Living Nowhere Near the Mountains-How Do You Do It?

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Originally Posted by COBillsFan 
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One time at Loveland, where the conditions resembled a ice filled hurricane, I rode with a guy from San Antonio, and despite weather that drives some of the most rugged folks indoors, this guy couldn’t help smiling and laughing, simply enjoying his time in the mountains. As we nearly were getting blown off the mountain, he said “Better than sitting around in Texas with the AC blastin’, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA”, pointed his skis, and took off...

No way! That very well may have been me! Could've sworn I remember having a conversation just like that. After driving 18 hours or so to get there, no inclement weather would ever keep me off the mountain. Growing up in San Antonio, I DEFINITELY never took the mountains or the white stuff for granted. I'd usually have to go on trips alone since precisely zero of my lame-o friends were willing to chase storms or go on a whim. Too bad I wasn't here on ES yet, or I may have at least had some good peeps to link up with. But it was all good, as I'd take group lessons every time to have some people to ski with at least once or twice per trip.

I tried to get out there as much as I could, but eventually I couldn't stand it anymore and started throwing my name out there for Rocky Mountain work. Leaving the mountains always made me wanna cry, and it would never fail that a blizzard would roll in the night after I left. Finally a great gig came through (May of '11) and here I am in Big Sky country.

I guess the good thing about coming from SA is that I STILL freak out about the mountains in pure gaperific fashion, I still get super giddy when I see the flakes start to fall (as most of you probably do too), and I still don't let crazy cold, high winds, minimal bases, or even rain keep me from getting out to the mountain. I may be late to the party, but better late than never!

Great thread, OP. Our non-mountain friends here definitely deserve some props for keeping at it.

I live in Texas, Taos is right down the street. 

Buy a pass and stay several days (4-8+-) each trip, that's the key for me.  Skiing in Summit Co for now but the same rules apply.  Get caught up/ahead on work, fully brief replacement worker (my wife sometimes), be sure the car is up to it and boom, 20-25 days easy.  Shooting for 30+ this season.

I stay in cheap hotels and eat a few healthy meals out of an ice chest, it's worth it.

Living away from the mountains has a distinct advantage... When I see those first snow covered peaks, every time, its a feeling that's hard to describe and stays with me for the whole trip...absolutely wonderful.  I used to live in the mountains, I like them better now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by COBillsFan 

 

You know who you are. You live in Florida, Arizona, Hawaii, Texas, Iowa, Illinois, the Carolinas, Tennessee and many other places in the country where getting to the big mountains is a challenge. It may take 12 hours on the road or a $450 flight to catch the next big storm, but you never hesitate to make that trip. You’re a dedicated collection of individuals, arguably some of the most enthusiastic skiers in the country. It seems you never have a day on the slopes you regret.

 

So I have to ask, how have you managed to keep yourself in these locations?

Arizona isn't so bad. We have Snowbowl in Flagstaff and Sunrise in Pinetop. Not big mountains or top resorts, but both have a reasonble vertical and variety of terrain. Both are about a three hour drive from Phoenix. Because of the amount of sun we get, you do have to put up with a lot of early ice and late slush. But we get a fair amount of good conditions too.

About an eight hour drive away we also have Taos, Angel Fire, Durango, Wolf Creek, Telluride, Brianhead UT and Bear Mountain CA. Just too far for a weekend but great for three day trip.

Plus, Arizona really is one of the few places you can ski in the morning and play golf in your shorts in the afternoon. Just remember your sunscreen.

BW.

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Originally Posted by AustinFromSA 

 

Great thread, OP. Our non-mountain friends here definitely deserve some props for keeping at it.

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Originally Posted by COBillsFan 

 

So I have to ask, how have you managed to keep yourself in these locations?

Not sure if you're laughing with us or at us OP ?

Did not have much of a choice of ending up in North Carolina.  Just the way my life came out after my mother decided to move from NYC to Chapel Hill as a good place to retire to back in the early 1970's.  I learned to love skiing on straight skis in middle school but didn't have much chance to ski for several decades.  My husband had been on skis in college with friends but it really isn't for him.  Did a trip out west every few years while I was working--without him--but not enough to get beyond blue groomers.  Always had my own boots.  But eventually I got lucky . . . my daughter loves to ski !  Got her started at Massanutten ski school in northern VA at age 4.  It's a 4-hour drive but we own timeshare there so are spoiled by staying on resort.  She also loves the indoor waterpark.  We often bring friends or meet up with friends.  Went from about 7 days on snow to 12 or more in the short southeast season mid-Dec to early March.

