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Trip to Vegas in 2 weeks - Brian Head or Mammoth

post #1 of 16
12/30/11 at 10:15am
Thread Starter 

I know Brian Head is closer, but I'll have enough time so that the extra couple hours of driving (each way) won't be a deal breaker.  Never been to either place and Brian Head sounds nice, but Mammoth has so many more (and longer) runs that it's tempting.  Of course I'll be watching the snow reports over the next week and a half, and if one place has significantly better snow conditions than the other that'll probably make my decision for me.

 

But just looking for opinions:  if snow conditions are roughly similar at that time, and you didn't care about the extra drive-time or higher ticket prices at Mammoth, would you go to Mammoth?  I'm an intermediate comfortable on any blue run and milder blacks.

 

Speaking of ticket prices, would anybody be willing to mail me a Terrible Herbst discount coupon for Brian Head?  :-)  I'll have a rental car, but won't need to gas it up before driving to the ski resort (and I think you have to fill up to get a coupon at Terrible Herbst?)

 

David

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post #2 of 16
12/30/11 at 11:22am

Based on current snow conditions I would go to Brian Head simply because it's closer. I've skied both resorts alot and currently have a season pass at Mammoth, but if Mammoth doesn't get 3 to 5 feet of snow before your trip it's not worth the extra drive and cost to ski mostly  man made snow groomers. If Mammoth gets the snow it's way better. Brian Head is a cool little resort for a couple of days but there is not much there.

 

 

 

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post #3 of 16
12/30/11 at 11:33am

I skied Brian Head last week. Nothing open but the intermediate groomers. All the steep faces do not have enough snow, so the only skiing is what is flat or has been supplemented by man-made snow. It was fun for some fast cruising, but without the whole mountain open I would not plan on spending more than one day there.

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post #4 of 16
12/30/11 at 11:38am
Thread Starter 

Yeah one day is probably all I'll get anyway, so I'm sure Brian Head would keep me happy for one day.  Just hope they get some more snow before I get there!

 

Thanks guys!

 

David

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post #5 of 16
12/31/11 at 12:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by David Giles View Post

I know Brian Head is closer, but I'll have enough time so that the extra couple hours of driving (each way) won't be a deal breaker.  Never been to either place and Brian Head sounds nice, but Mammoth has so many more (and longer) runs that it's tempting.  Of course I'll be watching the snow reports over the next week and a half, and if one place has significantly better snow conditions than the other that'll probably make my decision for me.

 

But just looking for opinions:  if snow conditions are roughly similar at that time, and you didn't care about the extra drive-time or higher ticket prices at Mammoth, would you go to Mammoth?  I'm an intermediate comfortable on any blue run and milder blacks.

 

Speaking of ticket prices, would anybody be willing to mail me a Terrible Herbst discount coupon for Brian Head?  :-)  I'll have a rental car, but won't need to gas it up before driving to the ski resort (and I think you have to fill up to get a coupon at Terrible Herbst?)

 

David


You answered your own question. The only compelling things about Brian Head when compared to Mammoth is it's closer, cheaper, and maybe, more snow at the particular time. Since you're assuming equivalent snow conditions and don't care about drive/cost, why would you go to Brian Head? The only other reason is if you were looking for unique scenery and/or interested in visiting national park country while there.

 

Mammoth is one of the best all-around resorts in the country while Brian Head is one of Utah's smaller resorts and mostly intriguing for its location in southwestern Utah within a decent commute of Vegas.

 

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post #6 of 16
12/31/11 at 3:26pm

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeUT View Post

 

...Mammoth is one of the best all-around resorts in the country while Brian Head is one of Utah's smaller resorts and mostly intriguing for its location in southwestern Utah within a decent commute of Vegas.


Mammoth is also one of the most crowded resorts in the country on the weekend.  How bad do you hate long lift lines?  

 

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post #7 of 16
12/31/11 at 5:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Lee View Post

 


Mammoth is also one of the most crowded resorts in the country on the weekend.  How bad do you hate long lift lines?  

 



Fair point, but I'd still go Mammoth over Brian Head the way the variables were set by the OP.

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post #8 of 16
1/3/12 at 1:14pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the extra comments guys!  I hate long lift lines pretty bad, so lack of crowds is definitely a plus for Brian Head.

