Big Cottonwood Recommendations
- Thread starter jkamien
- Start date
Geoff
New member
Marc_C":3qegofm6 said:
To me, that's always been the huge attraction of Deer Valley. It's stuffed full of nice medium-pitch tree skiing that sees very little traffic. That's my favorite terrain. Layer on booting up in a deluxe base lodge to a latte, the gourmet cafeteria food at lunch, and the pleasant pitcher of beer in the lodge afterwards while you're pulling your boots off and it makes for a very relaxing and pleasant day. It was even better when I used to have the use of mom's season locker in the Snow Park Lodge where you could boot up sitting in front of your oak locker on a butcher block bench listening to classical music. It's also a superb place to ski with a mixed-ability group. You can enjoy yourself in the trees while lower ability people are on the groomers 100 yards away. You can also ship your gear directly to the resort so you have the option of catching the early morning flight from the east coast and being on skis by 11:00.
It's also the only place I've ever been where I get warned before buying my day ticket on a big powder day that it isn't groomed. I just smile and say that's why I'm at the ticket window 30 minutes before the lifts start loading.
jkamien
Member
Trip now re-scheduled to Feb 8 through Feb 13. I will make the call for where to ski according to conditions, except for the Interconnect which will be Wednesday.
And I am going to keep everything open regarding lodging. I don't think the Ogden Hilton will be an issue for availability, and at least two Hilton-family inns are in Park City, so I think that I will be OK waiting to reserve HHonors lodging until just beforehand.
Then again, maybe I'll just save my points and stay at the Admin B&B. :twisted: :wink:
And I am going to keep everything open regarding lodging. I don't think the Ogden Hilton will be an issue for availability, and at least two Hilton-family inns are in Park City, so I think that I will be OK waiting to reserve HHonors lodging until just beforehand.
Then again, maybe I'll just save my points and stay at the Admin B&B. :twisted: :wink:
jkamien
Member
So I am leaving for my postponed 50th birthday trip this Monday, Feb 8. \
/
I figure that without significant storms this week (I am the Anti-Snow God - see http://www.firsttracksonline.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8620&start=15), going where the snow is good doesn't really factor into plans, but any of this can change if that isn't the case. Local advice is welcome.
I arrive at SLC at 1030 and will head directly to The Canyons for my free ticket with boarding pass. A local contact (an Aussie ex-pat who lives in PC, and is coincidently a headhunter for my profession), told me I'd be happiest skiing off 9099 and the Super Condor chairs at The Canyons. Also, I'm staying at the Park City Hampton Inn, so driving is minimized.
Tuesday, I ski wherever -Solitude or Brighton, PCMR. I've been to AltBird many times and want to experience some new places - DV I don't think is quite my scene.
Wednesday I have a reservation for the Utah Interconnect. Wednesday night I shift to the Ogden Hampton Inn.
Thursday is for PowMow.
Friday is a heli day with Diamond Peaks.
Saturday is for Snowbasin until 2PM as it is closest to SLC for the getaway day.
Any FTO'rs plan to ski Monday at The Canyons? Is two days out still too early to make plans? How about Tuesday in PC or Thursday at PowMow? I'd love to meet up and ski with some local knowledge.
Admin can vouch that I keep up pretty good...
/ I figure that without significant storms this week (I am the Anti-Snow God - see http://www.firsttracksonline.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8620&start=15), going where the snow is good doesn't really factor into plans, but any of this can change if that isn't the case. Local advice is welcome.
I arrive at SLC at 1030 and will head directly to The Canyons for my free ticket with boarding pass. A local contact (an Aussie ex-pat who lives in PC, and is coincidently a headhunter for my profession), told me I'd be happiest skiing off 9099 and the Super Condor chairs at The Canyons. Also, I'm staying at the Park City Hampton Inn, so driving is minimized.
Tuesday, I ski wherever -Solitude or Brighton, PCMR. I've been to AltBird many times and want to experience some new places - DV I don't think is quite my scene.
Wednesday I have a reservation for the Utah Interconnect. Wednesday night I shift to the Ogden Hampton Inn.
Thursday is for PowMow.
Friday is a heli day with Diamond Peaks.
Saturday is for Snowbasin until 2PM as it is closest to SLC for the getaway day.