Starting about five years ago, the my daughter and I take an annual late season trip to Alta. The first time, we arrived in a snowstorm that dumped 14+ inches in 24 hours.  Alta Ski School made sure her first experience in powder was a good one.  She can't wait to get back to her friends we meet up with at Alta Lodge.  Neither can I.

The last few years, in addition to the Alta trip I've done a 1-week ski trip out west with a ski buddy and other adult friends from ski forums.  Gone to a couple gatherings and had a blast.  Thanks to a great clinic, a few lessons, and most importantly, skiing with ski buddies who are better, I progressed from a strong intermediate to an advanced skier with good boots and good all-mountain skis.  Plus I can usually find others to share a VRBO condo with the two of us to decrease the cost of the trip to something quite manageable while renting a car and staying where there is a kitchen and plenty of space.  Flying Southwest as often as practical because can check the Sportube and a small suitcase for free . . . and potentially extend or cancel a ski trip if needed.

The dream is to turn 1-week ski trips into 2-4 week trips. 

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Originally Posted by COBillsFan 

 

So I have to ask, how have you managed to keep yourself in these locations?

$$$$$$$$$$

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Originally Posted by SHREDHEAD 

 

$$$$$$$$$$

I appreciate the honesty!! :-)

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Originally Posted by SHREDHEAD 

 

$$$$$$$$$$

^^^^This.  I only live 3 hours away, but that means it costs over a hundred bucks just to ski for a few hours.  My income is looking to be half of what it was last season so 10 days/season skiing is starting to look like it will be more like 2 or 3 this time.. unless mama can find a job soon

As long as you have the vacation time, the skiing doesn't have to be expensive, as long as you avoid peak times and holidays. Sharing a ski-in, ski-out condo with 3 others can get the cost of a one-week trip down to less than $1000 once the cost of season pass (we use the EpicPass Local) is spread across multiple trips. Having good direct flights helps too. I can get to Denver direct on any of three different airlines (Southwest, United or Frontier) for $200 pretty much year-round.

Quote:

Originally Posted by COBillsFan 

This was last season, and my first year at Loveland, so unless you came from Montana, it may of been some other enthusiastic Texan....

 

I bet this is a common conversation between a CO weekend warrior and out of stater....

Ah. Last time I skied LL was March of 2011. You're probably right that it's a common conversation tho.

Snowfan got it right on how to do it. I'd have to bust my rear at work for a while so I could get ahead enough on my projects enough to take off for a long weekend. Was always worth it. Gotta admit, it sure is nice being able to come home at night these days! Skiing's been much cheaper without having to worry about lodging! However, it was never too bad staying at cheap hotels and hitting up the local grocery store or bringing a cooler. Packing a lunch to the mountain and eating in my hotel room always saved a few bucks.

To make it work as a flatlander, you gotta work hard so you can play hard. I still never got my fill until moving here, though. Sure is nice to be able to take a Wednesday off on a pow day here and there!

Quote:

Originally Posted by crgildart 

^^^^This.  I only live 3 hours away, but that means it costs over a hundred bucks just to ski for a few hours.  My income is looking to be half of what it was last season so 10 days/season skiing is starting to look like it will be more like 2 or 3 this time.. unless mama can find a job soon

Thats not near enough CR.  Heres to hoping you get in way more than that. Brainstorm something, anything. Sell your cat. Rob a bank. Consider being a pirate on a local lake.

I live in Atlanta and did not start snowboarding until I was in my early 30's.  I have done one or two trips out west every year for the past few years, but now have to support a significant other which means that I probably won't make it to any big mountains or powdery snow this coming season.

How do I do it?  A combination of moderation and managing expectations.

The years I went on two trips I was putting in 10 full days a year on the slopes.... which is about average.  Even if I lived in Denver or Jackson, I doubt that I would be willing/able to snowboard much more than that while working a full time time job.   That is two trips every month for a 5 month season.

