Off-Topic

Plan on renting everything equipment wise, should have been more clear. Apparel wise... I need a new ski jacket, pants, goggles...etc.

First of all, Trailer Park Boys might be my all time favorite show. You have fine taste in television.

Anything you could share about the place would be great. I grew up skiing/snowboarding on the east coast and this is my first trip out west.

Should I ski or snowboard? My buddies are all likely skiing.

Skiing the weekend of Feb. 5th...anything I should know about gear I need?

I am/was an advanced skier, if that info helps.

Thanks, I'm of the opinion that the best shows generally include a character named Bubbles.

You will be blown away, and Hood isn't even a premier mountain out west (for some things it is but not actual snow quality). I kindof got bored and burnt out going up to places like Liberty, Whitetail, and Seven Springs, and hadn't been in 4 years. I moved out here last year, went once, and was instantly hooked. Went to Liberty last week while home for the Holidays and it really doesn't even feel like the same activity, no offense to anyone.

I assume you're flying into PDX, correct? Are you staying at Timberline Lodge? Do you have any other plans (or time to dick around) besides the wedding and skiing? You will not need as much gear as you do back east, as it is rarely cold. I have one jacket that I wear most the year here (including on the slopes). It is just a waterproof rain jacket with very thin fleece inside. My snowboard jacket is overkill.

As far as choosing, I guess that just depends on if you'd rather take advantage of more that the mountain has to offer by sticking with what you know, or if you'd like the challenge of trying something new and exciting. There really is no stigma either way anymore (except maybe where Mschafe goes), especially out west. Timberline is known for top notch parks, however if you're beginning that won't matter much to you anyway. Are you strictly skiing T-Line or are you looking at Meadows and Skibowl as well?

This actually isn't a bad idea although I'd probably try to find demo's rather than rentals if I'm going to go that route.

Terpa Firma - If your only skiing experience has been on the east coast, the powder out west will take some getting used to. Wider skis will be your friend as you get used to the difference. If you stick to groomers only, it won't be that much different.

I will likely ski 2 days and will stay at Timberline, unless other nearby mountains are close enough and worth driving out to. We are staying at the lodge so the ski in ski out aspect will surely keep people lazy.

I have skied a lot of fresh powder in VT, so I know how different it is from the snow cone machined crap we ski in PA and MD. I am either muleing parabolic skis, snowboard or renting at the lodge.

Sunday after the wedding is Superbowl...a morning session is possible, but the people going are drinkers first, skiers second.

I am psyched to stay at the lodge...is it cool enough to hang out at as a destination for the whole weekend?

Going to Seven Springs with a bunch of friends on MLK weekend...should be fun, considering I haven't skied in probably 10 years.

I'm heading up to Sunday River next weekend. First trip of the season, can't come soon enough.

Grew up in upstate NY skiing 30-40 days a season through high school, followed by weekend trips and annual western trip while at UMD. Trips to Whistler and Park City have been the most memorable, while Vail is a close 2nd. New England has a few resorts that can offer some great terrain and snow (Sugarbush, Stowe, northern New Hampshire), but most would compare to Keystone.

Heading to Park City again this year Presidents Week, and plan on skiing The Canyons, Deer Valley and Snowbird. Hoping to also fit a long weekend at Copper or Breck as well.

Has anyone been out west to Utah, Jackson Hole or Montana with the major dumps they've received in last few weeks?

Same problem with this stuff, it will cost a fortune at a ski shop right now. I'd do Craig's List for the jacket and pants. Those are obviously keys to comfort. I'd recomment the bib type of pants that come up to your chest if you can find them, avoids snow down the crotch. The goggles you'll have to buy new but they're not that expensive. I'd look online, goggles are goggles for the most part. Make sure you have Gortex gloves.

Headed to Whitetail for the first ski day of the year. I'll be on the chair drinking schnapps by 9:00.

Whistler is just unreal, dwarfs pretty much everywhere else. They have an interactive feature on the website where you can compare their acreage to other big time resorts in North America and it's just scary. They've got 8,100 acres (including Blackcomb), and for comparison Liberty has about 90 I believe. I'm dying to get up there but it's a bit hard to justify running around to other resorts when you have a season pass to another mountain.

If you can swing it stay a couple days in Vancouver too, it's an amazing city.

Also those winter parking passes at timberline are required, you may get a ticket without one and its pretty easy to miss the signs. Mt. hood on a clear day is absolutely awesome. I'd post pictures if I wasn't computer illiterate.

Season Pass to Whitetail/Liberty. Live about 15 minutes away from each so not bad. Seven Springs for a weekend. Usually do a trip out west. Taos, NM is a very very nice place, Sick Backcountry!