Snowboarding Resorts

This is where my son and I took our first snowboarding lessons. We were not very good at all at that time so it's hard to grade the mountain for snowboarding. This mountain was carved by a glacier and has a stair-step topology. This unique feature gives many of the trails a kind of roller-coaster feel. In some places you actually sharply ramp up a bit on the way down! No major airport nearby. There were new condos under construction when we were there but slope side lodging is minimal. Most everyone stays in the town of Durango and makes the 25 mile drive up to the resort and back every day. I would like to go back some day.

No slope side accommodations. No major airports nearby unless you consider Santa Fe nearby. There are plenty of inexpensive hotels in nearby town of Riudoso and Riudoso Downs. Main claim to fame is being the most southern of all the North American ski resorts. Just make sure they have snow before you go! Snowboarders from north Texas can easily drive there in one day.

Crested Butte is a great mountain to snowboard on and the town is fun and inexpensive. Like most of the Southwestern Colorado resorts, it's remote and not served by a major airport. Once your there, you can park your car and leave it. The town has a great free bus system. There are hotels and condos slope side. Or save money and stay just a mile away in the town and ride the bus. We stayed at the Crested Butte Inn, a 17 room B&B and loved it. All the great restaurants are within walking distance if you stay in the town.

Solitude and Brighton are smallish resorts and a part of the Salt Lake park system. Lift tickets are well below average. There are no accommodations at either resort and parking is very limited. Lots of visitors park at the bottom of the canyon and ride the bus up. Buses are busy and we saw lots of standing-room only situations. Stay at inexpensive hotels in Midvale (a suburb to the south of Salt Lake City) and ride the city buses up to either resort. Of the resorts I've visited, Brighton is the only one where snowboarders seem to outnumber skiers!

Snowbird has a almost Mecca-like reputation to those looking for steep pitches and deep powder. In my humble opinion, the only thing interesting about this place is the 125 passenger super-gondola going straight to the top of the mountain. I do not recommend this resort for snowboarding for intermediates. Everything is very, very steep and the various sections are interconnected by long, flat, narrow roads. We did a lot of hiking at Snowbird. Green runs at snowbird would be ranked blue anywhere else. The blues were definitely thrilling, but we had more than the usual number of spills on them. Black runs where out-of-the-question narrow chutes or bowls with moguls. Like Solitude and Brighton, Snowbird is served by the city buses. I don't think its city property because the lift prices are more in line with your average commercial resort.

Steamboat is a huge and wonderful mountain with plenty of terrain for all abilities. Accommodations start slope side and radiate outward all over the area. Many of the condo management companies operate their own buses. We stayed just beyond walking distance and stayed at the finest condo we had ever experienced for a reasonable price. If your condo does not provide bus service you will need to drive a couple of miles into town each night for dinner. As with many Colorado resorts, the main problem is getting there. Steamboat is way up north just over the border from Laramie, Wyoming. It's a long drive from Denver.

It's hard to find anything not to like about Park City Mountain Resort. It's less than an hours drive from the Salt Lake City airport. Ample lodging in every price range. A huge mountain with tons of terrain for every skill level. Great restaurants in the fun little town (Park City) that has it's own bus system. The only negatives, which are becoming pretty hard to avoid anywhere, are crowds and expensive lift tickets. 

Lodging is basically in three areas: Near the mountain, Downtown, and out near the Interstate. I'm talking about a mile or 2 between these three areas. We stayed near the mountain at Chateau Apres in 2003 and walked into town several nights. Chateau Apres is very basic and affordable hotel 1 block away from the base area. Ask for a room on the upper level. The old wooden floors are very squeaky and will annoy the heck out of you. You can save money on lodging by staying out near the Interstate in a chain motel and using the bus. No matter where you stay you won't be more than a 10-minute bus ride from the base area. Another alternative: plan your trip for the "value season". In 2004 the value season went all they way up to December 23 and lodging may be more that 50% less than during holiday season. There is a high-speed quad lift that serves downtown Park City which makes staying downtown pretty attractive since that is where most of the restaurants are. Plus everyone is out walking around at night downtown. There are a few nice places to eat at night near the base. We found no waiting at all even at peak season between Christmas and New Year. The downtown restraunts are a lot busier but there are more of them. Too much of a wait at one, just keep walking and find another!

Bonus: For variety you can jump on a city bus and go over to The Canyons resort. Again, it's only going to be a 15-20 minute bus ride over there. The Canyons is equally huge and fun and less crowded. There are nice homes and roads scattered around the lower elevations, similar to a golf course. In several places the trail takes you under the road which is cool. There is a nifty little mid mountain burger hut on one of the popular runs. I will never forget standing in below freezing air warming hands over the big outdoor grill watching the jolly chef prepare our lunch during a light snow shower! For some reason though, I enjoyed PCMR better.

Snowmass is on the "other side" of Aspen Mountain. It is one of many mega resorts in Colorado. 3128 Acres, 23 lifts, 90 trails, longest run 5.3 miles, over 4,400 ft vertical rise. I absolutely loved Snowmass and would go back in an instant. I stayed with a group in Glenwood Springs and drove up everyday. The most fun I have had on a snowboard, ever, were at opposite ends of this resort. The Gunner's View trail off of the Elk Camp lift and the Campground trail from the Campground lift.