Member of the Month

hi_vis360
November, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Best mountain to ski pow

profile picture
joesdapoes
Posts: 171 - Karma: 1,898
I live in europe, and i was thinking of a powder skiing trip to the US. What is the best resort to ski powder?
Sep 13 2014 6:18AM
190 31
profile picture
vandersteeze
Posts: 2650 - Karma: 1,511
Somewhere in ohio definetly. dat lake effect
Sep 13 2014 10:46AM
24 2
profile picture
snomaster
Posts: 3346 - Karma: 5,771
Alta
Sep 13 2014 10:53AM
9 2
profile picture
redking
Posts: 148 - Karma: 437
Stay in Europe and go to Chamonix or something
Sep 13 2014 10:59AM
9 1
profile picture
OHIO
Posts: 414 - Karma: 706
vandersteezeSomewhere in ohio definetly. dat lake effect


ha. no.
Sep 13 2014 11:37AM
13 1
profile picture
TACO-DOG.exe
Posts: 11989 - Karma: 12,264
powder king duh
Sep 13 2014 11:42AM
2 0
profile picture
LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
redkingStay in Europe and go to Chamonix or something


Courmayeur. More fun than Chamonix when it's really deep, less crowds, much more accessible for holiday skiers, good cheap food. I want to move there sometime in the next 5 years, whenever some friends are ready to join me.

5th January - 6th February or 9th March - 10th April for no crowds next winter. January is your safest bet for snow but you never know.
Sep 13 2014 12:07PM
0 0
profile picture
PKchu
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 5,943
Don't go to the US. Go to BC
Sep 13 2014 12:20PM
23 0
profile picture
TurquoiseGrizzly
Posts: 1819 - Karma: 13,149
snomasterAlta


ALTA

PKchuDon't go to the US. Go to BC


or this..
Sep 13 2014 12:21PM
11 0
profile picture
LastChairMedia
Posts: 860 - Karma: 1,855
Alta or just go to BC
Sep 13 2014 12:36PM
10 0
profile picture
PDoyle
Posts: 337 - Karma: 2,228
You could probably do a season anywhere in the alps with the price you'd pay going on vacation to ski in the US.
Sep 13 2014 1:00PM
1 0
profile picture
.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,186
Only places I've skied pow at (like a pow day not just pow) is my home mountain pebble creek, jackson hole, and alta. I probably liked pebble creek the most just cuz I know my way around the mountain and where to go for some deep untouched stuff. Jackson hole was my second fave just cuz it was sooooo deep. Alta was fun, would have been more enjoyable if I knew the mountain a tad better
Sep 13 2014 1:34PM
2 0
profile picture
5280
Posts: 70 - Karma: 315
Alta, Vail Or head up to alaska
Sep 13 2014 3:23PM
1 2
profile picture
jadavis
Posts: 142 - Karma: 136
It only rains in Washington and doesn't snow much so certainly don't head there. BC is kind of the same too.
Sep 13 2014 3:48PM
3 13
profile picture
brend
Posts: 779 - Karma: 3,608
Revelstoke (BC), ALTA,
Sep 13 2014 3:51PM
18 0
profile picture
SteezyStokes
Posts: 154 - Karma: 246
I might be wrong but I've heard mt baker gets dumped on
Sep 13 2014 4:41PM
6 2
profile picture
Brocka_Flocka
Posts: 1215 - Karma: 8,742
5280Alta, Vail Or head up to alaska


Seriously Bro, Vail?
Sep 13 2014 4:56PM
6 1
profile picture
SwedishSteezeJDH
Posts: 60 - Karma: 314
Telluride has some gnarly terrain. Not always a pow day, but arguably the best colouirs NA
Sep 13 2014 5:14PM
0 0
profile picture
Bum.Life
Posts: 507 - Karma: 2,608
Powder Mountain. The name says it all
Sep 13 2014 5:51PM
2 1
profile picture
joesdapoes
Posts: 171 - Karma: 1,898
I saw a vid on Silverton, how is that place?
Sep 13 2014 6:10PM
1 0
profile picture
PKchu
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 5,943
Brocka_FlockaSeriously Bro, Vail?


Vail is so flat, don't go there. Not to mention the crowds...

joesdapoesI saw a vid on Silverton, how is that place?


