A ski trip out west can be a dream vacation for skiers and snowboarders in the East, with bigger mountains and more snow making for some jawdropping ski experiences. But there’s plenty that should be known ahead for those heading out west for the first time ever. PeakRankings provided the must-known fundamental differences between West vs. East Coast skiing, and the tips that make heading west quite a bit easier.
13 Tips For Western U.S. Skiing
- Expect much larger resorts.
- Plan to stay for enough days if you hope to explore.
- Take advantage of ski resort proximity.
- Many resorts in the west are close to other resorts.
- Prepare for new terrain types.
- Wider-spaced glades, above treeline bowl skiing, and expert terrain with steep drops are all frequently found out west.
- Adjust trail rating expectations.
- Trail ratings can be much more difficult in the west, with an East Coast black sometimes feeling like a Western blue.
- Prepare for hike-to terriain.
- Some of the best expert terrain in the west requires a hike, often getting less traffic and holding better snow.
- Prepare for higher altitudes.
- Many resorts in the west exceed 10,000 feet. Arrive a day early to adjust, stay hydrated, and expect to fatigue faster.
- Take advantage of the Western ski towns.
- Ski villages in the west are often larger and full of night-life and apès ski. Make sure to pace yourself if you plan on drinking.
- Understand the travel and driving risks.
- Plan for the hours of travel that it can take to get from the airport to the ski resort, and make sure your car, whether rented or your own, is AWD/4WD and has winter or all-season tires and chains.
- Beat the crowds.
- Avoid holidays and peak weekends, and get on the mountain early to avoid enormous lift lines.
- Plan early.
- By purchasing lift tickets and booking lodging far ahead of time, you can often safe some serious money.
- Prepare for unpredictable weather.
- Just because it’s the west doesn’t mean it will be a powder day every day.
- Dress in layers.
- Wear moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid layers, and a waterproof shell. Make sure you have a face mask.
- Wear sunscreen!
- The sun can get intense on ski resorts, especially at high altitudes. Wear sunscreen to prevent gnarly burns.
