Ever wonder how steep the slope is you’re skiing or riding? There’s a good chance it’s not even close to how steep you think it is.
Read more courtesy of www.onthesnow.com…
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Tuesday 2/26/13 is travel day. Planes, trains, and automobiles. Okay, maybe just an airport train, but three of us make the trip to Mt.Bachelor, OR from Phoenix, AZ. Although connecting flights are available to Redmond, near the resort, we plan to meet in Eugene and take the two hour drive from there. Ron A. gets a head start and takes United through San Francisco. He grew up in Eugene and raced at Bachelor for his high school ski team back in the ‘70s. Ron L. and I take USAirways to Portland where you can connect with numerous 30 min. shuttle flights to Redmond or Eugene. After a bite to eat and groceries in Eugene, we hit the gas pedal and head for the high country.
Sitting in the Cascade Range just west of Bend, Mt. Bachelor is actually an active volcano with numerous steam vents that can be seen around the runs. It is basically a 3,365’ high cratered cone, about 60% above timberline, with a very consistent fall line. According to wikipedia, with a total lift-accessible area of 3,683 acres, it is the second largest single-mountain ski resort in the US behind Vail, and the sixth largest of all ski resorts in the nation. The resort boasts a lift-served vertical drop of 3,300’ with ten chairlifts, seven of which are express quads with slick electronic scanning systems.
So we all know the 2002 Olympic speed events were held here, but have you heard of it since? Have you been there? Likely not. Since it’s a god-awful full hour’s drive north of SLC, instead of just 30 minutes like the Park City and Little Cottonwood areas, nobody seems to go. Big mistake for them. But hey, for now let’s just encourage their expeditious ways.
My last visit to Snowbasin was in the early 80s, long before the Olympics when it was just a tiny little mom & pop ski area. To say the place has changed a bit would be the ultimate understatement. The absolute size of this place feels somewhere in the neighborhood of Jackson Hole or Snowmass. The Strawberry area actually has the feel of Jackson’s Hobacks. And much like the Hobacks, there’s nobody there and it is probably bigger in acreage than many western resorts. And even more conveniently than Jackson’s famed tram, all this terrain is served by one nearly 2500’ vertical gondola.
![ski_rental_shop_400[1]](https://desertsnowjunkies.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ski_rental_shop_4001.jpg)
With the season only weeks away now, the Customer Service Dept. here at DSJ WHQ (actually we farm it out to Indianastan now to help cover bonuses for upper management) has received numerous inquiries regarding the age old quandary of “buy or rent”. So in an attempt to break down this most vexing issue and make a decision based upon the sagest advice, we asked our esteemed panel of experts from the DSJ Fine Art of Road Trips (F.A.R.T.) Dept. and here’s what they had to say.
Boots – buy ’em!
Long lasting, easy to pack, and relatively inexpensive. Unlike skis or boards, boot technology does not advance as rapidly and you can expect boot shells to last up to about 2-300 ski days and the boot liners half that. Take care of them, and you could get from 5 to 10 years on a @$400 investment. That’s a no-brainer. The liners will begin to break down and compact after about 100 days and can be modified or replaced. Invest in some upgraded or custom foot beds (which can last a lifetime and also be used off season) and you’re money ahead in the long run.
So avoid the aches and pains. One case of blisters or shin bang can ruin your whole trip. Pack’em in with your clothes or get a boot bag and throw in the helmet, etc. But if going by air, seasoned vets prefer to “carry on”. Skis can be replaced, but custom fitted boots -cause to push the panic button!
Skis or Boards – do the math
It simply boils down to the numbers. Rolling your own is great and the only way to go for many. It’s cheaper if you ride a lot and once you develop an intimate relationship, they’re harder to leave home than the family dog. Gear whores like me like to pack two pair (only cause I can’t pack three). A double ski bag, two pairs with poles, and a full flask should come in just under 50 pounds.
On the other hand, if you’re riding say around ten days a season or less, there are compelling reasons to rent. At about $40-45 per day for performance demo skis & poles or boards (check your package deal for any included discounts), it’s probably money saved. If traveling by air you don’t have to schlep them around and saved bag fees may pay for a day or two’s rent. If driving, your home town shop may offer even cheaper deals.
Good resort shops will have them waxed and tuned daily (insist on this) and although you’re responsible for any major damage, you don’t have to sweat the routine daily base damage. Another benefit is having an instant “quiver” at your disposal. Most demos offer the option to switch skis during the day. You can chose your “ride” based on conditions or just to try cool new stuff.
Again, compared to riding your own, you’re gonna stand in line, fill out paperwork, they may not have what you want, or in the right length, or the schmuck in front of you got them, or they just plain suck once you get them on the snow. If you’re anticipating some freshies overnight, think about reserving a pair the night before because the fatties will disappear faster than your friends on a pow day.
So there you have it. If you want to buy, rent, or just check out the latest cool gear and get expert advice, see our DSJ affiliates at any of the two Phoenix Ski Pro Ride Shop locations.
Fritzki Out
Just because the dust has finally begun to settle in the PCMR vs Vail dispute, don’t think for a minute that other things in the state of Utah have also settled down.
Questions still abound on numerous fronts:
*What does the future hold for a combined Park City and Canyons Resort?
*Have the snowboarders made any headway in their lawsuit against Alta?
*Does new ownership at Snowbird mean any significant changes are afoot?
*What are the details and timeline for Deer Valley’s aggressive expansion plans?
*What is the status of the “One Wasatch” proposal to join all the ski areas?