Silverton is insane, if you get there on a powder day you'll have one of the best days of your life, no doubt.
Sep 13 2014 6:35PM
5 0
profile picture
steezy_doge
Posts: 781 - Karma: 1,718
PKchuDon't go to the US. Go to BC


this
Sep 13 2014 9:25PM
2 0
profile picture
Skibumsmith
Posts: 5432 - Karma: 11,823
ALTA if you're into powder panic. But if you want to ski powder after 10:30 you better go to BC.
Sep 13 2014 9:27PM
5 0
profile picture
kim_jong_ill
Posts: 1019 - Karma: 3,147
Just go to alaska
Sep 13 2014 9:39PM
0 0
profile picture
S.J.W
Posts: 7609 - Karma: 31,186
Japan for sure.
Sep 13 2014 9:42PM
0 0
profile picture
toastyteenagers
Posts: 1834 - Karma: 6,793
Snowbird If your in to laps,
alta if your into more slack country feel
Sep 13 2014 9:42PM
0 0
profile picture
swiggy
Posts: 104 - Karma: 310
Go to B.C., fly to kelowna, rent a car, drive to revelstoke
Sep 13 2014 11:21PM
10 0
profile picture
steezy_doge
Posts: 781 - Karma: 1,718
aceofbladeZRevelstoke (BC), ALTA,


revelstoke
i aprove
Sep 13 2014 11:38PM
2 0
profile picture
steezy_doge
Posts: 781 - Karma: 1,718
18kSkierGo to B.C., fly to kelowna, rent a car, drive to revelstoke


once again i approve go to revelstoke
Sep 13 2014 11:41PM
1 0
profile picture
brett_fisher
Posts: 2418 - Karma: 10,501
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10649695_712385128810534_6698083668800628718_n.jpg?oh=8bb28315b875540a427c210bf46b89dd&oe=548E2A1B&__gda__=1418280099_37a2f8667606098bf059f6305e64f918
Sep 13 2014 11:56PM
0 0
profile picture
JGWI
Posts: 2842 - Karma: 7,812
If you are looking for good snow then inland resorts would be for you.

(US)
Jackson Hole
Alta
Telluride
BigSky
The tourist traps in Summit County

(Canada)
Rev
Kicking Horse
Lake Louise


If your looking for a lot of snow then the Pacific Northwest is for you, keep in mind it has a higher moisture content.

(US)
Crystal
Hood
Stevens Pass
Baker (World snow record)

The US is really slacking when it comes to Pacific resorts, but most of them such as Baker are out in the absolute middle of nowhere making it hard to expand. Plus the weather is always a gamble, one minute it is snowing and the next it is raining.

(Canada)
Whistler
Most consider it the Holy Grail of North American skiing, Personally I think it's a overcrowded, over priced cluster fu#k (But there is a lot of good skiing)

If I was to recommend 3 places for you I would say Jackson Hole (It's just that good), Telluride (I personally like it), or Whistler (Big).
Sep 14 2014 12:15AM
4 1
profile picture
skier58284
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 5,366
Assuming you want good terrain to go with that pow, Snowbird/Alta is your best bet for sure, Jackson is probably second. Maybe Bridger/Big Sky? Not sure, haven't been there.

