Backcountry isn't LIKE going off-trail. It is entirely off-trail. Off-Piste usually means you can hike to terrain from the top of a lift. Backcountry is usually when you start at the bottom of hill somewhere, climb it, then ski down. Usually getting only 3-5 runs or so during the day, but those runs are untracked bliss.
Also, if you haven't been out West before, then it will be difficult for you to understand what the difference between East coast and West is. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, on the East coast that can compare with out West. Telluride is huge and will be vastly better than anything you could've skied in the East. There will be far more challenging runs, but they will only make you better. So I wouldn't worry so much about it being pretty challenging. It is very challenging, but they have so much terrain there that you can challenge yourself as much as you want. If you stay in Montrose, and don't hit Telluride, I will be supremely disappointed...
I've been to Whitetail, and I would say that it sucks, except that there is one run there called Exhibition: Top to bottom bumps. Very refreshing. They're really good learners too if you're looking to get better at them. I still, though, didn't give it much more than a half day last year and that's probably what it's good for. If it weren't for the bumps, I would say that it is very lame. Of the others that you listed, I feel like only Timberline and Canaan are worth it. Wisp is definitely not. Hidden Valley is too small. My colleague went to Seven Springs last year and said it was fun, but he's new to skiing so I do not trust that at all. I've heard that Timberline has the better runs of those you listed, but their lifts are awful. And if it gets crowded it becomes a problem. So I think this Winter I was going to try Timberline and Canaan to round out my Mid-Atlantic experience. What have you thought of the places you've tried in the Mid-A?
As far as SW CO, I've never been there before, but there are two places on my career list that are there. Telluride and Silverton. Telluride is a legendary resort and Silverton is backcountry skiing for wussies like me too afraid to do it myself. I would say definitely hit Telluride, maybe Powderhorn too. Silverton if you want to get in shape for something.
Wow... Timber Ridge? That takes me back. I can't believe that place is still being skied at. I guess with all the terrain park stuff becoming popular, you can probably have a successful ski area anywhere. When I was young the only way to do jumps at Timber Ridge was to go to the Quad, bomb the hill from the top, and hit the wall that separates the two runs at the bottom. I guess things have changed.
Gloves have never been able to do it for me. My fingers just FREEZE! I've gone to mittens for my skiing days and they've done beautifully, but I still have the occasional problem with overheating, sweating, then having that freeze. What I really want to try are those three finger gloves but I can't find 'em anywhere. Does anyone have any recomendations on three-finger gloves?
This Winter is my first Winter back in the sport in the last 6 years! And now I live in the DC area so I've been trying a few of the Mid-Atlantic region resorts within a one-day's trip from DC. Generally the terrain/conditions remind me of Michigan, but they do receive less frequent snow (no lake effect). But the vertical is also twice as high. 1000' is nice to be able to ski down. But I'm finding that most of this area will get boring probably by the end of next Winter.
This year I've already taken a one week trip to CO, skiing and snowshoeing, and I'm going back this weekend for a long weekend at Breckenridge. And I'm contemplating a third trip possibly to Steamboat in March. So I think every Winter I'll be taking at least two big trips out West or up North. And the weekends in between those trips I'll probably continue to sample this area (haven't tried WV yet, their motto is "Wild Wonderful"). I've been very lucky to have friends and family who live all over the country now, too. So I'm able to travel cheap.
Hah, Trip Advisor would be a great job!. Just get paid to go skiing everywhere and share advice. It's on my list. I'm jealous of that trip in N. Michigan. They've been blessed by the snow gods this Winter. Those three places were my favorites when I lived in Michigan. Especially Nub's, I think their glades are really nice, something you don't see a lot of in MI.
I'm an avid skier, but the only thing about snowboarding that excites me is when I see a guy just surfing through deep powder on a board. I think you should show your bro some powder boarding out West or way up North. He might consider it then. And as for you, have you ever seen anyone just rip through the bumps? That is probably the one thing I love most about skiing! Just flying through some moguls with your skis on fire!
As a skier who grew up in Michigan, I've skied most of the hills the state has to offer. I'm an advanced skier and had lost most of my interest in Michigan's slopes by the time I was 16. However, if you're an intermediate and looking to improve Michigan still has a lot to offer. Especially this winter, they've gotten dumped on with loads of snow. Even coming from Chicago, I would still recommend that you head North to the Boyne areas. They're definitely a long haul, especially if only for one day, but the closer resorts like Caberfae and Cannonsburg are usually a wasted drive, especially if you're coming from Chicago. I grew up skiing at Timber Ridge and Bittersweet in Kalamazoo but those two are horrendously small and very not worth it, but at the same time they are by far the closest to you. By now Bittersweet may have a decent terrain park put together so if you're into that, it could be a starter. I would certainly recommend you hit Crystal Mountain. A few days ago they got dropped with 15" of fresh fluffy stuff! That is unheard of for Michigan! I haven't been there for a long time but I recall the resort being very nice and the slopes had some nice features including a "bowl", if you can call it that. Next I would hit Boyne Mountain, they are the best resort in Michigan consistently. Then maybe venture up to Boyne Highlands/Nub's Nob area. I remember thinking Treetops was fun too but that was eons ago when I was there. Nub's I recall had some nice glades available. So at any rate, to warm up for going out West, I would advise that you skip the closer stuff and hit Crystal, Boyne, and Nub's Nob. Happy Trails!
Backcountry isn't LIKE going off-trail. It is entirely off-trail. Off-Piste usually means you can hike to terrain from the top of a lift. Backcountry is usually when you start at the bottom of hill somewhere, climb it, then ski down. Usually getting only 3-5 runs or so during the day, but those runs are untracked bliss.
