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Guys I need your help - Keystone

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TotalNan
Posts: 147 - Karma: 339
So I need some guidance... I entered a Freeskier picture submission contest  to win a trip to go cat skiing with freeskier at Keystone for two days testing next years stuff. You guys may have seen the contest on Facebook, and I won. The trip is for March 21st to 23rd. But there's a problem.. well multiple problems. First, I row crew for university of delaware and that weekend is our first race. I would be fucking my chances for making the top boat for the rest of the season if I miss that and I would be letting my team down. Also, I need to pay for airfare to fly out there. To fly me and my dad out there (trip for 2 and I figured he would appreciate going) and to get to the mountain from the airport would be like $1200. That seems like a lot of money for only two days of skiing.

So ns what to I do? I've heard conditions are not the best this year and if I'm going to pay this much money and fuck everything up with rowing, is it worth it? I've been dreaming of a trip out west like this since I was like 6 and here's the opportunity but I don't know what I should do. I can always go later in life (only  20yo) but I can't row later in life. But it's also a sick trip... idk ugh. Any help from people who have been there would be awesome

I need to let the freeskier guy know today if I am going or not...

Thanks in advance for the help
Feb 21 2014 10:15AM
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chacha33
Posts: 959 - Karma: 4,163
Thats really tough. Do you have a scholarship to row? Because if not then I would go shred.
Feb 21 2014 10:17AM
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Turkelton
Posts: 2829 - Karma: 8,558
Go if you don't have a scholarship, figure out priorities. If you're just rowing because you can, fuck that, go cat skiing.
Feb 21 2014 10:23AM
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cr1080cbr
Posts: 92 - Karma: -10
Tell Freeskier that you have given your two spots to me and my brother....Seriously PM if this would be an option for you.
Feb 21 2014 10:25AM
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TotalNan
Posts: 147 - Karma: 339
No I'm not on a scholarship. But nobody at my school is because of title IX. But we don't have any extra guys... so if I miss, then a clueless freshman would need to take my spot which could cost the team the race. I don't want that on my shoulders either
Feb 21 2014 10:29AM
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gpitcher
Posts: 2626 - Karma: 1,691
Cat skiing at keystone?
Feb 21 2014 10:29AM
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soared
Posts: 89 - Karma: 338
Conditions are incredible this year. If you haven't skied in Colorado you must go. I would sit down with the coach and explain that is the opportunity of a life time, and offer to come practice the week before you leave.
Feb 21 2014 10:31AM
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TotalNan
Posts: 147 - Karma: 339
Yeah I've never skied west of Pennsylvania so I have no idea what anything is like out there. But that's what the prize is
Feb 21 2014 10:32AM
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ski0
Posts: 2321 - Karma: 5,370
what the fuck did you expect us to tell you ? just go skiing you stupid son of a bitch
Feb 21 2014 10:33AM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 3,909
Yeah....this.

What?
Feb 21 2014 10:35AM
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TotalNan
Posts: 147 - Karma: 339
See this is what I'm trying to get at... If it's not going to be amazing, and people don't even know that they do that then I want to know that. Like I said... I live in Pa. My home mountain is 450ft vertical so I have no idea what to expect. But I dont want to pay all this money and fuck everything up for an okayish trip out west
Feb 21 2014 10:38AM
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gpitcher
Posts: 2626 - Karma: 1,691
Yeah, ive just never heard of anyone going cat skiing at keystone. Maybe they are just gona give you a ride up in a snowcat? And cat skiing for 1 day?

Skiing in colorado is amazing, and the conditions are great this year, but i think the opportunity cost is too high for you to go. Testing next years skis is kind of a joke, ive been there, done that, and its nothing special.

I'd like to know more detail about what included with your winnings from freeskier...do you get lodging? lift tickets? for how many days? how much cat skiing? etc...
Feb 21 2014 10:42AM
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TotalNan
Posts: 147 - Karma: 339
Two nights lodging, two lift tickets, and idk details about the cat skiing

http://freeskier.com/stories/last-chance-win-trip-freeskier-test-next-years-powder-skis
Feb 21 2014 10:45AM
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TotalNan
Posts: 147 - Karma: 339
Two nights lodging, two lift tickets, and idk details about the cat skiing

