Utah/SLC Mags: Xmas Ski Options?

**dark_star** · 10-18-2017, 04:56 AM

So, my wife wants to take a ski vacation (always a plus) but the only time she can make it work for now is during the week between Christmas and New Years. Growing up in a ski town, I know that resorts are CRAZY during those weeks and that you can spend all your time waiting in lift lines and dodging gapers on the slopes. It is generally a time I avoid resorts if I have the choice.

We've been thinking about Utah because we can also head out to the national parks before or after- but for all you SLC mags out there, is a trip during this time period a horrible idea? Are there any resorts, e.g., lesser known ones, where we'd be able to get some good skiing in and not spend all of our time on the line ride?

Or, does anyone have any ideas for good resorts, Utah or otherwise, where we could have a good time during this week?

Thanks!

**Aus George** · 10-18-2017, 05:18 AM

We're going to Whistler BC next year for Xmas... Going for a month so hopefully it calms down a bit after the crazy time. Wife wanted a white Christmas and I get to ski. I feel your pain...

Maybe a smaller ski hill or resort would be quite during that time? Assume anything half decent will be packed though.

**telehacker** · 10-18-2017, 06:52 AM

Start looking at Craigslist for slc and stay at snowbird cheap. Get the mountain collective and that is 2 at the bird and 2 Alta.

At times it will be busy but keep moving around. Both places will make you happy.

**lemonhead** · 10-19-2017, 09:00 PM

I wouldn’t be scared to visit Utah during this time. The NPs can be great that time of year. Christmas Day itself is normally pretty low key and a late crowd at most of the resorts. Do your homework or send me a PM and you should be able to avoid any massive lift lines.

**happytimefunbox** · 10-19-2017, 09:02 PM

Think powder mountain...

**BobMc** · 10-19-2017, 09:35 PM

You're in luck! One of the least visited resorts in the Wasatch is actually a hot bed of maggot hook ups! I'm not sure if you've heard of "Solitude." But, it's a little known resort that is seemingly overlooked by all the powder starved folks that live in the Salt Lake valley.

At Solitude you'll not only find uncrowded powder fields, but also one of the little known TGR secrets. There is a user named "Iceman" that owns a condo at Solitude, he's known to give killer deals on renting said condo. I can personally vouch for the digs, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Iceman doesn't like dealing with the general public about his killer deals, so he has recruited a property management company to handle his business. Thankfully, one of the agents in the management company frequently posts here as well. Search for the username "rontele", Ron handles Iceman's rental schedule.

Have fun on your vacation, if it's like the last several years I'm sure you'll find crowds to a minimum!

**jackattack** · 10-19-2017, 09:36 PM

Eden Utah vrbo/airbnb

Split time at snow basin (if it's sunny) and pow mow (if it's dumping.)

**Benny Profane** · 10-20-2017, 05:39 AM

No, it's the opposite.

**Shredhead** · 10-20-2017, 05:59 AM

Personally, I'd just book airline tickets into SLC and a rental car. Then get a regular hotel room that you can cancel right up to the day you arrive, as a place holder.
Watch the weather and be as flexible as possible.

Your wife would probably like Sundance.

**snowaddict91** · 10-20-2017, 06:23 AM

Originally Posted by Shredhead

Personally, I'd just book airline tickets into SLC and a rental car. Then get a regular hotel room that you can cancel right up to the day you arrive, as a place holder.
Watch the weather and be as flexible as possible.

Your wife would probably like Sundance.

Spring for a rental with 4wd/awd. They restrict the canyons to 4wd/chains when it snows.

**Coño Frío** · 10-20-2017, 10:17 AM

Lack of crowds is a major plus imo. That being said your best options are prolly:
-PowMow
-Solitude
Both are phenomenally fun, IMO, but if you need super gnar, then ya have to head up LCC.
*haven’t been to Sundance yet but the wife has it high on her list. Females do seem to love that place for some reason

**TAFKALVS** · 10-20-2017, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by BobMc

You're in luck! One of the least visited resorts in the Wasatch is actually a hot bed of maggot hook ups! I'm not sure if you've heard of "Solitude." But, it's a little known resort that is seemingly overlooked by all the powder starved folks that live in the Salt Lake valley.

At Solitude you'll not only find uncrowded powder fields, but also one of the little known TGR secrets. There is a user named "Iceman" that owns a condo at Solitude, he's known to give killer deals on renting said condo. I can personally vouch for the digs, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Iceman doesn't like dealing with the general public about his killer deals, so he has recruited a property management company to handle his business. Thankfully, one of the agents in the management company frequently posts here as well. Search for the username "rontele", Ron handles Iceman's rental schedule.

Have fun on your vacation, if it's like the last several years I'm sure you'll find crowds to a minimum!

