Who’s skiing this season and where ya going?

[SJP]

I live in Park City and headed out soon for day 3 in a row. Im usually on the mountain everyday Im here for an hour or two, its the daily workout. Driving tomorrow to Telluride to spent a couple days with a friend. Never been there before. Living here its easy to just stay here. I can go backcountry skiing from my house and in bounds Park City has some good terrain. If you go out the back country gates in Park City off Peak 5 lift you can quickly access the places that have killed people over the last few years and is steeper and more dangerous than inbounds anywhere else. If I go anywhere else its around to the Cottonwoods or Snowbasin.

When we lived in Phoenix full time we would take friends who havent skied to Mt Lemmon. For around $70 at the time it included rentals, a few hours lesson and lift ticket. At almost 1000ft vertical it cant be beat. We had a lot of fun there but it has to have snow so late Jan early February is just right. I rarely went to Snowbowl, the whole culture thing there is entertaining to watch. Everyone is wearing jerseys, blasting rap on their bluetooth speaker and etc.. lol.. In PC the US ski and snowboard teams train here. Everyone is chill and respectful, no 'gangsta' culture in the X-game/Olympic athletes that Ive seen. Maybe a little at Woodward but they get humbled real fast by the locals. Brighton is a tad different but its where the pros go daily.

I love Park City. Such a cool ski town and very easy to travel in and out of. I have been to some really great spots out of bounds. A great friend and his boys lived there the past 10 years and had a lot of local knowledge. I also enjoyed spending 4 days last year snow catting in Weber.

 

[lakemadness]

Two days at Beaver Creek and two at Vail so far this season. Headed back out to Vail after Christmas for a week and then again in January. Hopefully another quick trip in Feb or March. I had 20 days last year. Not bad for having to fly in each trip.

 

[kurtis500]

I love Park City. Such a cool ski town and very easy to travel in and out of. I have been to some really great spots out of bounds. A great friend and his boys lived there the past 10 years and had a lot of local knowledge. I also enjoyed spending 4 days last year snow catting in Weber.

The snow cat skiing would be awesome. Did you go to the place on Weber Canyon rd east of Oakley? I’ve always wanted to try that. The Colony in the Canyons side has their own snow cat for the residents. For the cost of the homes and HOA it should..

 

[Sleek-Jet]

I live in Park City and headed out soon for day 3 in a row. Im usually on the mountain everyday Im here for an hour or two, its the daily workout. Driving tomorrow to Telluride to spent a couple days with a friend. Never been there before. Living here its easy to just stay here. I can go backcountry skiing from my house and in bounds Park City has some good terrain. If you go out the back country gates in Park City off Peak 5 lift you can quickly access the places that have killed people over the last few years and is steeper and more dangerous than inbounds anywhere else. If I go anywhere else its around to the Cottonwoods or Snowbasin.

When we lived in Phoenix full time we would take friends who havent skied to Mt Lemmon. For around $70 at the time it included rentals, a few hours lesson and lift ticket. At almost 1000ft vertical it cant be beat. We had a lot of fun there but it has to have snow so late Jan early February is just right. I rarely went to Snowbowl, the whole culture thing there is entertaining to watch. Everyone is wearing jerseys, blasting rap on their bluetooth speaker and etc.. lol.. In PC the US ski and snowboard teams train here. Everyone is chill and respectful, no 'gangsta' culture in the X-game/Olympic athletes that Ive seen. Maybe a little at Woodward but they get humbled real fast by the locals. Brighton is a tad different but its where the pros go daily.

Bit of trivia, Mt. Lemmon is the southern most ski area in North America. I've seen pictures of snow 8 feet deep at the top, I guess skiing was really good that year, LOL. I never skied there but ate at the Iron Door restaurant quite a few times.

 

[SJP]

The snow cat skiing would be awesome. Did you go to the place on Weber Canyon rd east of Oakley? I’ve always wanted to try that. The Colony in the Canyons side has their own snow cat for the residents. For the cost of the homes and HOA it should..