http://freeskier.com/stories/last-chance-win-trip-freeskier-test-next-years-powder-skis
Feb 21 2014 10:46AM
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TimRiley
Posts: 1873 - Karma: 1,327
I feel like you answered your own question when you said I can always go later in life but I can't row later... With that being said it has been a great season in Colorado, but it's at Keystone. So, maybe a handful of 1000 vert feet lines. I mean of coarse you'd have fun, but I don't know if two days is worth what it would cost you to do it.
Feb 21 2014 10:48AM
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powerbong2000
Posts: 737 - Karma: 1,802
Dude, don't be fucking stupid. Your have never ridden a mountain an you are 20, your mind will be BLOWN.
Feb 21 2014 10:53AM
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TotalNan
Posts: 147 - Karma: 339
I mean I've been to Killington and Tremblant but that's about it for decently sized mountains
Feb 21 2014 10:56AM
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270on420out
Posts: 7508 - Karma: 51,058
Where would you rather be? Some crew race early in the morning cold. In a small 8 person boat Nothing to keep you warm other than the physical exhaustion and rising body temperatures. All while some short little coxan screams at you to go faster. After that the race is over You'll have another one soon................Or skiing the blissful mountains of colorado while riding some gear you may never ride again
Feb 21 2014 10:59AM
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270on420out
Posts: 7508 - Karma: 51,058
I developed a deep hatred for crew after I strained my meniscus while on the team. Completely screwed my ski season over
Feb 21 2014 11:04AM
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TotalNan
Posts: 147 - Karma: 339
Of course I would rather be skiing in colorado... but it's an issue of where my responsibility to the team lies
Feb 21 2014 11:28AM
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Capurnicus
Posts: 9947 - Karma: 1,886
Honestly, I might just row. It's not like this trip is free, it might be discounted but you're still paying $600 a person to ski 2 days and that's pretty expensive. I don't know how Keystone's season has been going or what the cat skiing opportunities are like out there, but I'm willing to bet you can access equally sick terrain and snow any given winter in Utah by lift at places like Alta. I personally also don't think they're significant added benefit to skiing with a pro on next year's setup. Sure it might be nifty, but it's probably not worth sacrificing other aspects of you life and paying monies. Say you didn't go on this trip, you still have the rest of you life to fly out to Utah and ski with your pops on some pretty awesome snow. I might just save the $1200, put it towards a trip next year with your pops and do your rowing duties. Most people on here are gonna tell you "fuck everything that's not skiing, go skiing no matter what". Trust me, I love skiing as much as the next guy but you gotta put other aspects of your life into perspective. As great as skiing is, it's not necessarily worth majorly compromising other activities that are also important to you.
Feb 21 2014 11:40AM
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TotalNan
Posts: 147 - Karma: 339
Thanks man I really appreciate the response. I'm really starting to feel the same way. This basically summarizes exactly how I feel. I have responsibilities here. Hopefully they let me barter this trip to somebody else for something else sick. I'll get out there eventually....
Feb 21 2014 12:43PM
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steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,026
basically everything i wanted to say
Feb 21 2014 1:00PM
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APunx176
Posts: 1189 - Karma: 2,628
Your home mountain has a 450 ft. vert. Keystone has a 3,128 ft. vert. Trust me, you'll have fun
Feb 21 2014 1:01PM
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skiingonskis
Posts: 2076 - Karma: 262
Out of all of the places that you could go to in CO, Key might be the least desirable for pow skiing.  Honestly sounds like a waste of time for 2 days of skiing, especially when conditions are in the question.  Yes, CO has gotten good snow this year, but its not like you are guaranteed blower pow just because its cat skiing..  "out west" is relative, like a lot of east coast kids are expecting deep pow when they come out.  Sure the mountains are bigger, but thats a lot of money for such a gamble.  I say stay and take care of your rowing, save the money and take a road trip out to CO/UT or something when you have the time and make the most of your money rather than wasting it on 2 questionable days at keystone
Feb 21 2014 1:11PM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 3,909
I still just want to know what this cat skiing deal is at Keystone..hahaha

No lift to ski flat stuff today. We are gona take a cat to that there inbouds flat terrain.
Feb 21 2014 1:16PM
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JahLiam
Posts: 2321 - Karma: 7,828
If you can't go, I'll pay you if you let me go for you
Feb 21 2014 1:32PM
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-RB-
Posts: 1225 - Karma: 941
This. The -RB- foundation is now taking donations and your cat skiing trip would be a great contribution
Feb 21 2014 1:57PM
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00000000
Posts: 11075 - Karma: 82,508
You're spending $600 a day (for two days) to review skis...

I'm pretty sure a lot of ski / board tests actually pay their testers.
Feb 21 2014 2:05PM
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Mr.LemonPie
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 1,625
There is loads of Cat skiing at Keystone, there are cheap rides you can get on for five bucks and more expensive tours that take the whole day.

