tufty Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Highest skiable peak that is lift accessed in the state of Colorado. If you do it right 2, maybe 3 runs will consume your whole day. Hmm. Apart from being pretty damned high, and having a shedload of backcountry stuff, I don't see what's so special. Unless I'm missing something, it runs from 10,780ft to 12,472, which gives a total vertical of only 1,692 feet, or 515m. Even the small stuff round here has getting on for 1000m vertical, and bigger resorts, eg Tignes/Val d'Isere/3 Vallées etc, have getting on for 2,000m (Tignes has 1,906m / 6,250ft from top to bottom). Damned good carving territory, too, if a little crowded in the holidays. So, what am I missing? Me, I like Le Grand Bornand in January. Simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWriverstone Posted December 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 My dream resort (maybe Buttermilk?)... Lots of incredibly wide groomers that are empty...and just steep enough to get some speed and lay down nice trenches...but NOT so steep that you've got to work hard to keep your speed in check (or go 80mph). We're not into adrenaline. If you're a motorcyclist, think sweepers instead of tight twisties! :) But if it's so flat that you have to straightline it just to get enough speed to carve, that's not good! Sound like Snowmass and/or Buttermilk? Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadBrad Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Here is Forbes' take on the world's best ski resorts, for whatever it's worth. http://www.forbes.com/2003/10/29/cx_cv_1030featslide2.html?thisSpeed=20000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crucible Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Forbes' take on the "best" resorts looks like it came straight out of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous".... All of the resorts in their list are too crowded, although the terrain and lodgings are top notch - I'm been to 75% of them and I still think the ones recommeded here are better. YMMV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjl Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Lots of incredibly wide groomers that are empty...and just steep enough to get some speed and lay down nice trenches...but NOT so steep that you've got to work hard to keep your speed in check (or go 80mph). Sounds like Buttermilk for sure. The Tiehack chair there has everything you want. The Buckskin and Ptarmigan runs are perfect easy blue, ultrawide, zero-crowd groomers (there is no worry about trying to keep your speed up), while parts of Javelin and Racer's Edge are respectably steep to challenge yourself on, and also have zero crowds. It's still my relaxy happy place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Ray you keep talking about coming to an ECES, I know what is holding you back...you can't carve on ice right:eplus2: I don’t even know what ice is and feels like these days Last time I was on ice was when I learned snowboarding in Europe :rolleyes: … so you might be right. But, I am not afraid of making a foul of myself so some day I will hopefully make it to the ECES… but as long as I can (especially afford it) I will go and spend most of my days in Aspen and enjoy the “perfect” conditions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xy9ine Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Schweitzer resort in Sandpoint ID. is schweitzer a decent mountain? i've been to the bikepark (we hang out at the inlaws place on the lake every summer), but never ventured out in the cold season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Dold Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Buttermilk is my favorite due to the easy parking, short walk from the car to the lifts, and not a lot of people. It seemed like everywhere else I went in Aspen, a lot of time was spent parking, walking, or riding gondolas trying to get somewhere (especially Snowmass). Everything about Buttermilk was easy and quick (except the Tiehack lift). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pokkis Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 SantaFe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullwings Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Zinal. After seeing all the videos on the extremecarving site, i want a place with pristine groom, super wide and long runs, and no trees. Edit: Didn't read the whole first post about area... thought you meant "Anywhere"... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastskiguy Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 I'm thinking one of the moons of Jupiter or Saturn (might be ungroomed) but I can also recommend the 300 foot vert slope of Alpine Valley or 400 foot vert of Cascade Mountin (both in Wisconsin) on a WEEK DAY....serviced by it's their own high speed quads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeGogoussier Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Le Massif, anytime: http://www.lemassif.com/en/images_of_le_massif/wallpapers.php Absolute paradise. But in my dreams, yes, some day, the Barthélémy at Zinal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recon Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Again I vote for buttermilk--Although there are many places I have never been--Tahoe is on the list -I like the steeps sometimes but The milk gives me all I need/ after all I'm still working on my technique/ most likely will be for a long time LOL If I feel the need for blinding SPEED I can just switch to a very long board--Problem solved. If I try hard I can get over my head at buttermilk-- at the end of the day- I'm exhausted. A little something I posted before "Buttermilk!" As I Look back to 2002 & my first exposure to Aspen/ I remember saying to myself Buttermilk what a goofy name for a ski resort! Little did I know how addictive & fond of that little place I would become. Another trip to Aspen SES in 2006 & again in 2007 closed the deal! "Its now a permanent fixture etched into my mind! Its July/ I find myself fantasying carving up the sweet awesome groom of Buttermilk’s gentle slopes. The groomers of the Aspen valley need to give less-ions to many other resorts The commodity of fellow carvers is outstanding! A special group for sure. Although I ride a all-mountain board also/My heart belongs to Carving! If only the masses knew what they were missing? But then again/ if the masses carved/ would it take away from our felling unique? I'm so confused now/ I had it all figured out/ when I died I wanted to be cremated & my ashes sprinkled in a women’s mud wrestling pit! Now I wonder about that location ????