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Big Sky, Crested Butte, Telluride, Schweitzer… OR??

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pc_nick13
Posts: 306 - Karma: 80
Any experience will help!

I’m about to graduate from college in Denver and I’m looking to live in a somewhat small ski town. The front range of Colorado is not what I’m looking for. I've had the Epic pass for 4 years and it is to flat for me. I am from SLC and this is my first year not having a Snowbird pass. I almost shit my pants realizing that I’m not skiing a mountain I've skied since I was two. Since I was 18 I had an Alta/bird pass and picked up a PC season pass when I was 14-18. Now that I am older I can only afford one pass. There is no way I am ready to move back home to SLC. I LOVE SLC, but been there, done that for too long. I love Denver but I want to live in a smaller town now, one that is close to the mountains.

What ski towns have steep and deep and you know.. all that good stuff..? I've skied Jackson and Targhee. They are really sick just like the bird and alta. But I’m ready for an adventure, live somewhere that I haven’t skied, and a place that has a good ski town feel to it. It’s probably a place called dream land since I am being pretty picky.

It would be great if you could list a steep mountain and a small description about the town.

Cheers!

Oct 10 2013 4:55PM
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11630 - Karma: 24,474
Bend oregon. Bachelor isnt steep but its a killer mountain and Bend is awesome in every season
Oct 10 2013 5:09PM
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PM4FreeJiberish
Posts: 447 - Karma: 3,533
Telluride is a pretty awesome mountain. You can really push yourself to the limits of your abilities there. The town is really cool too, a few fun bars and hotels. It might be a little more expensive to live there than say Crested Butte but the scenery and mountain are unbeatable. Also its really close to Silverton if you ever want to do day trips to try some more terrain.
Oct 10 2013 5:14PM
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Static
Posts: 8545 - Karma: 4,141
Schweitzer/Sand Point is always foggy and overcast, plus like a hundred trains.
Oct 10 2013 5:15PM
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japanada
Posts: 13784 - Karma: 1,957
T-Ride or Jackson of course.  Sick inbounds, sicker bc, true ski town with locals that ride everyday!
Oct 10 2013 5:45PM
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hokkanee
Posts: 1800 - Karma: 435
bozeman Montana. Less than an hour from big sky and right next to bridger. Awesome town too
Oct 10 2013 5:55PM
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Daph
Posts: 5978 - Karma: 5,006
yep

and with big sky's recent acquisition of moonlight you get almost 6000 acres of awesome terrain, including lots of awesome shit your pants steeps. it doesn't get much better than the headwaters
Oct 10 2013 6:37PM
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Mike.Records
Posts: 1311 - Karma: 756
Crested Butte if you have a sled. The ski area gets very little snow, its a rad mountain, but on a dry year its rough there. The backcountry is incredible, and gets more snow, but it takes a sled to get out there. Here is a little sampling of the bc there:

A Month of Pow on Mt. ****** from Tom Runcie on Vimeo.


Oct 10 2013 6:40PM
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Kooky_Lukey
Posts: 1002 - Karma: 1,966
This.
Oct 10 2013 7:46PM
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Erikgorn
Posts: 369 - Karma: 1,844
Live in Bozeman ski Big Sky and Bridger Bowl
Oct 10 2013 8:08PM
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skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
schweitzer? lol. How did that get included with the rest of those awesome places?
Oct 10 2013 10:12PM
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Insomniac
Posts: 2816 - Karma: 185
This.
Oct 10 2013 10:30PM
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Ryanvdonk
Posts: 12811 - Karma: 1,971
Fernie or Revy would be sick, go to BC.
Oct 10 2013 10:42PM
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schism
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 389
Revelstoke would be rad, as would Nelson/Rossland with Red Mountain and Whitewater.

I've never skied Fernie, but I'm not a big fan of RCR ski hills.
Oct 10 2013 10:52PM
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rylee.the.jedi
Posts: 410 - Karma: 368
I've skied at shweitzer quite a bit and though it's got some good terrain it really has no cliffs or super steep terrain though when it doesn't snow they have a pretty good jump line. If I was you, consider bachelor. Bend it by the far one of the best places and you can find some sick stuff at bachelor nothing to steep though.
Oct 10 2013 11:29PM
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TheTristanator
Posts: 1015 - Karma: 820
Schweitzer is fun, and sandpoint's not bad. It is very foggy though
Oct 11 2013 12:31AM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
As others have said. Telluride, Jackson, Bozeman are pretty much the top of the list. Bridget and Jackson hole are both east facing almost entirely, Bridger doesn't get a huge amount of snow... They all have their pros and cons. Tahoe could be an Option as well, live in south lake and ski kirkwood
Oct 11 2013 10:48AM
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SFB
Posts: 8895 - Karma: 26,352
crested butte is one of my favorite mountains ive ever skied and the town is super sick.
Oct 11 2013 10:59AM
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G5_KiD
Posts: 263 - Karma: 381
i was living in CB this summer, so dope. everyone there is super friendly and nice, and also doing really rad shit 24/7. great combo of light snow and steep terrian. Obvious choice if it were me.
Oct 11 2013 1:58PM
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Dr.Dickless
Posts: 2620 - Karma: 1,392
OP, go to Beaver Creek, fucking PC asshole
Oct 11 2013 2:15PM
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MattL_RG
Posts: 51 - Karma: 515
Living in Frisco/Dillon, CO is great because you live within 30 minutes of Copper Mountain, Keystone, Loveland, Breckinridge, A-Basin, Vail, and and Beaver Creek. But you said the epic pass was too flat, so that might not be what you're looking for.

