| Author |
Message |
klang180 
|
|
Post subject:
 Posted: Apr 18, 2012 - 01:37 PM
|
|
First post: Feb 15, 2005
Total posts: 42
Status: Offline
|
|
Ace, i checked out that link and yeah it is pretty stark just how big Whistler is, it seems like it is twice the size of most resorts if not more. It is much bigger than Mammoth.
Not saying that size is everything (that's what they tell me anyway :S) but it does make Whistler very compelling. Thing is does it also mean you have to go a long way to get to the good stuff if you live on one side of the valley? |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
ace_mcgraw
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Apr 18, 2012 - 02:08 PM
|
|
First post: Feb 20, 2007
Total posts: 5384
Location: That snowboarding hotbed, Norfolk
Status: Offline
|
|
| Not as long as it used to. When I was there for the season I lived near the lifts in Blackcomb, and if you're there or in Whistler village then you can get up either mountain dead easily. If you were in Creekside (Which is where a lot of seasonnaires lived) it was a bit more of a chore to get to Blackcomb - ie get the Creekside gondi up, then down to Whistler Village, and then up to Blackcomb from there. Now once you get to the top of whistler you can just hope on the peak to peak and you're sorted! |
_________________
Fancy some lovely artwork ? www.ameliabowman.co.uk
Nice Photos  http://www.flickr.com/photos/ace_mcgraw/
Need your iPhone 5 panorama's printed out large? ipanoramaprints.com/
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Richard_Sideways
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Apr 18, 2012 - 03:23 PM
|
|
First post: Sep 28, 2009
Total posts: 26
Status: Offline
|
|
Does the Mammoth pass still get you access to June Mt? Did when I was there last (about...  ...10 years, I think I feel sick now), 30 mins up the road or so, but does extend the terrain you've got access to. |
_________________
CAUTION: The above post may contain small pieces of humour and irony which may choke small children and the serious
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
rob_vet69
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Apr 18, 2012 - 03:37 PM
|
|
First post: Jan 06, 2011
Total posts: 668
Location: Teesside
Status: Offline
|
|
Yes it does, though Whistler is still much bigger.
Comparison is 8171 acres for Whistler vs 3500 acres for Mammoth and another 500 acres for June, so although it adds a little it still doesn't bring it up to Whistler's size.
That being said, I think there is still more than enough to keep you amused at Mammoth. We only really scratched the surface in 4 days so I can't see you getting bored in a season. And if you do, there are always 10 terrain parks to keep you amused... |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
nickmotture
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Apr 18, 2012 - 05:25 PM
|
|
First post: Jan 09, 2006
Total posts: 11165
Location: Washington DC USA
Status: Offline
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
klang180
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Apr 19, 2012 - 11:44 AM
|
|
First post: Feb 15, 2005
Total posts: 42
Status: Offline
|
|
Hey Nick, i little comp would be great if you could.
I don't mind it being secluded, sometimes being a step back from things is better and adds to the experience!
Any USA resorts that come close to Mammoth? By the looks of that comparison tool on Whistler nothing is anywhere near as big but that isn't everything! |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
rob_vet69
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Apr 19, 2012 - 02:44 PM
|
|
First post: Jan 06, 2011
Total posts: 668
Location: Teesside
Status: Offline
|
|
The only other US area I have been to is Tahoe. The individual resorts don't compete with Mammoth for quality, but the ones I have visited would still feature very highly on my list and there were several others that we didn't visit. And of course the big advantage is that resorts areas are all within an hour of each other so if you get bored of one, there is another to try just up the road!
Heavenly - mountain has great mix of everything with stunning views of Tahoe on the California side and crazy desert views on the Nevada side. For the runs - good vertical, lots of good tree cruising and some serious stuff over at Mott Canyon. Town - bit of a game of 2 halves!! California side is ok, nothing too special but has everything you need. Step over the stateline and you immediately run into 4 massive high-rise casinos - you either love or hate it. I would personally stay on the California side when I go back.
Kirkwood - this was my favourite of the areas we visited. More of an intermediate up resort with again loads of good tree cruising in the middle and some terrifying steeps and freeride terrain up to. Also an awesome snow record. Town is pretty small and has a good local feel, though this may change as Vail have taken it over this year. Lifts are a bit dated (be warned if you scare easily none of the chairlifts have any bars on!) but are still fairly quick - again expect these to be upgraded soon. I just loved the feel of the Kirkwood - place had a really good vibe about it!
