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  • Kocho
    replied
    I'm all for easy - will check when I get there and do what makes most sense. If it is not heavily dumping and already a foot of snow on the road, I think the rental will do just fine with chains. The chains are very easy to put on - I've tried them on my own car and it takes just a few minutes. So if I do need them it should not be a problem to use them. And yes, what the cop at the bottom thinks is probably the most important factor . As long as it has been plowed to below 5" snow on the road, I think it does not really matter how big the vehicle is - if it has enough clearance to not plow snow infront of it, I think chains should move it just fine on paved roads where commercial traffic is meant to travel... But again, I've never been on that particular road so I might be misguided I'll be sure to report back here on my experiences.

    Originally posted by Bad Wolf View Post
    You may be right. I'm going by the daily recommendations that are posted on Alta's site. All that really matters is what the cop at the bottom thinks and if you vehicle will actually make it up the hill.

    These are steep, narrow mountain roads that do get significant snow. The weekend we were there, Little Cottonwood Canyon was closed until 10am for conditions after less than a foot fell overnight. Despite being busy, taking the bus has to be easier and cheaper than trying to put chains on a rental.

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  • Bad Wolf
    replied
    You may be right. I'm going by the daily recommendations that are posted on Alta's site. All that really matters is what the cop at the bottom thinks and if you vehicle will actually make it up the hill.

    These are steep, narrow mountain roads that do get significant snow. The weekend we were there, Little Cottonwood Canyon was closed until 10am for conditions after less than a foot fell overnight. Despite being busy, taking the bus has to be easier and cheaper than trying to put chains on a rental.

    Leave a comment:


  • Kocho
    replied
    From most FAQs and the Snowbird one on particular:

    "By law, snow tires or chains are required on all vehicles entering the canyon from November 1st to May 1st. During heavy snowstorms, the canyon may be temporarily restricted to 4WD or chain-equipped vehicles only"

    That comes from the Utah administrative code: http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/c...0/r920-006.htm

    So it looks like chains on at least 2 tires (mounted or carried), or mounted snow tires, or 4wd with at least 2 mounted snow tires. Having all three would help, but it looks it is not required. And it appears that the chains don't need to be mounted, just carried in the vehicle and able to be mounted if needed. But if the road is well covered in snow, I think it will make sense to have them mounted.

    Originally posted by Bad Wolf View Post
    It's worth noting that when it does snow, the Canyon roads are restricted to 4X4 with snow tires, and there are police road checks at the Canyon entrance, so a 2WD rental with chains may not be allowed up. Your only other choice is the bus, and it will be crowded on a powder day. Like Kyu says, get there early and use the start of the route.

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  • Bad Wolf
    replied
    Originally posted by Kocho View Post
    Are the busses that convenient? Or would a car be quicker, more flexible? I'll have a car anyway, but is it worth using it to go to the slopes? I'm thinking of bringing my snow chains for the rental car - unless Hertz offers to upgrade me to something unusual, the size chains I have should fit the tire size of my booked tiny front wheel drive rental vehicle. While the busses are probably a good way to go up the slopes, I like the idea of being independent and more mobile. And the chains might come handy if we get snowed-in while we are visiting some place that the buses don't serve...
    It's worth noting that when it does snow, the Canyon roads are restricted to 4X4 with snow tires, and there are police road checks at the Canyon entrance, so a 2WD rental with chains may not be allowed up. Your only other choice is the bus, and it will be crowded on a powder day. Like Kyu says, get there early and use the start of the route.

    Leave a comment:


  • kyu
    replied
    Originally posted by Kocho View Post
    Are the busses that convenient? Or would a car be quicker, more flexible?
    They are convenient in that you aren't driving, other than that I would say no. If it is on a powder day and you want a seat you should get on at the first stop (Midvale) it will add about 20-25 minutes to the commute. If you plan on staying till the end of the day the busses are pretty packed on the way down as well. Having said that I am looking forward to next year when I have a pass that includes the bus so I don't have to spend gas money and I can nap on the way up and down.

