Member of the Month

PartyBullshiit
March, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

HELP! 2018/19 ski bum choice - Bozeman or SLC

profile picture
AlloysPhone
Posts: 5 - Karma: 19
So I’ve saved up a bunch of cash and plan on walking away from my fancy finance job to shred for the winter. Based entiresly on terrain preference righht now I’m looking at Big Sky/bridger and Alta/Snowbird, here are my concerns;

Big Sky overall terrain and backcountry access seem amazing but where do you live? Trying to avoid buying a car and it seems like living in Bozeman you’d be sitting on busses 3 hours a day, anyone done this and made it work? Is a car necessary?

Ski bumming Alta/ Snowbird also seems like my wet dream, except I love backcountry hits and I have heard that there are strict gate policies (closed for most of winter). Also seems like you lose out on the real ski bum culture scene living in SLC - any comments helpful

Happy shredding
Aug 6 2018 10:42AM
6 0
profile picture
cozzey
Posts: 1353 - Karma: 1,814
Well in both of those places you would most likely need a car if you don’t want to be sitting around for 3 hrs in busy days. In SLC you’ll have to take the canyon up to the bird and Alta everyday unless you can afford to live in it. The terrain there is sick and I’d definitely recommend it but without a car it’ll be lots of bus rides for both
Aug 6 2018 10:45AM
6 0
profile picture
BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9102 - Karma: 65,229
I dont ski backcountry myself but I know theres tons here. Particularly out of brighton/solitude. Snowbird and alta are a little more strict, but theres plenty of stuff. You'll want a car of some kind though, just get an old outback or something. I rode the bus for a season. From downtown slc, it's an hour 40 each way by bus, vs 30-40 by car
cozzeyWell in both of those places you would most likely need a car if you don’t want to be sitting around for 3 hrs in busy days. In SLC you’ll have to take the canyon up to the bird and Alta everyday unless you can afford to live in it. The terrain there is sick and I’d definitely recommend it but without a car it’ll be lots of bus rides for both
Aug 6 2018 10:10PM
3 0
profile picture
DirtYStylE
Posts: 3635 - Karma: 8,774
Utah has wack liquor laws. Its a small factor you might want to consider
Aug 7 2018 12:18PM
3 3
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
DirtYStylEUtah has wack liquor laws. Its a small factor you might want to consider


yes there is no booze in utah dont come
Aug 7 2018 1:34PM
13 1
profile picture
J_Christoph
Posts: 2519 - Karma: 8,750
DirtYStylEUtah has wack liquor laws. Its a small factor you might want to consider



Aug 7 2018 7:29PM
13 1
profile picture
morgan970
Posts: 47 - Karma: 293
maybe consider working up at a lodge in alta?
Aug 7 2018 9:49PM
1 0
profile picture
bravoecho
Posts: 19 - Karma: 63
big sky has a "meadow area" with a grocery store and a bunch of other little stores and houses. so mebbe you could look for a place in that area.
Aug 7 2018 9:58PM
0 0
profile picture
gaddafski
Posts: 165 - Karma: 111
Currently in the exact same position... interested to see how this thread shakes out. Anyone know what employee housing is like at any of these spots (if applicable)?
Aug 8 2018 10:30AM
1 0
profile picture
@LANTASKI
Posts: 599 - Karma: 1,586
Fuck Off We're Full- Utah
Aug 8 2018 1:49PM
7 1
profile picture
AlloysPhone
Posts: 5 - Karma: 19
BigPurpleSkiSuitI dont ski backcountry myself but I know theres tons here. Particularly out of brighton/solitude. Snowbird and alta are a little more strict, but theres plenty of stuff. You'll want a car of some kind though, just get an old outback or something. I rode the bus for a season. From downtown slc, it's an hour 40 each way by bus, vs 30-40 by car