Source: BackcountryAlso, if you haven't been out West before, then it will be difficult for you to understand what the difference between East coast and West is. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, on the East coast that can compare with out West. Telluride is huge and will be vastly better than anything you could've skied in the East. There will be far more challenging runs, but they will only make you better. So I wouldn't worry so much about it being pretty challenging. It is very challenging, but they have so much terrain there that you can challenge yourself as much as you want. If you stay in Montrose, and don't hit Telluride, I will be supremely disappointed...
I've been to Whitetail, and I would say that it sucks, except that there is one run there called Exhibition: Top to bottom bumps. Very refreshing. They're really good learners too if you're looking to get better at them. I still, though, didn't give it much more than a half day last year and that's probably what it's good for. If it weren't for the bumps, I would say that it is very lame. Of the others that you listed, I feel like only Timberline and Canaan are worth it. Wisp is definitely not. Hidden Valley is too small. My colleague went to Seven Springs last year and said it was fun, but he's new to skiing so I do not trust that at all. I've heard that Timberline has the better runs of those you listed, but their lifts are awful. And if it gets crowded it becomes a problem. So I think this Winter I was going to try Timberline and Canaan to round out my Mid-Atlantic experience. What have you thought of the places you've tried in the Mid-A?
Source: BackcountryAs far as SW CO, I've never been there before, but there are two places on my career list that are there. Telluride and Silverton. Telluride is a legendary resort and Silverton is backcountry skiing for wussies like me too afraid to do it myself. I would say definitely hit Telluride, maybe Powderhorn too. Silverton if you want to get in shape for something.
Wow... Timber Ridge? That takes me back. I can't believe that place is still being skied at. I guess with all the terrain park stuff becoming popular, you can probably have a successful ski area anywhere. When I was young the only way to do jumps at Timber Ridge was to go to the Quad, bomb the hill from the top, and hit the wall that separates the two runs at the bottom. I guess things have changed.
Source: Warren Miller's Dynasty - Film Tour ScheduleGloves have never been able to do it for me. My fingers just FREEZE! I've gone to mittens for my skiing days and they've done beautifully, but I still have the occasional problem with overheating, sweating, then having that freeze. What I really want to try are those three finger gloves but I can't find 'em anywhere. Does anyone have any recomendations on three-finger gloves?
Source: How To Keep Your Hands Warm on Cold DaysThis Winter is my first Winter back in the sport in the last 6 years! And now I live in the DC area so I've been trying a few of the Mid-Atlantic region resorts within a one-day's trip from DC. Generally the terrain/conditions remind me of Michigan, but they do receive less frequent snow (no lake effect). But the vertical is also twice as high. 1000' is nice to be able to ski down. But I'm finding that most of this area will get boring probably by the end of next Winter.
Source: Michigan RecommendationsThis year I've already taken a one week trip to CO, skiing and snowshoeing, and I'm going back this weekend for a long weekend at Breckenridge. And I'm contemplating a third trip possibly to Steamboat in March. So I think every Winter I'll be taking at least two big trips out West or up North. And the weekends in between those trips I'll probably continue to sample this area (haven't tried WV yet, their motto is "Wild Wonderful"). I've been very lucky to have friends and family who live all over the country now, too. So I'm able to travel cheap.
Hah, Trip Advisor would be a great job!. Just get paid to go skiing everywhere and share advice. It's on my list. I'm jealous of that trip in N. Michigan. They've been blessed by the snow gods this Winter. Those three places were my favorites when I lived in Michigan. Especially Nub's, I think their glades are really nice, something you don't see a lot of in MI.
Source: Michigan RecommendationsI'm an avid skier, but the only thing about snowboarding that excites me is when I see a guy just surfing through deep powder on a board. I think you should show your bro some powder boarding out West or way up North. He might consider it then. And as for you, have you ever seen anyone just rip through the bumps? That is probably the one thing I love most about skiing! Just flying through some moguls with your skis on fire!
Source: Dead Honest Opinion... Ski or Snowboard?As a skier who grew up in Michigan, I've skied most of the hills the state has to offer. I'm an advanced skier and had lost most of my interest in Michigan's slopes by the time I was 16. However, if you're an intermediate and looking to improve Michigan still has a lot to offer. Especially this winter, they've gotten dumped on with loads of snow. Even coming from Chicago, I would still recommend that you head North to the Boyne areas. They're definitely a long haul, especially if only for one day, but the closer resorts like Caberfae and Cannonsburg are usually a wasted drive, especially if you're coming from Chicago. I grew up skiing at Timber Ridge and Bittersweet in Kalamazoo but those two are horrendously small and very not worth it, but at the same time they are by far the closest to you. By now Bittersweet may have a decent terrain park put together so if you're into that, it could be a starter. I would certainly recommend you hit Crystal Mountain. A few days ago they got dropped with 15" of fresh fluffy stuff! That is unheard of for Michigan! I haven't been there for a long time but I recall the resort being very nice and the slopes had some nice features including a "bowl", if you can call it that. Next I would hit Boyne Mountain, they are the best resort in Michigan consistently. Then maybe venture up to Boyne Highlands/Nub's Nob area. I remember thinking Treetops was fun too but that was eons ago when I was there. Nub's I recall had some nice glades available. So at any rate, to warm up for going out West, I would advise that you skip the closer stuff and hit Crystal, Boyne, and Nub's Nob. Happy Trails!
Source: Michigan Recommendations