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Message
Cusetiger's Cross-Country Road Trip
Posted on 2/23/23 at 9:50 am
Posted on 2/23/23 at 9:50 am
Well as many of you know I got laid off about a month ago here in WA. After living out here for nearly 3 years during Covid, I'm taking this as the perfect opportunity to move back east towards friends and family. No clue where I'll end up, but I know it won't be the west coast.
So given recent events, I've been planning my escape from WA to get to NJ and am turning this into an epic ski road trip. Open to suggestions on food/drink or routing options between Denver - NJ (itinerary is pretty set from WA to Denver). Posting the itinerary below, will update this thread accordingly with pictures and reviews as I go through the various locations.
Itinerary-
Monday 2/27 - Redmond WA to Richland/Kennewick WA
Tuesday 2/28 - Richland/Kennewick WA to Hailey ID
Wednesday 3/1 - Sun Valley ID
Thursday 3/2 - Sun Valley ID, drive to West Yellowstone WY
Friday 3/3 - Big Sky MT
Saturday 3/4 - Big Sky MT, drive to Jackson WY
Sunday 3/5 - Jackson Hole WY
Monday 3/6 - Jackson Hole WY, drive to Salt Lake City UT
Tuesday-Friday 3/7- 3/10 - Snowbasin, Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude. Flexible on this week for hitting up the mountains on whatever day the snow looks best. Friday afternoon drive to Basalt CO
Saturday 3/11 - Aspen CO
Sunday 3/12 - Aspen CO, drive to Yampa CO
Monday 3/13 - Drive Yampa CO to Steamboat Springs CO, ski Steamboat then pick up friend in Hayden CO
Tuesday 3/14 - Steamboat Springs CO, drive to Eagle CO
Wednesday 3/15 - Vail CO, drive to Silverthorne CO
Thursday 3/16 - Copper CO
Friday 3/17 - Arapahoe Basin CO, drive to Denver International Airport and drop friend off
Saturday 3/18 - Leave Denver and decide whether to take a southern route through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia or take a northern route through Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois.
My dad suggested trying to ski in every state on the way back. I asked what about Iowa? He found there's 2 mountains there- one with a 200' vertical, the other with 450'
. So I could try and take the northern route to go through Wisconsin and ski up that way. But if it's not worth my time I could take the southern route given family/friends in Texas, Louisiana, and North Carolina
So given recent events, I've been planning my escape from WA to get to NJ and am turning this into an epic ski road trip. Open to suggestions on food/drink or routing options between Denver - NJ (itinerary is pretty set from WA to Denver). Posting the itinerary below, will update this thread accordingly with pictures and reviews as I go through the various locations.
Itinerary-
Monday 2/27 - Redmond WA to Richland/Kennewick WA
Tuesday 2/28 - Richland/Kennewick WA to Hailey ID
Wednesday 3/1 - Sun Valley ID
Thursday 3/2 - Sun Valley ID, drive to West Yellowstone WY
Friday 3/3 - Big Sky MT
Saturday 3/4 - Big Sky MT, drive to Jackson WY
Sunday 3/5 - Jackson Hole WY
Monday 3/6 - Jackson Hole WY, drive to Salt Lake City UT
Tuesday-Friday 3/7- 3/10 - Snowbasin, Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude. Flexible on this week for hitting up the mountains on whatever day the snow looks best. Friday afternoon drive to Basalt CO
Saturday 3/11 - Aspen CO
Sunday 3/12 - Aspen CO, drive to Yampa CO
Monday 3/13 - Drive Yampa CO to Steamboat Springs CO, ski Steamboat then pick up friend in Hayden CO
Tuesday 3/14 - Steamboat Springs CO, drive to Eagle CO
Wednesday 3/15 - Vail CO, drive to Silverthorne CO
Thursday 3/16 - Copper CO
Friday 3/17 - Arapahoe Basin CO, drive to Denver International Airport and drop friend off
Saturday 3/18 - Leave Denver and decide whether to take a southern route through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia or take a northern route through Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois.
My dad suggested trying to ski in every state on the way back. I asked what about Iowa? He found there's 2 mountains there- one with a 200' vertical, the other with 450'
. So I could try and take the northern route to go through Wisconsin and ski up that way. But if it's not worth my time I could take the southern route given family/friends in Texas, Louisiana, and North Carolina This post was edited on 3/27/23 at 6:21 pm
9
Posted on 2/23/23 at 10:18 am to CuseTiger
Good Luck! 
Safe Travels
Hope the weather works out for you making your way cross country
Safe Travels
Hope the weather works out for you making your way cross country
Posted on 2/23/23 at 10:36 am to CuseTiger
quote:
My dad suggested trying to ski in every state on the way back. I asked what about Iowa? He found there's 2 mountains there- one with a 200' vertical, the other with 450' . So I could try and take the northern route to go through Wisconsin and ski up that way. But if it's not worth my time I could take the southern route given family/friends in Texas, Louisiana, and North Carolina
Just transition when you get into the lowlands and water ski across the South.
