Moving from Steamboat to Bellingham

[fastfred]

If you get back to the RFV this winter, hit me up.
It’s probably because I’m happily married. But I think there’s a ton of attractive, educated, athletic women here.

You are right about the women
But the bitch factor is all time in that valley

A buddy ended up there long story following some chick then a kid then his shit all over the yard of some place he bought for her

[goldenboy]

My wife says life would be easier of we didn’t like to ski so much.

.

Yeah, it kind of boils down to this. It isn't just biking that I find kind of average, it's that I've never gotten excited about some other passion like surfing or fishing or whatever. So for better or worse, everything flows from skiing #1, and the other life choices follow.

Skiing after a while all feels the same, right left right left yada yada.

I'd feel that way at all but a half dozen or so ski areas. Crested Butte is more of a right dodge that tree, left dodge that rock, and that is still entertaining for me.

Sorry for the thread drift OP. I've thought about a move up that way for years. As the saying goes, "the highs are higher and the lows are lower". You're either crushing spines or it's pissing rain. Good luck

[The AD]

On the positive side think of all the money you save in sunscreen.

[AK47bp]

Sorry for the thread drift OP. I've thought about a move up that way for years. As the saying goes, "the highs are higher and the lows are lower". You're either crushing spines or it's pissing rain. Good luck

We ski spines in the pissing rain

[Foggy_Goggles]

We ski spines in the pissing rain

Nice! There is something to that which really captures "attitude is everything"

Having a healthy relationship with skiing and fitting it into your life is easier said that done. I've got a bit of Goldenboy and a bit of Raising Arizona in me.

I can't do the greybird weekend groomers thing but I can do a sunny afternoon cruise session. But I still love skiing and definitely chase the special days.

Ride my bike is well riding my bike. I'll do it until I can't. But it's different. I like it because of the fresh air, exercise, solitude and so on.

[Ted Striker]

I lived in Maple Falls one winter. It was nice for cutting down the drive to Baker, but Bellingham was not too far away for city activities. Might be worth considering for you.

Yeah, Maple Falls (as in walking distance to Maple Fuels) is a good midway point. Better drive to the hill. Not too far from The North Fork, and (Ted) Nugent's Corner grocery store. But "greater" Maple Falls, aka Ken Doll and Unpleasant Valley not so much.

Also, Bend is redic overrated IMO, unless you want to get your pump on at Smith. While the runs are much shorter at Baker, the terrain and snow are bonkers.

And as I said upthread, the smallish lift accessed area is adjacent to a massive amount of fantastic terrain just a short hike beyond the ropes.

[Jax]

On the positive side think of all the money you save in sunscreen.

Truth. Just had some keratosis frozen off my face. After 3 decades of Colorado livin', I didn't protect myself in those earlier days as much as I should've but man has it gotten expensive, lol. But no way in hell could I live or thrive in the NW states, just shoot me, I need dat sun!

[Ted Striker]

All I know is that Blaine to Whistler is a damn sight shorter than Seattle to Whistler.

Totally. And the Baker drive is easy, though frustrating because there's no direct road.

Specifically Blaine or Semiahmoo? Some nice high bank waterfront out there with views and sunsets galore. Blaine, as you know, is pretty sleepy. There is Atwood Farm Brewery (who sadly are on the verge of going out of business). They produce some amazing sours, saisons, and other farmhouse ales. People say Drayton Harbor Oyster Company is good, but I've never been.

Access to Canada with Nexus is so easy. If you like Indian, Vikram Vij has a new(ish) restaurant in South Surrey just off Hwy 99 (5 mins north of the border) called My Shanti. (and of course, there's a mom & pop Indian Restaurant on every corner if you head up to to Surrey proper)

[MagnificentUnicorn]

Truth. Just had some keratosis frozen off my face. After 3 decades of Colorado livin', I didn't protect myself in those earlier days as much as I should've but man has it gotten expensive, lol. But no way in hell could I live or thrive in the NW states, just shoot me, I need dat sun!

There’s no sunshine in OR and WA? Half of both states are desert


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[The AD]

Specifically Blaine or Semiahmoo? Some nice high bank waterfront out there with views and sunsets galore. Blaine, as you know, is pretty sleepy. There is Atwood Farm Brewery (who sadly are on the verge of going out of business). They produce some amazing sours, saisons, and other farmhouse ales. People say Drayton Harbor Oyster Company is good, but I've never been.

Access to Canada with Nexus is so easy. If you like Indian, Vikram Vij has a new(ish) restaurant in South Surrey just off Hwy 99 (5 mins north of the border) called My Shanti. (and of course, there's a mom & pop Indian Restaurant on every corner if you head up to to Surrey proper)

Yes, we've mostly been looking at Semiahmoo. I guess I need to start golfing. It's definitely an area that would appear to cater to an older demographic.

