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Whistler vs. Tahoe

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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,012
Alright. So for this year's spring break, my dad wants to go to either tahoe or whistler. Last year, we went to Tahoe, and it was unreal. We only got to ski Heavenly, which i hear is the most lame of all the tahoe mountains, so going back is a must. However, Whistler also seems sweet.

The trip would take place in mid March, and we would ski for 3 or 4 days. we aren't really into out of bounds stuff, so that doesn't really factor in. In bounds stuff is where my dad likes to stay. Also, park kinda matters, as even though i love skiing the rest of the mountain, a few park laps are always nice. Any tips on where to go/where the snow will be best/ whatever would be great.


Thanks,

Peter







SPARKNOTES: Spring break trip, should i go to whistler or tahoe?
Sep 11 2013 1:53AM
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Amarino
Posts: 218 - Karma: 2,417
I'm pretty sure Heavenly is one of the best mountains in Tahoe.
Sep 11 2013 1:57AM
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will_powder
Posts: 3194 - Karma: 5,445
Whistler is unreal, you will not regret coming here. Incredible terrain of every type. Steeps, glades, cliffs, hikable peaks, epic chutes/couloirs, etc. Park is world class, perfect jumps, long rail lines on whis. Snow in March is typically pretty awesome as well!

Only thing is you can get unlucky with cloud/fog/rain sometimes, whereas Tahoe might be sunny more (could be wrong I've never been there).
Sep 11 2013 2:32AM
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250r
Posts: 2274 - Karma: 1,020
/\yea our snows a bit drier, and we normally seem to get a bit more of it from what i hear. The mountains here are bigger, more vertical drop and more in bounds skiing on one resort. They probably have just as many or more acres of inbounds skiing at tahoe, but that would be counting all of the resorts as one, where as its all in one place in whist. March normally seems to be one of the best times of year here. By then the lines have gotten pretty filled in, not as much as april sometimes, but the snow will be lighter in march. Not counting out tahoe though, it could be nice. Im actually planning to go down there for the first time this winter to see some people, i just dont know much about it.
Sep 11 2013 2:53AM
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hot.pocket
Posts: 4197 - Karma: 10,366
No, Squaw.
Sep 11 2013 2:59AM
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ScuffDUFF
Posts: 2027 - Karma: 143
Heavenly and Northstar are two of my least favorite mountains out here. Fun every once in a while for park but thats all. They are tourist traps.

OP go to Squaw, Alpine, Kirkwood or Sierra. Don't waste your time with the others unless you like the tourist aspect over the skiing aspect. Although ILOVEBOREAL.
Sep 11 2013 3:59AM
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snowmanman
Posts: 19 - Karma: 412
Depends on what type of skier you are?
In the spring if you want park conditions and the option to ski many different mountains in a close proximity then Tahoe is great. If you want the ability to ski in some true alpine conditions and hang out in more of a ski town, then Whistler is better. Both would be super fun, so no worries.
Sep 11 2013 4:10AM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
Squaw is AMAZING if you ski there during off times. We go out there every year right after the HS and college break ends and ski mid week.

Lapping squaw with literally no lines is amazing
Sep 11 2013 7:38AM
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Stainr
Posts: 1184 - Karma: -1,142
If you have been too both.... this is not a discussion. Whistler ftw
Sep 11 2013 9:58AM
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TheChosenOne
Posts: 51 - Karma: 275
In my opinion whistler is the best place to ski in the world period. no matter what type of sking you like, the atmosphere and vibe there is incredable! GO to whistler!!!
Sep 11 2013 10:02AM
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5711 - Karma: 20,627
Whistler. Think of this strategically.

Your parents are paying for it, and Whistler done right is definitely the more expensive trip. Getting to Tahoe with some buddies is an easy trip. The Reno/Tahoe airport is only a 45 minute drive from Alpine/Squaw/Northstar/Mt. Rose.....take your pick. Kirkwood is about two hours. Rent a car or take the shuttle and you're golden. Alpine/Squaw are right next to each other and it's an easy thumb-ride between the two. The beauty of Tahoe is that it's the poor college student's dream. Everything is close, cheap food is easy to find, and lift tickets are...well....lift tickets.

I can't give you an extreme breakdown of Whistler, but I remember from when I went, it's not close to the airport, airfare isn't cheap, the US Dollar sucks anywhere outside the US. Do Whistler. Take a raincheck on Tahoe.
Sep 11 2013 10:50AM
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BLADEE
Posts: 1017 - Karma: 778
I was gonna say squaw (Tahoe) but then you said you guys don't really like out of bounds, so def go to whistler. But you can't go wrong with either place they are both two amazing places to ski.
Sep 11 2013 12:55PM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
it's basically on par. in fact the US dollar is now worth a bit more than the canadian dollar.

