Native to the east coast, I grew up skiing and eventually snow boarding local slopes. Weekends in Killington, Mt Snow, and Sugar Bush and day trips to Montage, Camel Back, Mountain Creek and Hunter were the norm. There crowded slopes, “packed powder” trails (loaded with icy patches), and long lift lines tested my patience more than my skill level. So it was with waning interest for winter sports that I decided to listen to a fellow boarder’s advice –
 
“Go West.”

That friend, already a west coast convert, could not bear to board in the East anymore. A certifiable snow snob was he but I was skeptical. Was the West really worth the travel time and dollars?  Would it really reinvigorate my snow boarding desire?  I decided to test out his theory first hand.

I recruited a friend and our search started with three recommended locations - Whistler, the site for the 2010 Winter Olympics (Canada), Utah, and Colorado. We also consulted the calendar and discovered that our vacation time coincided with the Sundance Film Festival.   With this insight it was simple - destination: Park City, Utah. 

With time short room vacancies were nearly non-existent.  Luckily our creative minds searched CraigsList (www.craigslist.org), a great website for finding everything from housing to jobs. We found that most of the film industry desired only weekend accommodations in Park City, while the villas rented weekly. That fact coupled with the tight, shoestring budgets of aspiring Hollywood types produced the partial vacancies we needed. We found room steps form the slopes. Perfect.

Next up, flights. Once again our creative minds went to work and we found it best to book two separate one-way fares. Selecting JetBlue to Salt Lake and Delta returning to NYC, we saved ourselves $150 USD each while still maximizing our time on the slopes. We were off to the film festival festivities and powdery slopes!

Once in Park City, we settled into our shared condo and started immediately enjoying hot tub soaks and political debates with our new liberal film friends. Here we learned how to enjoy Sundance from film aficionados and those with industry connections.

They told us which films and shorts to go see, which were expected to win awards and why,   the proper parties to attend, certain happy hours offering free drinks,  the actors staying in town, and juicy Hollywood rumors not yet in the pages of US Weekly.    

Although it added to the experience, our primary focus remained snowboarding. And thanks to the film frenzy of Sundance, most of the Park City crowds stayed off the slopes during our stay - an unexpected bonus feature.   

With nearly no lines, we shredded, carved and boarded all day, everyday. No waits led to countless runs across perfect powder.  Then one morning it happened. A particular run and the turning point. After we took a second lift to a more distant mountain we came upon a remote run. Facing flurries and six inches of fresh powder gifted by the gods the night before, we carved the first paths of the day across the mountainside’s pristine landscape. That flawless ride contained no prior marks in the snow, no other skiers or fellow boarders to avoid – just us making our own signatures across the silent snow.  

During that run it was as if Jim Morrison sang directly into my head phones,

“The west is the best.  Get here and we’ll do the rest.”

How true. That very day, I felt complete. The trail marked “The End” of my East coast allegiance and the beginning of a new annual winter trip out west.

The following season, I chose Lake Tahoe and the mountains nestled between the California and Nevada state lines. Another excellent choice.   Although arriving in a dampened mood caused by the heavy rains, I was greeted by my surprisingly optimistic host Tom. . “Dude, don’t worry.  It’s snowing at the peak.  It’s snowing on the trails.”

Snowing?


The annual snowfall of 125 inches at lake level triples to 300-500 inches at the alpine level.  As we climbed elevation to get to the condo, the sky cleaned and grey turned to white, white with snow
.
The next morning the ski report did not disappoint - all trails were covered with fresh powder. We had our pick, and we chose Heavenly.

Once to the peak, the ungroomed trails actually proved extremely challenging because of too much powder; simply too much fresh snow. The depth made snapping my bindings difficult and nearly impossible to gain downhill momentum. As an east coaster, I never boarded in such conditions or really thought they were even possible. 


Slowly navigating down the slope, I eventually reached less restrictive depths of powder and started really enjoying the day and the conditions. Then after a few hours, the continuous snow switched from flurries to blizzard conditions. To this day, I have never been pounded with so much snow, so fast.

When the runs became challenging not only as a test of skill, but a test of visibility, we shortened our day. Not a disappointment, but rather sheer amazement. The flakes never ceased and the generous snowfall made for a brilliant week.

So now in the midst of another season and with Sundance recently kicking off (Jan 17th) I am itching for my next western adventure. And even though both Park City, Utah and Lake Tahoe, CA have proved exceptional, the vast landscape of the west remains wide open.

So, where to next? I am not sure, but I’ll be sure to fill you in on the adventure. I do know that when it comes to snowboarding I plan to continue heeding my friend’s advice and “Go West.”

Craig Zabransky is the senior travel writer for realhoboken.com. He would love to learn about your west coast skiing & snow boarding experiences especially if you are planning a trip this season. He can be reached at mercerstwriter@yahoo.com.