May be relocating to Phoenix AZ .. where to ride?

[Shred Gruumer]

Well I might me transfering to Phoenix.. I have ridden in Flagstaff at Arizona Snowbowl.. not much grooming.. Any thing with a days drive.. Big Bear??? Sunrise??

or am I stranded and have to fly..

Any AZ folks out there or places other than AZ I would be able to ride?

Any feedback on this wellcome..

Thanks

RSS

[Dr D]

http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=5

[Shred Gruumer]

So what are you trying to tell me.. we are coming to montana.. might have to change my flight since I have already bought them for Montana..

RSS

[trailertrash]

The son of Cleveland leaving? What the wtf!

[tex1230]

New mexico resorts are an easy day's drive(9 hrs to Taos)...check out Flagstaff ski bowl...don't remember the quality of grooming but it's been 20 years since I went. Southern Colorado is pretty close as well (8hrs to durango), and you can make June/Mammoth in about 11 hours...

Don't waste your time with big bear...

[lowrider]

Whats up ! Too hot in Cleveland. Good Luck!

[scrapster]

Not much groomed skiing, but I can recommend some good restaurants! ;)

As for AZ, Snowbowl and Sunrise are pretty much it.

The Taos area resorts are about 9 hours away, as is Mammoth Mtn, or even Wolf Creek in Co, if you're up for powdah. Looks like you can make it to Brian Head in UT in 7 hrs.

[Terryw]

Hey now, Big Bear aint so bad. Its not hero snow very often, but the grooming is good. From Phoenix to Snow Summit is just under 6 hours. All easy driving on the 10 fwy, except for the last 50 minutes of mountain driving. Several of us spend quite a bit of time carving it up here locally! Last year was awesome. Just sayin, closer counts for a lot. ;)

[scrapster]

Ahh, forgot about Big Bear! Closer is a good thing:biggthump

[tex1230]

The only reason to ride big bear is if you live in LA or SD and have no time to get anywhere else...
(6 years of riding there...hell on earth, even compared to the ice coast):boxing_sm

[Allee]

You could probably score some stupidly cheap flights out of there to Vancouver or Calgary in the winter. Half of Canada's going to Phoenix that time of year. Plenty of Bomber people for you to spend time with there ...

[John E]

Snowbowl & Sunrise are the only ones in Az. Taos & Telluride are about the same distance from PHX (~9 hrs).

Not sure of the grooming but Telluride is great with new snow.

[scrapster]

No love for Mt. Lemmon? I hear you can huck off the observatory :biggthump

[KingCrimson]

The only reason to ride big bear is if you live in LA or SD and have no time to get anywhere else...
(6 years of riding there...hell on earth, even compared to the ice coast):boxing_sm

Finally, some appreciation for how bad it is down here! ;)

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr190/CrowleyPhotography/Baldy%202010/DSC00991.jpg

[b0ardski]

There's a small area out side 'Vegas, talk about nightlife.
http://www.skilasvegas.com/winter/mountain_info/lvssr_trailmap.jpg
Directions (http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.skilasvegas.com/winter/directions.html&sa=X&ei=UadITJPNJI2csQPMyNxI&ved=0CCIQqwMoAzAA&usg=AFQjCNHHipf5c9RQqc6pzkWkMwOCQ1xUwA)
Their longterm expansion plans look great.
http://www.skilasvegas.com/masterplan/figures/fig_23b.jpg
The longterm forecast Dr. D posted looks rough for Arizona's 2 month season.
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/lead07/off07_temp.gifhttp://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/lead07/off07_prcp.gif

[Jim]

I waited 15yrs to leave that frying pan. Durango seems to be as close as anywhere else.

Bummer Dude :(

[Snowman]

Ahhhh, but its a dry heat. Feels kind of like standing in front of a hair dryer when the wind blows. Worked in Scottsdale many years ago for 4 months (June July August and Sept)and then got the hell of of dodge. Why don't you retire and move to Colorado???? Now there is an excellent idea.

Think Snow.

[www.oldsnowboards.com]

Why don't you retire and move to Colorado???? Now there is an excellent idea.

Think Snow.

Damn straight!!!

[Jim]

Ahhhh, but its a dry heat. Feels kind of like standing in front of a hair dryer when the wind blows. Worked in Scottsdale many years ago for 4 months (June July August and Sept)and then got the hell of of dodge. Why don't you retire and move to Colorado???? Now there is an excellent idea.

Think Snow.

I do miss those hot nights. Riding at 70mph in a pair of cutoffs at 2am across the desert highway on the way back from a party at the Verde River indian reservation.

How about living in Cottonwood and showing up at the office in Phoenix once a week?

[Dr D]

check allegiant airlines. direct to kalispell from phoenix for an average of $30-60 one way. problem solved. they dont fly every day so you would have to time your days off.

[Shred Gruumer]

Problem solve.. sweet.. now just need a place to stay..

If all I was intrested in was snow...then I would be in trouble...

