Holiday Weekends: New Year's and MLK

[shmerham]

So, work is crazy right now and I'm just dying to get out west and ski some steeps and pow. If it's dumping anywhere around new year's eve, I'd like to head out that weekend and ski that week. I'd probably travel saturday and ski sunday through saturday (perhaps skipping the day after new year's eve if I find a good party and conditions aren't fantastic. Is that weekend and week going to be a busy time on the slopes?

If I were to wait a week or two, one of my weekends would be mlk weekend. Should that weekend be avoided at all costs, at all areas? Some places in various areas I'm thinking might not be bad are: snowbasin, pow mow, targhee, steven's pass.

Is anyone else planning a trip sometime in January? I'll be looking for partners in crime.

I'll also be looking for tourguides and possibly couch or floorspace if I don't find people to share hotel rooms with.


One last question: My winter travel looks like this: 1) week in january somewhere, long weekend in february somewhere, week and a half in europe in late march. I was going to reserve the february weekend for the utah mini, but I'm thinking I should do the wait-and-see thing there as well. Should I go somewhere other than Utah in january for some variety and then hit Utah in feb some weekend it's dumping to get the fluffy pow? Things to consider: Mini's are fun, I've never been to Tahoe or Seattle or anywhere in Colorado, I've never skied deep and fluffy pow and I'm after it (this has been discussed before).

Every winter for me has been better and better. I'm pumped for this one and it looks to be even better than last year. Any tips that would help ensure that, would be greatly appreciated.

[shamrockpow]

I'll almost definitely be in SLC the week before and through MLK weekend.

My schedule:
1. Finish job Jan. 6
2. Ski in Utah Jan. 10-16
3. Move to Peru/depart for Lima/end of my winter Jan. 20

[H-man]

Yurp not working out for you then huh?

In January I mean...

[Big E]

Although I've really not yet had a chance to work this plan, with the way the weather has been last year and this, I really think no set locations is the way to go. Even set times can be a problem, but at least those "force" you to get out and go, and your boss might require 'em.

I'm headed to San Diego next week for work, and about a month ago when this came up, my thought was to fly out somewhere on Friday and then connect from there to SD on Monday night. But I made no actual plans, and now it looks like I have a better chance getting fresh snow here at home.

So I'm sticking with my suggestion of not writing anything in stone and just watching the weather. Certain airlines are really pretty good about letting you change things up w/o charging you up the wazoo.

[shmerham]

So I'm sticking with my suggestion of not writing anything in stone and just watching the weather. Certain airlines are really pretty good about letting you change things up w/o charging you up the wazoo.

Really?

Would it better to buy a ticket from one of these now, or just wait till the last minute and get a set itinerary from the cheapest one available?

H, Yurp is still on for me, but in March, not jan/feb.

[Big E]

Well, as an example, I bought my BWI-SAN ticket on Monday for a flight the next Monday, and on the way out it was $99, which seems pretty damn cheap. Way back is more, but that's because it's bumping up against holiday travel. And SW will give you full-dollar-value credit that's good for a year if you change plans, even on their stupid-cheap fares. Onlyl catch I've ever found is that if you try to just change the starting leg of the trip, you may have to rebook the entire trip at whatever fares they have available now.

I think I'd watch for cheap airfare to a likely destination, like UT, and if it comes up, buy it now. BUT I wouldn't hesitate to change it if the weather and conditions look bad once you get 7-10 days out.

There are other mags on here with way more experience working this, some of them should chime in.