Moving from BC to DC. Condolences needed.

[DerJaeger]

I'm about to leave Vancouver BC to move to Washington DC for career reasons. All I can say is, this had BETTER be worth it. Fortunately its only for 2 - 3 years.

How does the DC crew stay sane, being so far from anything resembling a decent mountain?

I have already resigned myself to becoming an XC biking weenie this summer, but winter has me worried. Looks like I need to save up big time for flights and lodging....

[Schmear]

Not long ago I moved from Seattle to Chicago for four years. I'd lived on the west coast for pretty much my whole life. Some days (in Chicago) I thought I was gonna go insane, but fortunately I had a good job that kept me busy, and a good partner there with me. It also helped that we flew home 6-8 times a year.

Keep your chin up, you can do it. Stay the course. Defeat the evil-doers.

[xyz]

I'm about to leave Vancouver BC to move to Washington DC for career reasons. All I can say is, this had BETTER be worth it. Fortunately its only for 2 - 3 years.

How does the DC crew stay sane, being so far from anything resembling a decent mountain?

I have already resigned myself to becoming an XC biking weenie this summer, but winter has me worried. Looks like I need to save up big time for flights and lodging....

I was born and raised in Vancouver and have spent the last 3 years working overseas (South Africa and Australia). South Africa was great due to good mtn bike race scene and wildlife/cultral attractions (the job was good to) but Australia sucks (i'm in a very hot small town though).

If you going for the money, don't forget to subtract off your income the cost of flying to decent skiing during the winters.

IMO you should move somewhere for more than just career reasons. Happiness is the combination of a lot things.

[snow_slider]

We survive by any means possible. Biking in the "off" season won't measure up to North Shore standards, but there are some really epic rides within an hour or two. I'll be honest, skiing is not good. The season is only a couple months long and the mountains are small. If you're into kayaking, DC is a good spot. Mather Gorge has world class whitewater.

There's a good group of maggots out here and we've managed to get together fairly often. Hit me, Tippster, iceman, BigE, EPSkis, and Alioops up when you get into town. We'll take you out and help drown your sorrows.

[fridge]

If I can remember this great quote by Tippster:

"Washington is full of hot professional women who are only looking for the occasional oil change."

I wish someday to visit to see if it is true.

[BushwackerinPA]

www.blueknob.com for the best terrain with in a days drive of you.

www.7springs.com for second longest season in the area

www.whitetail.com for place nice and close to you

www.snowshoemtn.com for the biggest resort in the area, and usually the longest season. Mid Nov to Mid april some years.

Some of the local ski options their are many more, the only place I still find challenging and is actually alot of fun is Blue Knob. FYI get some skinnier skis for back here too. 175 crossish skis do great here, with like a low 70s waist width.

PS. I know I from pittsburgh but DC and pittsburgher skier hit up the same areas.

[CantDog]

I suggest starting to whitewater kayak if you dont already. Or you might want to buy a sailboat and putz around on the Bay.

Luckily there is also lots of good climbing not too far away in this amazing place called West Virginia. Its like taking all the good things about Virginia, stuffing it into a smaller area, and populating it with rednecks. New River Gorge, Seneca Rocks, Cranberry wilderness, Snowshoe(for biking) and lots and lots of miles of really twisty pavement that are great for driving really fast on. A road bike might be a good investment too.

[P_McPoser]

I suggest starting to whitewater kayak if you dont already. Or you might want to buy a sailboat and putz around on the Bay.

Or you could just kayak down the damn street! Freaking weather stranding me in this shithole called Atlanta Got to love airport sleeping.

[Tippster]

[Southern Drawl]C'mon down, Boy. We'll make you squeal like a pig.[/SD]

Yes, the chicas are hot. So is the weather (you will HATE the DC summer. Ask Alioops.) No, the skiing is not worth mentioning. Yes it's sliding on snow, but that's about it. Imagine the bumper cars at the Fair and that's your average weekend at Whitetail.

What we do have are great Restaurants, free(!) Museums, no heavy industry, one of the sickest Beach Party towns on the planet 2 hours away (Dewey Beach) and two very good airports that can whisk you away to the real hills.

It takes me less time door-to-door to get to LCC than to Snowshoe. Yes the transportation costs more (flying vs driving) but damn - it's worth every penny. Once you're there the costs are basically the same - Lodging, food, and lift tickets.

