Where should I ski next season?

[wandering]

My wife and I are planning on spending next ski season living in a ski town and skiing full time. I'd love some advice from the collective TGR wisdom of where that should be.

I'm an expert telemarker, my wife is an advanced skier. Our home resort is Kirkwood in Tahoe where we do 70% resort, 30% backcountry.

We want someplace with great terrain and snow and a good town to live in. We don't need the best resort in the world and are happy to trade that for a sleepier spot where there's still powder a couple days after a storm. We'd rather not have to do too much driving to go skiing. We're open to places in North American and Europe, although in Europe we'd prefer French speaking. We are price sensitive and are only looking at a January – mid-March season so we'd need some place where we could find housing that would accommodate that.

I was interested in Revelstoke, but not sure about the town. Thoughts? Any comments on Champery, Banff, Fernie, Bozeman? Or other recommendations?

[skew]

I was at Revelstoke for a week in early April. The lower half of the mountain was already melted out. I would spend a couple of months a Revelstoke in a heartbeat. We stayed at the mountain so not sure about the town. Looked pretty sleepy and much bigger than I had thought. It is a significant town. Did a tour up at Rogers Pass. The terrain is unbelievable.

What about Targhee? Could get boring fast, but for only 3 months it could be really good. Town is pretty cool. Small town, friendly people. Backcountry is excellent plus you have Jackson not far away.

[icelanticskier]

nelson/whitewater. you will not be disappointed.

rog

[Hugh Conway]

you sure he shouldn't ski the east rog?

[Timberridge]

you sure he shouldn't ski the east rog?

He's luring them away

[angrysasquatch]

nelson/whitewater. you will not be disappointed.

rog

Or Rossland/Red mtn. Both seem like the ticket for OP.

For more backcountry focus, Rogers Pass is unbelievable. About an hour from either Revy or Golden, but I'm not sure the towns are what you're looking for. Slack from both resorts is quite good, KH's is ridiculously easy laps. High traffic as a result, but there's plenty around for explorers.

re: Fernie, they do get absolutely massive dumps, but they also get much more frequent rain than any of the other interior/ rockies resorts. I also find the good stuff needs more traversing than KH, and the fall line is interrupted frequently (got used to 4k down balls out every lap at KH I guess). I think the biggest strength of Sunshine/ Lake Louise is the super long season. Which doesn't matter in your case. The snow they get isn't as much as the interior and is so low density that only a few of the biggest dumps in a year will make the old surface undetectable. They are also cursed with a temperamental snowpack that doesn't settle near as quick as further west (Fernie's snowpack is good even tho it's not west).

[icelanticskier]

you sure he shouldn't ski the east rog?

he made no mention of the possibilty. and i'm trying to stay on topic. imagine that?

with a january-mid march time frame that area of interior bc seems like it would be ideal from my past experience there. past mid march and the sun starts to do too much damage on most all but north facing. and it can rain to ridges as well.

rog

[Scotsman50]

Shames Mountain, Northern BC.... Terrace, the town, has a post-industrial apocalypse Eastern European vibe but the locals are extremely friendly and the BC skiing off the charts plus guaranteed snow.
As a telemarker you'll fit in just fine.
Too many damn people at Revy and Nelson ......plus the "hipster and vegans" vibe in Nelson curls my toes.

[the Cock]

from my one month there before mom threatened to cut off my funding.

rog

Fify Rog

[Hacksaw]

Some place in BC....

[akokskis]

WTF is happening to this place? 10 posts in and NO ONE has asked this JONG for his wife's tits? Common

[Zeedashbo]

What's wrong with you people? Aside from shames there is no place that can come close to Europe. I'd give my left nut to spend a season in Europe

[icelanticskier]

What's wrong with you people? Aside from shames there is no place that can come close to Europe. I'd give my left nut to spend a season in Europe

ya but the snow can be pretty meh some seasons compared to many north american regions.

rog

[Hugh Conway]

ya but the snow can be pretty meh some seasons compared to many north american regions.

rog

By what standard? You could still have a killer couple months (it's not a season) esp compared to kookwood

[DasBlunt]

Jesus, in one thread Rog screws the pooch.

Swissland for sure.

[icelanticskier]

You could still have a killer couple months

yes, if you like to eat/drink well. and then you gotta deal with all them funny talking yuros.

rog

[raisingarizona13]

Shames Mountain, Northern BC.... Terrace, the town, has a post-industrial apocalypse Eastern European vibe but the locals are extremely friendly and the BC skiing off the charts plus guaranteed snow.
As a telemarker you'll fit in just fine.
Too many damn people at Revy and Nelson ......plus the "hipster and vegans" vibe in Nelson curls my toes.

I f I could I would. Shames and the surrounding bc looks so ridiculous and quiet. I love the idea of an area that is not a resort and gives access to such huge terrain.

[raisingarizona13]

ya but the snow can be pretty meh some seasons compared to many north american regions.

rog

And after this past season in Europe it might be one heck of a gamble. Who knows though, maybe they will have a repeat?

[raisingarizona13]

you sure he shouldn't ski the east rog?

Killington.........think hot New Jersey babes!

[TBS]

http://www.skibrokeback.com/

[Hugh Conway]

And after this past season in Europe it might be one heck of a gamble. Who knows though, maybe they will have a repeat?

< shrug > you can still have good fun in a bad year perhaps because, in part, there's still way more access than anywhere else.

seriously, what's the deal with all the number dorks and skiing now?

[UPGRAYEDD_2505]

Ya gotta go to Europe if you can swing the $. Who knows, in 10 years you mighr be broke and divorced with kids. BC isn't going anywhere. And if you're skiing full time you'll get all the good days, so even if it's a 'bad' snow year you'll still have a lot of fun. But 2 and a half months will probably mean you have to leave as soon as you get in the groove. Why not stay through may??

[Incompetent Boob]

If I were coming to Europe, I'd try to make sure I was there for all of March, if not until mid-April. March = good base + spring dumps + sun and gives IMHO the best chance of getting into the more interesting terrain while still getting some powdah. In the right places in Europe in a normal season you can ski powder every day if you're willing to walk an hour.
France is cheaper than Switz, but places like le Chable/Nendaz or le Diablerets are much more affordable than Verbier or Gstaad. PdS has so many Brits language won't be a problem.
What do you want to ski? Steep and exposed, mellow, trees?

[Buster Highmen]

Briancon or Monetier Les Bains.
Serre Chevalier is right there and within an hours drive is: La Grave, The Queyras, Vars/Risoul, Puy St. Vincent, Pelvoux, the Milky Way (Montgenevre/Claviere/San Sicario/Sestriere/Saulze Doulx), Bardoneccia, Val Frejus, Val Cenis and even backside access to Les Trois Vallees.

Bourg St. Maurice might be another option with access to Espace Killy (Val d'Isere/Tignes), St. Foy, and Paradiski ( Les Arcs/La Plagne), La Rosiere and La Thuile(Italy)

[Slaag Master]

you know, in back of behind that other one place!!?? ya!! that place!!! o be do be dinna wanna could be!!!!!!