Posted on 2/23/23 at 10:50 am to longhorn22
quote:
Good Luck! Safe Travels. Hope the weather works out for you making your way cross country
Thanks
quote:
Just transition when you get into the lowlands and water ski across the South
the one time I went water skiing it was a lot tougher than I thought it'd be. That's also another thought- If the weather is going to be nice down south, I'm bringing my golf clubs with me so could potentially enjoy a few rounds of golf and an LSU baseball game?
Posted on 2/23/23 at 12:09 pm to CuseTiger
quote:
Tuesday-Friday 3/7- 3/10 - Snowbasin, Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude. Flexible on this week for hitting up the mountains on whatever day the snow looks best
I'd prioritize Alta, Snowbasin, and Brighton out of those.
Do Alta on a tues-thurs to avoid weekend traffic in the cottonwoods. Brighton has a good bit of terrain open for night ski so sleep in and miss the traffic and go from like 1-9 PM. Snowbasin is very underrated. You could do it first so you can stay a night in Ogden and don't have to backtrack from SLC
This post was edited on 2/23/23 at 12:09 pm
Posted on 2/23/23 at 4:40 pm to CuseTiger
quote:dp you prefer cool or warm weather? Southern or midwestern food?
decide whether to take a southern route through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia or take a northern route through Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois
Posted on 2/23/23 at 7:54 pm to CuseTiger
Cool trip. Safe travels!
Posted on 2/23/23 at 8:37 pm to CuseTiger
Kind of doubt they would have skiing in Iowa at the point...Even places like Welch Village and Afton Alps in Minneapolis are at the very tail end of their season. You would need to go way north towards Duluth for ok conditions. Maybe go south into New Mexico, ski Taos and then continue on south into warm weather.
Posted on 2/25/23 at 10:38 am to Yeti_Chaser
Been busy with packing, cleaning, and moving so haven't had time to return here until now.
I'm definitely planning on Snowbasin and Brighton/Solitude since I haven't been there before. Do you know if its possible to ski between Brighton and Solitude using the ikon pass or do I need another pass? For the Alta day, I enjoyed Alta last year so will likely spend most of my day there vs Snowbird.
Well I'm driving through cold weather the first part of this trip so was looking for a bit of a change. The other aspect is that driving the southern route would be about 2800 miles. If I drive direct Denver to NJ it's 1700 miles. If I drive the northern route it's 2265 miles (adding in a stop in ND just to say I've been there).
Is an extra 600 miles worth it to drive through the south with nicer weather?
Thanks for the heads up. I'll take a look by the time I get to Denver and see if it'd even be worth it. I just looked up afton alps, looks like an extended bunny hill
quote:
I'd prioritize Alta, Snowbasin, and Brighton out of those
I'm definitely planning on Snowbasin and Brighton/Solitude since I haven't been there before. Do you know if its possible to ski between Brighton and Solitude using the ikon pass or do I need another pass? For the Alta day, I enjoyed Alta last year so will likely spend most of my day there vs Snowbird.
quote:
dp you prefer cool or warm weather? Southern or midwestern food?
Well I'm driving through cold weather the first part of this trip so was looking for a bit of a change. The other aspect is that driving the southern route would be about 2800 miles. If I drive direct Denver to NJ it's 1700 miles. If I drive the northern route it's 2265 miles (adding in a stop in ND just to say I've been there).
Is an extra 600 miles worth it to drive through the south with nicer weather?
quote:
Kind of doubt they would have skiing in Iowa at the point...Even places like Welch Village and Afton Alps in Minneapolis are at the very tail end of their season.
Thanks for the heads up. I'll take a look by the time I get to Denver and see if it'd even be worth it. I just looked up afton alps, looks like an extended bunny hill
Posted on 2/25/23 at 10:56 am to CuseTiger
Sounds amazing. Safe travels and have a blast !!
Posted on 2/25/23 at 11:01 am to jkylejohnson
Make great memories! 
Posted on 2/26/23 at 9:17 am to CuseTiger
quote:
Do you know if its possible to ski between Brighton and Solitude using the ikon pass or do I need another pass?
Haven't done it myself but I'm pretty certain you just use the ikon since they're both on your pass and Solitude is unlimited. Just take the Solbright Traverse and then ski to the bottom and you'll scan your ikon to get back on the next lift.
Posted on 2/26/23 at 9:25 am to Yeti_Chaser
Yeah, you can ski between them with ease just like Alta and Snowbird. Last time I skied Solitude I parked at Brighton since it is free and skied between the two.
Posted on 2/26/23 at 9:32 am to CuseTiger
See you at Copper baw.
