Best Night Skiing City

#1

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2/20/07 at 2:18pm

jackwan1
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I am looking for a City Metro area that offers good job opportunities but also offers good night skiing opportunity. The resort must be easily accessable within one hour or so after work, it must be challenge enough not only at night but also on a regular day(maybe more than one resort nearby).

The following cities are in my range:

1. Reno ~ Squaw
2. Portland ~ Mt. Hood
3. SLC
4. Vancouver

#2

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2/20/07 at 2:30pm

ryan
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Vancouver

Grouse

http://www.grousemountain.com/

i believe brighton (SLC) has night skiing, too.

#3

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2/20/07 at 3:14pm

cooper8168
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I'd also put Reno on a list, but no way would I have it anywhere near the top. Absolutely nothing going on in that backwards-a**, provincial town. Take it from someone who was born and raised there and has had enough time away to reflect and formulate an opinion. It wasn't always the case - Reno is just a perfect example of how unfettered growth is a bad thing.

Totally agree with PDX, Vancouver and SLC. Vancouver seems especially interesting to me.

#4

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2/20/07 at 3:20pm

jaobrien6
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Just an FYI, Mt. Hood is only an hour from PDX if you live/work on the east side, like Gresham or Troutdale. If you live Downtown, it'll be farther, and if you live on the west side, it'll probably be well over 2 hours with rush hour traffic. If you're coming from all the way out in Hillsboro (west side), it could very easily take you an hour just to get across town to the East suburbs like Gresham.

#5

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2/20/07 at 3:25pm

Posaune
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Seattle has Alpental, Snoqualmie (AKA Snowcrummy) and Stevens Pass with lots of night skiing at each. Both Alpental and Stevens have some good terrain.

Grouse Mtn. at Vancouver is low and not very challenging. The other areas are unknown to me.

I slide.

#6

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2/20/07 at 3:27pm

steelman
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Brighton and Park City have night skiing. Brighton has more lighted terrain. Powder Mountain also near Ogden. Challenging runs may be asking a little too much as most of these places only light the bottom half of the Mountain.

#7

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2/20/07 at 3:31pm

memosteve
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On the weekends, it only takes me about 2 1/2 hours to get to Skibowl/Timberline from Tillamook w/out traffic...I drive it every weekend during the season.

During the week it can be a different story, but still not bad. If I were to relocate to PDX area it would be Gresham (watch out for the ghetto areas), or Troutdale, just so I could be closer.

You could live in the above mentioned areas and still work in PDX, Clackamas, Tigard, Beaverton or Hillsboro w/out too much fuss.

Skibowl claims the biggest night ski area in North America although I like to rename it IceBowl after about 4pm.

#8

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2/20/07 at 3:39pm

slider
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I hit Ski bowl on a regular basis this time of year. Mid-week @ night for real cheap, no lines, kill it.

Big storm rolling in tonight.....must go Wed.-Thurs. PM.

#9

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2/20/07 at 4:26pm

Jake_NB
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Quebec City - Mont Ste. Anne - non pariel

#10

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2/20/07 at 5:21pm

jaobrien6
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Quote:

Originally Posted by memosteve

On the weekends, it only takes me about 2 1/2 hours to get to Skibowl/Timberline from Tillamook w/out traffic...I drive it every weekend during the season.

Wow... you must drive a lot faster than me... on weekends during the ski season, with snowy roads and ski traffic, it'll take me close to 1:45 to get to Gvt. Camp, and I'm coming from Beaverton. <shrug> Take all the driving times with a little grain of salt, obviously.

Ski Bowl after work does work out very well, though, especially if you take off work a little early to beat some of the rush hour traffic.

Hope this helps!

#11

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2/20/07 at 6:45pm

memosteve
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Quote:

Originally Posted by jaobrien6

Wow... you must drive a lot faster than me... on weekends during the ski season, with snowy roads and ski traffic, it'll take me close to 1:45 to get to Gvt. Camp, and I'm coming from Beaverton. <shrug> Take all the driving times with a little grain of salt, obviously.

Ski Bowl after work does work out very well, though, especially if you take off work a little early to beat some of the rush hour traffic.

Hope this helps!

I pretty much stick to the speed limit, being an x-cop and all. I just get up there really early before the traffic hits. It's only about 45-55 minutes from my place in Tillamook (real close to hwy 6) to Beaverton. It's probably a little longer for you because you likely drive the surface streets before hitting 26...I don't deal w/surface streets. I also don't take 26 through Portland either, so less lights to deal with.

There are days when it does take 3+ hours although.

