March ski trip - where to go for a challenge?
 

My friend and her husband are looking to go on a 1-week ski trip in March.

They are advanced skiers and are looking for a challenging hill. Nightlife and après-ski are less of a concern for them.

They very much liked skiing in Banff and Jackson Hole and are looking for something with a similar challenge.

Coming from Montreal, they'd like to take advantage of the strong Canadian dollar and were looking at either Colorado or Utah, but are open to suggestions in Canada, as well.

Thanks for weighing in.

Aspen's Bell Mountain, Beaver Creeks Birds of Prey, the back bowls at Vail, Mary Jane side of Winter Park; Colorado's gots lots!

In Utah, Alta offers nice challenging terrain, especially if you are willing to hike a bit.

Blackcomb and Whistler have a number of double-black runs at the top, especially Whistler with the bowls.

I'm with Nora...I highly recommend Alta & Snowbird, Utah. They are next door to eachother. A VERY short drive from the Salt Lake City Intl Airport.

they might look at Taos in new mexico. 51% expert trails. vertical drop off lift access trails is 2612' starting from just over 11,000'. (or they can hike up another 600' - in bounds)
santa fe is the closest aiport at 75 miles but it takes like 19 hours to fly there. next is albuquerque with flights running 7-8 hrs and a 2 1/2 hr drive.
nice lodging in the ski town and plenty of great food.
also the nearby town of taos is a wonderful art center.
or do jackson again.

Here is a second vote for Taos - where the US ski team trains.

Thank you for the advice.

I've been asked to update the original posting:

They consider themselves "expert skiers" by east coast standards. Apparenly they don't do avalanche skiing or hike-skiing.

not altogether sure what 'avalanche skiing' would entail other than a great deal of praying -lol.
and one does not need to do any hiking at taos or any or the above mentioned areas if they choose not to.
i'm sticking with taos or jackson recommendations. and i'm adding crested butte. this is a great small town with some kick a** double diamond runs. they could fly to denver and drive or fly on to gunnisons small airport.

They could also drive to Vermont and ski Mad River Glen and Jay Peak. I haven't been to either but am also an "expert" skier who has skied all over the world, and from what I know from friends who ski there on a regular basis it is very difficult and challenging. I'm dying to get there myself, just hasn't happened as I always get stuck at Killington (or out west, just returned from Vail and am doing the Utah Interconnect Tour in January).

Hi Mona,

If they enjoyed Jackson Hole, they will enjoy Alta and Snowbird - and you don't have to hike to the best expert runs, just some of them. Have them try out any of the runs, bowls, chutes off the tram, Little Cloud, Great Scott, the Cirque, Silver Fox, Mach Schnell, Dalton's Draw.

The only time I skied Taos was during a bad snow year and I was not impressed. Expecially when the most difficult runs were closed due to icy conditions.

Telluride, CO would be another very good choice, in addition to Whistler.

My ski group, who are mostly expert skiers, has selected Telluride for the trip in March 2008. Others that I have skied:

Crested Butte (backside..Yikes!)
Alta/Snowbird (anywhere!)
Whistler/Blackhome (oops that is Canadian)
Vail back bowls
Stowe front side

I am partial to Europe (just the thought of it!!) but ALAS...the Euro has taken the fun out of the experience!!

Abby, is this your first time on the Interconnect? I skied the interconnect in 2004.

Get ready for an entire day of climbing & poling!

As Dayle said, there are plenty of good expert runs at Alta and Snowbird that don't require hiking.

Another place to consider, in addition to the ones already mentioned, is Big Sky, Montana (fly into Bozeman). I haven't skied there, but my expert skier son liked it alot. After spending a winter as a "ski bum" all over the west, it was one of his favorites.

I should add that the Utah resorts are so easy to get to---30 to 40 minutes from the airport, with very good shuttle transport available.