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Spending the Winter in VT vs UT/CO

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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,670
So im looking for a little guidance here.

Basically, im old enough now to jump out of nest and test my wings. Right now im in the south western part of NY skiing on tiny hills, sure its fun and i got friends here but obviously im looking to ski some better terrain.

Basically I want to bum it this year and just ski pretty much as much as i can. I went to Killy this year for rails to riches and it was amazing, VT gave a vibe off that was epic..just seems like itd be a cool place to kick it for the winter.

BUT, I'm an east coaster and like the most of you, i assume, theres a part of you that wants to go out west. Utah looks fucking amazing, even with the lack of snow the friends ive made thru NS that live out there had a ball. SLC also has affordable housing thats really close to skiing and thats really appealing to me.

CO also has it perks, dope terrain/parks plus they got shit on this winter but I-70 and living in boulder/denver and driving 2 hours for skiing seems like a nightmare. And it doesnt seem like theres affordable options within a half hour to the resorts. (I could be totally wrong about this so please enlighten me if this isnt the case)

IDK im pretty torn on this. I have a group of friends that are ready to make the move to either place but id just like some input from you guys!

Ik winter is awhile away but planning early never hurts.

So NS, where should i go?
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Jul 3 2015 3:36AM
117 6
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WVskiing
Posts: 3007 - Karma: 1,949
VT would be the easiest for you because it is in your backyard. Less money, more connections, etc
Jul 3 2015 6:21AM
7 0
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SKIU4EA
Posts: 2387 - Karma: 2,072
Plant yourself down right next to Mount Snow. Parks are fresh and prime.

If terrain is more your thing settle down in northern VT. You have Jay, Mad River, Bush, Killy.
Jul 3 2015 7:20AM
6 0
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jsnow
Posts: 864 - Karma: 6,927
Burlington vt with in 45mins of 5 resorts.
Jul 3 2015 8:31AM
1 0
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steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,027
skiforce1Burlington vt with in 45mins of 5 resorts.


Eh I'm not so sure about that, I think you're looking at a little more time than that, but I may be wrong.



Chubz - I went to college in Western New York (skied Holiday Valley out there) but I'm originally from the Albany area.

I've done quite a bit of skiing in Vermont, and I've also skied a tiny bit in Utah.

Vermont is really dope, there are a lot of great places to ski. Killington, Stowe, Sugarbush, Mad River, etc. etc. The list goes on and on, but then you've got other places in the general area that aren't in Vermont, such as Gore and Whiteface.

Burlington is really cool, you've got Lake Champlain right there, restaurants, concerts, etc. Housing might be kind of expensive but I'm really not that familiar with the housing market around Burlington.

If you're looking to stay kind of close to home, Vermont sounds like a great idea. I think you will have a lot of fun doing more shredding there.

If you're looking for a major change of pace, Utah sounds good too. Phenomenal skiing out there and I'm sure there's a lot to do.

I visited Denver earlier this summer, I didn't see much of it, but it seems like a fun place to live as well.
Jul 3 2015 9:00AM
1 0
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steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,027
^To add to that, I did visit Utah a couple years ago, skied Brighton, Alta, and PC. Really awesome but I don't know a lot about living in SLC/Utah.
Jul 3 2015 9:02AM
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ndye
Posts: 3756 - Karma: 7,094
You will NEVER regret sending it west for at least one season, its an awesome experience. You are way more likely to regret not going than going. Life is about experiences, and heading west is one hell of an experience.
Jul 3 2015 9:11AM
13 0
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4879 - Karma: -788
Id probably do Utah. Hit up ski friends and set up your work/living situation so you can ski alot. SLC is a major city with shit to do reliable snow even a bad year skis pretty well.
Jul 3 2015 11:02AM
6 0
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bagofbeans
Posts: 16 - Karma: 57
I ski in northern VT (stowe mostly) and its great especially when we have snow like we did this year. My uncle lives in park city so my family goes out and skis alta, park city and snowbird almost every year. For convenience vermont would be a great choice as its close to home and really does have great skiing but if your looking for crazy terrain and next level parks I would go out west.
Jul 3 2015 12:18PM
3 0
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WIllW
Posts: 4578 - Karma: 2,512
Go west
Jul 3 2015 12:31PM
18 0
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-Dan
Posts: 7162 - Karma: 52,758
http://www.powder.com/stories/go-west/#TLaIYdgAt6HGdcYL.97