I do enjoy snowboarding, but I also enjoy motorcycling, reading, playing my drums, video games, volleyball, disc golf, ultimate, mountain biking, archery, and going to the movies.  Got to make time for that stuff too

Quote:

Originally Posted by COBillsFan 

…Because many of us never could.

 

Once many of us got our first taste of the big mountains, we dropped everything and moved to SLC, Denver, Burlington, Seattle, Bozeman or Durango. We left families, friends, high paying jobs and cheap real estate for deep powder, blue skies and mountain air. However, here you are, chatting it up with other ridiculously dedicated skiers and riders, and you’ve managed to stay in a location where accessing these places is no easy task. You deserve a ton of credit.

 

You know who you are. You live in Florida, Arizona, Hawaii, Texas, Iowa, Illinois, the Carolinas, Tennessee and many other places in the country where getting to the big mountains is a challenge. It may take 12 hours on the road or a $450 flight to catch the next big storm, but you never hesitate to make that trip. You’re a dedicated collection of individuals, arguably some of the most enthusiastic skiers in the country. It seems you never have a day on the slopes you regret.

 

One time at Loveland, where the conditions resembled a ice filled hurricane, I rode with a guy from San Antonio, and despite weather that drives some of the most rugged folks indoors, this guy couldn’t help smiling and laughing, simply enjoying his time in the mountains. As we nearly were getting blown off the mountain, he said “Better than sitting around in Texas with the AC blastin’, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA”, pointed his skis, and took off.

 

Maybe that’s part of the appeal to it. You’ll enjoy those days ages after a storm, hopping over stumps, roots and rocks at Mad River Glen, even if it turns your skis into P-Tex mush. You’ll never take the beauty of the San Juans, Wasatch or Sierras for granted. Even if you’re sitting in traffic waiting for the Cottonwoods to open, or frantically sprinting with thousands of people to the Vail Back Bowls for the rope drop, you’re grinning ear to ear.

 

So I have to ask, how have you managed to keep yourself in these locations?

Sounds like a typical day at loveland!   I remember feeling like an emperor penguin at times riding up on Loveland, head down just waiting to get off that lift.  

No biggee. 46 days last year, with 34 at Whistler, 6 in SLC, a couple in Tahoe, and a least coast-with-the-kids venture. This coming season will probably have about the same number of days, but also have Yurp thrown in (Verbier).

Mountains are great. Beaches are too. Skiing in winter, and snorkeling / Hobie-ing in summer - what's not to like? I'd rather go to the hills to ski then come home to bask in 75 degree weather, than live in the hills permanently. I lived on the least coast for >40years, and am happy to not be living permanently in winter states anymore.

Do I miss some epic days - sure, but I also get a lot. Be thankful for what you get, not what you miss. That epic day could also be one I'm out in the boat doing a bit of fishing as the weather's beautiful that time of year down here. I mean like just absolutely freaking perfect.

Way to do it - have a great job where you get lots of vacation time and ff miles. Oh, and having customers in Vancouver (and plenty of buds at Whistler), as well as relatives who are happy to store 5-6 pairs of skis and boots and gear and whatnot in SLC is also a wonderful thing.

CoBillsfan, did you migrate from Buffalo?

Great topic and the original post is a nice tribute to those who keep their ski stoke burning while stuck in snowless, flat places.  Big mtn is a relative term.  One man's molehill is another man's mtn.  I think Those who live in FL or along the Gulf Coast, warm weather flatlanders, are who you are really targeting with this thread.  I think those of us who live in the mid-Atlantic or mid-West are a different animal.  BTW, I consider New England a big mtn zone like the West. 

I live in mid-Atlantic and we have plenty of small mtn skiing, more than enough to fill a season and get plenty hooked on the sport.  It's just the grass is always greener (or whiter) syndrome that drives us to seek bigger mtns and deeper snow. Like Shredhead said, ski nuts who stay in not-so-ski-friendly locations usually do so for money, family or lifestyle (living oceanside aint' too shabby) reasons.  These are valid reasons.  Good for them that they keep the passion alive for skiing despite the geographic disadvantage. 