Unless you like wet heavy pow, then Mount Baker ski area. They have the record (North America? world? idk) for the most snowfall in a year, 95 feet. They get so much snow there. Sometimes they get rain in the middle of winter though, so not a good idea if you have to choose the dates a long time in advance. If you can choose a week before, consider it.
Sep 14 2014 12:15AM
0 1
profile picture
skier58284
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 5,366
Also, if you go to Utah, definitely go to Alta/Snowbird on the pow days. A few days after a pow day, consider Solitude. Much less crowded meaning it will hold the good snow for a few days unlike Alta/Snowbird which get skied out right away. Avoid Park City and the other Utah ski areas, they get way less snow than the Cottonwood Canyons areas (Snowbird, Alta, Solitude, Brighton). Nothing against the other places, but if you're coming for the pow, go to the places that get the most pow. And of course Snowbird has almost unrivaled terrain.
Sep 14 2014 12:18AM
0 1
profile picture
jadavis
Posts: 142 - Karma: 136
I didn't realize everyone had such a rager for Alta
Sep 14 2014 1:29AM
0 0
profile picture
rballs_
Posts: 709 - Karma: 2,991
Revelstoke /thread
Sep 14 2014 2:42AM
0 0
profile picture
JibbaTheHutt
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 1,597
instead of going west to north america, why not go east to japan and ski what is meant to be the best snow in the world. I'm sure the final cost for a 2-3 week trip would be similar, depending where you fly from/to.
Sep 14 2014 5:12AM
0 0
profile picture
Pegel18
Posts: 76 - Karma: 83
if youre sticking to the US, Silverton,(hiketoterrain) Jackson Hole, Beaver Creek(checkconditions) or go to BC.
Sep 14 2014 6:10AM
0 0
profile picture
iH8pow
Posts: 1825 - Karma: 7,826
I'd say Jackson Hole. Maybe I just don't know the mountain enough and always went on spring break to Jackson, but I'd take Jackson over Alta pretty much any day.
That being said, can't go wrong with Alta/Snowbird or Utah snow. Don't go to Colorado unless it's like maybe Telluride. Vail is horribly crowded and the terrain is good---for Summit County...
Sep 14 2014 8:40AM
0 0
profile picture
SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
the best mountain to ski pow
is the one your'e standing atop that's been coated by mother natures blessing
of over the head faceshoting cold smoke blower
every resort has it's good points and bad.
some average more snow
some receive more traffic than others
some require more effort to access the better terrain.
some ski better days after the storm.
obviously mt searchbar is way beyond your skills
so don't go there noobz
Sep 14 2014 9:36AM
1 2
profile picture
kvan
Posts: 3085 - Karma: 1,225
Ones that don't have lifts
Sep 14 2014 11:38AM
2 0
profile picture
W.Fadeeff
Posts: 25 - Karma: 84
BC definitely. But there are more options than have been mentioned in this thread so far. The coast is sick, but Whistler is overcrowded, it's not exactly a vacation from Europe. There are other small resorts on the coast that are get tons of snow( Mt. Washington, Hemlock), but they all suffer from low altitude/thick snow quite often. if you want to ski the best powder in BC, avoid the Okanagan resorts(Big White, Silver Star, Sun Peaks etc.) the Okanagan is considered a desert region for a reason. The Kootenays are your best shot at what is the best skiing in NA (In many peoples opinion). Places like Fernie, Revy, Kicking Horse, Whitewater, and Red are simply amazing by anyones standards. Avoid Banff, Its a tourist trap just like Whistler, but without the snow. Not to say the terrain isn't sick, it really is, but no one can deny its lack of snow. There is only one place in Alberta you can really experience high amounts of light, dry snowfall, and that is Castle Mountain, due to its proximity to Fernie(same weather system, but more altitude) but it is not the easiest place to get to.
Sep 14 2014 12:30PM
0 0
profile picture
APruett
Posts: 15 - Karma: 52
Silverton. I go there every year and has never disappointed.
Sep 14 2014 12:35PM
1 0
profile picture
Montana_Hoodrat
Posts: 1953 - Karma: 1,481
ec_jibberOnes that don't have lifts


Seriously. resorts turn mountains from a powdery wonderland into a blown out chunderfield of death.

#Touring #FreeTheHeelAndSkiForReal

but really if all you want to do is ski lift-accessed pow, go to Bridger bowl in Montana. They get an unreal amount of super dry snow, and all the lifts are slow as fuck so it doesn't get skied out too fast. Don't go on the weekends though, or you have to compete for that pow with hundreds of hardcore 50 year olds and gaper college students.

I got a big sky pass this year. They don't get as much snow, but its still bone dry and they have some really sick terrain. Plus there's NEVER fucking lift lines. Also they put up some park features so it's still fun when the snow stops falling.
Sep 14 2014 12:54PM
0 0
profile picture
speedin
Posts: 731 - Karma: 131
PKchuVail is so flat, don't go there. Not to mention the crowds...



Silverton is insane, if you get there on a powder day you'll have one of the best days of your life, no doubt.


While I agree vail is not a very challenging mountain, it still is a great place to ski.
I have had quite a few great pow days at vail. Plus it's soo huge i usually don't wait in line Very long

Silverton is most def insane
Sep 14 2014 1:11PM
0 0
profile picture
jahpond
Posts: 78 - Karma: 98
JAckson Hole mountain resort got over 600 last year ya dingus come here
Sep 14 2014 1:45PM
0 0
profile picture
*YungBuckwheat*
Posts: 474 - Karma: 893
Shawny Peak, such sweet elevation, and the pow is unbelievable, fuck the west, Maine is where all the pow is thats why they call it the ice coast, ice=cold cold=snow snow=powder therefore Maine is powder city.
Sep 14 2014 2:20PM
0 0
profile picture
___ASP___
Posts: 3861 - Karma: 490
Just head to BC, you can do a road trip and check out Kicking Horse, Revelstoke, Fernie, Red, Whitewater and then get a few days of Cat Skiing in.
Sep 14 2014 2:43PM
0 0
profile picture
Montana_Hoodrat
Posts: 1953 - Karma: 1,481
get a few days of Cat Skiing in.


Sep 14 2014 9:21PM
0 0
profile picture
jadavis
Posts: 142 - Karma: 136
jadavisIt only rains in Washington and doesn't snow much so certainly don't head there. BC is kind of the same too.


Wow I didn't realize everyone would get so butt hurt over a joke...
This must be a serious place
Sep 15 2014 12:50AM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)