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Jackson or Big Sky

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errrka
Posts: 2261 - Karma: 6,058
Hey so I'm an officer on my universities Ski Team. We're starting to plan out our winter trip for next year and we've narrowed it down to Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Big Sky, Montana. I figured I could find some decent input here from locals or people who have been there around that time of year (mid December).
Things to consider:
It will be mid december, pre christmas (snow coverage at that time?)
About 2 (no more than 3) coach buses of college kids
Want to ride (big mountain, groomers, park) and have all different abilities
A somewhat cool town to check out/nightlife
Easy access to slopes from where we stay
We'll have driven about 25-30 hours or an airport somewhat close by if people want to fly?
The total cost we're shooting for is about 600-700 dollars (coming from Ohio, so transportation is the big factor)

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.
May 3 2013 10:16AM
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_Garagely_
Posts: 1943 - Karma: 3,231
If you want to ski some park Big Sky is your best option but Jackson definitely has better big mountain. Big Sky has good big mountain terrain too though. And there's other people here that will be more helpful than me.
May 3 2013 10:22AM
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extravert
Posts: 1112 - Karma: 3,174
Been to both and I definitely prefer Jackson. If you have a lot of beginners in your group though Big Sky has more intermediate terrain. Jackson doesn't have much a park either, but that shouldn't matter since they have endless amounts of real mountain to ski.
May 3 2013 11:17AM
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SwagasaurusRex
Posts: 635 - Karma: 333
The only experiences I have had at either mountain have been in spring conditions, and I honestly prefer Big Sky. You can't really go wrong with either though, they are both fantastic areas. I would see where you can get the better deal.
May 3 2013 12:02PM
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bibs_skibum
Posts: 4462 - Karma: 449
Big sky has no snow in mid December, I'd go Jackson that early in the year. If it were February I'd go big sky
May 3 2013 4:45PM
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Skroob
Posts: 266 - Karma: 69
Big Sky is huge with tons of diverse terrain.  That early in the year is deffinitally risky with how much coverage there would be, and Jackson has much more of a town/nightlife.
May 3 2013 9:12PM
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Valhalla.
Posts: 587 - Karma: 154
Jackson has it all. We have any sort of terrain you'd want to ski, unique park features, powder, backcountry shit, cliffs, and a few killer groomers for those people..

Jackson has the historic aspect too, plenty of stuff to do in town. It's pricey though.. But our shop always hooked up people on college trips pretty well.
May 4 2013 1:15AM
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iH8pow
Posts: 1737 - Karma: 7,304
I really loved Jackson's PARK (I think only one) last time I was there. That said, generally Jackson should be the safer bet for having more snow early season although I know last year I think Montana got slammed the most early season.

I went on a ski club trip to JH every spring break while in college, good times
May 4 2013 1:50AM
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eheath
Posts: 61159 - Karma: 118,869
Neither place will have a ton of snow unless its some epic season
May 4 2013 2:33AM
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Aenigma
Posts: 11256 - Karma: 424
Pretty much.

But given a choice between the two, Jackson's rocks are a lot less brutal on your skis. The town of Jackson is also much, much better than the town of Big Sky, if you want to do anything after you ski.
May 4 2013 8:06AM
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TheMajesticLife
Posts: 940 - Karma: 495
I went with my college this year to Jackson during winter break (February 2-8) while we were there, college fest was happening so the place we were staying had a ton of college kids, as well as at jackson the college fest program ran some pretty sick events i would forsure look into that. Also snow coverage during early february wasnt that bad, i live East so skiing that stuff was unreal. Definitely look into the Jackson college fest though.
May 4 2013 10:45AM
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TheMajesticLife
Posts: 940 - Karma: 495
I meant to say January 2-8 ^
May 4 2013 10:57AM
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