moving to Colorado!!

**summit** · 11-15-2006, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by telemike

I work for the Forest Service. I'll be working at Vail Pass in the winter and running the trail crew in the summer.

Maggots don't have to buy day passes... right?

We should ski. Also, if you are good with computers, drop me a pm.
Welcome

**~mikey b** · 11-16-2006, 05:00 PM

Summit - love to ski with you. I'll fire you a pm.

so, should I be buying the A-Basin, Breck, Keystone 3 pass for $379? What's the drive from Minturn?

**Danno** · 11-16-2006, 05:03 PM

I'd spring for the 5 mt version, Vail and Beaver Creek are worth it.

From Minturn, maybe 30-35 minutes to those places.

**~mikey b** · 11-16-2006, 05:12 PM

$1400 more for Vail and BC doesn't seem worth it to me. The 3 pass is good to buy until 12/22/06 - sounds like a good deal to me. Is there something else out there that I'm missing?

I actually haven't paid to ski in years. In California, I got to where I only skied the backcountry the last 5 years I was there, and in Juneau I worked at the ski area, so I got a free pass. Even with a pass, I'll hit the backcountry more often than not.

**pechelman** · 11-16-2006, 05:16 PM

it looks like neither the 5 or 3 mountain pass is for sale anymore for new passholders. Might be sol on that front.

Theres always copper, a-basin, or a loveland pass.

**Danno** · 11-16-2006, 05:26 PM

I guess I was assuming the 5 mt version (which includes 10 days at Vail/BC) was still available, and for less than $100 more. But maybe not.

I know that Copper's pass is still available. That would be under 30 minutes from Minturn. Loveland and ABasin would both be at least 20 minutes further.

**homerjay** · 11-16-2006, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by telemike

$1400 more for Vail and BC doesn't seem worth it to me. The 3 pass is good to buy until 12/22/06 - sounds like a good deal to me. Is there something else out there that I'm missing?

I actually haven't paid to ski in years. In California, I got to where I only skied the backcountry the last 5 years I was there, and in Juneau I worked at the ski area, so I got a free pass. Even with a pass, I'll hit the backcountry more often than not.

Does the USFS have a merchant pass deal with Vail Resorts? I sure hope so. Driving from Minturn to ski in Summit County is borderline stupid. Can your wife work a few shifts/week for the resort? You'll get passes that way, too.

**~mikey b** · 11-16-2006, 05:53 PM

Unsure Homerjay. Wife's work is up in the air right now.

What backcountry guidebooks do y'all recommend?

I just realized I am going to get my ass handed to me moving from sea level.

**homerjay** · 11-16-2006, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by telemike

Unsure Homerjay. Wife's work is up in the air right now.

What backcountry guidebooks do y'all recommend?

I just realized I am going to get my ass handed to me moving from sea level.

Litz's guide to the northern mountains has some good info, and Lou Dawson's guide is great for the Elks (only about 90 mins away).

give me a shout when you get to town, I live in the valley, too and am always looking for partners.

**shera** · 11-16-2006, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by telemike

Unsure Homerjay. Wife's work is up in the air right now.

What backcountry guidebooks do y'all recommend?

I just realized I am going to get my ass handed to me moving from sea level.

You can take gingko biloba pills from GNC for a while if you're really concerned. But you'll adjust.

Front Range Descents is a good start. Also you can get a good 4wd boook because that will expand the posssiblilites of where you can go. And of course there are Dawson's 14ers book. Wilderness Sports has some cool books to look at. ANd you can ask maggots any day of the week for line/tour suggestions.

**rideit** · 11-16-2006, 06:01 PM

Absolutely true, and has been know for years in very high altitude circles...

VIAGRA works wonders at altitude, seriously.

**homerjay** · 11-16-2006, 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by rideit

VIAGRA works wonders at altitude, seriously.

I SWEAR, baby, it's for the altitude!

**~mikey b** · 11-16-2006, 06:10 PM

I'm really looking forward to this. I was expecting a bit more shit from the welcome wagon considering my job and all. You guys are top notch.

**~mikey b** · 12-01-2006, 10:06 AM

ok - so how about a little road trip advice?

We're planning to take a little bit of time on the drive to visit some friends, check out some new places, and revisit some old ones. If you folks have any advice on places to stay, good food, good beer, hot springs, etc., please let us know.

Here's a tentative itinerary - dependent on weather and the baby's attitude towards riding in the car. (He's never been in a car for longer than about 45 minutes.)

Dec 12-15 - ferry to Bellingham
Bellingham to Spokane - advice?
Spokane to Kalispell - staying with friends, so I think we are all set
Kalispell to Jackson Hole - advice?
Jackson Hole to SLC - staying with friends - maybe skiing with tipsters?
SLC to Steamboat - planning to go through Dinasaur - staying with family

**lemon boy** · 12-01-2006, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by telemike

SLC to Steamboat - planning to go through Dinasaur - staying with family

Flaming gorge = beautiful drive

**cmsummit** · 12-01-2006, 10:24 AM

welcome!

laughing at AKPM getting pwned.

**~mikey b** · 12-26-2006, 03:00 PM

the ferry and the drive were great - we missed most of the gnarly weather in the West the last couple of weeks. Seemed like they were clearing trees from our path just before we came through in WA. Skied a day of bluebird and old pow at Big Mountain a week or so ago. Baby got his first cold last week in SLC and we went to Steamboat for xmas so I've been out of the loop.

Hoping to get out on the pass Thursday.................

**Rontele** · 12-26-2006, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by telemike

the ferry and the drive were great - we missed most of the gnarly weather in the West the last couple of weeks. Seemed like they were clearing trees from our path just before we came through in WA. Skied a day of bluebird and old pow at Big Mountain a week or so ago. Baby got his first cold last week in SLC and we went to Steamboat for xmas so I've been out of the loop.

Hoping to get out on the pass Thursday.................

On the pass meaning Vail Pass or your Vail Pass? If the former, lets ski!

**~mikey b** · 12-26-2006, 03:14 PM

Vail Pass

but I'll be working, sorry

My schedule's going to be a bit of a mess for a couple of weeks, and I'm not likely to leave my backcountry partner - my wife - home with the baby while I go skiing. As my future attorney, you need to babysit my kid so we can go skiing.

Hey - where should I get our skis tuned? The guy at the bike shop in Eagle will do them for $25 a pair with a bulk discount. I've got 5-6 pair that need to see a grinder.

Z · 12-26-2006, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by telemike

Vail Pass

but I'll be working, sorry

My schedule's going to be a bit of a mess for a couple of weeks, and I'm not likely to leave my backcountry partner - my wife - home with the baby while I go skiing. As my future attorney, you need to babysit my kid so we can go skiing.

Hey - where should I get our skis tuned? The guy at the bike shop in Eagle will do them for $25 a pair with a bulk discount. I've got 5-6 pair that need to see a grinder.

Not sure for prices, but Vail Ski Tech in Lionshead knows whats up.

Welcome to CO.