Eastern Snowboarding

East Coast, West Coast, Aspen, Whistler: So Many Options

My friends and I are having a debate.

We are going to Whistler without question. This year, however, we will go slightly later than December; mid-January appears to be our target. This way, we should be able to experience more of the mountain than in early season.

I am probably also going to Tremblant. I have a friend who works on cruise ships most of the year, and returns for two week periods. His next return is in December, at which point we will take off for a few days and check out Tremblant, a place I have never been, even though it’s only a few hours up the highway.

I am unsure about Jay Peak. I never seem to be there when it receives these epic powder days they speak of. I have been burned twice by the weather and am unsure I can take a third time.

I probably have the ability to go on one more trip. And thanks to the wonders of Aeroplan, the flight will probably be free. This is where the debate comes in; I will probably be joined by the same folks who went to Whistler. But we can’t decide whether to hit Alberta or Colorado.

There are pros and cons to each.

Alberta (Banff, specifically)

Pros:

• Close to Calgary, a cheap flight
• Several nearby mountains to choose from (Sunshine Village, Lake Louise.. I believe I’m missing another?)
• Accomodations, from what I can tell, are fairly reasonably priced

Cons:

• Familiar territory (for me, anyway) – not exactly an exotic destination (but spectacular scenery)

Colorado (Not sure where, specifically)

Pros:

• TONS of resorts with varied acreage within driving distance of Denver
• We get to check out some of the famous destinations mentioned in movies, magazines, etc.
• It’s somewhere I have never been

Cons:

• I bet it’s more expensive.

I’m sure I’ll have more on this subject as winter approaches.

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