Any FTO'rs plan to ski Monday at The Canyons? Is two days out still too early to make plans? How about Tuesday in PC or Thursday at PowMow? I'd love to meet up and ski with some local knowledge.
Admin can vouch that I keep up pretty good...
Powderqueen
New member
If you don't find anyone to ski with you at Solitude, my advice is to go to Honeycomb canyon and traverse out as far as you can to find the best snow. The further you go, the more vertical you will get.
Since it is supposed to be mostly sunny for next week, if there is no new snow, traverse to the most north-facing (shaded) aspects for the best snow. Anything that sits in the sun is no fun to ski at Solitude, except the groomers, which can get pretty creamy.
Since it is supposed to be mostly sunny for next week, if there is no new snow, traverse to the most north-facing (shaded) aspects for the best snow. Anything that sits in the sun is no fun to ski at Solitude, except the groomers, which can get pretty creamy.
Powderqueen":1uo6ek4t said:
FYI there's almost nothing north-facing in Honeycomb. Honeycomb lines proper face east-northeast, with Black Forest facing due west and west-northwest.
Google topo map with Honeycomb set dead center
As a result they bake quickly.
Powderqueen
New member
Admin":szc4dtt6 said:
Most of it, but as I said, if you go way out, some of the folds face more north and offer better snow. This shows on that topo map. The snow in the trees is also better as it is shaded by the trees.
jkamien
Member
PDQ seems to be suggesting Solitude for Tuesday. I dunno. Canyons looks pretty sweet off 9990 and Super Condor. Also it's located 10 min from where I'm staying. I see some advantages to skiing the same place twice. On the second day I won't be bumbling about getting my bearings as much.
Is Solitude a must-ski? This is a midweek, non vacation time so I expect minimal crowds. At this point I am leaning toward 2 Canyons days.
What does the great FTO oracle say?
Is Solitude a must-ski? This is a midweek, non vacation time so I expect minimal crowds. At this point I am leaning toward 2 Canyons days.
What does the great FTO oracle say?
Marc_C
Active member
When I moved here I had an ASC All America pass, so I skied The Canyons a fair amount that first season. Over the next 9 seasons, I've only skied there about 3 more times, each time because visitors were in town and wanted to try it out.jkamien":3uyvj37v said:
Friends who used to live in Jeremy Ranch and could see the Canyons from their LR window always bought season passes for ...Alta.
FWIW.
Powderqueen
New member
I do not consider Solitude a "must ski". In fact, most years, I don't even get there. Never really loved the place for a variety of reasons. If you don't get any new snow while you are here, I would just skip it. I would rather ski at The Canyons. Nice tree skiing there and you won't spend half your day on the lifts.
We went to Solitude for an "easy" day after some hard charging in LCC. We had a friend with us who hadn't skied in a while and came from sea level, so anything was hard for her. She was grateful for all the lift rides. 3 slow lifts to get back to Honeycomb!
The Canyons may not be great with low snow this year, but I'm sure you'll find some good skiing up high. PCMR may also be a good bet. I never really loved DV, but if it was free, I would go.
We went to Solitude for an "easy" day after some hard charging in LCC. We had a friend with us who hadn't skied in a while and came from sea level, so anything was hard for her. She was grateful for all the lift rides. 3 slow lifts to get back to Honeycomb!
The Canyons may not be great with low snow this year, but I'm sure you'll find some good skiing up high. PCMR may also be a good bet. I never really loved DV, but if it was free, I would go.
Read my report from The Canyons, above, then read my report from PCMR 1/24: http://www.firsttracksonline.com/boards ... f=3&t=8568 . Then read between the lines.
My 2 cents:
Jupiter Bowl puts PCMR a modest cut above its neighbors in terms of both snow and terrain quality. So with a day or two there I'd give it priority. With multiple days try all 3 out and take your preference after that.
Solitude is one of those "powder dependent" areas. For non-competitive first tracks it's one of the best. Without fresh snow, the layout can be more annoying.
Jupiter Bowl puts PCMR a modest cut above its neighbors in terms of both snow and terrain quality. So with a day or two there I'd give it priority. With multiple days try all 3 out and take your preference after that.
Solitude is one of those "powder dependent" areas. For non-competitive first tracks it's one of the best. Without fresh snow, the layout can be more annoying.