Posted on 2/27/23 at 4:19 pm to Duke
Road trip begins now, first stop Kennewick WA. 4 hour drive, road conditions look good to get across Snoqualmie Pass before the snow hits tonight
Posted on 2/28/23 at 8:30 am to CuseTiger
Made it to Kennewick pretty easily last night, the drive was beautiful from Ellensburg to Yakima
Stopped for some BBQ brisket at Porters. Pretty good for out west
Grabbing some coffee this morning with an old Syracuse friend (was supposed to meet last night but her kid had explosive diarrhea during gymnastics and needed to reschedule). 7 hrs driving today from Kennewick through Boise to Hailey ID
Eta: Saw two bald eagles and a red tailed hawk yesterday
Stopped for some BBQ brisket at Porters. Pretty good for out west
Grabbing some coffee this morning with an old Syracuse friend (was supposed to meet last night but her kid had explosive diarrhea during gymnastics and needed to reschedule). 7 hrs driving today from Kennewick through Boise to Hailey ID
Eta: Saw two bald eagles and a red tailed hawk yesterday
This post was edited on 2/28/23 at 2:26 pm
Posted on 2/28/23 at 9:10 pm to CuseTiger
Day 2- Drove from Kennewick WA to Hailey ID today. Drive was easy through WA, eastern Oregon was a pretty drive
Eventually hit some snow climbing over the mountains but roads were clear.
Hit ID and the speed limit increased to 80mph. Flurrying from the border to Boise. Drove past Boise State and downtown, seemed like a good area. Then had a 2 hr drive to Hailey ID. Drove on route 20 and boy what a beautiful drive. Once at the summit, hit a snowstorm the rest of the way.
Here's a pic
Road was super rough for 20miles, may need an alignment. Made it to downtown Hailey, very nice town. This is where the Sun Valley airport is located as well, Sun Valley resort is about 20 minutes north of here.
Skiing Sun Valley tomorrow and Thursday, conditions should be great given the snow!
Eventually hit some snow climbing over the mountains but roads were clear.
Hit ID and the speed limit increased to 80mph. Flurrying from the border to Boise. Drove past Boise State and downtown, seemed like a good area. Then had a 2 hr drive to Hailey ID. Drove on route 20 and boy what a beautiful drive. Once at the summit, hit a snowstorm the rest of the way.
Here's a pic
Road was super rough for 20miles, may need an alignment. Made it to downtown Hailey, very nice town. This is where the Sun Valley airport is located as well, Sun Valley resort is about 20 minutes north of here.
Skiing Sun Valley tomorrow and Thursday, conditions should be great given the snow!
Posted on 2/28/23 at 11:13 pm to CuseTiger
That looks fun! My SIL and her family lives in Kennewick. Went there after Ida hit us in Louisiana. Loved the scenery. Have fun and enjoy!
Posted on 3/1/23 at 6:13 am to CuseTiger
Keep up the documentation. Many of us are watching.
Posted on 3/1/23 at 5:04 pm to thegreatboudini
Day 3- Sun Valley. They got 16" of snow overnight so it was excellent conditions today 
. Had to clear that off the truck but once I did it was about 20 minutes to the parking lot at Sun Valley. No one was there so by the time I got ready and to the main lodge I checked to make sure the ikon pass was good. The River Run lodge was beautiful on the inside, reminded me of Vail
Got in line for the gondola. They announced a delay to open but it was 9:01am instead of 9am so no issues.
Made friends with some locals on the gondola and they offered to show me around once I asked for some suggestions. Went down Upper Limelight and it was beautiful light fluffy snow
Skied over to the Challenger lift and skied there for a bit before heading back up top off the Christmas lift. Found some glades off Arnolds run, snow was great in here
Sun tried to clear for a bit so got some good views
They finally opened the bowls around 11am and it was gorgeous
After lunch and more avy blasting, they opened up Sunrise Bowl. Perfect timing since I was at the top of Seattle Ridge
The run ends in some glades which were again untouched. Ended up eating it pretty good in here on a turn. A local stopped by to help and we chit chatted for a bit
View from the Broadway lift
Had one more double black in me so did Inhibition. You can see the avy blasting on the right
Was getting tired so headed down to the base area and got this view
Overall, highly recommend Sun Valley. Super friendly people, great snow, wide variety of terrain. I still have tomorrow here then off to West Yellowstone/Big Sky
. Had to clear that off the truck but once I did it was about 20 minutes to the parking lot at Sun Valley. No one was there so by the time I got ready and to the main lodge I checked to make sure the ikon pass was good. The River Run lodge was beautiful on the inside, reminded me of Vail Got in line for the gondola. They announced a delay to open but it was 9:01am instead of 9am so no issues.
Made friends with some locals on the gondola and they offered to show me around once I asked for some suggestions. Went down Upper Limelight and it was beautiful light fluffy snow
Skied over to the Challenger lift and skied there for a bit before heading back up top off the Christmas lift. Found some glades off Arnolds run, snow was great in here
Sun tried to clear for a bit so got some good views
They finally opened the bowls around 11am and it was gorgeous
After lunch and more avy blasting, they opened up Sunrise Bowl. Perfect timing since I was at the top of Seattle Ridge
The run ends in some glades which were again untouched. Ended up eating it pretty good in here on a turn. A local stopped by to help and we chit chatted for a bit
View from the Broadway lift
Had one more double black in me so did Inhibition. You can see the avy blasting on the right
Was getting tired so headed down to the base area and got this view
Overall, highly recommend Sun Valley. Super friendly people, great snow, wide variety of terrain. I still have tomorrow here then off to West Yellowstone/Big Sky
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