Salt Lake City and Colorado Trip from the UK

[Monster101]

Hi folks,


Just got permission for the wife to do a last minute Rockies flight/Road trip.


Arriving on the 28th Dec to Salt Lake City late and wanting to ski Alta on New Year's day - 50th Birthday.


Then looking for suggestions, is it worth staying in SLC for another couple of days or better getting a flight to Denver and exploring Colorado.
Wife is looking for at least a day trip to Aspen (she is non skiing)


Total newbie in Utah and Colorado having only really skied in Europe and Canada. Keen skier on piste and most at home off piste - favorite over this side of the pond is La Grave. I will be on my own though so not sure how much of that I will get to do unless I can hook up with some folks.


Need to fly home on the 11th or 12th back to the UK.


Any tips, potential itinerary would be welcome. I will be hiring a car in SLC and Denver airport.....


Thanks


Alan

[One (+) Sentence]

Hi folks,


Just got permission for the wife to do a last minute Rockies flight/Road trip.


Arriving on the 28th Dec to Salt Lake City late and wanting to ski Alta on New Year's day - 50th Birthday.


Then looking for suggestions, is it worth staying in SLC for another couple of days or better getting a flight to Denver and exploring Colorado.
Wife is looking for at least a day trip to Aspen (she is non skiing)


Total newbie in Utah and Colorado having only really skied in Europe and Canada. Keen skier on piste and most at home off piste - favorite over this side of the pond is La Grave. I will be on my own though so not sure how much of that I will get to do unless I can hook up with some folks.


Need to fly home on the 11th or 12th back to the UK.


Any tips, potential itinerary would be welcome. I will be hiring a car in SLC and Denver airport.....


Thanks


Alan

Maybe look into renting a vehicle in SLC and returning in Denver? May be cheaper than the flight from SLC to DEN, plus 2 separate rentals (hires.) Potential itinerary: Snowbasin > Snowbird > Alta > Park City > Steamboat > Aspen > Vail, Copper or other Summit Co areas > Denver.

Skiing is the best at Alta/Snowbird. PC, Steamboat, and Aspen will have the best off hill activities and shopping.

Aspen may be the best blend for the both of you.

With a rental car Jackson Hole could also be looped in between UT and CO.

[easyrdr]

Way different skiing than La Grave. If it were me I would hit Alta/Snowbird, drive to Moab for a day or two (check out Arches). Drive to Aspen, ski Snowmass, Aspen, Aspen Highlands. Drive to Vail, ski it. Drive to summit county, pick one resort, I would go either Breckenridge. Drive to Denver airport fly home.

[Marshal Olson]

Agreeing with the above.

All the good stuff is between SLC and Denver. Most of the best locales are 2-3 hrs from one-another, and is ideally suited to do a day or two at each and then drive to the next one.

The more famous the resort (ie Alta, Snowbird, Aspen, Breckenridge, Park City) the more expensive lodging and more crowded the hills will be during holidays. So I'd recommend doing a mix of that, but also fly under the radar a bit (ie Powder Mountain, Araphahoe Basin, Loveland) too.

[Djongo Unchained]

Agreeing with the above.

All the good stuff is between SLC and Denver.

This. Jackson sucks. And waaaay more expensive than Asspen.

[Dark Energy]

Skip the rental car in SLC. Take a van services from the airport. And, even though the dorm rooms are no longer a thing, the first few nights stay at Alta's Goldminer's Daughter so when you turn 50 your selective memory will recall how much fun it was to be a dirtbag when you were young. Then step it up for your birthday and stay at the Rustler in Alta. It will inspire you to keep skiing for another half century as you watch the regulars with walkers and canes ease into their ski boots before ripping the pow.

Don't hold the non-skiing wife hostage in LCC. Send her directly to Aspen and join her later unless once you are 50 you need her to drive you at night.

Realistically, a few years back on a ski safari in Colorado and Utah after renting a vehicle in Denver for the Colorado portion of the trip, it was less $ to fly between Denver and SLC than to rent a vehicle in Denver and return it in SLC. Although if you decide to drive from SLC to Aspen make some time for exploring the San Rafael Swell enroute.

Look forward to trip report. And happy birthday!

[Marshal Olson]

This. Jackson sucks. And waaaay more expensive than Asspen.

Def not a dig at Jackson... my thinking is that if one is skiing solo, never been and only has a day or two, Jackson is a bit harder to unlock the magic of.

[Skistack]

Fly into SLC and work your way over to Denver. Couple of days at AltaBird, a day at Arches, couple of days in Aspen, couple of days in Vail, couple of days in Breck.


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[Djongo Unchained]

.

[Kevo]

If you are intent on skiing Colorado I would ski Aspen or Telluride or Crested Butte depending on who has better snow and skip everything else.

