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In Salt Lake, you can usually get discounted tickets in town -- grocery stores usually had discounts when I was there. Check the local papers when you arrive. Free? Hmm, I wish you luck.
I lived at Alta for two seasons. If when you're in Utah, you get a good dump, go to Solitude/Brighton unless it's a really concentrated lake-effect storm that mainly hits Little Cottonwood (Alta/Snowbird); obviously, go there then! On big days, Alta & the 'bird get skied out fast. At the 'bird, the tram line is stupid long on powder days; don't waste your money. BTW, Snowbird is as corporate as they come -- don't expect to get in free. Alta lifties used to get a money reward for finding scammed tickets so they had incentive to scrutinize them. Except, duh, I just noticed you said you'll be *riding* - so nix Alta :-).
As for Washington, I'm not sure about discounts for any of the areas. Try the ski shops for discounts?? See skiwashington.com -- they may have something for you. The top board shop in Seattle is Snowboard Connection -- google them and call; they oughta know something.
As for choosing where to ski in WA, really depends on the weather, so if you're looking for the goods, see how the storm is tracking, as Baker can get pounded while no one else gets anything. Same with the other resorts, but to a lesser extent (for example, Crystal might get a good dump while all others get dust).
Also, Stevens and Alpental (aka Elfinsmall at the Scummit at Rainqualmie) get localized dumps from what's called a "convergence zone" due to the Olympic Peninsula to the west; similar to the UT lake effect. Don't rule out Mission Ridge; it's more of a drive but they get colder snow and, when the weather's right, get good dumps when Alp./Stevens/etc. are less fortunate.
Alpental is lame if the upper chair is closed (limited terrain). If you're going up there at night and it's been dumping all day, skip Alpental and go to Central. The upper chair at Alpental is closed at night so, again, the terrain is limited; meanwhile, at Central, there's more terrain and there are a lot of nice shots that are closed but totally skiable (they get enough light). There are also fewer people because all the folks who like to be hard core together go to Alpental. If you don't care about that, go to Central, get more turns, and wait in line less. :-) Many, many Seattleites have had amazingly good powder days at, um, night. :-)
If I were a boarder, and had to choose just one place, I'd go to Baker. Baker's also the highest/coldest so in case it's warm your chances for snow are best there. If I were in Seattle and wanted to go somewhere just for a day, I'd compare Stevens and Crystal conditions, then go to the better one.
But, um, you know it rains in the mountains in winter in the PNW, right? :-)
Might also try Red Mountain up in BC. Nice place...
posted by 24.19.252...
, Thu, 2 Dec 2004 10:48:25
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