UK skier in San Diego

[RichH]

Hi everyone!

I'm a skier & boarder originally from the UK, that's been living in the US for 3 years now. I've just moved from DC to San Diego so I've got lots of exciting skiing ahead of me this year.

I've been skiing and boarding for 7 years now, mostly in Europe, but since a trip to Utah in '07 I can't wait to see more big US resorts.

Hopefully I'll get and share lots of great tips, advice and discussions on here.

Rich

[snobeach]

Hello RichH!

Quite the jaunt across the pond then across the country. Glad you signed up!

[RichH]

Thanks snobeach. I'm slowly moving West! Think I'll stick around in San Diego for a while. At least until I've checked out the west coast resorts!

[gSki]

Hi Rich - a Brit in the States eh! I bet everyone says "You sound like Hugh Grant" ??

Are you living out there forever now? Welcome to Talk Ski btw!

[freshtracks]

Welcome aboard RichH!.....New here myself.

If you have time, would you share your thoughts on Park City and the whole Utah experience?

Over the years I have skied Colorado (Awesome) and Montana (Awesome too!)

Have spent most of my years sliding around up here in Canukastan, but want to venture out again.

[RichH]

Thanks for the welcomes. Very kind.

I did get the Hugh Grant thing a couple of time on dates in DC - I definately didn't complain! My wife is American so it looks like we're here to stay for a while yet. Just bought a place in San Diego so I'm not moving anywhere soon.

I had a great time in Park City. We used the free bus system to do three days in Park City, two in Deer Valley (skiing only I'm afraid) and a day in The Canyons. All of the resorts were great and we were very lucky with the snow. Hardly any lift queues and the slopes weren't crouded. Deer Valley is probably the best resort for groomed runs I've been to anywhere in the world (the bowls were good too). It also has probably the best food of any resort I've been to, which helps fuel you up for the afternoon. Park City was good with lots of very varied terain - I found quite a few flatter parts on the snowboard though. Canyons was great on a powder day for the first couple of hours, but they got cut up pretty badly and turned into hard work. There were a lot of runs with narrow sections and the snow didn't cope well with the high traffic in these areas. If I had to pick favorites it would be 1. Deer Valley, 2. Park City and 3. Canyons.

We stayed in the Chateau Apres Lodge http://www.chateauapres.com/ which was cheap, friendly and exactly what we were after. Not 5* luxuary, but I just wanted a clean bed after a hard day on the slopes and a simple breakfast and it was great for that. Highly recommended.

We didn't bother with a car, we got a shuttle from the Airport and then took the free bus system everywhere else. Its a 10 minute walk from Chateau Apres to center of the Park City and under 5 minutes to the lifts and bus pickup. Decent nightlife (not crazy, but stuff going on), but watered down Utah beer in the supermarkets and some places.

Highly recommended - especially for those that want to sample three resorts in a week, without needing to drive (did I mention I loved the free buses!).

Anything else you want to know freshtracks?

[freshtracks]

Thank you for the snapshot of the Park City area. Very informative and yes, I would surely make use of the free transportation!

If you and your wife ever wish to ski in Alberta, Lake Louise in particular, please contact either myself or snobeach for info.

P.S.-San Diego is such a nice place to live.

[RichH]

Glad it was of us. We'll certainly be in touch if we've ever lucky enough to get up to Lake Louise

[sharon333]

Welcome and happy skiing.