best late-season ski resorts this year? - Page 2

the world is your oyster in any number of resorts in three major areas:

BC, Alberta and Washington state.

Edited by canali - 3/19/12 at 7:43pm

Sorry if brush some snow off the Whistler types! I only skied there 30 days back in the 90s. Wearing a race suit in the rain is something i will never forget, and each year i was there it rained. I found that the Baniff and Fergie areas in Canada seemed the place to be. Heli skiing at Whistler on the right day there was bitchen. The Blowhole (did i get the name right) run was a rush!  Because of the 2500 base i found other ski resorts to have snow that i would not have to worry about getting hurt. Sorry Whistler people.

Edited by timski2 - 3/21/12 at 12:26am

No offense taken at all. Just pointing out rain is a fact of life at any Cascade or Coast Range ski area. Hood, Crystal, Bachelor, Stevens, Baker, Whistler, Cypress, Grouse, Seymour, Mt. Washington, etc....  When it's good it's good! When it's wet, it's wet. Very wet.

 

Newb needs help. I don't know how to start a new thread. I'm just looking to ask a question about South Lake Tahoe. Any "how to post" threads on here? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

One place to look is just under the last post in a thread.  Should be a button for Post a Reply and another for Start a New Thread.  You might consider doing it under Resorts, Conditions, and Travel but it usually doesn't make that much difference.  Helps if you put your timeframe in the title.

The way the PNW has been hit this season, I'm betting they'll have good coverage.  I wonder how Mt Hood will be.  I'm guessing it will be great!

Bachelor just exceeded 400" for the year and has a 156" base.

 

http://www.mtbachelor.com/winter/mountain/snow_report

I couldn't find an accumulated snowfall yet for Mt Hood (either Timberline or Meadows) but it's usually similar to Crystal and Stevens.  Crystal has received 487", Stevens reached 509" as of this morning (annual average 450").  Baker was 654" as of March 13 and they've received a bunch of snow since then, with more in the forecast.  I think the bottom settled base is 250" or something ridiculous like that, and  more like 300" top base depth.

 

Freaking insane.  In a good way.

 

Alyeska has received 790" of snow since October 1st.

The spring skiing here hasn't even started yet.

Stevens Pass just announced they are extending their season, pretty much same as Crystal, however is $99 for a spring pass (new or renewing).  Season Pass renewal rates look the same as last year, but can also be used for the spring "2nd Season" (previously they waited until Sept-Oct to sell season passes).  The back side won't be included, however.

 

http://www.stevenspass.com/Stevens/the-mountain/z-2012_second-season.aspx

Spring recommendations for 2012:

 

Mammoth: Usually has the strongest management commitment to spring skiing.  BUT it's been the worst season in the Sierra in over 2 decades and while full operation is there now, the base is way below average and won't last as long as usual.  I expect a normal good April through Canyon Lodge closing April 22.  May is not going to be what it usually is and Mammoth will have to exert much effort and probably move some snow around to make it to Memorial Day.

 

Tahoe: Also having a bad season and just attaining full operation.  Snow preservation is much worse than Mammoth even in normal years and I would not expect much past mid-April.

 

Mt. Bachelor: This is the best spring mountain year in and year out IMHO but management commitment under Powdr Corp is not what it is at Mammoth.  Full operation only through April 15.  Then 2,000 acres open and closing hours cut back to 2PM.  April 29 - May 27 Bachelor will be open only Thursday - Sunday.  Bachelor will close May 27 despite deep top-to-bottom coverage that could last well over another month.

 

Whistler: A strong season, skiing in the alpine should be fine.  If the bottom is slop and you don't like it, download after skiing the 3,000 verts above it (more than most places have).

 

Lake Louise and Sunshine: Traditionally low snowfall but well preserved areas.  This year snow is over 150% of normal, so should be great to Sunshine's May 24 close.  As alluded elsewhere, do your own investigation of the Sunshine controversy to see if that's a deal breaker to you.

 

A-Basin: Having a bad year and still only 70% open.   Should improve for the locals for the next month or so but I sure wouldn't go there as a destination in 2012.