Yes - Park City Sno Cats. It is an awesome outfit and honestly once you go for the day you will not want to go to the resorts. Just an unreal experience. Less $ than Heli and I honestly like it better. Way more relaxing and enjoyable day in the back country. Highly recommend it.

 

[LB247XS]

Don't snow ski or snowboard. But I will be waterskiing all winter long down in MARINE STADIUM LONG BEACH

 

[whiteworks]

Just spent a few days in Mammoth, there is coverage and the snow is decent, but it’s just groomers and that gets kinda old after a day or two on a snowboard. I think that stuff is okay for skiers but I like steep and deep carving powder. We may have to take this show on the road in the pursuit of fresh snow mammoth only has like 50” right now, still super fun but not the good stuff yet it’s good to be black in mammoth, IYKYK.

 

[Roosky01]

Staying close to home so far, but looking at taking the train out to Whitefish over Valentine's Day. Thinking of doing Valentine's Day 2026 in Europe. Maybe Avoriaz?

 

[wzuber]

Staying close to home so far, but looking at taking the train out to Whitefish over Valentine's Day. Thinking of doing Valentine's Day 2026 in Europe. Maybe Avoriaz?

Utah has been getting decent snow falls the last week or so, about 5"-6" on the Wasatch front @ 5000' in the cottonwood canyons. Something to consider.

 

[lakemadness]

Back to Vail for a week one week from today.

 

[Roosky01]

My buddy just got back from a week at ABASIN and Snowmass and he and his boys had a blast. They said they didn't really have any issues with long lines at all which surprised me from what I've been seeing online.

 

[cofooter]

First trip of the year last week, two powder days and one blue sky and sunny, trying to decide where to go this coming week!

 

[Dan Lorenze]

Just got home from a week in Utah.. Snowbasin, Snowbird, Alta, Snobasin, Deer Valley.. Legs are toast.. Probably hit Mammoth on Wednesday.

 

[endobear]

Kids skied/practiced at Loveland Wednesday, slalom race at Copper Thursday and a cross country ski race in Aspen Friday. They were beat all weekend..
Next week is practice at Loveland Wednesday, race at Loveland Thursday and free ski Loveland Saturday...
Ski team program is a huge commitment. They are going for the Ski Meist

er award. Hopefully they don't get burned out. They love getting out of school to ski.

 

[Frickstyle]

There was another Ski thread - but this one popped up so here goes:

We're headed to Japan next week. Trying to locate a Cat to take us up in Asahikawa, trouble locating anything that looks like a possibility.

Anyone have knowledge or referrals in that area?

 

[t&y]

Kids skied/practiced at Loveland Wednesday, slalom race at Copper Thursday and a cross country ski race in Aspen Friday. They were beat all weekend..
Next week is practice at Loveland Wednesday, race at Loveland Thursday and free ski Loveland Saturday...
Ski team program is a huge commitment. They are going for the Ski Meist View attachment 1468963 View attachment 1468964 View attachment 1468966 er award. Hopefully they don't get burned out. They love getting out of school to ski.

Loveland was our go to for several years growing up... We're talking back when lift tickets were still under 50 for the day. What are they now?

 

[endobear]

Loveland was our go to for several years growing up... We're talking back when lift tickets were still under 50 for the day. What are they now?

$149. Loveland is our go to. I worked there for a few seasons in the early 90s and know the area well. It also helps that we live about 35-40 minutes away when I time the traffic right.

 

[t&y]

$149. Loveland is our go to. I worked there for a few seasons in the early 90s and know the area well. It also helps that we live about 35-40 minutes away when I time the traffic right.

Awesome. Grew up off of Jewel in Lakewood. Back in the day a fraction of those houses existed, and I could hop on the 10 speed and be at RedRocks after about a 10-15 minute bike ride. Brother still lives right next to Chatfield Res, and Dad is on Green Mountain. Cool area... too bad it's so over grown now.

 

[cofooter]

Two days at Loveland this week, it's gonna be a good one!

 

[Frickstyle]

I posted this up on another site. If anyone is considering or needs info on Japan, ask me here or PM.

