Clickbait title aside, this is not that trip.
This is not that article.
As a euro who rarely flies, the US IS fairly far-flung to me.
Planning level 0, exoticness level -100.
And of course, last season it was pretty easy to find.
I was slightly injured all trip (as always) so mostly I took photos and complained.
Our trip started at DIA, picking up a truck and hitting the road.
Lots of snow plus empty resort tends to equal good times.
We later figured out that the entire chutes had been snowed over.
It didnt snow at all in Europe last season, so to us, this was paradise.
Do:
Stay on the South Fork side of the pass.
Dont:
Miss the last Elma chair back to base, its a long walk.
After Wolf Creek, we did some sightseeing.
We passed through Mesa Verde National Park, which was pretty incredible, and of course, Moab.
Both of them are supposedly deserts, but as became a theme, it snowed.
Seriously, what is the deal with bumps at Alta and Bird?
Do you not like being able to walk after a day of skiing?
Anyway, we went back to the lodge, drank a couple in the bar, and passed out.
We woke up early to find the canyon still closed.
Country club day number two and it had been NUKING overnight.
We could barely even find our Dodge Ram in the parking lot to switch for wider skis.
Cue whooping, shouting, and some of the best runs of our lives.
In some ways, Alta is the polar opposite of Wolf Creek.
The terrain is insane but there is a lot of competition for it.
Sidestepping up the ridge (bootpacking is banned?!)
I felt like I was being chased by a pack of middle-aged crack junkies.
We lucked out, it was the biggest snowfall year since 1946 but that terrain is there forever.
Its definitely a must-ski.
Get huge freeride skis to fit in, even (ESPECIALLY) if you cant handle them.
Stay at Goldminers Daughter.
Expect to keep up with locals half your age.
Expect to get as lucky as us with the lack of people.
Tom Wallisch told me to go, so who was I to argue?
We only had a day but, obviously, he turned out to be correct.
For being just over an hours drive from one of skiings hubs, that felt pretty crazy.
We barely scratched the surface but we made a line straight for the cat and lapped that.
I also wanted to note here how insanely nice and relaxed everyone was at Powder.
We were bummed to only have one day, well be back for sure.
Eat Ramen at the Powder Keg.
Spend more than one day here.
Expect to lap the cat even vaguely quickly.
Next up was the drive north to Wyoming and the Tetons.
I mean this with love, but yall are not very good at driving.
The appearance of a corner or a snowflake isnt a reason to immediately panic break.
Although thinking about it, that does explain the crashing.
Some spots were almost too deep to really turn, even right off the lift.
We had a super chilled day, but a great time.
Hard to beat really.
Eat Waffle Nachos
Order one portion each.
Jackson Hole:
Well, what is there to say about Jackson that hasnt already been said?
Its big, its expensive but its technically independent too.
And the terrain is, frankly, ridiculous.
Would I want to make it my home resort?
Probably not, but then I dont particularly like people.
But you have to check it out because its an insane mountain.
Id certainly go back and I can see why so many, including Erica decide to make it home.
Learn to ski first.
- It was nice to ski somewhere where people actually wanted you to be there.
Dont expect the same (or any) customer service when you come to our side of the pond.
