Planning for Next Year

There's good coffee. Then there's expresso.
 
Edited by at_nyc - 7/17/2009 at 01:45 am GMT

And then there's espresso.

Oh, and I booked my flights for Snowmass ESA.

 Hootie-hoo! (I'll take a double white chocolate mocha with whipped cream.)

And while I love coffee... sometimes skiing in the east feels a bit like drinking an Americano

1 part espresso, 3 parts water.

Okay, I try to avoid too much east/west trash talk, and I feel like I got kinda pulled into being the anti-east snob here... I don't mind the east, but I've come to the revelation over the last few years that the value of saving a couple hundred dollars on a plane ticket just isn't worth the crowds, driving time, less reliable snow, etc.

That being said, I think I'm going to try to make the shorter, early-season one to meet up with all the EC bears. At the very least so I can complain about how much better Big Sky is so that everyone heads to MT next time Epic decides on a MT ESA.

Aleph, I am sorry if you feel like I put you in a bad light, that was not my intention.
My question posed to you was not to make you look like an East Coast Snob, but instead to let you and Alephmom know that I thoroughly enjoyed participating in an ESA with you both and hoped to entice you into this one. 

Big Sky is incredible.  Who can blame you for wanting to return?
Heck, I want to go back to Big Sky!

Alas...Requests have been made for a few years to have another later season event on the East Coast and while Stowe can't be compared to Big Sky,  it does offer an opportunity to have a longer ESA event on the East Coast at a first class resort.

...and I'm assuming that the dates are Jan 10 - Jan 14 as metioned near the beginning of this thread?

 For ESA Aspen, yes, the dates are Jan. 10-14, 2010.

Interesting viewpoints.

Have only been to one ESA so not exactly an authority.  Have to agree with Trekchick, in my 38 yrs of skiing I would have to rate the 4 days at Big Sky as the best 4 days ever had in almost too many winters.  The snow, terrain, instruction and friends made were outstanding.

Stowe in later season?????   Never skied the East but am interested, depending on dates, cost etc.  Some general questions.  If I come to Stowe, would want to ski other places also.   Any general informatiion on where to ski, traveling, cost etc.

Absolutely didn't think you were trying to put me in a bad light -- I had a great time skiing with you, too and I know my mom had a great time.

Oh yeah, she's probably not on her way back to Stowe anytime soon as she got a concussion after being hit by an out of control skier there a few years back -- doesn't trust crowded slopes after that. (And good luck convincing her that it won't be that crowded)

Pete, they have some great Tree Skiing at Stowe!

Just tell her that she'll get to ski with me again! 



For anyone who missed the BigSky TR......Aleph Mom Rocks!

The shorter East Coast one might be good for a quick getaway w/o the kids :)

And if not -- I still highly recommend one of the western ones. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can find a way to make it to Aspen... unfortunately (kind of), I get a really long Christmas Break, so taking vacation a week and a half later is kind of tough.

I 'll buy one as long as it doesn't fall on Mrs Wilson's B_day March 31 ST.

I agree I haven't skiied very many places but I have never seen so much powder in my life and no lift lines you can get twice as much Skiing in with those 2 combinations!!!!! 

I agree that Vail is worth a try. It's an easier drive from Denver for those wanting to save a few bucks and I think it's a little easier to find some middle priced lodging and eats if that's an issue. It might be just enough closer to pull 10-12 folks out of the Denver area that wouldn't travel all the way to Aspen.

Hmm  I am trying to decide between Aspen and Stowe in December.   I will have to see if I can get vacation for Jan

Ah come on girl do both !! Hope you are doing well.

I'm not usually much of a gambler, but I'm going for a 3rd trip in a row to ESA Stowe, hoping we have great skiing conditions again (with better driving conditions).  Stowe is fairly close to home for me and such a great mountain, and the prices for the early clinic are really fantastic. A late season clinic sounds great, I probably can't do in '10, but typically late season conditions at Stowe are excellent from what I understand!