 

But with the horrible forecast over the next 10 days, I'm not sure it'll be worth the drive to EITHER place!  I'm willing to extend my drive distance significantly, so I may even head to the Colorado resorts IF they get any significant snow between now and then.  Of course the forecast isn't great there either, but at least the temps look cold enough for snowmaking and there's a somewhat better chance of snow.  If anybody has other suggestions for a road trip from vegas (about 700 miles max) please don't hesitate to share.

 

Then again, I guess I can just hang out in LV and blow the cash in slot machines instead.  How depressing......

 

David

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post #9 of 16
1/3/12 at 1:29pm

Even poor conditions in Brian head is waaaay better than blowing a dime in Vegas.

 

 

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post #10 of 16
1/3/12 at 3:29pm

Have you thought about http://www.skilasvegas.com/winter/index.html?  Not much of of a mountain, but considering you are talking about significant driving distances for marginal conditions elsewhere, if things don't improve, why not stay local- they currently show all their runs open with 36" base (and 82" for the season which is decent for them at this point, but may not much recently).  I never skied there, but it was a fun enough place to go when I was learning to board.

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post #11 of 16
1/3/12 at 3:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mgrezmer View Post

Even poor conditions in Brian head is waaaay better than blowing a dime in Vegas.

 

 


 

Good point!  biggrin.gif

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post #12 of 16
1/3/12 at 3:58pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MEfree30 View Post

Have you thought about http://www.skilasvegas.com/winter/index.html?  Not much of of a mountain, but considering you are talking about significant driving distances for marginal conditions elsewhere, if things don't improve, why not stay local- they currently show all their runs open with 36" base (and 82" for the season which is decent for them at this point, but may not much recently).  I never skied there, but it was a fun enough place to go when I was learning to board.


 

Yeah that was the first place I found when I started thinking about trying to get in a little skiing during my trip out west.  It just sounded like Brian Head or Mammoth would be a MUCH better experience based on comments I've read about SkiLasVegas.  But you do have a point that it might make sense to just stay local rather than drive big miles for marginal (or worse) conditions.

 

David

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post #13 of 16
1/4/12 at 2:36am


I have never been to the Flagstaff resort (AZ Snow Bowl?) but if they were the only ones with good snow, it might be a consideration as it is closer than Wolf Creek or the CO resorts you might be thinking about.  Probably not good for weekend crowds, but the San Bernadino Mnts in So Cal have some possibilities as well- recall my parents saying there was more snow than normal a few weeks ago.  Tony Crocker might have some suggestions

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Giles View Post

 

 Of course I'll be watching the snow reports over the next week and a half, and if one place has significantly better snow conditions than the other that'll probably make my decision for me.

 

 

David



 

Quote:
Originally Posted by David Giles View Post


 

Yeah that was the first place I found when I started thinking about trying to get in a little skiing during my trip out west.  It just sounded like Brian Head or Mammoth would be a MUCH better experience based on comments I've read about SkiLasVegas.  But you do have a point that it might make sense to just stay local rather than drive big miles for marginal (or worse) conditions.

 

David


You have a WINNER- keep your radar open, but don't drive big miles unless conditions dictate.  Not sure what you are into, but Vegas has lots of non-gambling options that you could explore in the time you save driving.

 

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post #14 of 16
1/11/12 at 7:07pm
Thread Starter 

Okay I'm here in Vegas, and despite the depressing conditions, I still want to ski!  (can you tell I'm a desperate Alabama boy who doesn't get to ski much?)

 

Brianhead is reporting a base of only 18" but only one lift was closed today.  Alta is reporting 39".  Would Alta ACTUALLY be significantly better?  I'll be happy with a variety of decent blue groomers, and I'm just not sure what to expect at Brianhead.

 

Skilasvegas is reporting a 34" base so it sounds like a no-brainer to just stay here, but I'm having a hard time taking it seriously.

 

And I still don't mind driving, so Alta is a serious possibility if it would offer a lot more open runs (not to mention longer runs) that are in decent shape.

 

Any thoughts?

 

David

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post #15 of 16
1/11/12 at 7:20pm

Does this link work for you?

http://www.facebook.com/BrianHeadLife

 

That's a friend of mine that lives there - he says it's pretty good.

 

 

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post #16 of 16
1/11/12 at 8:41pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks Bob!

 

Anybody else have a thought/recommendation?

 

David

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