We just got back from a Japan snowboard trip. Tokyo for a couple days upon arrival, then up to Sapporo to ski: Teine Highland Ski Center (1 day) & Kiroro Resort (3 days) total trip 10 days - you lose 2 days for travel. One of the transport companies lost our bags so we had to scratch day 1.

8" powder one day

20" powder the next

Have never skied in powder like that, some places up to my waist (me 6'4") - they allow "off piste" much like Italy, which is great, until you get stuck in a gulley / river / canyon and have to hike out. Great trip, would do it again. Love Japan, the people, the food, and everything is pretty affordable once you get over the plane fare and 24hour door to door from CLE, OH. That side of the country is know for quality powder.

We did Italy a couple years ago, missed this one last year due to weather, and other commitments, made it in 2025. Next up I think would be Austria.

So, I also had someone PM me, and I'll put it here also in case people are interested. This was my first time to Japan, am no expert, so please do your own research. Here are some high points, and my general thoughts:

Gen Itinerary & Locations:
- Arrive in Tokyo / Haneda Arpt (HND) - 24 hours door to door
- Dropped 2 gear bags at a transport service located inside the airport, and had transported up to Otaru, our ski destination. This was well worth it. ($100 ?)
- Took a train & Stayed two nights at Prince Smart In Ebisu, a neighborhood of Tokyo - Traveled around town by train to Sky Tree Tokyo & Senso-ji temple, Shibuya - the crossing & Meiji Jingu Gyoen Temple, Shinjuku - excellent experiences.
- Train to Narita Airport, then flew up North to Sapporo - to go skiing!
- Rental car - 1.5 hour drive to West of Sapporo (Otaru)
- Stayed in Otaru @ OMO5 Hotel, nice place, old. Neat town of Otaru to walk, eat and socialize, small will get repetitive after 2-3 days.
- Ski at Teine Highland ski 1 day- this was "OK" local, smallish but worth it.
- Ski at Kiroro 3 days - popular resort, home of the '72 Winter Olympics
- Was supposed to ski at Asahikawa area, but there was little to no snow, we stayed put
- Considered Niseko area, but again, all the snow was at Kiroro so we stayed there most of the trip.
- Flew back from Sapporo > Tokyo > Houston > Cleveland - approx. 30+ hours total, long layovers.

Mentions, Trip tips & Notes:
- Prices are very affordable, dinner & drinks for two out will run between $35-45 USD, trains almost anywhere in Tokyo is under $10 ea (Most places just a few $). Very impressive, convenient, and easy to navigate public transit system. Local Trains in Tokyo arrive every 3-4 minutes.
- Carry a couple hundred in YEN, withdrawal from ATM when you get there, or exchange. Everything else use a CC with no fees for out of country charges.
- Everything there is "small", very easy to travel with two people, things become more challenging in groups (food, activities, etc)
- Mountains - resorts are small, and mountains are not very high in elevation (5,000ft). Adjust your expectations - we were there for the known powder these locations get regularly. And it did deliver (30+" in 3 days). Weather can be hit and miss due to location tot he water. Never got very cold there (-)4deg C.
- For the 12 hour flight from LAX to Tokyo, upgrade to Premium (NOT full-on first class, one step below), well worth it if you can afford. You won't be as tired. Try to sleep on the plane, time difference was 14 hours AHEAD, so you are a day ahead of what you are at home.
- Great experience of culture, infrastructure, food, etc. Would highly recommend this to anyone interested.

Any other specific questions please ask and I'll try to answer.

Mt. FIJI off in the distance - from arrival / plane

Hit up a few temples - Chinese New Year made things very busy

View from Tokyo Sky Tree Observation deck (450m up!) - looks like this almost 360 degree around, insane amount of people! On a clear day, you can view Mt Fuji, was very cloudy / overcast. Can also view Yokohama, City located Across the Bay, South of Tokyo proper. Data shows approx 12+million in Tokyo, 32million in greater surrounding Tokyo total. The density is insane.