I have to agree that when I'm enjoying my handful of days each season in truly big mtns the experience is really intense.  Really intense, with lasting memories, for example, the way I felt on a particular sunny ski day at Park City in 1987, that is still with me in a powerful way.  If I had thousands of such ski days I'm sure it would be easier to take them for granted and they would meld together like a lot of my mid-Atlantic ski experiences.  Bottom line:  skiing is like love, it's all good whether you're gettin' a little or a lot.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by COBillsFan 

Neither of these Wolf.

 

I respect anyone who's a self confessed ski addict based out of a distant location and still puts in plenty of days on the slopes. I've learned plenty about appreciating the time spent in the mountains from these folks.

 

At the same time, I'm simply curious how someone so dedicated can keep it together when they're based out of West Palm Beach, San Antonio, Nashville or Indianapolis, because as I originally mentioned, many of us dropped everything and sprinted for the mountains once we got our first taste.

My bad, I guess I was feeling a little envious of the ability to relocate to skiing Nirvana.

We moved to AZ when the kids were born specifically for them to have a advantageous environment to grow up in. There are lots of new communities and new schools here. There weather is perfect for ten months and hot for two. Hundreds of world class golf courses, lakes, rivers, desert and mountain hiking. Both the wife and I have great jobs to pay for our lifestyles, so it would be tough to relocate to appease the skiing gods.

When both kids graduate high school we could make a move. Maybe winters in Durango for the skiing and summers in Phoenix for the golf. Until then Snowbowl and Sunrise aren't so bad and Taos is just an eight hour drive away.

Just moved to indianapolis from cleveland,for my really hot and succesfull girlfriend.

Im 38 ,and picked up skiing again like around 6 years ago,have been out west these last two winters for 12 days at a time, skiing with locals I networked with.

After hitting most resorts in the Tahoe area,and rippin it down cornice bowl, (mammoth mtn Ca),leaving calli to come home made me litteraly cry.

all i can say is  the way I deal with being stuck in indi is to go on small weekender trips to PA,and upstate NY,and work it hard,8-9 hour car rides (the most my back can stand in a car) can deliver 1000-1,200' vert mountain runs,and these runs are not well groomed so the challenge is there,

However there is always an annual trip in scheduale,and in this upcomming feb,the plan is to ski utah for a week,

just keepin it real with a bunch of short trips is what helps me get by,

Doron.

I find it interesting how many people used to ski when they were younger, gave it up for various reasons, then came back to it later in life. Life, family, work, other interests all interfere with skiing and pull us away from the slopes. We keep hearing from people who learned on the "skinnies" and are now turning fifty, trying to come to terms with all the new features on skis.I remember skiing in the seventies and eighties as a teen, before the technology revolution, the only choice was how long your skis were. It was hard work! Now these new skis turn themselves and are relatively easy to learn from day one. I think it's great that a lot of folks are reinventing their desire for the sport, no matter where they live. I'm one of those guys. Perhaps if skiing was as easy then as it is now, we would never have left the sport in the first place.

Just an observation.

BW.

Interesting thread and resonates with me.  I live in Tampa, FL and have to work very hard to find the opportunities to get enough skiing in every season.  How I do it is exhaust nearly all my vacation and personal time to ski trips and save money throughout the year and look for good deals to travel West.  It is still difficult to feel content and most seasons I can only max out to 20 to 25 ski days.  Which does not get me to the technical level where I want to be.  It also costs a good deal of dough to make these trips happen. Additionally, I feel pretty lucky because I have been with my company for a while and do get 4 weeks of vacation time plus several days of personal time.  If you consider the average 2 weeks of paid vacation annually, these kind of trips are now impossible to pull of. Therefore, when I see a reply from the person living in FL and gets to ski 45 days in Whistler (snofun,I think?), that is pretty incredible but is not an opportunity available to most people.

This upcoming season I have the following ski trips already planned:

Steamboat - Dec 24th to Jan 4th - with my 5 year old daughter

Jackson Hole - Feb 4th to Feb 16th - myself and taking the 4 day ski camp

Taos - March 23 to March 30th - again with my daughter and in-laws

That should get me (if everything goes well) 25 days perhaps.  To get more, I would need to relocate to a place like SLC. I would if I was single but at this stage in my life I have to consider my families needs foremost.