Flying across the world to ski Breckenridge or Keystone or Vail with holiday crowds would be a major letdown. Driving from anywhere in the mountains of Colorado to Denver to fly home is a nightmare. Highly recommend flying from Montrose or Aspen or Gunnison and not driving all the way to Denver.

Alternate and likely more enjoyable itinerary- ski Alta and Snowbird and then fly 1 hour to Jackson Hole or rent a 4x4 and drive 4.5 hours to Jackson Hole. Ski JHMR and possibly Grand Targhee. Fly home with your departing flight starting in Jackson Hole or Idaho Falls. You’ll connect through Denver, SLC or Chicago, DFW, etc. but your travel will be much easier than trying to drive back to a major city.

Salt Lake is way closer to Jackson Hole than it is to Colorado ski resorts, and the skiing is way better in Jackson Hole most of the time.

Lastly, buy a mountain collective pass and you’ll save a lot of money, particularly if you ski Alta, Snowbird, Jackson Hole, Grand Targhee. Consider adding Snow Basin if you go that route.

https://mountaincollective.com/

[muted reborn]

Don't hold the non-skiing wife hostage in LCC. Send her directly to Aspen and join her later unless once you are 50 you need her to drive you at night.

But snowbird has a nice spa and a rooftop pool and you can meet the wife for lunch at the top of the tram. I'd also recommend staying in Park City for a non-skier

Fly into SLC and work your way over to Denver. Couple of days at AltaBird, a day at Arches, couple of days in Aspen, couple of days in Vail, couple of days in Breck.


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Why is everyone recommending Vail and a summit county resort like Breck or Copper? I'd be content to never ski either of those places again.

Also Powder mountain most likely won't be filled in by January.

[ghosthop]

Unless this is a true bucket list trip where you are most concerned with checking boxes I would make a decision re Jackson vs. Aspen. Jackson -> Aspen is not the kindest winter drive, especially for a foreigner with his wife along and who knows how well they travel.

Park City does have better amenities than LLC but I would make the wife suck it up for a few days in LLC and then win her back with Moab/Aspen. It’s not her birthday.

Really think about how likely you are to get back to the states and what you want this trip to be. The older I get the more I am glad to be at my destination and enjoy it for what is rather than stopping at every point of interest along the way.

Don’t forget to buy your booze ahead of time in Utah and know how to check road conditions/closures for your intended route.

[Buzzworthy]

Also I do enjoy getting mags from other countries stoned.

[Monster101]

Bit of background, I had intended to be heli/catskiing this winter in Alaska/Canada on my own dime for my 50th without the wife being with me. She was not happy as I got to go to Cape Town with her for her 50th. However, had a heart issue in Feb 24 and had a Quad bypass (genetic issue as fit and skinny, lol) which means not many places will insure me and not happy with my fitness for this. She still wants me to get away and wants to treat me, it's on her dime therefore need to play the game. She is non skier and a reality TV fan, hence SLC and Aspen as she has seen these places and wants to visit.

Car hire with return to different airports is ridiculously expensive (circa $3k for 14 days) will therefore make do with some internal flights and local car hire and happy to use park and ride - I am super keen and an early riser so happy to do park and ride etc for Alta/Snowbird. This might only be a ski every second day kind of day this trip. Overall budget for the lodging and non transatlantic flights will be around $5k. I am paying for the day tickets or Ikon pass. I will definitely be back for a proper ski road trip and just looking for the best mix.

Thanks for all your help so far as it gives me some ideas for an itinerary......

[easyrdr]

Forget Denver, Roundtrip out of SLC. Ski Alta/Bird, Moab, Ski Telluride, Durango, Ski Silverton, hit hot springs in Ouray, back to SLC.

Or simplify the heck out of this and just hit Alta/Bird and Aspen, plenty to ski and do in both locations for skiers and non skiers. Though I would still throw Moab/Arches on the way.

[Shredhead]

Even though I live in Aspen and believe it can be the best Christmas destination. It is extremely expensive at Christmas and you could blow your entire budget, on just one night.

If you're set on skiing Alta, I'd just stick to SLC.

[One (+) Sentence]

Or simplify the heck out of this and just hit Alta/Bird and Aspen, plenty to ski and do in both locations for skiers and non skiers. Though I would still throw Moab/Arches on the way.

Do this. It's a 6.5 hour drive from Alta to Aspen.

[Elkhound Odin]

$5k budget for 2 weeks of lodging plus transportation during xmas holiday isn't going to cut it unless you are willing to dirtbag at the most bedbug infested, fentanyl coated, motel dumps.

[schindlerpiste]

Enjoy everything that ALTA/Bird and Snowbasin have to offer. Maybe a day/overnight trip to Telluride or Silverton. Otherwise, it's just for weed. 2 days in Jackson/Targhee is always a WIN. If you rent a vehicle. in SLC and return to Denver, you will get hit with a $200+ surcharge.

