Its going to be a bad drought year this year. We havent have a solid rain in Oregon for almost a month.
Thinking of taking the wife to either Big Sky or Jackson Hole this year. She's never been so that means we have to buy a ton of shit for her. Also, lessons are pretty fucking expensive
Colorado, specifically Summit County, finally got pounded over Christmas weekend. Foot deep powder at ABasin on Christmas Day. It was glorious. I’m posting right now from South Fork, CO. I just skied Wolf Creek and their base is only 20” right now. They need snow bad but it was still fun
Michigan has more snow than CO. Crazy. Heading up to Boyne Mountain this wknd. Temps in the single digits tho.
I've managed 4 days at Squaw/Alpine so far but until it snows more probably won't go back. I am enjoying the Atomic Vantage 90s I picked up on clearance before the season started, though.
I’ll be in Phoenix from the 4-5 and wanted to see what the nearest slopes were and it’s in Flagstaff at the Snowbowl so I’ll be up there from the 6-7. I self taught myself a year ago at Beach/Sugar mountain so this will be my second time on the slopes. I’m hoping to be hitting the places talked about in here as I get better
Just picked up a set of Soul 7s and Look Pivots for this season... the drought in Oregon sucks. Hope there's enough snow to ride at Bachelor next month.
Jackson Hole, while amazing, is a very tough mountain for beginners imo. That said, Big Sky is probably my favorite mountain(s).
Jackson is a bucket list resort for me. Jealous of you guys that have been there. I’d love to hit Corbets
I love Jackson Hole’s mountain so damn much. My brother used to live out there, so I learned a lot of the mountain from him. Corbets, hiking the head wall after a big snow, going OB past the Hobacks, etc.
Greatest Christmas present ever. It was an epic day. Went and rode Loveland Pass the next morning, right when they opened the road. Found some neck deep stuff in spots.
Havent gone through the thread yet, but I'm gonna get into skiing. Is there a good online place to buy used equipment?
In the Chicago/NWI area, go out to Slide Shop in Valparaiso. Tons of used and demo equipment at great prices. The guy who owns the place and his wife are really good at customizing a package in your skill and budget range.
No problem. And by the way if you take cash, he won’t charge you sales tax. I’m a beginner/intermediate and my wife is an experienced/advanced skier; we both got great deals on equipment out at Slide Shop and they put her in her first pair of boots that fit right in 20 years. We used to get equipment at Viking in Chicago with her parents,and we all swear by Slide Shop now.
I can’t speak for all of the equipment but do not try and save a few bucks on boots. Go to a reputable boot fitter on the mountain and get a pair that fits you right. Will help your skiing and make you much more comfortable. I made this mistake and had a some miserable days. Also look into custom footbeds. They make a huge difference. If you are only skiing a few days a year I would just buy boots and rent skis. You will ski better, save money, and get to try a bunch of different skis. As far as other stuff steepandcheap.com rei garage and sierra trading post are all good discount sites for new equipment. eBay can’t be beat for used stuff.
Like most already said. Don’t skimp on boots. I wouldn’t even consider used boots. Get them new and fitted. If you really want skis, buy them used from a demo shop.
You're much better off going to a physical store. Investing in your own boots is the best investment you could make when you start out. Be picky about your boots.
Well it looks like everyone else already said that. So I'll add that you look like a newbie if you don't wear a helmet. Buy a nice warm helmet and always wear it. We're over at Bittersweet most weekends. If you're ever up there, let me know and I'll buy you a beer (and I'll make sure it is warm for NilesIrish).
I can't ski because I have the lower legs of a 13 year old girl, but I would guess locally outpost is the best spot to buy stuff? I could be way off here.
I hate to be that guy but I don't know if I really agree with the people telling you to invest in top-of-the-line boots. You're an admitted beginner. You're skiing will change drastically as you continue to progress. Your preferences will also change drastically. Getting a stiff boot now will probably inhibit and restrict your learning curve. I would look into getting a used boot and buying custom liners like Zipfits or Intuitions. You can spend $100 on boots and $200 on liners now, then you have the liners for good and can transfer those into a higher end/stiffer boot when you improve. That's just my opinion, though.
