Thread: Epic Skiing Road Trip - Advice Needed

Hey All,

I am currently planning an epic ski trip around the western part of the united states because a ski patrol job here in Washington fell through. During this trip, I am going to be looking at potential places to ski patrol at for next season. I am mainly interested in checking out: Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Washington. I may stop through Tahoe area depending on what pass direction I end up going. This trip will probably take place from mid-January to early or mid April.

My main goal for this trip is to find somewhere where I want to be for the next few seasons. That said...I have a few major questions:

1) Where should I go?

I should probably include something about what I want to ski. I love pow, but who doesn't. Not super big into park. Love jumps and tricks, but looking to more natural features to huck off of. I like steeps and I love to charge. Steep groomers are a ball and I love to carve like a mad man. Trees are also my friends. Looking for places with good backcountry access as well.

2) Where should I go to keep lift ticket costs down?


Any good ski deals on tickets? Some deals I am considering: Vail Epic Pass (Unlimited access at Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail, Beaver Creek, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood and Arapahoe Basin) all for $699 and The Mountain Collective (2 Days at each: Aspen/Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Squaw, and Alta with 50% off tickets after that for $349). I will probably end up spending somewhere near 2K on tickets, but want to do a bunch of backcountry skiing as well. Just want to get the most skiing for my money.

3) Anyone have any advice on patrols to check out? I have patrolled for 2 seasons in Michigan and am current in everything. I am looking for a place that has a chill feel and is not too scene. Good terrain, good people, good snow, maybe small town. Little or no commute to the mountain from where I would live.

I am also looking at getting a new pair of skis for the winter. Check out my other thread here: (got to post first)

Just planning right now and feeling different options out. Any advice would be awesome. Thanks so much!

My main goal for this trip is to find somewhere where I want to be for the next few seasons

~Travis

paging Greg

East Coast is where its happening in the ski world right now.
I would suggest mega road trip from North Carolina up to Maine with the possibility of submitting story to Backcountry Magazine?

I think you'd be stoked to get on any of the Mountain collective patrols! I wouldn't want to work for VR and none of their mountains excite me that much.

You might want to pick up a Monarch pass instead. Lot's on nice little hills you could try first.
http://skimonarch.com/index.php/tick.../season-passes

I would get one of these: http://www.themountaincollective.com/

Originally Posted by Shredhead

I wouldn't want to work for VR and none of their mountains excite me that much.

http://skimonarch.com/index.php/tick.../season-passes

Why is that?

AlpineZone, you crack me up every time

Ask and you shall receive!!

Originally Posted by The SnowShow

paging Greg

[Greg casts the line, bobber dancing on top of the ripples, waiting...waiting...]

You know what would be epic? Ski all the state's high points. What's harder to ski - Rainer or Britton Hill in FL?

Know what's epic. Greg's new thread deleting.
Start quoting that bastard.
Not cool, bro, not cool.

Yeah, I know, right? That's not the first time he's done that.

Greeeeg.....come out, come out, where ever you are....

I would say do an "epic" rd trip to Mt Cain, Washington, Cypress, Hemlock, Baker, Crystal, Alpental, Hood Meadows, Bachelor, Shasta but it's already been done. And, you'd have to ski on man skis at Alpental LBD.

Although you could listen to Greg from AZ (who will no doubt have super advice for those amazing eastern groomers), you could also just be a vagabond. Following the storms throughout the continent, and using TGR as your canvas, painting amazing portraits of your coming of age journey across this great land.

Originally Posted by Scotsman50

East Coast is where its happening in the ski world right now.
I would suggest mega road trip from North Carolina up to Maine with the possibility of submitting story to Backcountry Magazine?

this is the best advice yet! plenty of helpful folks from NH that will direct you to their best terrain and awe inspiring mountains. there is a great ec only thread to get a feel for the awesomeness. lift lines are short from what i've heard and plenty of room on those groomers for flying at mach luny. good luck with the patrollers, they are a fun loving bunch of enthusiasses that readily will point you to the untracked powder after getting their control work done early. those guys make lots of bank and are usually rolling their monster trucks when not chilling in the condo. west coast skiing is really overrated and usually not worth the price of admission. if i was brave enough i would go to SHAMES MTN.
bobby