#12

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2/20/07 at 8:29pm

Powdr
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Just got back from Vancouver on a business trip. Grouse is sure close, but man did that city have a weird vibe. I hadn't been there for maybe 20 years and it sure has changed. What I used to think of as a beautiful city seems to have morphed into some strange conglomeration of all the worst parts of Seoul and Tokyo combined. All I saw were the skinny tall apartment buildings that look like they would fall down in the slightest earthquake. Then I drove through Seattle to catch my fight home and I can't tell you how much better it felt. It's also got Stevens & Snoqualmie nearby (a little further away). Man I like that city.

Powdr

#13

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2/20/07 at 8:31pm

jaobrien6
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Quote:

Originally Posted by memosteve

I pretty much stick to the speed limit, being an x-cop and all. I just get up there really early before the traffic hits. It's only about 45-55 minutes from my place in Tillamook (real close to hwy 6) to Beaverton. It's probably a little longer for you because you likely drive the surface streets before hitting 26...I don't deal w/surface streets. I also don't take 26 through Portland either, so less lights to deal with.

There are days when it does take 3+ hours although.

I didn't realize Tillamook was that close, actually... in that case I take it back. Sounds like we're on the same page, roughly for driving times. Sorry for the threadjack.

Again, jackwan1... hope this helps at all.

#14

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2/21/07 at 6:06am

slider
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Quote:

Originally Posted by jaobrien6

I didn't realize Tillamook was that close, actually... in that case I take it back. Sounds like we're on the same page, roughly for driving times. Sorry for the threadjack.

Again, jackwan1... hope this helps at all.

It's 126 miles from Tillamook to Govy. steve must know a short cut we don't.

:

#15

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2/21/07 at 6:44am

OldSchool
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Powdr

Just got back from Vancouver on a business trip. Grouse is sure close, but man did that city have a weird vibe. I hadn't been there for maybe 20 years and it sure has changed. What I used to think of as a beautiful city seems to have morphed into some strange conglomeration of all the worst parts of Seoul and Tokyo combined. All I saw were the skinny tall apartment buildings that look like they would fall down in the slightest earthquake. Then I drove through Seattle to catch my fight home and I can't tell you how much better it felt. It's also got Stevens & Snoqualmie nearby (a little further away). Man I like that city.

Powdr

You prefer Seattle to Vancouver???

Not enough crime, or freeways running through the centre of the city in Vancouver?
What didn't you like about Vancouver - just the buildings (which I think are quite pretty, even futuristic)? How long were you in each place?

What was the "weird vibe"?

Everyone has their own likes and dislikes, but this comparison really has me intriqued.

#16

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2/21/07 at 7:13am

cspsskiguy
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How about Montreal?St Sauveur to the north which has tons of night skiing,and Bromont to the south/east.

#17

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2/21/07 at 8:48am

memosteve
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Quote:

Originally Posted by slider

It's 126 miles from Tillamook to Govy. steve must know a short cut we don't.

:

That's what mapquest says from downtown Tillamook (Not where my house is)...My odometer routinely logs 125 miles from my house (on the hwy 6 side of Tillamook) to the SkiBowl parking lot...If you don't beleive me, you are welcome to ride along.

Even so, 125 miles to Govy and then to SkiBowl, w/minimal traffic, weather, shouldn't take longer than 2 1/2 to just under 3 hours.

#18

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2/21/07 at 9:01am

slider
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How about I meet you up at The Bowl? I'll drive the semi up and you take your Crusier.

I misread your post. You said it took 45 mins TO Bevertown. Not Govy. Sorry. The invite is still up. Looks like good week for skiing. I heard this AM they are going to make some new laws about climbing Hood. Go figure,huh.

:

#19

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2/21/07 at 1:23pm

splitter
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So, you wanna move somewhere based mostly on night skiing?
Really?
Night skiing?

#20

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2/21/07 at 1:47pm

GIJared
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Quote:

Originally Posted by splitter

So, you wanna move somewhere based mostly on night skiing?
Really?
Night skiing?

Yeah, I never met anyone that really enjoyed it as something to do routinely...Ive always looked at it as a bit of a novelty.

#21

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2/21/07 at 2:58pm

jackwan1
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Quote:

Originally Posted by splitter

So, you wanna move somewhere based mostly on night skiing?
Really?
Night skiing?

No, not really. I have qualified my search with "also a regular good day ski area".

My thinking is to held a good day job and night skiing whenerver I can, regular skiing on the weekend. That is why I want to night skiing close to me, like within one hour of drive.

Funny thing is that any of these skiing metro cities do have decent jobs to be had. Even in this boring RENO area. Anyway, just a thought.

:

#22

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2/21/07 at 3:04pm

jackwan1
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Ok, here is a summary of what we have discussed. With no paticular order I am listing the areas in consideration. I need your opinion on which one is THE BEST(please also consider the quality of the surrounding Day ski areas):

PDX, near Govt. Camp
SLC, near Park City
SLC, near the Cottonwoods
Reno
Seattle
Vancouver, North
Quebec
Montreal

As an American, I believe it will be difficult to find jobs in Canada. Please tell me if I am wrong.