Golf all year.. not to mention ride and golf the same day... did that the last time I was there... Snowbowl, then golf in Sedona..

[Dr D]

I am newly single as well. When I get settled in a new place I will put you on the guest list! waterfront at the moment. we have world class golf here too. lots of courses close and several are championship quality.:biggthump

[Dr D]

allegiant should also fly to vegas from pheonix for even lower prices. good golf and some winter fun not far from there as well.

[Shred Gruumer]

Thanks.. I could change jobs and company.. but I have too much vested.. and would loose and have to start over.. not a good option.. so staying with my company and taking another job to just live in a new place with the same company only comes around once or twice.. I passed on it once already and my field is specialized so you take what you can get especially if its MORE $$$

So AZ won't be bad.. just a bit different to get to ride ....again its closer to the mountains and cheeper for flights.. and well.. If I have to drive... well I can.. 9 hours from cleveland to the closest Vermont place is 9 hours.... or 9 hours from Phoenix should put me in a decent place..

ps/.... my custom BX hybrid from Oxess arrives August 16th.....:eek:

[shawndoggy]

Should be able to find nonstop southwest flights to reno or salt lake for cheap.

[Miltie]

Shredster, You could always drive to LA and carpool up Mammoth/June with someone from the So Cal Contingent. There is usually someone headed that way each weekend. Also, Horizon (Alaska) offers flights into Mammoth Lakes via LAX - not sure price though. Had many good days at either place over the years. Also lot's of options for places to stay. Worth a consideration.

Good luck with the job transfer! Tom

[Shred Gruumer]

Thanks for the input.. but flights yea.. maybe feasible.. a few times a year.. its lodging that will kill me... its always the most expensive of a trip.... so I guess I have to start networking that... hate to be a cheep guy but flying four or five times then lodging won't be an option..

Thats why I guess stuck with Arizona snowbowl...

sure looks like I won't be riding everyweek end... and snowbowl is the only option for that.. and I have been there 3 times.. and each time the grooming was less and less.. hate to hang up the hard boots..

RSS

[b0ardski]

Hang up the hardboots...:eek:

What blasphemy dost thou speak:angryfire

225s or the new 4 buckle UPZs some sidewinders and an AM or Ax will kick a$$ in all of snowbowl's nooks & crannies:ices_ange

[b0ardski]

By the way... anybody know why the weather stops at the canadian boarder:confused:

[Jim Callen]

Thanks for the input.. but flights yea.. maybe feasible.. a few times a year.. its lodging that will kill me... its always the most expensive of a trip.... so I guess I have to start networking that... hate to be a cheep guy but flying four or five times then lodging won't be an option..

Thats why I guess stuck with Arizona snowbowl...

sure looks like I won't be riding everyweek end... and snowbowl is the only option for that.. and I have been there 3 times.. and each time the grooming was less and less.. hate to hang up the hard boots..

RSS

Well, at least now it's easier to get up here for the Session! Sorta...

You're closer anyways.

[tex1230]

By the way... anybody know why the weather stops at the canadian boarder:confused:

I blame Al Gore.

[philw]

I blame Al Gore.
Come on, it must be BP's fault!

[utahcarver]

Pardon my ignorance but, aren't there still 'ski clubs' available which help provide discounts for airfare, lodging, and lift ticket costs? I'm sure there is one or two somewhere in the Phoenix area. May not be applicable to your situation though, Shred.

Mark

[Shred Gruumer]

Well found out today.. that its a no go.. well its good and bad..

But at least I won't be as hot..

Next stop Ogden Utah.. when something comes available..

So the North Coast Distrubution center is still open..!!:ices_ange

RSS..

ps.. now Im thinking Im going to try to make the SES happen.. just need to find a place and some people to bunk with...

[utahcarver]

Shred (and others):

Moving to northern Utah is not a good idea. The snow quality is lack-luster at best. It rarely snows here anyway. With all of the global warming going on, it's a wonder that we get snow here anymore. And when it does snow, the slopes are so crowded that it makes the freeway system here look like a wasteland. It's mainly man-made crustal spew and it melts within a day or two.

Oh, and the slopes? It's so hard to refer to them as slopes. It's more like a slightly unbalanced pool table. Little to no vertical to be had here. I'd suggest the lofty environs and steep slopes of Colorado or Montana. That's where I'd head if I was changing jobs. I hope this helps!!!

Mark

[Buell]

Yeah, Ogden area mountains suck! The snow is way to soft.

Ogden is a unique place.

[boarderboy]

Shred (and others):

Moving to northern Utah is not a good idea. The snow quality is lack-luster at best.

I'd suggest the lofty environs and steep slopes of Colorado or Montana. That's where I'd head if I was changing jobs. I hope this helps!!!

Mark

Your innate southern gentility is showing through, man. You can't lie worth squat.

Regards

BB of Possum Pouch

(which is much closer to your Utah description than
Utah will ever be)