We're heading to SLC in two weeks, we would like to know, according to a local, is it worth skiing with a guide? On the net we saw Solitude, Powder Mountain and Interconnect tour, which one would you recommend? Do you have any other recommendations? Are these just tourist traps or are they worth it? We're good carvers but not used to skiing in powder, we don't get much of that in Quebec. We want to make the most of our stay in SLC. Thanks!
guide for utah?
- Thread starter swix
- Start date
swix":1abfgw8l said:
That depends. It's rather confusing -- your subject line references backcountry, yet below you mention resorts. Hardly any resort skier uses a guide, but if there's been no new snow lately it might help to have local knowledge to find stashes and the best aspect for sun and wind in case you're not good at figuring out those things on your own. I'd recommend the free mountain hosts that many resorts make available.
I recall you started another thread on topic here, too, so you may wish to go back and re-read the responses there:
http://www.firsttracksonline.com/boards ... php?t=6206
swix":1abfgw8l said:
Not traps at all, all three are very worthwhile. Solitude is a relatively uncrowded medium-sized ski resort. Powder Mountain has massive acreage, spread-out lifts and a mom 'n pop ski resort feel to it. The Interconnect is a backcountry experience skiing through and between the resorts and well worth the modest price.
Marc_C
Active member
The three you mentioned, along with Snowbasin, all are backcountry, out-side the resort, guided trips. As far as I know, there are no guided services within the resorts unless you consider a private ski lesson from the ski school a guided excursion.swix":3lmz92lh said:
If you're just concerned about getting used to powder and/or finding the best conditions on the in-bounds terrain, then I echo Admin's suggestion of using the resort hosts (not every resort has them) and especially Sharon's suggestion of taking a lesson, particularly for powder.
lookn4powder
New member
swix":22qwdjcg said:
A guide for resort skiing, likely not needed.
You appear to all be skiers (as opposed to boarders). If so and this snow bounty continues, you can really help yourself by renting powder boards (something 90-95 mm or wider underfoot) and then taking a lesson at Alta, which has one of the best (and cheapest) ski schools around.
The advanced/expert workshops offer the best deals. You will quickly learn (or refine) powder techniques. These clinics make fast tracks, so your group will quickly get a good overview of the entire mountain finding the best powder. I've taken the advanced moguls and two of the All Mountain workshops. My wife took the Beyond the Blues Workshop 3 years ago, which had her skiing stuff that I'd never coax her onto. If it's snowing like it is now in Utah, you should start your week in one of these workshops. You'll enjoy the rest of the week more.
Jeez, I sound like a commercial--but I'm just jealous that I can't get out West right now. Dang!
Enjoy!
Jeff
It sounds like Swix is confusing skiing inbounds at a western resort with the Alps, where you actually can get in trouble not far from the groomed pistes, and it is advisable to hire a guide, even if you're not going BC.
Or I may be completely wrong.
Or I may be completely wrong.