What would you do if...

[Sharon]

you have a 10 day trip planned to SLC and there is no sign of snow in the forecast and the only hazardous weather predicted is a valley inversion.

Options we are considering for our plan B:

1. Drive north, maybe Schweitzer, or even further on into so BC to Red Mtn
2. Drive south to Taos, where it is currently snowing

Certainly Jackson HOle and CO are in driving range, but they don't have any better weather than Utah at this time.

We are certainly hoping that we will not need to implement plan B, but we feel that it makes sense to keep it as a backup just in case.

Paying $100 each to reroute our flights is also an option, but we can Thelma and Louise it to just about anywhere within a day's drive (10-12 hrs). Could be a nice way to see the country anway.

-Sharon

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Assume you're talking about using FF mile awards, since it's only $100 to reroute. Which cities can you fly into?

Taos/Northern NM is feast or famine, and this season appears to be the former, so I'd head that way. Hit up Angel Fire, Santa Fe, Red River, and/or Pajarito if you want to mix things up. Beautiful region and all that southwest cultcha, you know.

 

[Tony Crocker]

New Mexico has been getting localized storms over the past 3 weeks that have missed much of the western U.S. But overall snowfall is just a bit above average. I do recommend the overall tourist experience. In a March/April week in 1993 in addtion to 3 days skiing at Taos, I visited Santa Fe, Anasazi ruins at Bandelier, the Trinity A-Bomb site (open only 2 days per year, fortuitously timed), Alamogordo Space Museum, White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns, and Ski Apache on the last day. The base at Taos was 130 inches (9 inches new on the 2nd day) then vs. 57 now.

But if you want a dedicated ski trip I recommend you fly to Spokane and head for the Great White North. If you don't believe me, check out the most recent reports at http://far.redtree.com/cgmrep.html . 10-12 days, no problem with a triangle trip to Schweitzer, Fernie, Red, Whitewater, maybe standby cat skiing. Castle and The Big Mountain are options also. Taos is the only area in New Mexico that is in a league with any of the above terrain-wise. Santa Fe may be in the ballpark of the inbounds at Whitewater, but I'll comment after I ski Santa Fe Feb. 22 for the first time.

Pay the $100. It doesn't make sense to add 20+ drive hours to an already ambitious itinerary. Actually, I'd recommend this strategy to any of you easterners who put a premium on powder for your destination trips. Use FF miles and decide late where to go. Consider the $100 as snow insurance. If you book to SLC you'll save the $100 close to half the time IMHO.

 

[Sharon]

Tony, that is exactly what I would like to do...as that is my favorite place to ski, ever, but if we do that route, then we are looking at paying for lodging and the $100 fee, which are expenses we didn't have in the budget which is what determined our destination and length of stay.

Because we are both flying different airlines, it may be difficult to orchestrate, but is certainly something I've been considering, though I don't think my friend will be willing.

If it were only up to me, I would just do that, but my friend wouldn't just go deeper into debt for skiing like I would. I know it would be worth every penny. I will have to see if I can convince her, as not only would it be $100 each for the plane ticket change, but it would be hundreds more in lodging costs in the end.

An addition, the allure of SLC is not just the skiing, but the people we know who live there, as well as a bunch of people who are going there for ski trips during that time.

We are hoping we won't need a plan B, but if we do, driving for a couple of days is more affordable than flying in for the duration of 10 days (as that would entail 10 days of lodging and food costs...which we minimize when we stay with friends and not eat out every meal). We will likely have 2 others with us who will be interested in driving to wherever the snow is (that is Acid Christ and one of his ski patrol buddies). Those guys are driving out from the east, so, what's another 10 hours?

-Sharon

 

[lookn4powder]

New Mexico has been getting localized storms over the past 3 weeks...But overall snowfall is just a bit above average. I do recommend the overall tourist experience. In a March/April week in 1993 in addtion to 3 days skiing at Taos, I visited Santa Fe, Anasazi ruins at Bandelier, the Trinity A-Bomb site...The base at Taos was 130 inches (9 inches new on the 2nd day) then vs. 57 now.

But if you want a dedicated ski trip I recommend you fly to Spokane....Santa Fe Feb. 22 for the first time.

Tony's advice is right on. I am also the same quandary. Utah is usually the first trip my wife and I take together in Jan, but Utah conditions are not encouraging (and I cannot get away until Feb 3). Having Southwest airline credits, we're considering Seattle, Portland, and Reno (unlikely) as alternates to SLC a couple weeks. But we are holding off until the last minute. Clearly, these zones are in the sweet spot for accumulating snow this year. Whistler is also awesome, but I've got to use one of SW credits soon.