I read that article many times before I moved to California. Its a big motivator.
Jul 3 2015 2:24PM
0 0
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ZAHNER
Posts: 3480 - Karma: 19,227
Come be apart of summit county, some of the best people and vibes on the planet here. Not to mention some of of the best parks in the world, and deep snow whenever you want to go get it.
Jul 3 2015 7:38PM
14 2
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jynx81
Posts: 359 - Karma: 479
I will let you in in a locals secret, yet we all know it. Waterbury . Its in the middle of mgr/stowe MRG is 30 mins (bush +15) bolton is like 15 and Stowe is 45. The last peek is the ben and Jerry's factory! I call it the SLC of vt. Its fucking ill man its the only place I would stay in if I wanna be in VT
Jul 3 2015 9:04PM
3 0
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assface
Posts: 4319 - Karma: 2,031
just look on various websites and try to find a job at a ski area that will provide housing (out west). If youre lucky, theyll provide food too. then shred for a year
Jul 3 2015 9:33PM
0 0
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d00d
Posts: 2687 - Karma: 7,086
living in SLC is prime. Close af skiing, cheap af housing (compared CO) and well it's a city so tons of people. Can't wait to be there in the spring.

But then there's the legal in CO which would be nice.
Jul 3 2015 9:55PM
0 0
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juanborlando
Posts: 3598 - Karma: 2,539
as much as i love skiing in vermont, you cant beat the weather that utah has to offer. if it isnt snowing its usually 30-50 degrees (depending on the month) and sunny. you get spoiled. not to mention when it does snow the skiing is a extremely better than vermont. but living in a suburb/city isnt for everyone also.
Jul 3 2015 9:56PM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,670
mole.squadCome be apart of summit county, some of the best people and vibes on the planet here. Not to mention some of of the best parks in the world, and deep snow whenever you want to go get it.


Howd you guys mange to do it this season? Seemed like yall were on a grind of some sorts
Jul 4 2015 4:02AM
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Brule.
Posts: 3965 - Karma: 6,534
VT seems a lot better than the other choices imo. There's a lot of places to ski there, everything's really close by, and there's a lot of good vibes.
Jul 4 2015 10:32AM
0 1
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steezy.stew
Posts: 1137 - Karma: 568
Chubz.Howd you guys mange to do it this season? Seemed like yall were on a grind of some sorts

Shred all day, work evenings, turn up all night. There's really not much to it besides sackin' up and sendin' it out here bredda'
Jul 4 2015 10:53AM
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big.love
Posts: 283 - Karma: 1,036
How many people do you know that moved from CO/UT to VT for the skiing?? Now vice a versa.

I don't think you'll regret it.
Jul 4 2015 11:21AM
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cozzey
Posts: 1353 - Karma: 1,814
Summit County for sure. Find a nice little apartment/job in Dillon and youre only 30 minutes away from Keystone, A Basin, Breckenridge and tons of other places. The people here are the best as well
Jul 4 2015 11:23AM
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firecrotch
Posts: 1471 - Karma: 5,508
I've lived in Burlington my whole life so far and there is a ton of super rad terrain for people willing to look for it. The vibes/ski community is also incredible. That being said, I'm heading out to Utah for this upcoming season.
Jul 4 2015 1:41PM
2 0
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dangerdad
Posts: 2228 - Karma: 317
Get a job at one of the lodges up at Alta. I'm from VT,went to UVM, lived in Utah, and now call seattle home. If it's your first time doing the ski focused lifestyle, being in close proximity to awesome shedding is paramount. Alta is the spot to be. Consistent, awesome pow, the best natural terrain park on earth (except maybe la clauze), and a sick community of low key people who like to get down.

Moreover, GMD is probably the best place to work. Maybe being a lifty.
Jul 4 2015 6:46PM
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ZAHNER
Posts: 3480 - Karma: 19,227
Chubz.Howd you guys mange to do it this season? Seemed like yall were on a grind of some sorts


Stuffed a shit ton of people in a 2 br plus loft so rent was never more than $250 a month in the winter time. Then yeah work a job where you can easily ski everyday, (Hotel Front Desk, Food Service, etc.) Then your living the dream real quick.
Jul 4 2015 7:25PM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,670
Glad i made this thread although its making the decision even harder. People are making awesome points for each location. If i go VT i think i'll still want to go out west. UT looks like the best bet but still not sure
Jul 4 2015 7:55PM
1 0
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Lemuel
Posts: 14535 - Karma: 11,045
Went to UVM, worked at Okemo the past two winters and I've had enough. Moving to Summit County next winter. Plan is to shred Breck and it's going to be sick.
Jul 4 2015 10:21PM
2 1
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,670
LemuelWent to UVM, worked at Okemo the past two winters and I've had enough. Moving to Summit County next winter. Plan is to shred Breck and it's going to be sick.


Fuck yea dude

Really torn between co and utah now. The cottonwoods look like such a riot but the stories ive heard from the pow days in vail and the vibe in keystone looks hard to beat
Jul 5 2015 1:37PM
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RockNRollNghtClb
Posts: 2013 - Karma: 2,509
Ive grown up in pc and skied around the area my whole life and its pretty phenomenal, after doing a year of school last year in slc and living down there i do have to say that I'm really not a fan of salt lake city at all. In the winter months it gets very smoggy and depressing, if you live around the sugarhouse/foothill area its bearable for most. Park City is one of the greatest places on Earth though.