"Like Indian" would be a huge understatement. We eat Indian at least once per week. I'm well aware of My Shanti, although haven't eaten there yet!

There's also a fantastic aquatic facility just a couple miles north of the border called Grandview Heights which has huge appeal to me as a swimmer.

[Foggy_Goggles]

Seriously? The OP is talking about a place known for its sun to a place known for its lack of sun.

Is it realistic to day trip to the sun? As in, "what are you doing tomorrow, I'm sick of the gray, it's supposed to be sunny in Oroville". Isn't it about a 3-4 hour drive to change climates?

[AK47bp]

Seriously? The OP is talking about a place known for its sun to a place known for its lack of sun.

Is it realistic to day trip to the sun? As in, "what are you doing tomorrow, I'm sick of the gray, it's supposed to be sunny in Oroville". Isn't it about a 3-4 hour drive to change climates?

I’ve skied Mission Ridge for sun runs, easy day trip from Seattle area. Longer for Bellingham but still doable. Although it’s the similar drive to Whistler (border wait dependent). I’d ski Whistler in any conditions over a sunny Mission Ridge though.

[riser4]

What is this "sun" thing you speak of?

[Foggy_Goggles]

I’ve skied Mission Ridge for sun runs, easy day trip from Seattle area. Longer for Bellingham but still doable. Although it’s the similar drive to Whistler (border wait dependent). I’d ski Whistler in any conditions over a sunny Mission Ridge though.

So about 4hrs one way? So maybe about the same amount of time as flying to Phoenix or San Diego? Sounds viable.

[lowsparkco]

I lived in Maple Falls one winter. It was nice for cutting down the drive to Baker, but Bellingham was not too far away for city activities. Might be worth considering for you.

Also, Bend is redic overrated IMO, unless you want to get your pump on at Smith. While the runs are much shorter at Baker, the terrain and snow are bonkers.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

Maybe Bachy ain't Baker, but bro is coming from Steamboat.

[lowsparkco]

So about 4hrs one way? So maybe about the same amount of time as flying to Phoenix or San Diego? Sounds viable.

Or like driving from Grand County to Moab? No one ever does that in the mud season.

[Ted Striker]

What is this "sun" thing you speak of?

In joke for people who lived in Vancouver during The X-Files

[Name Redacted]

I got more legit pow days in 2 years of riding Baker than a lifetime of skiing in CO. Best terrain of any ski area too IMHO. Love that place. Need to get back. Almost had the wife talked into a move there then Covid hit.

[Foggy_Goggles]

Or like driving from Grand County to Moab? No one ever does that in the mud season.

Exactly. It was an honest question. I had to look on the map. Because "what is within a half day drive" would certainly be part of my calculus around where to live.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

Seriously? The OP is talking about a place known for its sun to a place known for its lack of sun.

Is it realistic to day trip to the sun? As in, "what are you doing tomorrow, I'm sick of the gray, it's supposed to be sunny in Oroville". Isn't it about a 3-4 hour drive to change climates?

I’m sorry, you said NW states.

Depends on where you live, you can be in the dry areas in 90 minutes if you live near the passes


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[Foggy_Goggles]

I get it. People just think Seattle-like weather when its "PNW" but forget about everything East of the Cascades.

[lowsparkco]

Exactly. It was an honest question. I had to look on the map. Because "what is within a half day drive" would certainly be part of my calculus around where to live.

Fair enough. The difference being at least you're starting in a rural location and driving away from urban areas. In the PNW you always have to fight the I-5 corridor. It would be like you heading to Moab from Golden or Longmont instead of Fraser. There's only one Mt. Baker Hwy. Next option is driving a third of the way down to Seattle and catching the North Cascades Hwy. Just like the Frange it's not a big deal if you're willing to drive at midnight on a weekday, but god forbid you want to go anywhere on Saturday morning. Patience, I guess is the answer. And a weird work schedule, no kids in school, etc.

[AK47bp]

So about 4hrs one way? So maybe about the same amount of time as flying to Phoenix or San Diego? Sounds viable.

I can get to Mission in 2.5hrs but Bellingham probably 3.5

[The AD]

I'd say if you need sunshine year round then living west of the Cascades should probably be a non-starter.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

I can get to Mission in 2.5hrs but Bellingham probably 3.5

That’s about right if you live east of 405. It’s 2.5 hours from my house in Wenatchee to downtown Seattle. I live 12 miles from the Mission lot.

Not that I would recommend skiing Mission, we don’t get much snow and it’s really rocky


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums