Western Weather 2017-18 and Later
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Yeah. Glenwood has some reasonable prices but if we’re doing this one last time as a family I’ll lash out and stay in Aspen. I’m just hoping we can go with the original plan of staying in Driggs and ski at Grand Targhee and perhaps Jackson.
Last March Liz and I used the two free parking lots EMSC cites. We stayed in Aspen for about $300/night, but of course that was not during the holidays. With a family a condo at Snowmass is worth investigating, and is what we did Jan. 1-6 in 2014. Tseeb's suggestion of Basalt is reasonable. James' suggestion of Rifle is ridiculous. We also spent a couple of nights in Glenwood on the way in and skied Sunlight New Year's Eve. There was a night in Grand Junction and a ski day at Powderhorn before that.
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I don't think there has been enough snow for Sunlight and Powderhorn to be viable options. And there doesn't appear to be a lot on the horizon. We may have to deploy the National Parks back up plan.
tseeb
Well-known member
I also have room with 2 Queen beds and breakfast booked at Cedar Lodge in Glenwood for just over $100 on the first Thurs in March. We plan to ski A-Basin with SkiTalk Gathering that Thursday, but could save an hour of driving skiing Copper instead. Can be last minute decision. My wife has never skied A-Basin and this could be her last season.
From motel in Basalt where we are staying (partially to be near friend who lives not too far away, but has full house), Snowmass Rodeo lot which was free parking for shuttle to skiing last time I was there is 22 minutes vs. 17 from Aspen. But if you are staying in Aspen, you could catch a bus to Snowmass and leave your vehicle where you're staying. I agree with Tony Crocker's suggestion of "condo at Snowmass" as you could easily catch free bus to Aspen for skiing or dinner.
From motel in Basalt where we are staying (partially to be near friend who lives not too far away, but has full house), Snowmass Rodeo lot which was free parking for shuttle to skiing last time I was there is 22 minutes vs. 17 from Aspen. But if you are staying in Aspen, you could catch a bus to Snowmass and leave your vehicle where you're staying. I agree with Tony Crocker's suggestion of "condo at Snowmass" as you could easily catch free bus to Aspen for skiing or dinner.
We’ve stayed in Snowmass before and went into Aspen for dinner on the bus. Snowmass is a good option for families particularly.
If forced to decide now Snowmass would be the best option. But that's not necessary. In 2013-14 we did not book Jan. 1-6 at Snowmass until Dec. 22.
I doubt it will come to that. But it's an easy one or two day pit stop at Arches/Canyonlands between SLC and Aspen. Both times I visited Arches were after skiing Aspen.
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Dec. 2 snowpack map:
This is an odd pattern, with much of the intermountain region being below average while the Northwest and Colorado did so well.
This is an odd pattern, with much of the intermountain region being below average while the Northwest and Colorado did so well.
EMSC
Well-known member
Mostly from two cut-off storms that sucked moisture from the Gulf up through Texas and 'backward' into Colo while also lingering for multiple days. Otherwise the pattern would be simpler: storms hitting the west coast hard then dying/drying out.
Alta spinning just two lifts with about 25% of terrain open...........and very very little in the forecast.
@Tony Crocker Grand Targhee as plenty open but very little new snow in the next couple of weeks according to the models. Would they usually retain the amount of terrain open with no new snow?
@Tony Crocker Grand Targhee as plenty open but very little new snow in the next couple of weeks according to the models. Would they usually retain the amount of terrain open with no new snow?
Alta's website shows what's open only during operating hours. Consolidator sites like SnoCountry will normally normally leave that info alone until refreshed the next day. Alta was 64% open this weekend though the base is only 28 inches. Targhee's base is 29 inches. I would not expect either Alta or Targhee to lose much terrain at this time of year. But Jackson and the rest of Utah are seriously deficient in both snow and open terrain with at least one more lean week ahead.
Unlike Utah, many Colorado areas opened more terrain this week despite no new snow. That strengthens my impression that sbooker should consider Colorado not the Tetons after he's done with family obligations in Utah. Better yet, switch up the flight and head north to Seattle/Canada earlier than currently planned.
When will sbooker be in Canada? Liz and I will be skiing the Okanagan areas Jan. 16-19 before two days at K3 cat skiing.
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Thanks for the heads up on the Alta site. And thanks for the relatively encouraging comments. I'd like my kids to be able to get at least some time on snow as I don't know when the next time will be for them. I've got cancelable lodging booked in both Tetons and Aspen so we've got some options.
Our itinerary is complex because Kylie and Tom are returning home for work obligations while Emily and I go to Seattle/BC. We head home on the 15th........
We have had a Christmas eve in the past in SLC where it snowed heavily while we were walking home from dinner and we woke to 18 inches on the ground downtown. My wife assures me this lean period in the lead up will result in a repeat of a Christmas snow experience for her................
ChrisC
Well-known member
Too many resorts do this. Some Euro resorts will use a Yellow Code - Standby.
Confusing as hell.
ChrisC
Well-known member
Could he consider Targhee and Sun Valley - they are relatively close by.
Were you going on a day trip to K3 or try one of the new smaller lodges? Their road is awful, so they drive you from the bottom near the Trans Canada highway.
I spent two mind blowing powder days in early January 2016 at Sun Valley. I have vowed never to return so my memories aren't tarnished but I have in the last few days thought of that possibility given their famed snow making.
I personally don't care if I have to skip skiing on the US leg of this trip because I'll be in Europe in March for guaranteed skiing but I'd love the kids to get some time on snow in a few weeks as they have no other ski time on their horizons.
ChrisC
Well-known member
Going to Aspen is a good alternative.
I used to think it was too expensive, but you can find miles deals jan/feb, don't rent a car and used public transportation, and get a reasonable?? condo with a kitchen to cook in, it's doable compared to a lot of other mountains.
Typically, we spend 2 days in Ajax, 1 day in Highland, and 1 day in Snowmass.
You could still go through with Jackson/Targhee. I know there are snowmobile tours into Yellowstone - some might get to old faithful.
I used to think it was too expensive, but you can find miles deals jan/feb, don't rent a car and used public transportation, and get a reasonable?? condo with a kitchen to cook in, it's doable compared to a lot of other mountains.
Typically, we spend 2 days in Ajax, 1 day in Highland, and 1 day in Snowmass.
You could still go through with Jackson/Targhee. I know there are snowmobile tours into Yellowstone - some might get to old faithful.
Targhee's base is currently 29 inches. Sun Valley rates to be nearly all snowmaking dependent. I think Aspen is the better option. The snowmobile tours from West Yellowstone go to Old Faithful. The ones from Jackson generally do not.
We are staying in one of K3's lodges for two nights. As you know, I'm not a fan of daytrip cat skiing in general. Chewing up a lot of your morning on a crappy access road is one of the reasons why.