Rontele totally hooked us up a few years ago! Good call!

**schindlerpiste** · 10-20-2017, 11:21 AM

I once waited 1 hr. to purchase lift passes at Solitude on 12/26. Gapers wherever, incl. LCC and BCC. Whatever you decide, purchase tickets in advance and don't think about renting equip. If this was my only week, I'd probably consider the Ogden resorts

**conway** · 10-20-2017, 12:08 PM

Had a great day at Snowbasin. Zero crowds. Two gondolas and a small tram plus a half-empty parking lot meant zero lift lines. PCMR was the worst. Big lines at the base for lift, lunch, lift tickets, everything. We also hit Snowbird, Solitude, and Sundance, which were all somewhere in the middle.

**ncskier** · 10-20-2017, 01:00 PM

As a christmas week skier in utah and actually all the winter holidays you have some good suggestions. We are season pass holders to Solitude and generally its navigable if you stay at the mountain. Avoiding the drive up LCC and BCC at all costs is a time saver in my opinion.
I saw a real shitshow this past year driving up to Snowbasin thought. The access road was nut to but the whole way up and limited parking.
park city sucks.
This year due to work schedules and they way the kids are out of school I will be their the entire week before. I used to dread it,Holiday skiing that is< but it stretches the PTO and really I'd rather wait around a lift line any day then be at work. So be optimistic.

**californiagrown** · 10-20-2017, 02:34 PM

Fly into SLC. Rent a car and drive 5 hours up to Targhee. Minimal crowds, and if lookers right from the bottom isnt sendy enough for you, drive 40 mins over the pass to jackson.

**mall walker** · 10-20-2017, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by kai_ski

Eden Utah vrbo/airbnb

Split time at snow basin (if it's sunny) and pow mow (if it's dumping.)

This will definitely be the most low-key option. As mentioned elsewhere, Solitude is also great.

If you're going to do Solitude with your wife, IMO either stay there at the condos/etc at Solitude, or stay in downtown SLC (meaning walking distance from say, State St @ 200 S). There are loads of hotels that should be relatively inexpensive then, and you can do shit besides eat at the Chili's in the mall in Midvale or whatever. It's not much further a drive and a lot nicer a vacation option. See the Nutcracker at night or see some museums, eat at some nice restaurants (feel free to PM me for an exhaustive list as I have eaten at virtually all of them), etc. Also, with respect to the national parks, IMO Canyonlands/Arches/Moab is way more bang for your buck than trying to do Bryce/Zion.

Unless you're just dirtbagging to ski, in which case do whatever's cheapest. Either way,

Originally Posted by snowaddict91

Spring for a rental with 4wd/awd. They restrict the canyons to 4wd/chains when it snows.

Definitely do this. It seems to always snow around xmas and you don't want to be stuck on the bus for $15/day extra or so.

**Benny Profane** · 10-20-2017, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by mbillie1

This will definitely be the most low-key option.

Apre up there is lower key than two Ambien washed down with red wine. Is there any place even to get a meal?

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**mall walker** · 10-20-2017, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by Benny Profane

Apre up there is lower key than two Ambien washed down with red wine. Is there any place even to get a meal?

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lol well there’s the “Mexican” place... it’s unterrible but not open late.

**jackattack** · 10-20-2017, 05:41 PM

Apres- who gives a shit? On vacation with the family? Ski your legs off, make a nice dinner, a bottle of wine, start a movie for the kid(s), sex, sleep, repeat.

**Benny Profane** · 10-20-2017, 06:13 PM

Pretty hard to "make a nice dinner" after you've "skied your legs off".

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**brutah** · 10-20-2017, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by Benny Profane

Pretty hard to "make a nice dinner" after you've "skied your legs off".

So fuckin classic bunny. You're literally my favorite hahaha

We were starving last winter, all that powder, all that skiing, everyone was too tired to cook, no one ate and all the food rotted. The famine of 2017

**Benny Profane** · 10-20-2017, 06:43 PM

How do you eat with that mask on your face, bruh?

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**brutah** · 10-20-2017, 06:44 PM

Xmas is the busiest time of the ski season, no matter the ski area. I'd avoid PC if possible, LCC will be next up for most busy after that crowds should be more on the manageable side.

**JongDoe** · 10-20-2017, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by telehacker

Start looking at Craigslist for slc and stay at snowbird cheap. Get the mountain collective and that is 2 at the bird and 2 Alta.

At times it will be busy but keep moving around. Both places will make you happy.

Mountain Collective also has 2 days at Snowbasin which would likely be one of the less crowded options. I think the MCP is $489 right now so you can get 2 days each at Alta, Bird, Snowbasin and since you are from Boston 2 days at Sugartush. You also get an extra bonus day at one of the places. Great deal.