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Where should I go for Jan-March?

Original Post
justgoodenough · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 41

I'm going to get some time off from work January through march. I'd like to finally learn how to ski. Being able to boulder or rope climb nearby would also be a plus.

Does anyone have any idea where I should go? I'm planning on trying to find a room to sublet so that's a factor.

So far Bishop seems like a good spot with its proximity to Mammoth. What other locations should I look into? Denver-ish, Colorado? Salt Lake? Squamish? Foreign countries (europe, japan, korea)?

Thanks!

JCM · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 115

Bishop is the best and most obvious choice in the US. The bouldering is amazing, and sport climbing is pretty good, Mammoth offers good resort skiing, and there are backcountry/touring options throughout the Sierra. Plus there are hot springs for rest days. I spent a winter there (Dec-Feb) and had a great time; I would alternate days bouldering and ski touring, occaisionally taking a rest day when too tired to move. If climbing is a priority equal to or higher than skiing, you should rent a room in Bishop; it is cheaper and quieter than Mammoth, and offers closer access to the winter climbing/bouldering. If skiing is the higher priority, and/or you want a party/bar scene, stay in Mammoth. They are about 50 minutes apart.

The one caveat for Bishop/Mammoth is that the last few years have been terrible for snow due to the extreme drought. There is a high probability that this could change this winter, with the godzilla El Nino bringing lots of moisture to the Sierra. It could be a really good ski season. bit this is far from certain (it could suck again...). I would go there anyway, since climbing offers a great backup plan if the snow is bad. The good thing about Bishop/Mammoth in the winter is that there is always something to do. If the winter weather is sunny and warm and the skiing sucks, the ORG is perfectly in season. If it is too cold and stormy to climb, there is probably going to be lots of fresh snow to ski on. You win either way. Chances are that both will be good at the same time.

The other thing that makes Bishop/Mammoth special is that the best bouldering and ski seasons happen at exactly the same time, and at the same tiem as your trip-mid winter. Many other places have both bouldering and skiing, but these are found at the same elevation and are not in-season concurrently. Tahoe and Salt Lake are good examples of this. Both offer bouldering and skiing, but when the skiing is good the boulders are often snowy (late spring is an exception to this), and if you are bouldering mid-winter it likely means it is a lean snow year. Bishop is good for bouldering even when the skiing is good.

JCM · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 115

Notes on a few other locations:

Wasatch/SLC: This would a great place to spend the winter skiing. However, the local bouldering and roped climbing mid-winter is pretty marginal (unless you drive the 4-6 hours to St. George and/or Vegas. You could hang out in Salt Lake to ski, and make the occaisional trip southward for climbing.

Tahoe offers great skiing in a snowy year, and winter climbing in a dry year. Not as likely to find both in the same day like you are in Bishop. Winter climbing in Tahoe is nowhere near as reliable as it is in Bishop. El Nino may mean good snow in tahoe, but is is uncertain. The landscape in Bishop is more dramatic as well.

"Denver-ish" would be a terrible decision for a ski trip. The good skiing is quite a distance from Denver, and traffic is a major issue. A better option would be to spend the winter in one of many CO ski towns, but then you would not have as good climbing access (especially compared to Bishop). For whatever reason, the good skiing and the good climbing in CO are not colocated. You csn make trips to Shelf Road (good winter sport climbing) to get some sun and limestone in the winter; this will be a couple hours drive from various ski towns. Based on the mega El Nino, a good ski season is expected this winter in CO.

Whistler/Squamish- Often a good choice---but not this year!. Lots of snow in Whistler (*in a normal year), and you can occasionally sneak in some bouldering in Squamish when the rain lets up. This year, however, all climate models point to a terrible ski season for the PNW (again, godzilla El Nino). This doesn't mean that the winter climbing will neccesaily be good. Warm and wet, with precip falling as rain to a high elevation, is a distinct possibility, offering bad skiing and bad climbing coonditions. Or it could be dry and nice for winter rock, who knows...? Still, avoid the PNW this winter.