[Benny Profane]

"Washington is full of hot professional women who are only looking for the occasional oil change."

yeah, Girls of the World - remember, it's DC, home to diplomatic cadres and missions from a lot of countries. All colors and sizes.

[cj001f]

I'm sorry.

[DerJaeger]

Roadies... putzing around in sailboats? Stop frightening me like that!

I have already resigned myself to racking up the frequent flyer miles this winter -- and to be drowing sorrows in excellent microbrews (at least, I'm told they're pretty good). Do East Coast maggots get together to book condos and the like? Just wondering, because it might be a good way to save money on accomodation in winter.

Unfortunately, I suspect that my girlfriend would frown upon me doing the oil change thing.

xyz: I'm originally from Australia. I feel your pain. At least from DC, I can catch cheap flights.

[Terpski]

I don't stay sane and is why I'm moving to Utah.

[EPSkis]

[Southern Drawl]C'mon down, Boy. We'll make you squeal like a pig.[/SD]

Imagine the bumper cars at the Fair and that's your average weekend at Whitetail.

Conversely, it also means that it's a lot like skiing with SnowSlider at Liberty.


Bush - How DARE you forget www.skiliberty.com !?!?!?

[Alioops]

I'm sorry.

Heh, CJ made me laugh.

Well DerJaeger, I can tell you that the skiing sucks as does the heat.

My first time skiing here I just about cried. I also got many funny looks on my Launchers/Silverettas. I at least left the skins at home. Just plan many trips elsewhere. Since you are moving here for a good job, you should be able to afford it. Take the mountains here for what they are and make the best of it. Night skiing with EP and Slider can be lots of fun if you hit the bar between runs and don't get busted for skiing "out of bounds".

The summer heat really, really, really, really sucks. I have yet to figure out how to get around this, except run from air conditioned house to air conditioned car to air conditioned place of work.

There really are some good points. Believe it or not, there is great mountain biking and climbing. There is culture and night life to be found.

Best perk of all, the Mid-Atlantic Mags!

[daPig]

I don't stay sane and is why I'm moving to Utah.

I lived in the Baltimore/ DC area for 15 years. Eventually I went insane and moved to Utah. Now at least I can enjoy my insanity and ski powder.

[davey]

I actually might be moving to DC as well, but from RI, so its not a HUGE change really. Its about 50/50 between DC and NYC if I end up getting the job that I'm trying to get. The only nice thing about DC for me is that its not that far from the outer banks, for surfing. I'm kind of hoping for NY though.

[Terpski]

The only nice thing about DC for me is that its not that far from the outer banks, for surfing. I'm kind of hoping for NY though.

it's not close at all. between 6 to 8 hour drive. DC IS BORING for people whole like the out doors.

[davey]

it's not close at all. between 6 to 8 hour drive. DC IS BORING for people whole like the out doors.

Its only about 5 hours, which is a lot closer than it is to new england. I still would rather be in NY though.

[Tippster]

Heh - five hours.... Maybe if you drove down at midnight....

[DrRy]

I'm about to leave Vancouver BC to move to Washington DC for career reasons. All I can say is, this had BETTER be worth it. Fortunately its only for 2 - 3 years.

Somewhat similar situation.

I just started working a job in NYC that I plan on being at for at least 2 to 3 years. Taking the job fucked up my plans to move out west and will make my next few winters very difficult. I must say it's rough and I regret the decision quite often. But I focus on what I can save and what I will be able to do after I put this time in. I too hope it is worth it.

Good luck.

[cj001f]

DC IS BORING for people whole like the out doors.

Sarcasm aside as cant mentioned there's some pretty damn good WW and WW paddlers, as well as plenty of sailors. Also flyfishing, cragging and mtbiking. If you are stuck on mountains and skiing you'll be SOL, so recalibrate the sports compass, because there is plenty to do, or take in the culture of a capital city to compensate. If you've the $$ there's good food, culture, and ass from all over, as well as jet flights to Yurp or the West.

[mr_gyptian]

one of the sickest Beach Party towns on the planet 2 hours away (Dewey Beach) and two very good airports that can whisk you away to the real hills.

In a John Cusack 80's movie sort of way.

[Tippster]

Dude - I'm 40. It's MY way....

[cdlv]

hot profesional women in DC will all want to run a credit check on you before even thinking of going beyond a conversation.

best option for skiing in DC is a RT ticket out of Dulles or BWI to somewhere out west