Kiroro Ski Resort - (Sapporo, JP) - 20" powder day

Teine Ski resort - view of Sapporo, day one was clear and could see the Pacific Ocean to the left (Sea of Japan more accurately)

Any other Qs just ask!

 

[Croz]

Copper - Every Year till I die.

View attachment 1461030

Copper is the SHIT!

 

[cofooter]

Hit Loveland, Monarch and Copper last week. Good coverage but could use some new snow. Taking this week off and doing my snowdance, haha.

 

[Cobalt232]

I posted this up on another site. If anyone is considering or needs info on Japan, ask me here or PM.

We just got back from a Japan snowboard trip. Tokyo for a couple days upon arrival, then up to Sapporo to ski: Teine Highland Ski Center (1 day) & Kiroro Resort (3 days) total trip 10 days - you lose 2 days for travel. One of the transport companies lost our bags so we had to scratch day 1.

8" powder one day

20" powder the next

Have never skied in powder like that, some places up to my waist (me 6'4") - they allow "off piste" much like Italy, which is great, until you get stuck in a gulley / river / canyon and have to hike out. Great trip, would do it again. Love Japan, the people, the food, and everything is pretty affordable once you get over the plane fare and 24hour door to door from CLE, OH. That side of the country is know for quality powder.

We did Italy a couple years ago, missed this one last year due to weather, and other commitments, made it in 2025. Next up I think would be Austria.

So, I also had someone PM me, and I'll put it here also in case people are interested. This was my first time to Japan, am no expert, so please do your own research. Here are some high points, and my general thoughts:

Gen Itinerary & Locations:
- Arrive in Tokyo / Haneda Arpt (HND) - 24 hours door to door
- Dropped 2 gear bags at a transport service located inside the airport, and had transported up to Otaru, our ski destination. This was well worth it. ($100 ?)
- Took a train & Stayed two nights at Prince Smart In Ebisu, a neighborhood of Tokyo - Traveled around town by train to Sky Tree Tokyo & Senso-ji temple, Shibuya - the crossing & Meiji Jingu Gyoen Temple, Shinjuku - excellent experiences.
- Train to Narita Airport, then flew up North to Sapporo - to go skiing!
- Rental car - 1.5 hour drive to West of Sapporo (Otaru)
- Stayed in Otaru @ OMO5 Hotel, nice place, old. Neat town of Otaru to walk, eat and socialize, small will get repetitive after 2-3 days.
- Ski at Teine Highland ski 1 day- this was "OK" local, smallish but worth it.
- Ski at Kiroro 3 days - popular resort, home of the '72 Winter Olympics
- Was supposed to ski at Asahikawa area, but there was little to no snow, we stayed put
- Considered Niseko area, but again, all the snow was at Kiroro so we stayed there most of the trip.
- Flew back from Sapporo > Tokyo > Houston > Cleveland - approx. 30+ hours total, long layovers.

Mentions, Trip tips & Notes:
- Prices are very affordable, dinner & drinks for two out will run between $35-45 USD, trains almost anywhere in Tokyo is under $10 ea (Most places just a few $). Very impressive, convenient, and easy to navigate public transit system. Local Trains in Tokyo arrive every 3-4 minutes.
- Carry a couple hundred in YEN, withdrawal from ATM when you get there, or exchange. Everything else use a CC with no fees for out of country charges.
- Everything there is "small", very easy to travel with two people, things become more challenging in groups (food, activities, etc)
- Mountains - resorts are small, and mountains are not very high in elevation (5,000ft). Adjust your expectations - we were there for the known powder these locations get regularly. And it did deliver (30+" in 3 days). Weather can be hit and miss due to location tot he water. Never got very cold there (-)4deg C.
- For the 12 hour flight from LAX to Tokyo, upgrade to Premium (NOT full-on first class, one step below), well worth it if you can afford. You won't be as tired. Try to sleep on the plane, time difference was 14 hours AHEAD, so you are a day ahead of what you are at home.
- Great experience of culture, infrastructure, food, etc. Would highly recommend this to anyone interested.

Any other specific questions please ask and I'll try to answer.