Taos is looking better, but it needs more than 57" to preserve ski bases in the off-piste. Pajarito just received 10", which is also encouraging. Pajarito can be hard to find (due to its very small sign), but it is likely worth skiing unless the fire devastated the place's character. When driving in Los Alamos one must be extra careful to stay within the speed limits because speed trap(s) are always active. On the first excuse, the town cops will stop and cross-examine you (the vigilance is likely stimulated by the local nuclear weapons work). Although I haven't skied there since the fire and 911, but I'd expect cops to be even twitchier now. Santa Fe Ski Basin is ok, but it has one busy spot where 4-5 trails converge and skiers sometimes collide. Not my favorite place, but OK.

Cheers,
Jeff

 

[snowave]

when are you going?

I'm headed out to SLC next Monday for about 9 days, and although its still not looking great, some of the long range models have been starting to go back and forth with some signs of "possible" off and on snowfall chances starting late this week. Nothing overly major at this point, but that can always change.

 

[schubwa]

I'm with Tony, reread his go north suggestion again! I got back from the Kootenay region of BC last week and it is GREAT there right now. It has been snowing regularly there even though the snow machine has shut off in the OR/WA regions of the PNW.
The ski areas are small but the towns are too. And the beer is good. Maybe you could get in a day of cat or heli, in British Columbiaaahhh.
Be polite to the RCMP at the border and tuck in your ponytail.

 

[Sharon]

I wonder how long it would take to get new passports. Mine is expired and I don't know if Pam has one. That may be a big obstacle at this point.

It is certainly killin me that BC is getting so much snow and there are so many obstacles between the Kootenay Pow and me.

 

[lookn4powder]

when are you going?

I'm headed out to SLC next Monday for about 9 days...

Feb 3 is the earliest outgoing date possible for us. I'm holding off firming plans since I know the WA, OR, and UT ski scenes pretty well.

...Be polite to the RCMP at the border and tuck in your ponytail.

There was a time I had a mane that went 1/2 way down my back, but nature has rendered me very challenged with respect to topside fur. I guess I look quite respectable now.

Cheers,
jeff

 

[Tony Crocker]

You don't need the passport if you're crossing into Canada by car until mid-2008 I think. I think you should have copy of your birth certificate if you don't have a passport.

Rossland, Fernie, Nelson lodging is still reasonable by U.S. resort standards. I'd guess more than SLC, but much less than Park City.

New Mexico might be worthy of snowave's drive from L.A., but only if he's on skis and not a board.

look'n4powder: Southwest flies to both Seattle (5 hours drive to Whistler, with Mt. Baker on the way) and Spokane. Those are your clear best choices IMHO.

Jackson/Targhee and Sun Valley are the logical driveable alternatives from SLC. Sometimes storms get to one of those but not to the Wasatch, but not often.

 

[Sharon]

I'm not so sure about the passport issue. I thought it was required to have a passport to cross the canadian border after January 23, 2007. I cannot seem to find more info on that. But when I have more time I will try to figure that out. I will renew my passport anyway. I had used my old and expired passport to cross the border in the past with no problem. But this may be the limiting factor, as it takes a few weeks turnaround time and I am more than 200 miles from the closest passport agency. Can someone verify the new rules and when they go into effect?

Could change the outcome of the trip, however, going to NM seems like a good alternative.

Word is that in a week the pattern will change bringing snow to the Wasatch. If that is the case, we'll stick with plan A and save some $. If not, then heck, we'll have an adventure finding the snow...kinda like we did yesterday in central NY, where we drove all over Cortland and Cayuga Counties looking for something skiable with xc skis. We skied upon a lot of rocks, but we had fun trying and enjoyed driving around the countryside.

 

[snowave]

Yes, I'm a single planker.. :wink:

Also, starting tomorrow, you will need a passport only if flying into Canada.. Next year, you'll need one to drive into the country.

I've been looking at Mapquest checking out options for my trip if SLC stays dry.. most logical seems to be north, towards WY and MT... hitting Targhee/JH/and up to BIg Sky (never been to Big sky before, which is 6 hrs away from SLC), but not sure what conditions are like up there yet. And as Tony said, if they are getting hit, SLC area is likley going to be getting the similar stuff, in most cases...as they are often along the same NW/SE storm track.

I've pretty much come to the conclusion that things will have to be really bad in SLC and much better elsewhere for me to leave SLC, as I want to maximize my time in as many places as possible. (and SLC is not lacking in ski areas)

I'm also not real keen on driving 10 hours to hit one or two ski areas. Also, travelling by myself minimizes my driving time as I'm only good for about 6-8 hours max. but crap, I really woudl like to get some pow on a trip for a change as I'm in a pow drought in my last couple trips.

 

[Admin]

Jeez Louise, people! Bob Dangerous and I were sitting at the kitchen table tonight laughing at how everyone thinks it's so crappy here. And he's been here for 12 years. Have you looked at my pictures lately? Sure, it's below its usual depth, but the skiing is mighty damned fine here right now. No complaints from me. If y'all want to leave more for me, that's just fine.

