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Best resorts for steeps?

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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
I'm potentially transferring to U of U and I was wondering which resort had the best steeps? I went to Brighton last year and got a pillowy, shelfy vibe...pretty sweet. I haven't been to Snowbird since I was 10 years old so I don't remember what it was like at all...I remember what Alta is like but the passes are pretty effing expensive if I remember correctly?

I'm looking for steep + cliffy. The gnarlier the better.
Nov 9 2011 2:22AM
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sneveTs
Posts: 179 - Karma: 10
alta: steep and deep
Nov 9 2011 2:26AM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
fyi I'm coming from Mt. Baker/Alaska so whatever is most similar would be nice (steep, pillowy, scary as fuh).

Also, does anyone here go to U of U? How do you like it? I'm thinking of doing a business management or marketing degree.
Nov 9 2011 2:33AM
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shocker611
Posts: 2599 - Karma: 423
the U is awesome, love it here. But snowbird/alta is probably what you are looking for. Brighton is better for cliffs imo but for both cliffs and steeps you cant beet bird/alta
Nov 9 2011 3:04AM
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intifada
Posts: 931 - Karma: 263
Snowbird, gnarliest terrain and shittiest vibe.
Nov 9 2011 12:08PM
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shocker611
Posts: 2599 - Karma: 423
he brings up a good point, if you want a good vibe dont go to the bird
Nov 9 2011 12:18PM
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Planet_Captain
Posts: 895 - Karma: 42
the bird has a bad vibe?? Cool
Nov 9 2011 12:20PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Elaborate please? Doesn't gnarly terrain = good vibe? (gnarly in a good way, not rocky death-gnarly).
Nov 9 2011 12:34PM
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YewTard
Posts: 619 - Karma: 196
Whats wrong with the vibe at the Bird? Chillin on the tram deck listenin to live reggae in the spring with a few beers after a good session is awesome..
Nov 9 2011 1:17PM
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intifada
Posts: 931 - Karma: 263
I've worked at both Alta and Snowbird and the places could not be more opposite. Alta is alot more laid back than the bird in the way the resort presents itself. as a result This draws a certain demographic of like minded local skiers looking to ski without dealing with the resort bullshit. This in my opinion creates a really fun atmosphere. The bird on the other hand takes pride in being a tight ass "professional resort" with a bunch of uptight employees catering to tourists. this isn't unusual as far as ski resorts go but the bird takes it to the next level. Although I am in no way bashing the terrain at the bird, they probably have the best inbounds terrain in utah you just wont catch me buying a pass there.
Nov 9 2011 1:42PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Do they have uptight ski patrol or something? I have a bad habit of getting banned...

I love Alta but last time I was there I don't remember anything super steep; I probably just don't know the area very well! At least passes are so cheap in Utah. $600 is less than half the price of a pass in AK, which is stupid in the first place since BC is free and endless...
Nov 9 2011 1:49PM
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shocker611
Posts: 2599 - Karma: 423
this, one of my friends almost got fired for putting on a cape for gaper day and upper management was supposedly even getting mad at riders for doing the same
Nov 9 2011 2:05PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
That sounds a lot like my home resort. They charge $1400 for a pass, then ban the locals for hitting jumps of any kind. Oh and inverts are immediate ban.

Maybe it would be wise to get a Brighton Pass for cliffs, PC to learn how to ski park, then just skin BC for lines?
Nov 9 2011 2:14PM
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little_boo
Posts: 1303 - Karma: 231
Alta has the culture, the Bird has the terrain.
I know a handful of the patrollers up at Alta, and they're all chill. My only experience ever with a patroller at the Bird was actually really great- this dude was super helpful, funny, and ended up helping out my boyfriend pretty good. Just don't go out of bounds, and especially not with somebody else's pass- but any resort is going to slam you for that.
Snowbird is definitely more of a "professional resort" aimed at the tourism industry. But the entire resort and vibe there isn't all that. There is a huge local chill scene there, which is pretty swell.
I love both resorts, but overall, if you're looking for terrain, go for the Bird.
Nov 9 2011 2:18PM
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YewTard
Posts: 619 - Karma: 196
Well if youre looking at Brighton, they have park too as well as night skiing so you could kill 2 birds with 1 stone. If youre just looking to ski park at PCMR you can buy a night pass there for $275 or something and lap 3 Kings..
Nov 9 2011 2:32PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Is there a cheaper, park pass only for PC? All their non-park runs blow hard.

Last time I was at Brighton it was all jibs, which is a major bummer. I liked how most of it was ollie-on though...
Nov 9 2011 2:39PM
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stickski
Posts: 1938 - Karma: 1,529
some people disagree but this is how i feel too
Nov 9 2011 5:30PM
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djty111
Posts: 1103 - Karma: 93

Alta/Bird is easy to get to and is definitely steep.  But the Snowbasin sidecountry has some very steep terrain up there for sure and a lot less competition.

Nov 9 2011 8:28PM
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elliotness
Posts: 106 - Karma: 13
dont tell people about basin its my secret
Nov 9 2011 10:56PM
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YewTard
Posts: 619 - Karma: 196
Snowbasin is awesome.
Nov 9 2011 11:24PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,069
snowbird by far has way more mellow terrain than alta. Alta its either a flat stupid little gaper groomer or a steep technical zone. Alta is definitely the best for steeps, snowbird has a lot of cliff bands and some good steeps too though. I'm trying out brighton this year mainly because the majority of my friends are going there, stoked to check it out.
Nov 9 2011 11:55PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
If its sidecountry, then wouldn't I be better off hiking to it?

I remember going to Snowbasin while they had the Olympic GS course set up. The dudes were nice enough to let my brother and I run it (this was weeks in advance). That place had the sickest corduroy I've ever skied.

Nov 10 2011 2:22AM
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titsLOL
Posts: 7485 - Karma: 396
Alta and brighton have epic terrain, but mostly really short runs as far as steep pitches. Snowbird has a lot more vert it feels like.

And I just graduated this spring with a marketing degree from the U, it was awesome. If you take 5 years it's challenging enough that it isn't boring, but you can easily ski at least 4 days a week pretty much the whole time, might have a couple busy semesters.
Nov 10 2011 10:31AM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124

FANATSY RIDGE AND SHOTS FTW

NO FALL KEEP GAPERS AND JONGS BOOTPACK FTW

NOT OPEN MUCH LAST SEASON FTL

Nov 10 2011 11:02AM
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