Squaw Valley - well developed resort, with a more traditional ski village at the base. You'll find a much higher proportion of skiers here as well, but they are all friendly. The expert stuff is all located at the KT-22 end, though there is a small area at Granite on the other side, otherwise there is still good tree cruising though not as much as at Heavenly, though there are some narrow traversey areas especially over on Siberia and heading down to the base from this side. It's also a bit pricier than the other Tahoe areas.
Bear in mind, there is also Northstar, Sierra, Alpine Meadows and a few other smaller ones that we didn't visit so you there is a lot of variety at Tahoe. It would also be doable for a week from Mammoth (about a 4 hour drive) or vice versa - you could stay at Tahoe and visit Mammoth for a week. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
klang180
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Apr 19, 2012 - 05:02 PM
|
|
First post: Feb 15, 2005
Total posts: 42
Status: Offline
|
|
Hey Rob
Awesome amount of info on those places, really appreciate it!
It does sound like California has so many good options and the chance to visit some others is quite compelling, if a little expensive!
One question, do any of these smaller places have good parks at all? I am by no means great either so by good parks i don't mean hugh kickers i mean manageable stuff for an intermediate rider? |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
ace_mcgraw
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Apr 19, 2012 - 05:05 PM
|
|
First post: Feb 20, 2007
Total posts: 5384
Location: That snowboarding hotbed, Norfolk
Status: Offline
|
|
| If you're around the Tahoe area, I'd recommend Homewood as a good destination. Its a small resort, with a family run vibe, but it has a nice variety of terrain and a good park as I remember it. Northstar is the winner in the area for parks, but its a bit more of a drive if you're based in South Lake Tahoe / Stateline like we were! |
_________________
Fancy some lovely artwork ? www.ameliabowman.co.uk
Nice Photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/ace_mcgraw/
Need your iPhone 5 panorama's printed out large? ipanoramaprints.com/
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Cpm360
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Apr 19, 2012 - 07:12 PM
|
|
First post: Nov 02, 2011
Total posts: 124
Status: Offline
|
|
| I haven't been, but Jackson Hole is meant to be pretty awesome! |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
rob_vet69
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Apr 19, 2012 - 08:48 PM
|
|
First post: Jan 06, 2011
Total posts: 668
Location: Teesside
Status: Offline
|
|
| I'm not much of a park-rat myself, but Heavenly had some nice looking parks. Northstar I believe is the place to be park-wise - it's where Shaun White does most of his practice; and Sierra (home of slopestyle goddess Jamie Anderson) is supposed to be good as well. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
nickmotture
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Apr 20, 2012 - 03:30 AM
|
|
First post: Jan 09, 2006
Total posts: 11165
Location: Washington DC USA
Status: Offline
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
gaz_5_m
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Apr 20, 2012 - 09:58 AM
|
|
First post: Jan 20, 2010
Total posts: 316
Location: Scotland
Status: Offline
|
|
If you're looking for somewhere with lots of resorts in close proximity another consideration would be Colorado.
We've done our last 4 years holidays (April) based in Breckenridge (because it has the nicest town) and traveled around some of the different resorts in the area.
Breckenridge is a nice mountain, with lots of green and blue cruisers which are pretty mellow. Has 5 parks and 2 pipes, best of which (personal opinion) is Park Lane. Bowls and steeps up top are awesome if you catch them in the powder, pretty horrible once they've been moguled out (we were there this year in April and it was horrid up top). A nice resort, but in my opinion not the best in the area.
Within half an hour ish of Breck (and on the free summit stage bus routes) are:
Keystone: My favorite of the summit county resorts. Steeper, longer and better terrain than Breck and, again in my opinion, the best parks I've ever been to in my life, bar none. The A51 area has stuff from tiny right up to mahoosive and they are all in the same area, making progression of a new trick a bit easier than Breck for example where the small and medium parks are quite spread out. Also has a dedicated lift for all the park areas so you can lap (only park lane and freeway have that at Breck).
Copper mountain: Not made it yet, so cant comment.
A-Basin: Had to pull out of trip as I broke my ribs in the Keystone park day before 
Beaver Creek: Not made it yet, so cant comment.
$40 shuttle gets you to Vail: Big resort, nice bowls out the back, some nice parks (including the natural one) and some great tree runs. Well worth a visit, but doesn't come near Keystone for me in terms of overall quality. Town is Uber fake and expensive, so wouldn't stay there.
