Best Resorts for Glades and Pow

[braveskimom]

While I'd never ask you give up your secret stash, I have been charged with making a couple of lists this winter (from my editor at Liftopia).

Just for fun, we're polling skiers and snowboarders to find out their favorite North American resorts for tree skiing and powder skiing. The list won't be comprehensive or scientific. Like I said, it's just for fun and to get the conversation started.

If you've got an opinion, please weigh in!

And here are my answers.

Tree skiing: X Files and Ontario Bowl at Deer Valley
Powder skiing: While the answer should be "where ever the snow if falling and deep" I have to say some of my best powder days have come at Powderhorn Mountain Resort in Western Colorado. No crowds, deep snow...and this season, a new lift!

Thanks so much!

 

[SheSki]

While I'd never ask you give up your secret stash,

At least you know
Seriously, my favorite place for pow is a small resort and could use a little bit more business to make sure it stays open. Eagle Point is located in Beaver, UT which is in southern UT, about 3.5 hours from Las Vegas and around 2.5 hours from SLC. Tops out at 10,600 ft. elevation and gets nice dry powder. It's supposed to be in the sweet zone for the upcoming El Niño FWIW.

The best part is that they are only open Friday thru Sunday in non-holiday weeks so when there are a string of storms that come through Monday- Thursday it can get nice and deep by Fridays first chair. Last year they operated Thurs.- Sunday so I take the new Friday-Sunday schedule as a sign that they need more visitors. There really are so few visitors that there's untracked powder to be found all the way through Sunday. You're welcome

 

[geargrrl]

I would tell you but then I'd have to kill you.

 

[braveskimom]

At least you know
Seriously, my favorite place for pow is a small resort and could use a little bit more business to make sure it stays open. Eagle Point is located in Beaver, UT which is in southern UT, about 3.5 hours from Las Vegas and around 2.5 hours from SLC. Tops out at 10,600 ft. elevation and gets nice dry powder. It's supposed to be in the sweet zone for the upcoming El Niño FWIW.

The best part is that they are only open Friday thru Sunday in non-holiday weeks so when there are a string of storms that come through Monday- Thursday it can get nice and deep by Fridays first chair. Last year they operated Thurs.- Sunday so I take the new Friday-Sunday schedule as a sign that they need more visitors. There really are so few visitors that there's untracked powder to be found all the way through Sunday. You're welcome

Love this. Thank you. Its always fantastic to feature less known resorts. And you are so right about the El Nino forecasting!

 

[braveskimom]

I would tell you but then I'd have to kill you.

I know, I know! That's why I'm not even thinking about asking for specific runs, glades or chutes! Cheers!

 

[Ringrat]

Whitewater and Red Mountain.

 

[callmijane]

For both, Wolf Creek.

 

[marzNC]

Tree skiing: Big Sky because there are easy glades or tight trees in a variety of areas
Powder: Alta, Grand Targhee

The glades on Andesite at Big Sky was the first place I really enjoyed tree skiing. Lots of other places with trees to explore for those who are comfortable with steeper or tighter trees.

Haven't really skied GT in powder much at all. The first time I was at GT, there was plenty of powder but it was my first day out west and we were driving to Big Sky after skiing, so really didn't ski ungroomed much. But that is one of the places I really want to go again for powder skiing. One the good features is that there is no need to think about which lift to take. With only three to choose from, it makes it pretty simple. Can stay on the high speed summit quad all day since there is no line to worry about.

 

[sibhusky]

Whitefish, of course.

https://www.wmr-guide.com/tips.html#SkiingtheTrees

 

[braveskimom]

Whitefish, of course.

https://www.wmr-guide.com/tips.html#SkiingtheTrees

Thanks! I'd love to hear a bit more about Whitefish. Haven't been there. Hoping to get there this winter. What are you willing to share? Thanks!

 

[braveskimom]

Whitewater and Red Mountain.

This BC duo are also on my "someday" list. What do you love about them?

 

[braveskimom]

For both, Wolf Creek.

Hoping the El Nino winter is especially kind to Wolf Creek!

 

[braveskimom]

Tree skiing: Big Sky because there are easy glades or tight trees in a variety of areas
Powder: Alta, Grand Targhee

The glades on Andesite at Big Sky was the first place I really enjoyed tree skiing. Lots of other places with trees to explore for those who are comfortable with steeper or tighter trees.

Haven't really skied GT in powder much at all. The first time I was at GT, there was plenty of powder but it was my first day out west and we were driving to Big Sky after skiing, so really didn't ski ungroomed much. But that is one of the places I really want to go again for powder skiing. One the good features is that there is no need to think about which lift to take. With only three to choose from, it makes it pretty simple. Can stay on the high speed summit quad all day since there is no line to worry about.

Thank you so much! this is fantastic. I totally agree with you re: Big Sky. Gotta get myself to GT someday soon. Possibly this winter, although I'm holding out to see if the snow stays SW!

Cheers!

 

[marzNC]

I don't think the new glades at Snowshoe are going to make a "top" list any time soon, but they will be unusual for the southeast. The area being cleared is in between Cupp and Shays in the Western Territories. Combined with the new snowmaking over there, could make for fun times for advanced skiers by Christmas.

 

[braveskimom]

I don't think the new glades at Snowshoe are going to make a "top" list any time soon, but they will be unusual for the southeast. The area being cleared is in between Cupp and Shays in the Western Territories. Combined with the new snowmaking over there, could make for fun times for advanced skiers by Christmas.

Oh that's great info! thank you!

 

[sibhusky]

Thanks! I'd love to hear a bit more about Whitefish. Haven't been there. Hoping to get there this winter. What are you willing to share? Thanks!

I've got a whole website giving up stash information. Link provided.

 

[braveskimom]

I've got a whole website giving up stash information. Link provided.

Oh that is sweet! Friends are moving to Kalispell, so I will pass on the link. Thanks for sharing!

 

[geargrrl]

I've skied Red and yep, hard to beat for powder and glades. For one, it's not a mainsteam resort so you don't get lines and lines of yahoos with snorkels on stamping thier feet in the line. But really, the tree skiing and glades are steep or not, as you choose. The views are fantastic. They have it all, both steep and tight, and not so steep and more open. Beer Belly, Paradise, Captain Jack's...

 

[VickiK]

I've skied Monument Glade at Northstar. Great for deep pow beginners.

 

[braveskimom]

I've skied Monument Glade at Northstar. Great for deep pow beginners.

Great tip! Thank you! Hoping Northstar gets lots of snow this year. California deserves it!