Ok then so assuming I did get my hands on a car - being a resort bum is not on my radar - I’m there to ski and def not interested in serving drinks to jerrry and his four annoying kids on a pow day - where to I live if it’s Alta/Bird - sandy? Granite crest? I’ve never been to SLC, is there any sort of ski bum vibe there or is it just boring suburbs full of mormons?
Aug 8 2018 9:15PM
0 0
profile picture
BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9102 - Karma: 65,229
Murray, my rent is 350/month
AlloysPhoneOk then so assuming I did get my hands on a car - being a resort bum is not on my radar - I’m there to ski and def not interested in serving drinks to jerrry and his four annoying kids on a pow day - where to I live if it’s Alta/Bird - sandy? Granite crest? I’ve never been to SLC, is there any sort of ski bum vibe there or is it just boring suburbs full of mormons?
Aug 8 2018 10:58PM
3 0
profile picture
Gnar_Shralp406
Posts: 326 - Karma: 2,077
Being a Bridger bum is totally doable without a car. Free bus on the weekends, free hitchhiking on weekdays. Just bike to the fairgrounds for the bus and stand on Rouse by the Daily Coffee to hitchhike.
Aug 9 2018 11:08AM
0 0
profile picture
skistupid
Posts: 303 - Karma: 1,186
Hitch-hike. I'm not saying it's the most practical way, but it is certainly a great way to get around when you're on a shoestring budget.

FYI: I've hitchhiked for two decades without any problems.
Aug 9 2018 12:45PM
5 0
profile picture
JWillySkeez
Posts: 424 - Karma: 1,095
On a pow day good luck getting up to snowbird/alta for first tracks if you don't have a car. You usually have to drive up before they close the canyon and I don't believe the buses run that early.
Aug 9 2018 12:50PM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
JWillySkeezOn a pow day good luck getting up to snowbird/alta for first tracks if you don't have a car. You usually have to drive up before they close the canyon and I don't believe the buses run that early.


You don't have to drive up before the road closes (if it closes) to get good skiing, you just have to get to the front of the line which is almost as early if you're really committed. So yes, if you dont have a car OP you're not getting up early.
Aug 9 2018 1:06PM
2 0
profile picture
SofaKingSick
Posts: 8908 - Karma: 57,396
@LANTASKIFuck Off We're Full- Utah


says "ATLANTASKI"

BigPurpleSkiSuitMurray, my rent is 350/month


holy shit im envious
Aug 9 2018 1:22PM
3 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
SofaKingSicksays "ATLANTASKI"


He's lived in utah for years bro haha
Aug 9 2018 1:40PM
3 0
profile picture
SofaKingSick
Posts: 8908 - Karma: 57,396
eheathHe's lived in utah for years bro haha


just poking fun, i don't mean much by it. i just hear so many transplants complain about slightly newer transplants as if they discovered the state of utah or colorado and then some asshole blew up the secret last year

but hey fair warning, if y'all start separating families as they enter utah, i'm gonna be pissed!!
Aug 9 2018 1:52PM
5 0
profile picture
SuckMySkis
Posts: 202 - Karma: 734
For the sake of new ns threads im posting here: I am looking for a new pair of skis aswell. I've been riding some stiff beginner volkl and i want to switch to a much more advanced and playful/buttery ski. Im now choosing between: ARMADA ARV 86, ARMADA ARV84, maybe ARMADA ARV 96, LINE HONEY BADGER, and last VOLKL BASH 86. The price range is quite similiar with all of them. As for me- i am 174 cm tall, 62 kg and as i said im leanig towards a more playful buttery ski.
+some questions still remain: is width of 96 to much for a park ski? Some sites say ARV 84 are for younger riders, others dont? If so am i consiered a lightweight rider? I know revolt 85 chip like a motherfucker, are bash-es the same?
Aug 10 2018 3:45AM
0 1
profile picture
SofaKingSick
Posts: 8908 - Karma: 57,396
SuckMySkisFor the sake of new ns threads im posting here: I am looking for a new pair of skis aswell. I've been riding some stiff beginner volkl and i want to switch to a much more advanced and playful/buttery ski. Im now choosing between: ARMADA ARV 86, ARMADA ARV84, maybe ARMADA ARV 96, LINE HONEY BADGER, and last VOLKL BASH 86. The price range is quite similiar with all of them. As for me- i am 174 cm tall, 62 kg and as i said im leanig towards a more playful buttery ski.
+some questions still remain: is width of 96 to much for a park ski? Some sites say ARV 84 are for younger riders, others dont? If so am i consiered a lightweight rider? I know revolt 85 chip like a motherfucker, are bash-es the same?