I don't think that many people do the independence cat skiing so you'd probably get some decent tracks if you did come out. That being said it seems like you have more important stuff going on.
Feb 21 2014 7:39PM
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Phantom
Posts: 908 - Karma: 180
just see if you can change the dates of the trip, the guys at freeskier might understand
Feb 21 2014 7:47PM
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quixotic
Posts: 6937 - Karma: 2,978
quoting for emphasis.


Feb 21 2014 7:51PM
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Easy-E
Posts: 751 - Karma: 1,686
this sounds like the best option to me...
Feb 22 2014 11:21AM
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*JDBP*
Posts: 312 - Karma: 2,006
Follow your heart, thats what I do.

Click for larger image
Feb 22 2014 12:02PM
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APunx176
Posts: 1189 - Karma: 2,628
Quite honestly though, I'd rather go park skiing at keystone. A51 is the shit!
Feb 22 2014 12:04PM
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.Duncan.
Posts: 1375 - Karma: 459
Keystones having a great season and independence bowl could be really fun with some new snow but I don't think its worth it. $600 for flights to only ski two days seems ridiculous and you would be bailing on your rowing team.
Feb 22 2014 12:19PM
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DERS.
Posts: 6299 - Karma: 1,293
not worth it. first off, summit county is flatter than nicole richie. plus keystone is in a pretty shitty location for getting snow due to the high concentration of tall peaks that surround it (orographic lift dumps snow on the mtns to the west leaving little moisture left over for keystone, so in a storm that might dump a feet elsewhere key usually will only get 6 inches). and cat skiing at keystone is hardly cat skiing, its more like a cat drives lazy people up the hike to terrain.

ps it sounds like a pretty shitty contest if they dont provided airfare or at a minimum transportation from the airport, all so that you can do them a favor and test some skis out/write reviews. but its not like theyll really value your honest opinion bc freeskiers gear reviews are a joke.
Feb 22 2014 1:21PM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
dude cat skiing at key isn't really even all that exciting. you can catch a cat ride for $5 or you can hike it. i mean, yeah, it's still pretty cool, but it's definitely not $600/day + fuck up your rowing season cool....

really the only way that i could see this being extremely fucking epic would be if they got like 2 feet of fresh the night before. otherwise it'll probably be all iced over chopped to shit crud. those bowls see a lot of action and get a ton of sun.
Feb 22 2014 1:25PM
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AceleTerrie
Posts: 257 - Karma: 36
yes they have cat skiing you idiots
Feb 22 2014 9:28PM
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MontanaMuggin
Posts: 444 - Karma: 1,642
1200 bucks for 2 people round trip to fly from check Pennsylvania to Colorado? Are you flying firstt class? I'm sure you could find something cheaper, look on kayak. Or look into aligent airlines
Feb 22 2014 9:46PM
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humpty
Posts: 1190 - Karma: 3,162
would you rather show your kids a picture of you rowing, or a picture of you in freeskier magazine? (possibly, it would make sense if they put a pic of you in) but go with your instincts man...
Feb 22 2014 9:53PM
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life_is_hood
Posts: 502 - Karma: 1,972
You won a cat skiing trip. To Keystone? I am so, so sorry.
Feb 22 2014 10:31PM
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Maruchan
Posts: 206 - Karma: 1,582
Keystone is my home mountain and the only thing you would be missing out on is testing next years gear. The cat skiing you can do there any day for $5 per run.
Feb 22 2014 10:32PM
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skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
Skiing with a bunch of industry people "testing" skis has to be up on my list as one of the worst ways to possible spend my time skiing. It isn't what it's cracked up to be.

In the end, when you average out the costs you're looking at, you're basically paying cat skiing prices for the privilege of skiing with industry people, while potentially fucking up your collegiate career. Sounds shitty. You can plan a far better trip down the road.
Feb 22 2014 10:34PM
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TotalNan
Posts: 147 - Karma: 339
Yeah guys I turned it down. I have responsibilities with my team and can't let them down. The freeskier guy was pretty cool and said he would send me some cool stuff to make up for it. Oh well somebody else will get to go. I'm trying to plan a trip to Alta and I'm sure that will be a lot better anyways. Thanks for all the help everyone
Feb 22 2014 10:39PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,455
Catskiing at Keystone is like $5 per ride and Free most of the year. What exactly did you win? Keystone probably has the lamest Catskiing in the country.
Feb 23 2014 3:13AM
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