Bit further out on the Denver side (about an hour) is Loveland. You'll have to get your own transport, but its worth a visit. Gets good snow and has some mental steep stuff right on the front.
Theres also a few adventure type places around. We went to a Snow Mobile place which has a massive area just down from Copper (White Mountain adventures) which is an awesome way to spend an afternoon in the powder if you're there long enough. Think it was about $200 per person for 3 hours, or thereabouts and that included them picking you up at your hotel and taking you back. Quite pricey, but hella good fun.
Because there are so many in close proximity, lift passes (specifically season passes) are stupidly cheap.
This year we paid £251 each for a summit season pass which gave unlimited access to Keystone and A-Basin, and access to Breck at all other times than when the Dew tour was there. For 10 nights was cheaper for us than the price of day passes, but it was a proper season pass.
If you want an Epic pass, unlimited, unrestricted skiing at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin (all Colorado) and Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood (all California) you'll pick that up early bird for £400 or therabouts (before end of May):
As an example: http://www.skisafariextras.com/Breckenr ... fAodpjiXaw
Also check on www.americanskiclassics.com who are usually pretty good (booked with them several times)
Colorado and Summit county definitely worth considering.
All that said and as much as I like Summit County, we've been looking at going to Mammoth this year and spending a few days in San Fran on the way home for a change (Mrs is a school teacher so tied to Easter Hols). All the good reports in this thread have only strengthened that idea. Just sticking the Colorado stuff in for info. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
rob_vet69
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Apr 20, 2012 - 12:36 PM
|
|
First post: Jan 06, 2011
Total posts: 668
Location: Teesside
Status: Offline
|
|
Gaz - have you been to Steamboat or Winter Park? Colorado is a possible on our list for next year and we've earmarked these. Also got Breck on there, but the high altitude village puts us off a bit - have one person in the party who suffers if they don't acclimatise first.
Utah (Park City) and Jackson Hole are also on the list, along with possibly going back to Mammoth. If you're heading to Mammoth next year (trust me it's worth it!) San Fran is a long trip (you're looking about 8-9 hours) - why not break it up a bit and go to Tahoe in between? Or alternatively do LA and Mammoth or Las Vegas and Mammoth? San Fran is ace though, seriously good vibe - definitely preferred it to Vegas, that place is seriously tacky! |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
gaz_5_m
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Apr 20, 2012 - 02:30 PM
|
|
First post: Jan 20, 2010
Total posts: 316
Location: Scotland
Status: Offline
|
|
Thanks for the heads up Rob. According to Google maps, San Fran to Mammoth was about the same time as Vegas to Mammoth (about 6.5 hours) but I was sceptical at that! Good to know its way longer in reality.
Might just do LA in that case. been to all 3 before (LA, Vegas and San Fran). I'm with you, hated Vegas (other than the Grand Canyon) but really liked San Fran and LA.
Never been to Steamboat or Winter park. Going by the signs on the road up Winter park is quite a ways from Summit county. Not really heard much about it in terms of what its like.
I have a mate who stays in Hamilton and his closest resort is Telluride. Last I spoke to him he loves it. When he heads up the road for a trip, he does Breck and Steamboat. He's a total powder hound and I think thats what Steamboat has a reputation for during the winter, but never having been myself, sorry I cant be more help.
In terms of the altitude, Breck is pretty high (9600 feet) and that affects different people in different ways. My Mrs got pretty bad altitude sickness the first year, laid her out for two days. Woman in the medical center told her after her intake interview it was most likely her caffeine intake before and during her stay (she drinks a lot of tea/coffee and I dont drink either at all).
Next year she cut out the Coffee the week before we left and she waited till the third day in before having any when we were there. Never had a problem since. They recommend the same thing with Alcohol, have a light week before leaving and take it easy first few days.
Last year, my mate got it pretty bad for the first day and a half. He drank loads of beer and Coffee, so seems to tie in
Not saying that'll work for your group, but certainly helped us.
Failing that, theres Oxygen bars all round town and we had one in our condo complex this year (Beaver Run).
If you're going for any longer than a week, I'd not worry too much about the altitude. A couple of easy days to start with to let your body get used to it and you should be fine. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Snowboard Club 
FAQ
Search
Register
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
Maximize
RSS Feed
Mammoth really is in the ar*e end of nowhere though, stunning drive here but you're proper secluded from the outside world.
