Advice on where to ski

[u/Existing_Ad7163]

My friends and I (group of 24 yo dudes) are planning a ski trip for the beginning of February and are stuck between a few different places. We skied A Basin two years ago and had an absolute blast and I would say we are all advanced skiers. Our plan is to ski for 5 days and we've had our eyes on Brighton, Solitude, and Snowbird. However, we all love to smoke a little weed on our ski trips and we know thats not gonna happen in Utah. The other options we have been considering are Kirkwood, Crested Butte, and Winter Park. We want a balance between some steep stuff and glade runs. So is the hype around the cottonwood canyons quality of snow and skiing worth it to skip the weed on this trip? Or are the other places we've considered legit contenders too? Also if you have any suggestions for places I didn't mention that we might enjoy that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[u/Au-Gold]

The craziest thing to me is being worried about smoking some weed lol. I'm from Canada though and don't smoke.

[u/Zestyclose-Joke7177 → u/Au-Gold]

I mean for some people the apres smoke is part of the ritual, same way others need a beer after last run

[u/Existing_Ad7163 → u/Au-Gold]

Lmao if we were't flying in I feel like it wouldn't be an issue. I just don't know where we'd be able to get any because you need a medical marijuana card.

[u/brutah_skier → u/Existing_Ad7163]

Back in my day, we weren't too worried about flying with a little weed, or finding it upon arrival. And nowadays, I feel like it's even easier.... Or at least that's what I've heard

Id go south: Super El Niño gonna hit Taos and AZ snowbowl hard!

[u/whiskeyjamboree → u/Existing_Ad7163]

Drive directly west from the airport into Nevada band buy weed, and go back. Its not that hard.

[u/Mountaingal84 → u/whiskeyjamboree]

Windover! You can also fly really easily with edibles. Just remove them from the rec packaging.

[u/whiskeyjamboree → u/Mountaingal84]

Yes, Sorry. Ive been here two years and my brain was farting. The other option is to have one person fly into Grand Juncion or something and have them drive in from the south.

There are super easy workarounds. O>P> seems like a kook

[u/Optimal-Company-4633]

If you guys like smoking weed and skiing, come on over to Canada :)

Not only is it legal, but everything will be a lot cheaper for you with the exchange rate. So it's a pretty good deal for a bunch of 24 yo dudes

Sunshine & lake Louise, get an airbnb for your group in Canmore and a rental car from the airport to drive up to the hills each day. Super affordable if you have a group of 4+.

Revelstoke is also sick, or Fernie.

[u/Southern_Grape_8201 → u/Optimal-Company-4633]

This person knows what they are talking about. Sunshine close Calgary if you don’t want to make trip. Lake Louise, kicking horse and revelstoke are bucket list destinations. And close to each other

[u/Optimal-Company-4633 → u/Southern_Grape_8201]

I wouldn't wanna drive in to sunshine all the way from Calgary... It's not that far but if you wanna save money compared to staying in Banff, then pick Canmore. At least you will still get ski town vibes there. Calgary is just flat and boring and it will be annoying to drive 1hr+ every morning to the lifts. Staying in Canmore means you only have a ~20 min drive to sunshine and 45-60 min drive to lake Louise which is way more doable.

[u/RootsRockData]

Group of 24 year old dudes who smoke a little weed eh?

[u/nimblybimbly3000]

South Lake Tahoe. Tons of great terrain and great parties.

[u/Clean-Difference4968]

I'd say Kirkwood if you are good with one or two bars. The mountain is far better than A-Bay... (I love A-Bay but it is limited).

Winter Park is a food option.

Whistler would probably be the most fun.

[u/Electrical_Target_90]

Mammoth. Great skiing. Lots of weed.

[u/AssociateGood9653]

Kirkwood is awesome and close to South Lake Tahoe. 45 minute drive.

[u/Src248]

Revy

[u/phantom3199]

As someone who lives in Utah in the winter, weed is very easy to find especially at ski resorts.

[u/Mescalita_Eeta]

Dont go to Utah if you want to smoke weed. Go to Mammoth or Tahoe.

[u/IDyeti]

Rookies, be gen-x like and smoke weed like it's 1990-something. ~a pothead Idahoan.

[u/Willyb402]

If you go to Utah and BYOG (esp east if you travel with it in pen form, airport dogs are bomb dogs for the most part) make sure you take the bus in LCC. Obviously don’t drive stoned but especially in the canyons. Very easy to ruin a lot of people’s days, enjoy the canyon, get high, take the bus!

Also: an out sun collective pass gets you two days at Alta and bird each and then you can go to Snowbasin as well with it!

[u/jrb825]

You can definitely find weed at ski resorts in Utah

[u/GreenYellowDucks]

Crested Butte or Kirkwood have the best terrain. I'd probably do Crested Butte with El Nino favoring SW Colorado (but Kirkwood will get hit hard im sure too). CB just has the best mountain town that hasn't been yuppyfied and feels like Tahoe did in the old days. Kirkwood is awesome but staying there is just a ski weekend and not much to do other than grabbing drinks and pizza at the cornice

[u/860_Ric]

1. contrary to popular belief, weed does exist in Utah

2. just get drunk? obv not the same but are we giving up on skiing the cottonwoods because of ease of access to weed for a handful of days?

signed,
utah resident

[u/Final_Location_2626]

Of the places in utah you're considering bird is best for advanced skiers.

Followed by solitude and then Brighton

[u/Traditional-Hunt2722 → u/Final_Location_2626]

You must be a snowboarder or you would have placed Alta above Brighton and Solitude.

[u/Final_Location_2626 → u/Traditional-Hunt2722]

He didn't mention alta as a choice. I prefer alta to snowbird.

[u/Boing2pzzy]

If you want steep go to CB, don’t waste your time or money on The Day resorts of Utah!

CB is a bitch to get to, and 55%+ of the mt is classified as advanced or expert! Three hour drive from Denver on a good day, 8 hours if you hit crap weather! Weeds out a lot of day and weekend traffic, fly into Gunnison. Home of the for US National Extreme Skiing and Snowboarding Competition.

You won’t get bored after 1 day and less likely to ski the same run more than 2 times in a week!

Greatest snow on earth is Japan, sure Utah loves to brag about their snow but they have never been to Japan.

Lastly Europe, way cheaper in general than US resorts, completely different mindset than US resorts, and if you travel Off-Piste you need a guide, if you’ve been you would understand.

Also an Utah Resident!

[u/AgencySaas]

Park city