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastskiguy Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Again I vote for buttermilk Buttermilk is where I first saw alpine riders....and it started a life changing switch from ski carving to snowboard carving for me...it's magic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrenchDigger Posted December 13, 2008 Report Share Posted December 13, 2008 If I could go anywhere it would be Whistler. Huge mountain with endless variety. That was the best riding I have ever had. If you want to go to Colorado I will put in my vote for Crested Butte. It is out of the way and as long as you go off peak season, no crowds. This is where I learned to ride, the long wide open bowls make carving a dream. There are steeps or mellow rolling runs, the whole mountain is perfect for carving except for the North Face which is perfect for your other board! Carving is very popular there and you wouldn't be the only one either... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photodad2001 Posted December 13, 2008 Report Share Posted December 13, 2008 ?!!...or are you talking about hiking for pow? Ah, West Wall. That was the first steep slope I carved successfully. Thank you, Kodak Courage. Yep. I took a couple friends ffrom Ohio for a hike once we had gone as far as we could by lift. When the saw the explosives shack they started getting worried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photodad2001 Posted December 13, 2008 Report Share Posted December 13, 2008 Hmm. Apart from being pretty damned high, and having a shedload of backcountry stuff, I don't see what's so special. Unless I'm missing something, it runs from 10,780ft to 12,472, which gives a total vertical of only 1,692 feet, or 515m. Even the small stuff round here has getting on for 1000m vertical, and bigger resorts, eg Tignes/Val d'Isere/3 Vallées etc, have getting on for 2,000m (Tignes has 1,906m / 6,250ft from top to bottom). Damned good carving territory, too, if a little crowded in the holidays.So, what am I missing? Me, I like Le Grand Bornand in January. Simon All the terrain above the tree line was what impressed me, but I'm from Ohio so it doesn't take much! I also liked the fact the resort wasn't trying to be tourist resort. Much different than where we were staying. (Keystone) We could look down at Keystone from the summit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b0ardski Posted December 13, 2008 Report Share Posted December 13, 2008 is schweitzer a decent mountain? i've been to the bikepark (we hang out at the inlaws place on the lake every summer), but never ventured out in the cold season. It's one of those "should have been here yesterday I mean last year" kinda things Parked 20ft away from the white ribbon of deth this afternoon, http://www.schweitzer.com/mountain/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban Carving Gooding Posted December 13, 2008 Report Share Posted December 13, 2008 BIG MOUNTAIN/WHITE FISH MOUNTAIN RESORT. No crowds I mean nobody the week I go. There is A small group going most on hard boots.We meet some cool locals on mixed sticks. The groom is the best. The worst part is getting there[$]. January 23-31 2009. I also go to South Lake Tahoe in February lots of people at Heavenly. Any big name resort has big numbers. I know my way around and have fun at Heavenly but I cant give up the Big Mountain trip great place not many people good lift ticket price and A beer price that wont kill your budget. You will be able to ride 80% of the mountain. Come join us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor VonRippington Posted December 14, 2008 Report Share Posted December 14, 2008 I can only speak for Colorado in terms of "been there done that" ... only ridden three days in Utah so my vote can't count there Aspen is the best carving in the state. If there was only one of the four mountains available (any one of the four), then things might be different. But because they have four very different mountains pretty much packed tight together, good conditions, and excellent grooming... you can always find great carving there for any ability level. High quality carving... but they beat everyone by sheer volume. My second choice is Beaver Creek. I'm surprised no one has mentioned BC on this thread. Excellent terrain for all levels of carving ability, no crowds, good snow, perfect grooming. I love Abasin... not a huge variety but great terrain, great snow, they know how to groom, and you get to skip the riffraff of the other Summit County big top circus resorts. If you haven't been there since they opened the back bowl, check out Northern Spy... arguably one of the best carving runs in the state. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike T Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 If you're looking for early March, c'mon out to OES! The snow and grooming aren't Colorado quality for sure, but there's something very cool about the grass roots atmosphere at OES. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shrederjen Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Chile in August!!!! Our only real criteria are: a) no crowds (I'll go postal if there are lift lines) b) lots of W-I-D-E, not-too-steep slopes for carving! This works within your criteria....... Jen.... Ask me about Chile... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulk Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Chile in August!!!! Jen.... Ask me about Chile... Love Chile! www.vallenevado.com And on the $$ side, not expensive. Lodging included meals and tickets. Airfare....well that was a little more than going to Montana but I had to pay for tickets and food there. It was well worth the trip to south america... Now for winter around here...go west. Big mtn(Whitefish resort), Aspen, Vail- Beaver Creek, all good mid week. If you do find yourself staying on the east coast, Stratton has some great grooming, and fancy digs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisk Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Scott, I rode with you and Holly a few years ago at Okemo. Just a quick note to invite you to OES. I'm flying out of Phila, Pa. Drop me a note when you have a minute ckostaras (at) cartech.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Gilmour Posted December 16, 2008 Report Share Posted December 16, 2008 Sun Valley Clean unimpeded lines of sight. ramp it up- go as fast as you can until you can't see from the world blurring. No Crowds Automated snow making- perhaps the most advanced. MOST IMPORTANTLY...seamless grooming done with multiple overlapping groomers at the same time on the same pass. I'd ride a 220cm there. But the terrain is steep. Aspen almost never gets really cold (no wind either) - so if you want to go somewhere end of January to Early Feb.. Aspen is your only choice unless you want to freeze and get blown off the mountain like on the front range. We also have 300 days of sunshine so visibility is better than many resorts. Of course if you want some help carving..I'm here all the time. and I Have a room available for rent in March- which I rent out as part of a carving package. ________ MFLB REVIEW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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