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Big Sky or Jackson Hole

post #1 of 15
9/16/09 at 8:04pm
Thread Starter 
I am starting to think about where to go for a week long ski trip sometime in Feb.  Jackson hole was my favorite overall place that I have been to so far.  I have heard a lot about big sky lately.  Should I stick with what I know I loved or try something new.  I will be going with my wife and both of us will pretty much be eating and sleeping only as a means to keep skiing.  We both like challenging terrain, but not insane.  Trees and Powder are our favorite.  Any suggestions about big sky?
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post #2 of 15
9/16/09 at 10:12pm
I like Big sky is a good resort. Its a huge area with lots of terrain for all skiers to enjoy. But its not jackson.  In some ways its almost too big and the lifts are pretty funky making it hard to go where you want quickly. Big Sky has alot of good tree skiing on andesite. I think Big sky would probabbly have on average better snow too since the place is so huge and the tram to lone peak limitis skier trafic up there.
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post #3 of 15
9/17/09 at 5:31am
Thread Starter 
Thanks,
One of the things I liked about Jackson was the layout.  I went when there was no tram, and felt that it was very easy to get around.  When you were going from one place to another, you were enjopying good terrrain rather than taking boring cat tracks.
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post #4 of 15
9/17/09 at 6:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by David Hecht View Post

I am starting to think about where to go for a week long ski trip sometime in Feb.  Jackson hole was my favorite overall place that I have been to so far.  I have heard a lot about big sky lately.  Should I stick with what I know I loved or try something new.  I will be going with my wife and both of us will pretty much be eating and sleeping only as a means to keep skiing.  We both like challenging terrain, but not insane.  Trees and Powder are our favorite.  Any suggestions about big sky?

Well I can't compare to Jackson Hole because I have never been there but Big Sky is awesome. The lift line are short we actually did 35 runs our last day of epic. The tree and bump skiing is amazing. The bowl skiing is as challenging as you want it to be. It really has something for all level's of skiers. I really want to go to Jackson Hole though I heard it is a nice place to ski!!!     
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post #5 of 15
9/17/09 at 6:50am
Both Jackson and Big Sky have lots of terrain for all levels.  Big Sky is less crowded, but you will wait for the tram.  OTOH I went out there with 40 people a couple of years ago, and most of us never rode the tram.
If you need to eat in a restaurant every night, go to Jackson.  If you want to cook most of your own meals in a ski-in condo, Big Sky is cheaper.  Either way the skiing is great.

BK
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post #6 of 15
9/17/09 at 7:10am
I'm going to give Big Sky a try this winter.  Consider this a vote for something new!  Even if Jackson is closer and my personal favorite, you gotta dip into the unknown once in a while.
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post #7 of 15
9/17/09 at 11:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpikeDog View Post

I'm going to give Big Sky a try this winter.  Consider this a vote for something new!  Even if Jackson is closer and my personal favorite, you gotta dip into the unknown once in a while.

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post #8 of 15
9/17/09 at 1:29pm
Ok, I'll throw out another option: both.  They're only 3 hours apart, so there's no reason you can't ski both in a week.  Heck, go to Targhee too since it's on the way.  Oh, and don't forget about Moonlight too. Skiing one resort for a week is b-o-r-i-n-g.

If I had to choose only one, I would wait until the snow flies and go there. 
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post #9 of 15
9/17/09 at 3:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by vinn View Post

Ok, I'll throw out another option: both.  They're only 3 hours apart, so there's no reason you can't ski both in a week.  Heck, go to Targhee too since it's on the way.  Oh, and don't forget about Moonlight too. Skiing one resort for a week is b-o-r-i-n-g.

If I had to choose only one, I would wait until the snow flies and go there. 
 

I've done this trip, Utah to JH to Targhee to Big Sky & back.  If Big Sky isn't happening with the snow, just stay at JH.  The drive isn't bad unless the wind is blowing a whiteout.
Both areas rock!
JF
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post #10 of 15
9/17/09 at 4:45pm
Quote:
I've done this trip, Utah to JH to Targhee to Big Sky & back.
Me too.  Twice, March 2001 (bad year, but my time was decent enough) and Jan. 2006 (big year, lots of pow at JH.   If powder is a priority Jackson gets ~50% more snow than Big Sky. 

But I'm with vinn, like the variety.  If you've never been to Big Sky you should check it out.  I wrote a feature after the 2006 trip: http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1215
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post #11 of 15
9/17/09 at 6:28pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the help so far
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post #12 of 15
9/21/09 at 1:33pm
I've skied both.  Big Sky has more intermediate terrain, and plenty of expert terrain, although it is a bit less intimidating than Jackson. Not to say that it isn't as steep, but it doesn't seem to have quite as much crux skiing (although I did not ski any of the A-Z chutes, and perhaps those are a bit more crux). 

I love both places.  But why not try one you haven't skied?

Mike
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post #13 of 15
9/21/09 at 4:17pm
Skied them both last year.  Depending on the snow - of course.  Tree skiing-I would pick Big Sky.  Had really good snow last year and some very good powder skiing. Lots of untracked ALL DAY.  I just posted 2 pictures of Big Sky under Tecnique, So you think you can ski the trees !? Take a look.  Night life, food, beer, bars etc. better at JH, steeps better at JH but there is some pretty steep stuff off the gondola at Big Sky.  Big sky less crowded.
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post #14 of 15
9/21/09 at 4:28pm
Steeps may be better at JH but you will not run out of terrain in a week at either area.I think the biggest difference may be the after-ski scene. If you take your own party or need a few good places to eat BS is great but if you're looking for real night life on your trip then go to Jackson.
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post #15 of 15
9/24/09 at 9:23pm
Thread Starter 

Now I'm thinking about aspen as another option
Hopefully I can do more than one big trip this year
 

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