A friend is planning 2 ski trips, one to Whislter and one to Alta. I can only afford to go on one of these trips...which one do I ski? Any suggestions, comments or comparisions would be most helpful! Thanks!

Whistler is a resort, Alta is not. Alta has so much snow and it usually is wonderful skiing where Whistler can be foggy. Whistle is crowded, ALta is not. No nightlife really in Alta and Whistler has lots of that and has more of a vacation feel. I love Alta for the deep snow and the feeling of solitude but Whistler has much more to offer. Alta is also so close to the other ski areas that you could do several. The Canadian exchange rate probably makes the two areas similar as Alta is much cheaper. Have a great trip.

I lived in Salt Lake for 11 years and learned to ski in Utah. Alta is cheaper than Park City, Deer Valley, and Snowbird. Alta gets the most snow, even more than Snowbird which is right next to Alta. Alta has NO night life and very little slopeside lodging. Alta is very crowded on weekends and holidays when all the locals get out to ski. Don't go there then. If you go to ski Alta, I would recommend either staying in Salt Lake, which many people do, renting a car for your group, and driving to all the areas. You can be to Park City, Deer Valley, and the recently re-named area, The Canyons, in 45 minutes from downtown SLC. You can be to Snowbird and Alta in 30 minutes from downtown, 15 minutes if you stay in the suburb of Sandy. You can be at Solitude and Brighton in just a little longer (the road up Big Cottonwood Canyon is a little longer). Skied Whistler once 4 years ago and was impressed with everything except the weather and the snow quality. During our week in January, we had only 1 day of partial sun and the rest of the week it looked like it would rain an second. We were lucky and it didn't! Whistler has plently of terrain of every type for every one! Outstanding lift system and fun village with great restaurants and night life. Utah definitely has the best snow on earth - as advertised. You didn't say what your ability level is and how hard you ski. The Utah resorts in Little Cottonwood (Snowbird and Alta) are pretty challenging. Alta has some excellent beginner and intermediate runs though. Snowbird has very few, it's mostly an advanced intermediate and experts' mountain. If you want any more detailed info, e mail me. I've skied most of the resorts in the west more than once.