To be clear I'm not saying you should buy top of the line boots. I am saying you should go to a store, invest your time trying on different pairs, and pick the most comfortable. I've never had custom liners (but I will be looking into them), but I did get good advice (similar to the above) when I started skiing as an adult and I've still got the same boots I bought 10+ years ago, which I love to this day.
I never said top of the line boots. A better way to rephrase that is I would get fitted by a reputable boot fitter in new boots. I wouldn't go the used route. If you go into a reputable place with a budget they should be able to get you in a good boot. You will ski better and be more comfortable. I am speaking from experience. I live in the southeast and go at least once a year out west. I got fitted for a pair of boots locally and had a hell of a time getting them to where I could ski a full day comfortably. When you factor in all of the costs associated with going skiing from a city like chicago (I think he is from there) then paying an extra $200 for boots that will allow you to ski better and longer every day is a wise investment. Factor in the 30-40 bucks that he saves each trip he doesn't rent boots and it becomes a good decision. If he is skiing less than 10 days a year he shouldn't have a problem getting at least 5 years out of them either.
Evo online store is a solid place for deals during certain times of the year for higher end gear. They have a few physical locations depending on where you live. Boots are definitely one of the most important pieces of gear. You don’t have to go top of the line expensive, necessarily. It’s just best to go into a store and get properly fitted. Then make a selection based on how different brands feel/fit. Keeping your feet as comfortable as possible will go a long way.
I'm heading to Steamboat next week for the first time. Any must dos (bars, restaurants, sites, etc.) for the after-ski hours? It's tough to beat pounding a few beers and pizza after skiing all day.
Will be in Aspen/Snowmass tomorrow - Sunday Just upgraded to first class for my flight there for $119 :)
Want to head west this weekend (CO but open to others - Tahoe?) for a ski weekend with the lady. We’re both very much beginners. She’s only been once before (Keystone), and I’ve been a handful of times. Would be taking lessons at least one of the two days. Do you guys have any recommendations for a good beginner mountain that we should look into?
Partial to Tahoe generally - plus there has been a big dump out there the past week or so. My favorite mountain is Northstar; took a few beginners there in February and they loved it. A lot of people really like a smaller resort like Alpine Meadows for beginners though.
Going Sunday to Sierra-at-Tahoe for the first time this season, looking forward to the first actual big dump of the season. Worried this season might suck but glad it is just coming in late
I'm on day 15 for my Squaw/Alpine pass. Determined to make it to 20. Alpine is a lot of fun for intermediate skiers, similar to Northstar.
I would look to where the best snow is. I have never been there, but Copper might be a good option because the mountain terrain is naturally divided - beginner on one side, intermediate in the middle, and advanced on the other side. You avoid making a wrong turn and ending up on a run you dont want to be on.
You son of a bitch. 3 of my boys are flying in from Hawaii for a trip to Mt Hood and Bachelor, Bachelor just got hit with 12”... but I’m demanding we all go to Big Sky next year.
I royally fucked my left foot up on a dirt bike in 2016 and missed the whole 16/17 season. I’ve got so much metal and shit and it’s so mangled in there that I was worried I would never get it in a boot again, but I picked up some Atomic Hawx with the heat molded liner and bought Look Pivot 12’s on 188 Soul 7’s, almost like I was forcing myself to get back in it if I dropped that kind of coin. Super happy to report that the change in gear has really been everything I could ask for. These Soul 7’s ski like 170’s, they’re flat out playful. They’re a dream blasting through the trees, you can load the tips and tails hilariously easily thanks to the early rise rocker tip and tail... I love these skis. At 42 years old I don’t think I’ve ever had more fun on the mountain. 10/10 would buy again if anyone is pondering how good the Look Pivot Soul 7 combo would be.
So first time to MT.... East Coast PA/WV/VA....yeah everyone knows they suck but it's a mountain CO...aight this is dope much better than back east. So much bigger/longer and less crowded/speed out. MT...yeah Big Sky branding themselves as the biggest Mt is definitely feelable. I'd say 70% of my runs had no one on them. It's pretty great
I think I am following but let me put it in terms I can understand...I love tree skiing in particular but moguls too, I am in the market for new skis and bindings...I should get these. Does it matter if I’m a 6-7 out of 10 level skiier? I like to get lost in the woods but I definitely slide down on my ass if it’s double black steep in the woods.