    Leave a comment:


  • sempai
    replied
    Originally posted by Kocho View Post
    Are the busses that convenient? Or would a car be quicker, more flexible?
    I've only had one experience taking the ski bus, and it wasn't pleasant. We had to stand and ride for about an hour in a half on the bus before reaching the resort. Going forward I will drive and never take the bus again.

    Leave a comment:


  • Kocho
    replied
    While I'm researching for my own trip, might as well share some of the potentially useful stuff I fond:

    https://www.skiboardsonline.com/foru...highlight=alta
    http://utaholympiclegacy.org/park-activities

    The cheapest way to rent a car that I could find was through priceline.com, by using "name your own price" option. They would not take my $10 per day offer, but took $15 a day. Which is very misleading, since with taxes it is almost double that what I end-up paying ($140 for 5 days).

    Looking at the forecast and recent snowfalls, it seems to snow a few inches just about every day there! And historical averages seem promising (although this winter seems warmer than usual, so I don't know what to expect, really).

    Are the busses that convenient? Or would a car be quicker, more flexible? I'll have a car anyway, but is it worth using it to go to the slopes? I'm thinking of bringing my snow chains for the rental car - unless Hertz offers to upgrade me to something unusual, the size chains I have should fit the tire size of my booked tiny front wheel drive rental vehicle. While the busses are probably a good way to go up the slopes, I like the idea of being independent and more mobile. And the chains might come handy if we get snowed-in while we are visiting some place that the buses don't serve...

    Leave a comment:


  • sempai
    replied
    Just heard that Mammoth Mountain in CA has gotten 44-56 inches in the last 48 hours, and it is still coming down.

    Wow!

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  • sempai
    replied
    The dumping has begun!

    Leave a comment:


  • Bad Wolf
    replied
    Yikes!


    Leave a comment:


  • Kocho
    replied
    Thanks!

    Originally posted by sempai View Post
    The days don't have to be consecutive just used within the 14-day window. Only other discount ticket option that I know of is Liftopia.com. You could try local ski shops or sporting good stores. Sometimes they carrying coupons. Hotels also have discounted tickets or coupons on occasion.

    Leave a comment:


  • sempai
    replied
    Originally posted by Kocho View Post
    I'm a little unclear how the super pass works: are the days consecutive or not (within the 14 days from activation)? Let's say I get a 3 day super pass and I am staying 4 days, can I use it on days 1, 2, and 4 or do the days have to be consecutive, so 1,2,3 or 2,3,4?

    Any other ways to get discount ski tickets?
    The days don't have to be consecutive just used within the 14-day window. Only other discount ticket option that I know of is Liftopia.com. You could try local ski shops or sporting good stores. Sometimes they carry coupons. Hotels also have discounted tickets or coupons on occasion.

    Leave a comment:


  • Kocho
    replied
    OK, I'm booked with my daughter for the 25th-30th. Sorry, won't be able to meet you guys.

    We will be staying in the Hayatt Place using frequent travel points, so will be buying the ski passes separately. Looks like it is very close to the bus route and one of the park and ride lots.

    I'm a little unclear how the super pass works: are the days consecutive or not (within the 14 days from activation)? Let's say I get a 3 day super pass and I am staying 4 days, can I use it on days 1, 2, and 4 or do the days have to be consecutive, so 1,2,3 or 2,3,4?

    Any other ways to get discount ski tickets?

    Leave a comment:


  • kyu
    replied
    Originally posted by Bad Wolf View Post

    Sempai and I are planning the ski the Cottonwood resorts from March 17th through to the 20th. I'm sure the amazing Kyu will join us as well. There are some great spring deal out there right now to take advantage of. So, come out and join us.
    Not sure about the amazing part, but I should be around unless I get snowed in in Colorado.

    Leave a comment:


  • Bad Wolf
    replied
    Originally posted by macrophotog View Post
    Tempting, tempting, tempting!
    Let us know if you are interested. It's easy to add one to the room and split the costs even further.

    Leave a comment:

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