East coast options pale in comparison to the west. I can't comment much on overseas options. Spending the winter in the Alps could be awesome. Overall, though Bishop is your best bet.

Paul Zander · · Bern, CH · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 739

I agree completely with the previous posters assessment of Bishop (the obvious choice) and Tahoe (if skiing is good, bouldering is not great).

Here's another option: Flagstaff, AZ. Skiing is 30 minutes from town, and is not world class, but if you're just learning it may not matter much. Climbing is definitely year round (especially if you drive 30-45 minutes down to Sedona). Flag is also a better option if you want a bigger town to live in.

Joe Garibay · · Ventura, Ca · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 86

+1 for Bishop!
Nah, +50!

justgoodenough · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 41

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I only said Denver-ish because I don't know the lay of the land. Are there specific ski towns I should look into? It looks like a lot of resorts.

It's true that Bishop is looking pretty good for both climbing and skiing. It's looks like about a 1 hour drive to get from bishop to mammoth.

Yes, I'm pretty much a complete beginner so mountain quality isn't everything to me.

Michael Brady · · Wenatchee, WA · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 1,316

Bishop is pretty damn nice that time of year. The boulders can become unclimbable due to snow, not very common but with El Nino coming it is something to think about. That can be a nice time to go, the crowds and outdoor gym vibe seem to mellow out a bit during winter. The last time I went back to visit family I left the Buttermilks pretty disappointed with the scene.

JCM · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 115
ollieon wrote:Thanks for the suggestions so far. I only said Denver-ish because I don't know the lay of the land. Are there specific ski towns I should look into? It looks like a lot of resorts... mountain quality isn't everything to me.
The number of ski towns and ski resorts in CO is huge, and offer a pretty wide range in terms of vibe and town quality. Near Denver (such as Summit County) and along I-70 you get the massive commericial mega-resorts. As you get farther from Denver and into SW Colorado, you get some cooler little mountain/ski towns. Crested Butte is a pretty cool town, for instance. Telluride could also be good, and it offers nice access to the desert. It all depends on what sort of scene you are looking for, though. Also, as mentioned above, it depends on whether climbing regularly throughout the winter is a significant priority (i.e. Bishop), or if you are mainly looking to ski and maybe do a few trips to a sunny crag (such as in CO or UT).
Parker Wrozek · · Denver, CO · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 86

You can never predict the snow and as a newbie you probably don't care but the southern resorts are ususally most favored by El Nino. Arizona Snowbowl having the best correlation. This is one year you can't go wrong with Mammoth I think based on historical data, which means nothing of course. I would not come to Colorado if you want to do any significant climbing during the ski season that isn't in the gym.

Jason Wong · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 10

+1 for Bishop.

If you do go to Bishop and are learning to ski, consider taking your lessons at June Mtn., about 30 minutes further North from Mammoth up the 395. Much cheaper tickets and lesson costs and it's a small family mountain that's great for beginners.

Also, if you get a Mammoth season pass, it's good at both locations. Current pre-season price is $799 I think. Pretty sure it goes up even more once the season begins.

Michael Brady · · Wenatchee, WA · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 1,316
JWong wrote:+1 for Bishop. If you do go to Bishop and are learning to ski, consider taking your lessons at June Mtn., about 30 minutes further North from Mammoth up the 395. Much cheaper tickets and lesson costs and it's a small family mountain that's great for beginners. Also, if you get a Mammoth season pass, it's good at both locations. Current pre-season price is $799 I think. Pretty sure it goes up even more once the season begins.
June is cool. I thought they had shut that place down....guess not. I was a long time Mammoth season pass holder but the prices just got out of control and June, while a huge compromise in terms of terrain, was the best way to ride for the dime. Stop by Deadmans on the way down the hill!
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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