 

Snowbird: Full coverage now but a below average base and minimalist management commitment.  Therefore good for April but I wouldn't expect much in May.

 

Mt. Hood:  Much smaller in scale than Bachelor or Whistler, so only preferred in the NW when those places close.

 

Crystal:  Great terrain quality but snow tends to be sloppier than Bachelor or Whistler alpine.  So once again for destination skiers the latter places are a safer bet.  Obviously, most of us will be quite envious of Seattle or Portland locals who have Crystal or Hood within easy daytrip distance so late in the spring.

 

Mt Bachelor March 3rd

squaw will be open for a while i believe....

The east is pretty dead after 10+ days between 60 and 85 degrees in NY, VT, and NH... However Sunday River, ME has quite a but open... And report says they will rbegin snowmaking again tonight and run for as long as possible...

Wow -- That is depressing (for me being here in the 80 degree temps and wanting to be there).
 

 

Look at all that blue ice?  How does that even happen?

It just does.

 

I'd like to get one last hurrah in this no-winter year, maybe sneak away from NYC for a few days next week.  Sounds like PNW is the place to go.  I've skied Crystal and Stevens and have a place to crash in Seattle, but it is a lot of driving to get to the mountains each day.  Any recommendations for easy places to fly to from New York with good snow coverage, or places to stay near those mountains?  I don't care much about amenities. 

FYI Whistler-Blackcomb is now offering their spring ski add-on. When you buy next year's 5 or 10 day edge card, you can add on spring skiing for the rest of this year (to May 28) for $79.  http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/tickets/edge/index.htm

Someone in another thread mentioned that Cathay has a nonstop between NYC and Vancouver. W/B is a great option. Crystal does have lodging at the base, and good spring deals. There is also nearby (~10-15 minutes) Alta Crystal Resort, which gets great reviews. Dining is pretty limited at Crystal--if staying at the base I would go with a condo and stop at a grocery store on the way down. http://www.crystalmountainresort.com/Plan-Your-Trip/Lodging-Deals

Tahoe won't be the best option this spring but for spring type conditions there's enough snow now to make for a decent season through April I think.  Alpine Meadows is usually the best option due to having multiple options and multiple levels of difficulty on all aspects, something Squaw lacks.  Of course many years there are enough spring storms--usually little ones, to mess up the corn cycle.

Mt Bachelor @ Bend, OR

 

direct flight to PDX, then 3.5h drive. Bend is 30min easy drive from Mt Bachelor and great town to be at. Next week is still every day operation.

 

Vlad

 

Current Weather - Mainly clear & cold with scattered clouds and occasional snow flurries. Wind is light at all elevations. The forecast is calling for it to stay cold today with mix of sun & clouds and occasional snow showers.  15F/165"base.

 

Monday:

 

 

Bachelor is killing it right now. Dry deep snow and no lines. Temps around 20F and light winds. Summit was open today. It doesn't get any better. Well maybe waist deep pow.

Friday: A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 26. West wind between 8 and 11 mph.

Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. West wind 8 to 10 mph becoming south.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. South wind between 8 and 11 mph.

 

 

You guys got it all! We've been there skiing on the last days of spring break - that was fantastic, especially on Sunday.

 

Fresh snow every hour - check

sub-freezing temps - check

wind tunnel blower up top - check (classical bachelor, none can do)

Non existent crowds - check

Happy kids plunging into fresh snow and getting out of that smiling - check

Deschutes brewery - check

 

Cheers,

 

Vlad

 

 

I wish I was at Mt. Baker...ridiculous.  Base well over 300".  Pic below says it all. 

 

 

 

 

With over 173 inches so far in March, the snowbanks are getting HUGE!

Which mountains near Denver have the best conditions now and will stay open through April?

Alaska is still going strong.

This is a photo a friend who skied with Chugach Powder Guides near Seward.

It is also a test of whether I can actually post a photo.

 

 

Meanwhile, this is what Alyeska looks like.

 

 

And here is one more Alyeska shot.