what is the best time for skiing?

just a few questions about going skiing…

The ‘where’ and ‘when’ on a budget is entirely geographical.

Usually driving to the closest ski area is going to be your least expensive trip. Airfare and lodging tend to be the lionshare of a ski trip budget.

1. Really the only lifts open in Colorado in October is Arapaho Basin and Loveland an hour west of Denver off of I-70.

2. The best place to go skiing in February would be a ski area that has just got a good amount of new snow that fits your budget and has ski trails that best match what you really enjoy skiing. For me, in Colorado that means Telluride, Crested Butte, Aspen Highlands, Vail, Beaver Creek, Copper Mtn and WinterPark/MaryJane. In Utah, Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude and Snowbasin. In Wyoming, Jackson Hole. Really any ski area with more than 10″ of fresh is good as long as it all beginner runs.

3. Usually the best deals for skiing are usually when the ski areas open and just before they close. If everyone is on vacation, expect high rates and low vacancy and small, if any, discounts.

My favorite places to ski in North America tend to stick close to the Rocky Mountains due to the snow quality. The Rocky Mtns usually receive much of the light fluffy stuff and not so much of the heavy, sticky, clumpy snow that falls at lower elevations. The light stuff is less effort to ski through and doesn’t leave a dent when you might fall.

I have been to western Switzerland and eastern France. I want to return there sometime. I have been to Alberta and eastern British Columbia in Canada and like it there too!

It’s colder at higher elevation ski areas but the snow quality is most times better than at coastal and lower elevation ski areas.

Sweetgrass February Teaser: Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding in Hokkaido, Japan

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