i say arv96 almost certainly. no, it's not too wide for park at all, tons of people use 96 waists for pure park skis, yes arv84 is a junior version of the arv86. 86 is great but i suggest the 96 so you have a little more width for all mtn and soft snow. yeah youre light for your size so i think it's prob smart to go with a softer more playful ski like that
Aug 10 2018 9:57AM
3 0
profile picture
SuckMySkis
Posts: 202 - Karma: 734
SofaKingSicki say arv96 almost certainly. no, it's not too wide for park at all, tons of people use 96 waists for pure park skis, yes arv84 is a junior version of the arv86. 86 is great but i suggest the 96 so you have a little more width for all mtn and soft snow. yeah youre light for your size so i think it's prob smart to go with a softer more playful ski like that

I just found a great site where they are selling last years stuff and im now actually choosing between these two:
https://www.absolute-snow.co.uk/V/Armada_Bdog_Ski_Only_Skis_172cm_Brown_2018-(146974)
https://www.absolute-snow.co.uk/V/Majesty_Rock_N_Rolla_Skis_168cm_2018-(184672)

changed my choice completely since the first post but the prices are a bargain
Aug 10 2018 3:29PM
0 0
profile picture
SofaKingSick
Posts: 8908 - Karma: 57,396
SuckMySkisI just found a great site where they are selling last years stuff and im now actually choosing between these two:
https://www.absolute-snow.co.uk/V/Armada_Bdog_Ski_Only_Skis_172cm_Brown_2018-(146974)
https://www.absolute-snow.co.uk/V/Majesty_Rock_N_Rolla_Skis_168cm_2018-(184672)

changed my choice completely since the first post but the prices are a bargain


yeah those are good prices. are you looking for a pure park ski? the bdogs are super popular. i think ive heard good things about the majestys but i forget. googling site:newschoolers.com + majesty rock n rolla will probably find you some discussion on them
Aug 10 2018 4:11PM
2 0
profile picture
SEABURN
Posts: 4859 - Karma: 2,751
if you're more into park, go SLC

if you aren't, do Bozeman
Aug 10 2018 5:14PM
2 0
profile picture
chris.goodhue
Posts: 946 - Karma: 6,204
Your definitely somewhat isolated in Bozeman without a car. You could definitely hitchhike to Bridger no problem, but you likely won't be able to get to any backcountry spots that aren't adjacent to bridger. My buddy works at the lodge at Alta, seems like the most affordable ski bum gig in the world
Aug 11 2018 1:22AM
3 0
profile picture
@LANTASKI
Posts: 599 - Karma: 1,586
SEABURNif you're more into park, go SLC

if you aren't, do Bozeman



lol what... Park City is the only resort with a Park Worth talking about. Brighton's park is pretty anemic relative to the hype it gets.

No need for a park at Solitude, Snowbird, and Alta....shit I don't even ride twin tips anymore. All you need in LCC is a burly directional charger. Thats why I only rock the Chams now.
Aug 11 2018 2:06AM
1 4
profile picture
AlloysPhone
Posts: 5 - Karma: 19
BigPurpleSkiSuitI dont ski backcountry myself but I know theres tons here. Particularly out of brighton/solitude. Snowbird and alta are a little more strict, but theres plenty of stuff. You'll want a car of some kind though, just get an old outback or something. I rode the bus for a season. From downtown slc, it's an hour 40 each way by bus, vs 30-40 by car


An hour/40 each way from DT, but how about further out? I don't need to live DT SLC if therte are some decent spots with a few bars and places to eat outside the city. WOuld bus be a shorter ride if you are outside the core? would you still get a seat?

cheers
Aug 13 2018 9:14AM
0 0
profile picture
BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9102 - Karma: 65,229
I love skiing backwards and I wanted a longer ski but my new d sender 194 are much more directional than my old gotamas They are technically able to ski switch but I'm wondering how well they will at all.
@LANTASKIlol what... Park City is the only resort with a Park Worth talking about. Brighton's park is pretty anemic relative to the hype it gets.

No need for a park at Solitude, Snowbird, and Alta....shit I don't even ride twin tips anymore. All you need in LCC is a burly directional charger. Thats why I only rock the Chams now.
Aug 15 2018 10:29PM
3 0
All times are Eastern (-4)