the problem is everything in canada is more expensive. I paid $9 a beer last week up there

whistler. just go. don't question.
Sep 11 2013 1:00PM
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BrokenBones
Posts: 1274 - Karma: 694
I live in Tahoe... and i would probably say Whistler!!
Sep 11 2013 1:11PM
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kevinegan
Posts: 117 - Karma: 120
Heavenly blows. Squaw if you want some good all mountain skiing but if you want to ride a killer park you gotta get to Northstar
Sep 11 2013 1:18PM
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alden.
Posts: 855 - Karma: 360
The variety and choices of mountains in tahoe within an hours drive is insane.
Never seen anywhere else like it.
Woodward tahoe is also pretty damn sweet.
Sep 11 2013 1:25PM
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Stose
Posts: 7109 - Karma: 4,123
Woodward at Tahoe (boreal) literally has like 4 runs. Northstar is probably the most fun mountain. Squaw gets way to crowded
Sep 11 2013 3:16PM
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schism
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 389
As a person who has been to both places, whistler is just so much better than heavenly, it's just not even close.
Sep 11 2013 3:39PM
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mode2n
Posts: 2856 - Karma: 255
Can't say i've ever been to Tahoe, but Whistler is just the best. I'm definitely going to try to spend a few weeks up there this spring
Sep 11 2013 3:52PM
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DockEllis
Posts: 1131 - Karma: 1,745
Couldn't agree more.
Sep 11 2013 3:53PM
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c4t_l0ver
Posts: 5485 - Karma: 810
ive never been to tahoe, but go to whsitler. only problem with whistler then is the lift line are going to be so bad.
Sep 11 2013 3:58PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
heavenly is cool and all but compared to squaw, alpine, kirkwood, etc it's a joke

you will have an amazing time at either one. whistler i guess gets the nod in terms of more good terrain, but if youre a good skier and your dad is dece but doesnt want the gnar, squaw is a GREAT place to have all kinds of intermediate skiing, but you could also buzz away for a quick lap and get some really great chutes, cliffs, park etc etc and then bump back into your dad two minutes later. oh, and it's perfectly sunny almost every single day, no exaggeration

can't go wrong either way though
Sep 11 2013 4:03PM
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alden.
Posts: 855 - Karma: 360
talking about the actual facility of woodward, i.e. the multiple skatepaks (best in tahoe area), 6 flybeds and super-tramp, not to mention the drop in ramps and foam pits.
Sep 11 2013 4:36PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
i mean, this is all subjective, and there's no denying northstar is a very fun place...but really, it might as well be on the east coast-- the only world class aspect of it is the parks.

going to northstar instead of the amazing mountains surrounding it is similar in my mind to going to one of those absurdly expensive steakhouses and ordering a hot dog
Sep 11 2013 4:51PM
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Miclovin
Posts: 1043 - Karma: 637
No Alpine or northstar
Sep 11 2013 5:31PM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
this is why im having a hard time picking a season pass. i just want both
Sep 11 2013 5:56PM
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schism
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 389
The village at whistler is also such a big bonus. There is literally no place out there like whistler in North America, it's one of those few places that has amazing terrain, good snow (when not too heavy) and a great place to hang out after skiing. There is just so much to at whistler besides skiing. There are some downsides though ( Lift lines can be long, you can get fogged out in the alpine and it can get expensive but this can happen at a lot of other places as well.)
Sep 11 2013 6:32PM
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whipple
Posts: 1415 - Karma: 5,167
If you know the mountain Heavenlys amazing, so many spots nobody knows about and short lift lines most the time. That being said, everywhere in Tahoes sick
Sep 11 2013 6:56PM
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taylornicky
Posts: 2889 - Karma: 2,579
Lol wut
Sep 11 2013 7:29PM
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,012
yeah last spring when we went to tahoe, we were planning on doing one day at heavenly, one day at northstar, and one day at kirkwood, but we got kinda snowed in and still had a blast at heavenly (it's in tahoe, so it's obviously a killer mountain)


thanks for all the tips though guys, what is the weather like up in whistler in march? in tahoe last march, we had a super sunny day, and then a ridiculous pow day the next, and it was awesome
Sep 11 2013 8:20PM
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kingsskier
Posts: 6212 - Karma: 2,101
Didnt read any responses, but judging by the mass exodus of pow skis on TGR this summer from Tahoe because the last two seasons have sucked, I would say Whistler.
Sep 11 2013 8:31PM
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kevinegan
Posts: 117 - Karma: 120
I feel you I work at Northstar so I get a pass then buy a squaw pass
Sep 14 2013 1:58PM
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bigskier1010
Posts: 126 - Karma: 187
If money's not an issue, whistler ! On a tighter budget, stay in US . Hit Mott and mile few canyon at heavenly for a day or 2 . Then go north to squaw for 2 days . Sunshine and pow in march is a good mix! Whistler , pray for sunny days , but you won't be disappointed either way !
Sep 14 2013 3:05PM
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SnowshoeThompson
Posts: 1092 - Karma: 1,411
Boreal might not be longest run but their park, in my opinion, has the most flow and is way more unique than any other park in Tahoe.

After riding northstar on and off for the last couple years Im almost positive it is the most crowded mountain in tahoe. If it wasn't for their mid-late season park there would really be no point in riding there, especially with "mountain safety" handing out speeding tickets.

If you can afford whistler I would do it but there is a lot more to do in tahoe for a much more reasonable price.
Sep 14 2013 3:24PM
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