Mt. FIJI off in the distance - from arrival / plane

View attachment 1476261

Hit up a few temples - Chinese New Year made things very busy

View attachment 1476262


View from Tokyo Sky Tree Observation deck (450m up!) - looks like this almost 360 degree around, insane amount of people! On a clear day, you can view Mt Fuji, was very cloudy / overcast. Can also view Yokohama, City located Across the Bay, South of Tokyo proper. Data shows approx 12+million in Tokyo, 32million in greater surrounding Tokyo total. The density is insane.


View attachment 1476263 View attachment 1476264 View attachment 1476265

Kiroro Ski Resort - (Sapporo, JP) - 20" powder day

View attachment 1476266

Teine Ski resort - view of Sapporo, day one was clear and could see the Pacific Ocean to the left (Sea of Japan more accurately)

View attachment 1476267

Any other Qs just ask!

Looks like a great trip! My business partner and wife are in Japan right now skiing also. He said it has been pretty windy but great snow, but also crowded with the Chinese tourists for their new year.

 

[Frickstyle]

Looks like a great trip! My business partner and wife are in Japan right now skiing also. He said it has been pretty windy but great snow, but also crowded with the Chinese tourists for their new year.

Can you find out where they went? To what town and ski resort? (Just curious)

The couple we went with have some pretty good knowledge of the region, so we tag along. We are flexible enough we were able to flip our plans around and stick near the powder. If we had stuck to our plan, we would have been disappointed. Much like our trip to Europe/Italy/Dolomites a couple years ago, we would have gotten skunked by the weather.

That's another thing to note about that area - extremely weather dependent and can switch up (inconsistent) due to location near the sea. This is the chance you take planning a long term - foreign ski vacations.

Happy it worked out for them.

 

[Cobalt232]

Can you find out where they went? To what town and ski resort? (Just curious)

The couple we went with have some pretty good knowledge of the region, so we tag along. We are flexible enough we were able to flip our plans around and stick near the powder. If we had stuck to our plan, we would have been disappointed. Much like our trip to Europe/Italy/Dolomites a couple years ago, we would have gotten skunked by the weather.

That's another thing to note about that area - extremely weather dependent and can switch up (inconsistent) due to location near the sea. This is the chance you take planning a long term - foreign ski vacations.

Happy it worked out for them.

I know they are hopping around. Currently, they are at Niseko up near Sapporo. I think they also skied down south as well, at least that was the plan.

 

[whiteworks]

I came home from KOH last week right before it snowed out there, woke up Monday morning to photos of 4” of snow out in johnson valley. Grabbed my gear and hopped in the jeep for a quick trip to mountain high to get some fresh. Baldy had no base so it was the next low hanging fruit. Ride up was awesome, took lone pine to avoid the dipshits and there cable chains on hwy 2. I didn’t see anyone on the way up. Now I’ve always had passes at mountain high, buy them in the summer for a couple hundred bucks, now I remember why. I paid $160.00 for a lift ticket, almost said fuck that but I was already there so I did it. I went up and got three runs in and may have ducked a rope and laid down some lines on some unopened runs, had to make the $160.00 worth it. Decided to go back to work and sold my ticket to some dude in the parking lot for $100.00 on the way out back in the office by noon and no one knew the difference

If we get a baldy day I will hit them up, but I think my season is winding down, I’m doing some diet and weight training to make this more enjoyable, the free fitness of my youth is gone, will need to work for it now LOL

 

[Dan Lorenze]

Going to Big Sky, MT next week. They're getting some new snow. But man it's gonna be cold. Thank god for my heated footbeds.

 

[Blue Oval]

My wife was working as a ski instructor at Big Sky when we first started dating. She moved on to the veterinary business. One of my sons is in charge of the Boyne Mt children ski school. He begged my wife to help him out. So she is back instructing 2 days a week. I have not skied in 15 years. It pushed me to update my skis. We have been out several times and it has given me the opportunity to ski with my Granddaughter. Boyne Mt does not compare to the big hills, but it is good family fun.