#23

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2/21/07 at 3:17pm

jaobrien6
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Location: Seattle, WA
Post Count: 688

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackwan1

Ok, here is a summary of what we have discussed. With no paticular order I am listing the areas in consideration. I need your opinion on which one is THE BEST(please also consider the quality of the surrounding Day ski areas):

PDX, near Govt. Camp
SLC, near Park City
SLC, near the Cottonwoods
Reno
Seattle
Vancouver, North
Quebec
Montreal

As an American, I believe it will be difficult to find jobs in Canada. Please tell me if I am wrong.

I haven't skied in Canada much other than Whistler, so I can't chime in on those options. But I do like the city of Vancouver a lot, FWIW My votes:

#1: SLC, near the Cottonwoods: If you're going just for the skiing, end of discussion.
#2: Seattle: More terrain within 1 to 2 hours than Portland (Crystal, Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie add up to a lot more acres than Mt. Hood Meadows, Timberline & Ski Bowl). Plus, Seattle's a great city. But it's not cheap to live there, unless you're pretty far outside the city.
#3: Portland: Decent compromise, nice city, pretty close skiing if you live on the east side.

#24

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2/21/07 at 4:39pm

memosteve
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Location: Tillamook/Portland, Or
Post Count: 640

Quote:

Originally Posted by slider

How about I meet you up at The Bowl? I'll drive the semi up and you take your Crusier.

I misread your post. You said it took 45 mins TO Bevertown. Not Govy. Sorry. The invite is still up. Looks like good week for skiing. I heard this AM they are going to make some new laws about climbing Hood. Go figure,huh.

:

I'm actually in Rocklin, Ca right now for my grandfather's funeral...I did manage to ski Alpine Meadows this last Sunday and Sugar Bowl today with the family. I'll be back home late Friday and I'm skiing Meadows, or Ski Bowl, this Sunday which is my b-day. I'll PM you when I get back and maybe we can hook up this Sunday.

Just figures some of the best pow on Mt. Hood is happening the week I'm down skiing Tahoe w/crappy conditions.

:

Back on topic. I'm partial to PDX as it's still relatively cheap to live here w/a decent job market and good skiing/outdoor recreation oppurtunities.

If I were to move out of the area, I'd consider (actually currently considering in another 5 years, or so) the SLC area.

Even though I'm a Tahoe/Truckee local boy, I don't think I'll ever move back due to very high cost of living and California heading for a major recession.

#25

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2/21/07 at 4:44pm

wasatchskier
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SLC.

Brighton and Park City both have night skiing and are both 30-45 min. away. Not to mention, on the weekends you have 8 resorts with excellent snow and terrain to choose from.

#26

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2/21/07 at 6:05pm

TomB
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Forget about Quebec City unless you speak French.

But Mont-Saint-Anne (20-30 minutes from the city) offers excellent night skiing on 2000 feet of vertical, served by a high speed quad and a gondola. Night skiing at Mont-Saint-Anne is a lonely, serene experience, because so few people take advantage of it. This a good thing, of course.

#27

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2/21/07 at 6:39pm

Philpug
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Allentown PA/Blue Mountain

I actually typed that with a straight face...I kill me.

Click. Point. Chute.

#28

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2/21/07 at 6:50pm

Idahojef
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One might add Boise to the list of candidate cities. Decent night skiing and good day skiing at the local area (Bogus Basin). Really good skiing within 3-4 hours for the weekend. Vibrant economy with lots of potential for all job fields and quality affordable housing.

#29

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2/21/07 at 9:50pm

jackwan1
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Philpug

Allentown PA/Blue Mountain

I actually typed that with a straight face...I kill me.

Ha, Ha, Ha....

I actually moved from Northern Jersey to California. I am very familiar with the Poconos...

#30

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2/22/07 at 6:16am

splitter
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I live in Reno. I think it's pretty cool. Lots of jobs, what do you do. Close to backcountry access, Mt. Rose has the highest year round pass in the Sierra, easy skinnin'. Close to Donner Pass (skiing, climbing, hiking, hut trips). Close enough for weekend trips surfing. Close to some great fishing, I'm not telling where that is

. Four hours from Tuolumne Meadows and Tioga Pass for all of the above on a rediculous level, 'cept the surfin'. Couple of good breweries, whitewater park downtown, big enough to do stuff, small enough to feel small. And the #11 college basketball team in the nation.

But Cooper's right, it's been growing alot, so we don't
need anyone else moving here. Especially from the bay

. So, Reno sucks. Don't move to Reno.

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