EMSC":3i0hlfbm said:
The irony here is that now that Tony is retired, he has more pre-locked in ski dates than anyone
2011-12 is probably an extreme for this, but 3+ weeks locked in this early is likely the norm
1) Iron Blosam always. I will even pass up a solar eclipse during that week in 2016.
2) BC cat skiing if you want a specific place, usually. In the future I'm likely to lock in Mustang, make the rest of the time in B.C. more flexible.
3) NASJA annuals I usually try to make. I've passed on 3 of them over the 13 years I've been a member if I think they have made a conspicuously bad choice in terms of likely ski conditions.
4) NASJA western regionals have been the opposite of the above. This will be my 4th and I go if it's someplace I have strong interest like Red/Whitewater. I've been lucky here; Tahoe 2005, Jackson 2006 and Whistler 2008 all had abundant powder.
5) The Epic Ski Gathering last year was on EMSC's home turf, and the banner season in that region was already evident when I decided to go. This year in Tahoe is the week before I have to be there anyway, so convenient. I did buy the Tahoe Six-Pack pass (multiple areas, dates completely flexible) for $310 which must be purchased before mid-October. Most of the time I can decide about Epic Gatherings once the season is under way like last year.
6) Future Euro trips will likely require some lead time. Those of you with more experience can opine on how much.
7) Retirement flexibility worked well for me at Mammoth, avoiding the big shutdown episodes. I had only one day of that (I was on an AT tour that day anyway) in winter 2010-11 out of 16 total. Plus all 16 of those days were midweek. I also drove to Utah a day earlier than planned in late February to catch an approaching storm.
Mid-Feb will be at the height of Euroland school vacations....I might just have to suffer through it.
Not particularly relevant in the case of La Grave. EMSC, who has similar ski background and ability as Patrick, should love La Grave.