Take Care

I live in Kansas and let me tell you it, it sucks. Its 8+ hours to get to the mountains where I am and I make that trip 4-5 times a year with random trips to the small hill in Kansas City to ski. The only reason I have to stay for now is because I'm going to school Cheap at Wichita State University. As soon as college is over I will be heading straight for Colorado. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bad Wolf 

I find it interesting how many people used to ski when they were younger, gave it up for various reasons, then came back to it later in life. Life, family, work, other interests all interfere with skiing and pull us away from the slopes. We keep hearing from people who learned on the "skinnies" and are now turning fifty, trying to come to terms with all the new features on skis.I remember skiing in the seventies and eighties as a teen, before the technology revolution, the only choice was how long your skis were. It was hard work! Now these new skis turn themselves and are relatively easy to learn from day one. I think it's great that a lot of folks are reinventing their desire for the sport, no matter where they live. I'm one of those guys. Perhaps if skiing was as easy then as it is now, we would never have left the sport in the first place.

 

Just an observation.

 

BW.

Don't think having an easier time being a better skier would've made much difference in my interest or ability to ski more during my school and working years.  But shaped skis probably have a lot to do with why I could re-kindle the interest so quickly in my late 40's.  Even 10-15 days a season for a few years was enough to make it clear that progressing to an advance level . . . meaning I could really enjoy more of what Alta has to offer . . . was quite possible while living in NC.  My local weekend ski trips are all about getting into shape for the trips out west.

The goal is to still be skiing more than blue groomers when I qualify for senior rates.  Even better if I can figure out a way to spend a month or two in the Rockies.  Have met several retired folks from the midwest who spend the winter in SLC and ski Alta mid-week.

It can be deceptively placating for us mid-atlantic people. We have "mountains" and ski areas so we tell ourselves it is enough to satisfy our hunger. We have enough to "survive" but never eat like kings. At least at home.

I was still able to get a good 65 days per year before kids and both of us being self employed (another deception, the "freedom" of self employment). We live 15 minutes from the local hill, have passes and used to do 2 trips out west or to Europe each season. Although all of our local days can be measured in hours instead of days.

Still, it really is only an issue for half of the year. The rest of the year we live near a great river, 3 miles from the AT, near world class trout fishing and a great place to raise a family.

I still bug my wife about moving west almost daily though. LOL.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by marznc 

 

The goal is to still be skiing more than blue groomers when I qualify for senior rates.  Even better if I can figure out a way to spend a month or two in the Rockies.  Have met several retired folks from the midwest who spend the winter in SLC and ski Alta mid-week.

We have a lot of "snowbirds" in Arizona. retired folks who come down from the frozen north to spend their winters in the sunny south. Most of them maintain their family home and buy a smaller second home/condo in AZ. Others drive their motor homes down or just rent. They get to relax in the sun, play golf, tennis, hike, eat out. They don't live here year round because 115 degrees in the summer is just too hot for most folks.

We plan to do the opposite when we retire. Keep our home in AZ and spend most of the year here. Then spend the skiing months in the mountains. The cheapest way in the long run is to buy a small cabin/condo, but that limits you to a specific area. I'm not sure how comfortable it would be spending the winter in a motor home. Our best bet has to be the SLC area. Nice city to live in with a variety of lodging options and several world class resorts to choose from within 45 minutes.

Got about ten years to go. Looking forward to retirement already.

Quote:

Originally Posted by COBillsFan 

 

Friends in these locations are very key. I always tell my wife that before we do Telluride, we need to a rich friend to stay with...

I didn't say I stay with the friends. Staying with friends is the fastest way to end a friendship.

I do however, choose my friends wisely, and am closest to the ones who have enough room to store my quiver of 5 pairs (sometimes plus)  without them being in the way, and have enough gear themselves that mine's left alone. Hey! Where'd those Smith I/O's go!

Oh, I also usually get demo bindings on my skis so that if friends have friends that need some they can use mine. No biggee, I usually don't keep skis long enough to make a difference anyway, and often someone likes them and asks if I want to sell - win-win!