I guess I look quite respectable now.

Nope. :wink:

 

[snowave]

Jeez Louise, people! Bob Dangerous and I were sitting at the kitchen table tonight laughing at how everyone thinks it's so crappy here. And he's been here for 12 years. Have you looked at my pictures lately? Sure, it's below its usual depth, but the skiing is mighty damned fine here right now. No complaints from me. If y'all want to leave more for me, that's just fine.

I guess I look quite respectable now.

Nope. :wink:

You do have a good point.. your pictures have been showing, overall,pretty darn good conditions.. We may be overacting to some extent.. and I, myself am more or less thinking out loud (you've probably noticed that trend the last few weeks while talkign about my trip!).. i'm also a bit sensitive to the thought of below avg snow as I'm in CA remember..

Now... in the defense of the guilty.. I think that those of us coming to SLC that are bellyaching just want to try and maximize our chances for pow and really good snow..as we are shelling out some significant vacation time and $$$ for our annuals trip/s. I think what's also a factor is that a few of us have some flexibility with our travel places, which would allow us to maybe follow the snow for the best conditions.

so basically what I'm saying is.. after you weed through all MY BS..it's rather unlikely I'll be bolting to other areas looking for snow once I get to SLC! :lol:

 

[lookn4powder]

I'm not so sure about the passport issue. ... ...this may be the limiting factor, as it takes a few weeks turnaround time and I am more than 200 miles from the closest passport agency. Can someone verify the new rules and when they go into effect?

I think that passports are required for air travel, but optional for land entry. I'd take my passport regardless. I just renewed my passport--it took 6 sixs. My wife's took the same.

Cheers,
Jeff

 

[jasoncapecod]

Us windsurfers have a saying .. You don't leave wind to find more wind... You find yourself on a wild goose chase... The long range looks dry for everyone west of the Mississippi for the next 10 days... There is a ridge parked over the entire west coast and rockies that aint goin any where. Take the Admin's advise.

 

[Sharon]

Jeez Louise, people! Bob Dangerous and I were sitting at the kitchen table tonight laughing at how everyone thinks it's so crappy here. And he's been here for 12 years. Have you looked at my pictures lately? Sure, it's below its usual depth, but the skiing is mighty damned fine here right now. No complaints from me. If y'all want to leave more for me, that's just fine.would allow us to maybe follow the snow for the best conditions.

You do have a good point.. your pictures have been showing, overall,pretty darn good conditions.. We may be overacting to some extent.. and I, myself am more or less thinking out loud (you've probably noticed that trend the last few weeks while talkign about my trip!).. i'm also a bit sensitive to the thought of below avg snow as I'm in CA remember.. Wink Wink

Now... in the defense of the guilty.. I think that those of us coming to SLC that are bellyaching just want to try and maximize our chances for pow and really good snow..as we are shelling out some significant vacation time and $$$ for our annuals trip/s. I think what's also a factor is that a few of us have some flexibility with our travel places, which would allow us to maybe follow the snow for the best conditions.

I share Snowave's sentiments.

Marc, indeed, you may be correct, however, we've been to the resorts of the SLC area many many times and if it isn't going to be powdery, then it would be worth going on an adventure. We have 10 days, so, why not make a plan B. It is very unlikely that we'll need to execute Plan B, but hey, it's fun to think about and I threw out this question just to see what people would suggest.

No intention to diss your little piece of heaven...there are just more bountiful places right now and we've got the time to check'm out if we desire.

-Sh

 

[Admin]

No intention to diss your little piece of heaven...there are just more bountiful places right now and we've got the time to check'm out if we desire.

No diss taken. I just don't want you operting on the misconception that things are miserable around here, for they aren't...at all.

 

[schubwa]

FYI,
They specifically asked me for my passport when I crossed by car last week. I said I had my passport in my luggage and he made me dig it out.
I found it interesting that it was much more of a hassle going into Canada than reentering the USA. It could have been that the driver, Dave Stewart (he's a doctor), has a ponytail and looks like a gun runner! I was wearing my Sox baseball hat and shades so no wonder. We cleaned up our act on the way in...

 

[yak]

I'm thinkin' along the same lines. I'm heading to Vail on Feb 3, but we're prepared to roll in any direction that looks promising. South toward the San Juans (Crusty Butt or Telluride) or further to the Sangre de Cristo's (Taos is my favorite enchanted place), West to the Wasatch (maybe cut some tracks with Admin ), or NorthWest to the Tetons. Hopefully we won't have to become High Plains Drifters, but we're ready to ride to find the goods.

From SLC, you have similar options if necessary.

If not for the free accommodation, free use of sleds, free and discounted tickets, free use of a Subaru, free-quent flyer flights, and hangin' with my bud, I'd consider BC as well.