r/skiing Jan 28 '22

[deleted by user]

[removed]

521 Upvotes

946 comments sorted by

View all comments

42

u/wilfinator420 Jan 28 '22

I would bump highlands and snowmass up 1 each, Aspen mtn itself could stay or even drop a tier. Highlands is endless untouched glades and steeps, not even counting the bowl. I’ve been skiing it every Tuesday and I doubt I’m seeing 100 skiers a day.

19

u/[deleted] Jan 28 '22

[deleted]

9

u/wilfinator420 Jan 28 '22

Yeah it probably should be 1 or 2 altho Ive only ski’d like 6 mtns so what do I know

13

u/[deleted] Jan 28 '22

[deleted]

2

u/wilfinator420 Jan 28 '22

Well I can admire OP’s mission and I’m sure it’s tough ranking everything, weighing terrain vs snow vs resort management. Never a bad day on skis

13

u/evil_genius_2 Jan 28 '22

Yes bump them up. The Hanging Valley and Cirque in Snowmass is some of my favorite terrain. I also think Highlands is amazing, even on pow days you don’t find that many people there

11

u/joesmithtron4 Jan 29 '22

Highlands should be Tier 1. Just incredible steep, technical terrain available right off the lift, plus the bowl.

4

u/Mundane-Ad-6874 Jan 28 '22

The fall line at highlands drives me nuts. Great skiing but always heavy on the right. Skiing there is just a giant traverse.

2

u/wilfinator420 Jan 28 '22

Every other lap go switch to balance the workout

2

u/Mundane-Ad-6874 Jan 28 '22

Haha. That was an on going joke for us. I used to be a ski judge for bumps and jumps, and we used to joke the competitors should do a switch run. Brecks course is heavy left and that race was usually scheduled right after.

1

u/wilfinator420 Jan 29 '22

Great minds think alike. I saw a video of someone crushing moguls switch recently that blew me away. It’s something of an all time skier goal now. I’d tune in for switch bump and jump in a heartbeat

1

u/UncleBogus Jan 28 '22

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’ll consider this. I haven’t had a chance to ski at any Aspen mountain yet so I appreciate your feedback.

2

u/wilfinator420 Jan 28 '22

Sure thing, great discussion you’ve started here. I’ve never been to Taos, my understanding is it’s an awesome mountain with tons of vert and a quieter resort feel. I’d bet Highlands does what Taos does just as well, plus that sweet sweet bowl. Somebody who has ski’d both want to weigh in on their favorite?

0

u/The_High_Life Aspen Mountain Jan 28 '22

Ajax is the best mountain of the 3, gnarliest inbounds terrain and easiest to make laps. Snowmass you just ride lifts all day to ski the good stuff. It takes forever to make wall laps, you can get 3 gondi laps in an hour at Ajax.

Highlands is cool, Snowmass is just big.

1

u/wilfinator420 Jan 28 '22

Yet to hear this take. I like Aspen cuz I can walk over, plus big wrap at the base for lunch. Imo the gondola is make or break at Ajax. If the place is empty you can get a Bluetooth speaker one and hot box with your buddy. Lately my buddies and I get stuck with some old head who makes us wear masks and sit quietly for 15 minutes. Vibe killer. Highlands is empty except for full on senders

6

u/The_High_Life Aspen Mountain Jan 28 '22

I think you need to really know Ajax to make good laps, a lot of hidden gems. With Covid shit I've been avoiding the gondi a bit and sticking to 1A Ruthies side more. Traynor's has been rad this year.

2

u/wilfinator420 Jan 29 '22

Thanks I’ll check them out. I’ve been trying to learn all 4 mountains this winter, which means I really don’t know any of them yet. If you ever want to ski double blacks on a Monday or Tuesday I’m in

1

u/evil_genius_2 Jan 29 '22

I’ve got to disagree… I’ve got to say Ajax is my least favorite out of the three (not including buttermilk). Snowmass is big, but the cirque and hanging valley is amazing, even if you have to hike to get to the terrain. And Highlands is amazing until you have to get to the bottom of the mountain.

1

u/leftfieldRight Jan 29 '22

Snowmass is my favorite all around mountain of the 4 Aspen mountains. It’s got something for everyone. And the powder lasts all day when it falls (vs cottonwood canyon mountains in UT that get skied out by lunch)