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Alta / Snowbird question

post #1 of 16
3/5/03 at 2:06pm
Thread Starter 
I will be skiing at Alta this Sunday, one day only. It is my first trip to Utah and I am wondering if it is worth for the first timer to ski both Alta and Snowbird, or just Alta would be enough? I am an advanced skier, always looking for deep and fresh, do not mind hiking to find good stuff.

It looks like Alta is the place to ski now, considering the snowing going on. Would be happy if any of you locals would not mind showing a newcomer around Alta...
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post #2 of 16
3/5/03 at 2:31pm
I think Alta should be able to satisfy you for a few days. The same with Snowbird. The AltaBird pass seems like a good way to extract $$$ from the unsuspecting. You are better to ski each alone for an entire day or two.

Mark
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post #3 of 16
3/5/03 at 2:49pm
NM,
I think you'll be more than happy skiing Alta. Start at Wildcat base and work your way round. Finish back at Wildcat, and stop off in the Goldminers for a jar or two.

A perfect day.

S
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post #4 of 16
3/5/03 at 2:58pm
Alta is enough to keep you busy for a day. I would only get the combo pass if you want to check off both resorts on your "gotta ski someday" list. But frankly, both are worth much longer stays individually, so you'll want to go back.

Alta is my favorite ski area, but unfortunately I'm not a local who could show you around. Have fun.

One note, is your one day on a weekend? If so, Snowbird might be a better bet. Part of the charm/frustration of Alta is the lack of high-speed lifts. They say it keeps the slopes less crowded. That logic has some merit, but there can definitely be liftlines. Snowbird can handle the weekend crowds better. Even as an advanced skier, you'll find Snowbird challenging. It's the toughest resort I've ever skied (just above Jackson Hole).

Alta can be challenging also, but it's often a hike to find the most challenging terrain (which is part of the fun/challenge).

-- Wags
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post #5 of 16
3/5/03 at 2:58pm
I really like the AltaBird pass, but I will agree that you'll find plenty of terrain at each resort to keep you occupied for quite a while longer than a single day. (Though there's something to be said for the novelty of it, and the terrain in Mineral Basin can be great especially if visibility is good.) I do cross over pretty regularly and like having the option though.
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post #6 of 16
3/5/03 at 3:20pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally posted by Wags:

One note, is your one day on a weekend? If so, Snowbird might be a better bet. Part of the charm/frustration of Alta is the lack of high-speed lifts. They say it keeps the slopes less crowded. That logic has some merit, but there can definitely be liftlines. Snowbird can handle the weekend crowds better. Even as an advanced skier, you'll find Snowbird challenging. It's the toughest resort I've ever skied (just above Jackson Hole).

Alta can be challenging also, but it's often a hike to find the most challenging terrain (which is part of the fun/challenge).

-- Wags
I actually wanted to ski Alta, because of all that powder hype around it and all the snow they are receiving now. Plus I am curious if banning of snowboarders actually helps preserve pow [img]smile.gif[/img]

I wish I could ski longer, and in this case I would definitely go to Snowbird, but given only one day, I want to try Alta.
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post #7 of 16
3/5/03 at 3:27pm
If you like logging vert then go to Snowbird. You can do 3000 foot in one run. Mineral Basin at Snowbird is bigger then some resorts. In the spring It's really fun to follow the sun around in the basin Letting the sun warm and soften the snow then when it's to soft move over some.
But there is something special about Alta, It's more then a ski area It's History and the stuff that legands are made of. Every true Utah Skier gets up before Dawn, faces Alta and Prays to the Powder gods.
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post #8 of 16
3/5/03 at 10:02pm
NM, you said you don't mind hiking and want the "deep powder experience" - I'll agree and say don't waste your dough and stick w/the Alta pass. You will certainly be able to wear yourself out, and even with the "weekend crowd" it won't be anwhere near like most CA resorts on a Sunday!
Talk to folks on the chairs and you'll figure out where to go.
Have fun... [img]smile.gif[/img]
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post #9 of 16
3/6/03 at 10:01am
Quote:
Originally posted by sphrrt:
...don't waste your dough and stick w/the Alta pass. You will certainly be able to wear yourself out...
is two days enough? i am going to be there for 2-3 days this next week. i am pondering skiing snowbird for one day, and alta for two... good move? bad move? other recommendations?
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post #10 of 16
3/6/03 at 10:14am
Quote:
Originally posted by howderpound:
i am pondering skiing snowbird for one day, and alta for two... good move? bad move? other recommendations?
[img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]
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post #11 of 16
3/6/03 at 10:37am
Quote:
Originally posted by AltaSkier:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by howderpound:
i am pondering skiing snowbird for one day, and alta for two... good move? bad move? other recommendations?
[img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] </font>[/quote]...i think i have asked this previously, but, that 3rd day is on a saturday where would the best place to ski be on a weekend, other than alta (i'll be there thur, fri)? : thanks!
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post #12 of 16
3/6/03 at 12:13pm
Pending your definition of a line and the weather, Alta is not all that bad on Saturdays. If you don't have to have advanced skiing that the Little Cottonwood resorts offer, Snowbasin and Solitude are good bets as well. But both places do offer some good expert terrain, and good snow.
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post #13 of 16
3/6/03 at 1:33pm
I usually complain about the lines at Snowbird on the weekends, but it really depends on where you're skiing there. Mineral Basin is almost never crowded, and there are several other lifts that also rarely see a crowd. You usually only run into miserable lines for the Tram or Little Cloud - and even that can vary and is weather dependent.
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post #14 of 16
3/6/03 at 1:41pm
good advice. thanks for the info [img]smile.gif[/img] maybe i will run into some bears there and make a couple turns [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]
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post #15 of 16
3/6/03 at 1:50pm
Quote:
Originally posted by NM:
I actually wanted to ski Alta, because of all that powder hype around it and all the snow they are receiving now. Plus I am curious if banning of snowboarders actually helps preserve pow [img]smile.gif[/img]

I wish I could ski longer, and in this case I would definitely go to Snowbird, but given only one day, I want to try Alta.[/QB]
I don't know about preserving pow (since there are usually a TON of people tracking things up regardless) but I DO notice a drastic change when I cross from Alta to Snowbird. I like them both, but they have very different vibes. There are so many things that go into it I'm not sure I could list them all - but it is an interesting experience to go from one to another to see what you notice.

[ March 06, 2003, 01:55 PM: Message edited by: altagirl ]
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post #16 of 16
3/6/03 at 5:22pm
If you want powder preservation, I'd goto Snowbasin, or solitude. It looks like the end of the heavy snows is over, and maybe a few more inches will fall before the weekend, but if you're going to make it there on sunday, it will be all chewed up on saturday. I'd almost recomend going to the above mentioned because you can find more pockets of good snow, unless it's warm, then don't goto snowbasin, as it's at a lower elevation and sets up quicker...
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