west, so there's plenty I haven't done)"

I just called up Big Sky about getting a place for 10 people the first week of March (5 days 4 nights). A slope side cabin (holds up to 12 people) with a private hot tub 1 mile from town is $605pp including 3 days lift tickets. To me that's a really good deal. Sadly the kicker (and potential dealer break with my friends) is that 2 rental cars will be a necessity (no nearby shuttle) and flights are $500+ from all our points of origin.

That makes the trip more like $1500 when you include ski rentals, food and beer as well. Yowza

11/14/2011 3:02:33 PM

Quote :

"Inadequate acclimatization may lead to altitude illness in any traveler going to 8,000 ft (2,500 m) or higher. Susceptibility and resistance to altitude illness are genetic traits, and no screening tests are available to predict risk. Risk is not affected by training or physical fitness. Children are equally susceptible as adults;"

This isn't just about acclimatization, my point earlier was that at least half of the people that come visit, most of them don't feel well because of dehyrdration which leads to headaches at higher altitudes. It's not just about oxygen levels people. The oxygen issue affects a lot less people than you think, it's typically hydration levels, which has nothing to do with genetics.

[Edited on November 14, 2011 at 3:34 PM. Reason : .]

11/14/2011 3:32:44 PM

When I go out west for Summit County skiing my crew usually buys 2 of those huge water packs you can buy at Costco. And we almost always drink all of them.

11/14/2011 4:27:27 PM

^'Tis good.

Got my pass for Winter Park / Mary Jane this year after 4 years of getting the Colorado Pass.... actually excited as it's a bit closer to Denver and less traffic and less touristy. Great mountain and great snow to boot... I got the WP/MJ pass my first year out here and still one of my top 3 favorites in Colorado.

I too would pay the extra to go to Vail over Copper. Copper is small (feels small) and gets the least annual snowfall.

[Edited on November 14, 2011 at 4:36 PM. Reason : .]

11/14/2011 4:32:31 PM

Yeah, booked the Vail trip for a group of 6 friends last week. Came out to $800-850 per person including flight (4 days 3 nights 2 days skiing). Booked the flights last night (only $200 from RDU!)

Now working on convincing another group of friends about the merits of Big Sky

11/14/2011 5:01:23 PM

After shopping around a bit I've come up with a Big Sky trip for 5 days 4 nights costing $1165.00 per person (based on 10 people going). That includes airfare, a condo that sleeps 12 and has a private hot tub, 2 SUV rentals and lift tickets for 3 days. Considering flights from just about anywhere on the east coast are $500+ how does that price sound to you guys?

Just looking for opinions

11/15/2011 1:46:53 PM

thats ~$64/hr to ski, estimating 6 hours per day

11/15/2011 3:03:11 PM

If you think in terms like that, you'll never have any fun

11/15/2011 3:08:06 PM