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Mid-December: Park City or Alta/Bird?

post #1 of 18
7/20/07 at 9:04am
Thread Starter 
I have decided to give myself a Christmas-in-July gift of a season kick-off December ski weekend (12/13-12/16). Yes, like all chics, I like to shop early. Flying into SLC maximizes my hill time; the only variable is which way to head once I land. Park City or Cottonwood Canyons?

In addition to being a total ski junky, I am a cheap whore and will be using hotel points for a free stay. I can stay 5 miles outside PC (Hampton Inn Park City...aka Kimball Junction) or 20 minutes from Alta/Snowbird (Residence Inn Cottonwood). I have three nights and will hit only one "area" (PC or Cottonwood)...unless some extreme weather lures me away.

Enough tedious background, to the good stuff...
I am an advanced (black, some double black) senorita. I am interested in hitting the resort area which historically has better early season fun (I have trolled meteorological data; I am now looking for true "ski boots on the ground" opinions). This trip is December 13-16 (Thur-Sun). My inclination is that Alta/SnowBird's elevation will yield more snow/better coverage. However, I am just surmising. The PC Quick Start is alluring, too. But again, this is about best odds for sweet conditions. See why I do not sleep at night?

This trip is all about skiing. Nightlife is irrelevant. Shopping is another trip. Me. My Atomics. Powder. Enough said.

The critical help you provide will keep a SnoCat off crappy slopes for three glorious days. Won't you make a difference?
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post #2 of 18
7/20/07 at 9:55am
LCC, hands down.
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post #3 of 18
7/20/07 at 10:39am
I am also scheduled for early December. LCC is the easy call. PC is iffy that time of year. Like you, I'm cheap. AT that time, there are many great deals for SLC hotels. Make sure and rent a car for flexibility.
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post #4 of 18
7/20/07 at 12:46pm
Go with staying in the Residence Inn. The Hampton Inn is not a very happening location and the draw of PC is really the town/nightlife/restaurants. Since that doesn't matter to you stay in the valley and drive up to BCC and LCC. You may have some crappy air down in the valley but the skiing in LCC and BCC is much better than PC. There are some pretty good restaurants down in SLC as well.
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post #5 of 18
7/20/07 at 2:35pm
LCC. They get a lot more snow than PC and are a lot higher. The terrain will also suit you better. By the way, the Residence In there is very nice. You cannot go wrong there. Plus, LCC is cheaper than PC.
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post #6 of 18
7/20/07 at 9:52pm
PCMR's back bowls didn't get good coverage until mid January last season. Alta Bird is the way to go. Kimball Juntion is only about 40 minutes away from Alta, however, and very close to Park City's nightlife and mountain town "ambiance". Since that doesn't matter for this trip, Cottonwood for sure. You can have a beer at the Peruvian or Alta Lodge apris ski instead and be up early. There have been years with 20+ inbounds pow days in LCC before Christmas- perhaps next season will be one...
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post #7 of 18
7/23/07 at 4:04am
I agree with everyone.
LCC and BCC is the way to go.
This will be our third year in a row out there prior to Christmass ( December 15- 22)
I too am Cheap...so I cash in my Marriott points and stay in Cottonwood Canyon
There are enough resturants within walking distance of the hotel to keep everyone happy for a few nights.
You can even rent a car for "free" using Marriott points
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post #8 of 18
7/23/07 at 10:32am
Thread Starter 
Sold! LCC (and BCC), here I come.

Thanks for all the exceptional input.
Now, please line up in the snow dance formation for a little pre-season action.

If you still feel like kicking out opinions, feel free. Dining or general putz-around suggestions are welcome.
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post #9 of 18
7/23/07 at 10:43am
Make sure you go to Temple Square and take the guided tour.
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post #10 of 18
7/25/07 at 6:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by snocat View Post
Sold! LCC (and BCC), here I come.

Thanks for all the exceptional input.
Now, please line up in the snow dance formation for a little pre-season action.

If you still feel like kicking out opinions, feel free. Dining or general putz-around suggestions are welcome.
shot me a PM and you ll get a guide.

you made the right choice.
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post #11 of 18
7/25/07 at 6:36pm
Restaurants- Red Iguana-great mex food, Bucca de Beppo, a bit "cheesy" and sort of franchisey, but the food is actually pretty good and wine is reasonable. The Indian restaurant on Foothills drive ( I think Bombay House) is good Indian.
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post #12 of 18
7/25/07 at 7:33pm
Red Iguana is good but Lonestar on Foot Union is better.

Also try the porcupine at the base of BCC.
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post #13 of 18
7/26/07 at 6:11am
snocat.......Be sure to take BushWacker up on his offer to be your guide.

Check out his trip reports and you'll see why!!

Also, you have given yourself a very nice gift. Snowbird and Alta are 2 very special places that Mother Earth has provided us with!!

Have fun!!
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post #14 of 18
7/26/07 at 7:50am
Bombay House is the best Indian I have ever had. We take friends who visit and I have not heard one complaint. We are talking world class Indian here my friends.

Vienna Bistro is on Main in downtown and it is great. The chef used to work at Steins in Deer Valley. The food is delicious and high quality for a very affordable price. The Do Do at The Gateway is also very good.
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post #15 of 18
8/16/07 at 8:19am
if you are arriving on a thursday am with plans on skiing a 1/2 day then, if there has been good early season conditions with recent snow, i would take advantage of the 1/2 day to ski park city, jupiter bowl for FREE! Much better deal than shelling out $59 for a half day tram and chairs at Snowbird. Being a "***** *****"(sorry would never refer to a senorita with such a term) you wouldn't want to spend $59 when it's snowing and the skiing is just fine on the other side of the hill for "free".

I'll be skiing SLC the weekend before you.
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post #16 of 18
8/16/07 at 9:23am
LCC, no doubt. The elevation will bring more snow then and it will have a lot better coverage and more steep terrain open.

The Residence Inn is also a nice place to stay.
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post #17 of 18
8/16/07 at 12:43pm
Yup - another recommendation to go ski with BW. Bring some game though
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post #18 of 18
8/17/07 at 5:40am
I just stayed at the Residence Inn Cottonwood last February...PERFECT for LCC and BCC as you are literally at the mouth of the access roads:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...City_Utah.html

Make sure you do Solitude for a day....especially if the coverage is good.

A good shop to get lift tickets/rentals on the cheap and they have a location in Cottonwood Heights:

http://www.canyonsports.com/tickets.html

I also recommend the half day free quick start if you have a car...you renting one?
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