Taos might be a good option?

Click for larger image
Oct 11 2013 2:41PM
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,299
I'm already making a list for where i want to live, so i figured id just make it here so you can ponder it too. Im in bellingham now, so ill do that once i get a better feel for it.

Bozeman
pros
- tons of sick terrain
- not overly expensive
- college town means parties/lots of bars if your into that
- people are generally very friendly and stay out of your business
- not as cold as you would imagine

cons
- can be really fucking cold
- not a ton of job opportunity
- good housing isn't expensive, but is harder to come by than other places ive looked
- pretty isolated (can be a pro)
- Brozeman Mantana

Telluride
pros
- amazing terrain
- very fun group of locals
- not as many lift lines as Summit Co.
- Epicly good pow days
- cougars
- one of the most beautiful places you can live

cons
- expensive as fuck to live.
- hard to find decent cheap housing
- VERY isolated. If you ever want to go anywhere you either have to pay a ton or drive to Denver
- Doesn't snow as much as many other good ski towns.
- expensive season pass

Sandpoint
pros
- very cheap for a ski town
-lots of available houses and apartments
- wasn't very hard to get a job, and Schweitzer hires for a lot of the year.
- decent group of local skiers
- snows reliably, fun but not gnarly terrain.
- close enough to Coeur d'Alene and Spokane to easily travel and buy shit you cant get in a ski town
- on a giant lake
- NO lift lines. Even on a pow day chair 6 won't be more than 5 min.
cons
- for a mountain that doesn't have amazing terrain, it also doesn't get a ton of snow.
- not as much a ski town as a logging town with a ski area attached.
- As a (half) black person, the worst racism i've ever dealt with was in Sandpoint.
- Not any nightlife, not a ton of young people to meet and hang out with.
- gets old fast.

Taos
not sure about housing, ive never looked there.
And you'll meet Ellie Rasta, and idk if thats a pro or con.

pros
- EPIC terrain
- If you like sun and spring days, its great
- good balance of skiers and non skiers to meet
- When it dumps, it nukes
- Good amount of work in the area
- Close enough to Santa Fe and Albuquerque to not be too isolated
- When ive been there, i've met a decent number of younger people.

Cons
- still no real nightlife
- those nuclear dumps can be few and far between
- lots of Texans
- felt a little out of the skiing loop. No pros, not a lot of real dedicated ski bums, felt pretty slow
- I like my skiing colder and with more frequent storms, but thats personal.

Oct 11 2013 3:13PM
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Mike.Records
Posts: 1311 - Karma: 756
My experience w/ Jackson is that although the resort is east facing you have lots of options. When the resort gets firm you go to the sidecountry (which is unreal). When the sidecountry gets firm you go to Teton Pass (which is also unreal).

Honestly think that between the resort, the sidecountry, Teton Pass, and the incredible sled zones, Jackson is the number 1 place to live for skiing in the lower 48.
Oct 11 2013 4:17PM
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e.will
Posts: 1981 - Karma: 967
I'd say jackson is the number one place to VISIT in the lower 48. I love skiing there (made two trips down there from Bozeman last season) and the snow was mediocre. Still, as you said, Teton pass skied fantastically and the sidecountry was equally entertaining.

Living in that town would be fucking difficult. A couple college buddies split a basement studio for a grand a month. Not fun. Food is expensive, you have to drive a bunch to get to skiing. There are affordable options in Wilson and shit, but then you're removed from the "Jackson" culture (which is probably a good thing, actually).

If you want to ski the Tetons, I'd say live in the valley. Targhee is freakin sweet, and you're still not that far from Teton Pass (about the same, as jackson, ya?). Housing is cheaper -- although on the rise for sure -- and there is quite a bit of sled access on that side of the pass.

I won't talk about Bozeman, because i live here and am obviously impartial on the subject. I will however say that the town is growing crazy fast. Like, reaaalllly fast. It's hard to find housing, and although it seems dirt cheap, you won't be making much money wherever you work.

I think Colorado has an amazing ski culture throughout the state. But the snow hasn't really been there in the past couple seasons unless you're really working for it.