This is how i see it

if you move to slc you deal with the smoggy shittyness in return for some of the most diverse and accessible terrain you could ask for. It's truly unreal skiing the terrain at snowbird or Alta then being able to drive an hour and ski park city's park. You can find a place to rent for pretty cheap as well.

In Colorado you will live in a nicer place than slc for sure, but the commute to the mountains will be much longer. Breck/keys park is 100x better than park city's but the lift lines will be much longer. I believe the closest comparable mountain to bird or Alta is Wolf Creek which is a long ways a way from breck/key. (could be wrong on that)

If doing it as cheap as possible and getting as many days in skiing as possible, I think Utah is a much more realistic option than CO
Jul 5 2015 7:28PM
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dangerdad
Posts: 2228 - Karma: 317
Either live in PC or live up canyon if it's your first year.
Jul 5 2015 11:02PM
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d00d
Posts: 2687 - Karma: 7,086
also just curious do you plan on going to college anywhere besides NY? UT is probably one of the easiest states to gain residency and if you stay there for a year you basically get it. Then the cost of attending the U is almost 20 thousand less.
Jul 7 2015 12:06AM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,670
d00dalso just curious do you plan on going to college anywhere besides NY? UT is probably one of the easiest states to gain residency and if you stay there for a year you basically get it. Then the cost of attending the U is almost 20 thousand less.


I plan on going to a film school at some point, ive decided im taking this year off to ski and film and whatever else i feel like doing. Im probably gonna go to school in cali if i can get in to those school but thanks for the input. Wouldnt hurt to get in state and give it a go at the U
Jul 7 2015 12:24AM
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SkiThe603
Posts: 5376 - Karma: 498
Dude do Utah. It the only place to transplant to and really get surrounded by something that doesn't exist on the East Coast. SLC is dope, spent my winter there and came back east to finish school for the next year. After that its back west, so yeah I would go west
Jul 7 2015 12:44AM
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ohmyglob8
Posts: 416 - Karma: 1,408
as a guy who knows exactly where ur coming from, finished freshman year and then said peace to the east, i ended up moving to colorado and one thing ull definitely run into is missing home and friends but trust me, once ur out here its a world of change. every things beautiful out here, and theres a lot to do. I lived in boulder for a month and drove back and forth to ski at the mountains that were open late season, and the drive isn't 2 hours. hour 30 at most, less than that depending on how fast u drive and most people go 80 on I-70 anyways. but i moved out here to get instate for cu boulder, and already thinking about traveling to austrailia to ski next summer. so again theres nothing like the west, and ull miss out on some dope shit back home, but u got one life, live it the way you want to, not the way others would want to see u live it.
Jul 7 2015 1:13AM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,670
The referenced post has been removed.

I have gave it a bit of thought but the lack of snow there in the past few years really drove me away from it.

It looks amazing as a year round destination though..lake tahoe looks absolutely breathtaking
Jul 7 2015 2:13AM
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eheath
Posts: 61780 - Karma: 124,904
Chubz.I have gave it a bit of thought but the lack of snow there in the past few years really drove me away from it.

It looks amazing as a year round destination though..lake tahoe looks absolutely breathtaking


Next year could be the year though...
Jul 7 2015 3:43AM
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EvanMeyer
Posts: 3826 - Karma: 3,509
Salt lake is dope and super affordable to live in plus being 30 minutes away from 7 resorts always keeps things fresh I spent a season out there after high school and it was so sick met some of the best people there. As for Co tho if you could swing it money wise and can stand living in a packed loft/apartment for cheap id say do CO theres just so much more going on to immerse yourself in.
Jul 7 2015 3:53AM
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ZAHNER
Posts: 3480 - Karma: 19,227
RockNRollNghtClbIn Colorado you will live in a nicer place than slc for sure, but the commute to the mountains will be much longer. Breck/keys park is 100x better than park city's but the lift lines will be much longer. O



Actually Keystones lines are always pretty manageable with the A51 lift just servicing park weekends don't explode either. Breck's lines on the other hand... It is pretty easy to be 15 mins from key 25 from A-basin, and 25 from Breck.
Jul 8 2015 1:26AM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14535 - Karma: 11,045
Looks like CO isn't working out too well job wise for the crew. Got a couple Snowboard instructing homies that are striking out left and right. Don't know where we are looking next, but we may just end up somewhere out west and worry about the job thing once we get there.
Jul 8 2015 11:07AM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,670
I think we're gonna make the move to SLC.

Ive been looking at houses out there and the plan is move to sandy or somewhere around that area. Stoked for this to happen! Its gonna be dope
Jul 8 2015 5:58PM
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