[whipski]

I'd say Mtn collective pass. Alta then Snow bird for a couple. Drive rental to Glenwood. Stay at Hotel Colorado. 40 minutes to Aspen. Ski Aspen Mtn whilst the wife knocks around town. Next day Snowmass wife has option to hit Aspen again or chill at hot springs. Drive to Silverthorne get a room. Drive or bus to A-Basin wife hits the factory stores, use you 2 days at A-Basin. Wife could hit Breckinridge for shopping /lunch. Then onto Denver and fly home.

[El Chupacabra]

Another vote here for the Mountain Collective pass instead of Ikon, unless OP has use for Ikon elsewhere - - or if he wants to stay in SLC longer and ski all the Ikon places on one trip.

OP, I don't think you've commented on the recommendations for visiting Moab / Arches / scenery in that area. Not interested, or wife doesn't care, or? There's nothing in Europe that looks anything like it.

I'd skip the Denver / Colorado part completely. If Utah doesn't cover enough of what you want, I'd also suggest Jackson - - beautiful, and the town itself should have enough wild west glamour and pampering for the wife.

[Kevo]

It’s going to be difficult to float a 14 days vacation with two people anywhere close to US mountain west ski resorts for $5k near the holidays.

Perhaps stay in Sandy to ski Alta and Snowbird, spend some time at museums in Salt Lake and then move to another hotel up near Ogden to ski Snow Basin. Consider going to Moab for Arches and Canyonlands National Park and or swing by Zion National Park. You can ski Brian Head if you go to Southern Utah.

It is difficult to understate how expensive Aspen is, especially around the holidays. Think of it like a less fancy but more expensive St Moritz. You could very easily blow through your entire budget in just a few days. I would not attempt to drive from Denver to Aspen in the winter. It is a horrendous drive with some of the worst traffic on any US highway. If you do plan to drive to Aspen make sure you have a 4x4 or AWD vehicle.

North American ski resorts are unjustifiably more expensive than European ski resorts. It can be quite shocking.

[PNWbrit]

This sounds like a recipe for both a shit ski trip and a shit non-skiing trip for your wife.

Why not split the trip up into something like a big city stay with the Mrs in LA, SF or NY then she goes home and you ski.

If you're going to do it anyway then I agree on the Telluride suggestion.

She is a reality TV fan

Vibes.

[El Chupacabra]

Staying away from Aspen, I could easily do two weeks of skiing for $5K. OP, here's how:

Mountain Collective pass, $600 or so. Whatever they are right now.

Car rental at SLC airport: reserve an AWD or four wheel drive. Check for cheaper reservations often - cancel and rebook if prices drop. Use Autoslash to monitor for price decreases.

In SLC, stay in SLC, like Sandy or Midvale. SLC has tons of generic corporate chain hotels that are all fine - Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, a wide range of Marriott brands. Do not stay at Alta, Snowbird, or in Park City, much more expensive. Breakfast at hotel (pick a hotel that includes breakfast). Bring lunch - American supermarkets usually have deli counters, get your lunch on the way for $10. Dinner out in SLC, as nice or as basic as you like. Pay attention to which resorts have parking reservation requirement and/or parking fees, consider using the ski bus and leaving wife with car in town to explore. (She's not a skier, right?)

Same plan for Ogden (Snowbasin).

If going to Jackson, stay in Jackson, not at the village (the village is at the base of the ski area and much more expensive than staying in the town of Jackson). Park at the Ranch Lot, bring lunch with, go back to the car and get it. Dinner in town. Ski Grand Targhee, it's on the Mountain Collective pass - - consider doing that after Jackson (stay in Jackson after two days in Jackson, drive to Targhee, ski a day, drive to Idaho Falls and stay there on last night. Drive to SLC airport next day, fly home.)

[Marshal Olson]

Bring lunch - American supermarkets usually have deli counters, get your lunch on the way for $10. Dinner out in SLC, as nice or as basic as you like. Pay attention to which resorts have parking reservation requirement and/or parking fees, consider using the ski bus and leaving wife with car in town to explore. (She's not a skier, right?)

In the cottonwoods, navigating the canyon traffic, especially during the holidays if its snowing, is a real thing. Miles long lineups in the AM just to get into the canyon on powder days, very limited parking that fills up quickly / weeks/months in advance, and 3+hr traffic jams coming down the canyon. Sharing this not to scare you, as its all navigatable, but it would be a very disappointing trip if you played your cards wrong a few times.

Consider skipping the last hour of each ski day, and just have her drop you off and pick you up from Entry 1 at Snowbird. You can present this as a win-win, so she has the car to check out downtown or whatever. And you can take a bus from lower snowbird up to Alta if you want to ski there on a given day. If you ski until 4pm over the holidays it is almost certain to take hours to get back down the canyon. If you want to ski til closing bell, it is probably worth staying up there for dinner and driving down much later in the evening.