I'd throw in Sun Valley on that list. I was down there a couple times this season, and that place kicks ass. The resort skiing is mediocre, but fun, the BC options are fucking insane. Plus, you can buy a season's pass to Dollar exclusively. Ski park -- one of the best in the nation -- when the snow sucks, and explore the sawtooths the rest of the time. Seems freakin legit if you ask me.
Oct 11 2013 7:58PM
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dylhole
Posts: 2926 - Karma: 983
Good luck replaced Snowbird.  You grew up in Utah, you aren't going to find a whole lot better.  That being said, if I was going off your list, my vote would be southwest Colorado (or back to to SLC).  CB is a cool little town, and Gunnison can provide you with a few "city" luxuries.  Telluride has insane side/backcountry, and their ski patrol is about as lax I've ever seen.  But , you are extremely isolated.  If you like that idea, then its unreal, but I'd go crazy being trapped in that valley.  I'd steer clear of Montana personally, not enough sunshine, esepcially if you're used to Utah and CO.  I lived there for two years and for me, summer is the highlight, not winter.  Not really anythign to complain about with Jackson either, but if you want to ski there, its a pretty similar vibe to the bird, and you can live in SLC for a third of the price of Jackson.  Yeah, the pass and backcountry sledding is unreal up there, but there is great sledding in Utah too, especially if you don't settle for Guardsman's Pass and its proximity. 
Oct 11 2013 10:03PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10810 - Karma: 57,053
I'd say give Bozeman a chance. Super friendly, laid back town, with Big Sky?Moonlight an hour away. It's not gonna be the same skiing as Colorado or Utah, but certainly challenging with lots of snowfall.
Oct 12 2013 3:00PM
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Bozite
Posts: 981 - Karma: 561
Come up here to Bozeman
Oct 12 2013 7:41PM
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TRASHTALK
Posts: 324 - Karma: 493
Aspen. Move to Aspen.
Oct 12 2013 8:03PM
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Catbug
Posts: 463 - Karma: 1,027
Steamboat springs forsure. Fucking awesome place. We get some of the dopest snow in Colorado. If you want some s=fantastic pow days then steamboat is for you.
Oct 12 2013 8:11PM
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,299
After a few days i think i have seen enough. I havent skied baker, but ill go on myths and my experience at Stevens and Snoqualamie

Bellingham

pros
-DEEP snow. Like 700 inches a year deep.
-Tons of college kids if you live near campus
- Lots more single girls than your average ski town. In fact id even venture to say the ratio is 1-1
- On the ocean, can do oceanish things. Like i went sailing and kayaking yesterday.
- Lots of cool forest areas to explore.
- weed's, legal, cheap, and really good.
- a good balance of skiers and non skiers. Not everyone is a ski bum, which is kind of cool in Bozeman, but it makes the locals pretty one dimensional.
- ive heard tales of epic BC lines and pillows.
- housing is not too hard to find and decently priced

cons
- confusing as fuck to get around
- The ski area is a long drive from town
- weather isn't great, rains and is overcast quite a bit
- Only one ski area that is pretty small means storms get skied out quick.
- not too many jobs. Not impossible, but its not great
- most of that 700 inch snowfall is heavy as fuck. I'm told you will ski in rain.
- Many of those single girls are giant hippies.
Oct 12 2013 8:29PM
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Daph
Posts: 5978 - Karma: 5,006
its not that different than CO or Utah, if anything the mountains are more challenging and have less people
Oct 12 2013 8:48PM
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dylhole
Posts: 2926 - Karma: 983
And a lot less snow (than UT anyways).  And colder, and less sun.  But awesome little ski/college towns, and incredible summers 
Oct 13 2013 1:59PM
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selkirks
Posts: 1978 - Karma: 59
LOL at those of you saying that Schweitzer doesn't get snow. It gets 300" annually--more than Crested Butte and the same as Telluride.

Oh well, more for me, I suppose.
Oct 13 2013 2:14PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
That is about 2/3 of the snow that Tahoe, PNW, and the Utah resorts recieve.

And Schweitzer has a few short steep areas, but on thhe whole it is very, very flat...unlike CB and Telluride. Not to mention the weather is fucking aweful up there.
Oct 13 2013 2:19PM
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,299
Like i said it snows consistently. Tons of 4-8 inch storms, not many real dumps. And its terrain isnt bad, its just not that great. Telluride gets by on less snow because of its epic snow. Keystone and Breck get by on epic parks. Baker gets epic snow. Schweitzer isn't bad in any category, its just kind of pretty ok in all of them.
Oct 13 2013 3:02PM
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Mama.
Posts: 3066 - Karma: 2,607
Ive lived and skied in a lot of those places. Go Big Sky. It's fucking epic.
Oct 14 2013 11:42PM
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Daph
Posts: 5978 - Karma: 5,006
PREACH SISTA
Oct 14 2013 11:58PM
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SkiTheYeast
Posts: 2310 - Karma: 390
Came here to say this.
Oct 15 2013 2:42AM
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Byron_tha_gr8
Posts: 4573 - Karma: 14,299
But at bridger we earn our turns. Im so rad i hiked the ridge 47 times in one day. #tramsare4pussies
Oct 15 2013 2:53AM
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