AltaBird in December

[Marc_C]

Since we already have Snowbird tickets, it sure would be easier to ski over to Alta than take ground transportation over.

Depending on where you are and when, ground transport can be significantly faster - even easier, too.

My wife isn't into hiking and long traverses (but at least she likes to ski!), hence the Mineral Basin question. Just tryin' to figure out if the Baldy Express will be open, so we can pop over the top into Alta without working too hard.

The hike to the High Baldy Traverse and the traverse itself are neither a lot of work nor long. You won't be able to "figure out" if the Baldy EX is open until the day that you're there, so it's pointless to concern yourself about it now.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

We got a good early-"bird" special at the "bird" (ha ha) that includes both lodging and lift tix.

Just out of curiosity, what is considered a good deal at the Cliff Lodge?

Hey JamesDeluxe, looks like you're right around the corner from me.

Bernardsville... never been there, but apparently there's a popular car dealer in your town; I see the name often on the highway. NJ represent. 8)

Despite being a local and having purchased the AltaBird pass for the past 6 seasons, thanks to the recent economy and cash flow (or lack thereof) and a dismal amount of billable hours this year, I'll probably opt to save the $500 and just purchase an Alta pass this season. Just do a day upgrade whenever and maybe buy the Bird spring pass ($279 starting in late March).

I understand that the upfront costs are lower, but won't that ultimately cost you a lot more by the end of the season?

 

[JC]

A "good deal" at the Cliff was $872 for 3 days of lodging and tram pass tickets for 3 adults, so that works out to about $97/person/day. A couple days later (we'll be there from 12/17-12/20), the prices will sky-rocket to holiday rates with essentially the same snow conditions. We will upgrade to Alta once or twice, so that will make it $110 on those days.

 

[Admin]

A "good deal" at the Cliff was $872 for 3 days of lodging and tram pass tickets for 3 adults, so that works out to about $97/person/day.

That's not a good deal, that's an exceptional deal.

 

[Marc_C]

Despite being a local and having purchased the AltaBird pass for the past 6 seasons, thanks to the recent economy and cash flow (or lack thereof) and a dismal amount of billable hours this year, I'll probably opt to save the $500 and just purchase an Alta pass this season. Just do a day upgrade whenever and maybe buy the Bird spring pass ($279 starting in late March).

I understand that the upfront costs are lower, but won't that ultimately cost you a lot more by the end of the season?

It really depends on the number of days you upgrade before the spring pass is available. Last season for whatever reasons, it turned out I only skied Snowbird 4 days prior to spring. Yeah, I can't figure that out either.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

A "good deal" at the Cliff was $872 for 3 days of lodging and tram pass tickets for 3 adults, so that works out to about $97/person/day.

That's not a good deal, that's an exceptional deal.

No kidding. Do they offer a meal plan (a Euro-style "half-board" format), or is everything a la carte? Due to cost concerns, I've never even considered staying on-mountain, but that's something to consider.

 

[JC]

Meals are extra. Alta typically offers lodging/meals packages and you buy the lift tickets separately, but I thought the Cliff deal was the best one around for us. Sometimes the Cliff is not as expensive as you think. They have the most rooms, so if times are slow they also have the most empty rooms to fill and can occasionally even be cheaper than the other lodges at Snowbird.

 

[jasoncapecod]

Having stayed at the Cliff on two separate occasions.It doesn't suck..There's a lot to be said for handing your skis to the valet at the end of a day , then he heading up to the roof top spa..

 

[Admin]

Having stayed at the Cliff on two separate occasions. Have to say it doesn't suck..There's a lot to be said for handing your skis to the valet at the end of a day , then he heading up to the roof top spa..

I've stayed there too, in 2004. It's rather cush, although I'm not a fan of the apocalypse bunker architecture.

Maybe things have changed, but in 2004 regular guests weren't allowed to use the rooftop pool and spa. That's reserved for spa guests and you have to get past a receptionist to access it (although there's often an alternate route to poach it if you know where you're going :twisted: ). I was a spa guest in 2007 as a participant in Kristen Ulmer's "Ski to Live" program. Regular hotel guests get the outdoor pool/spa on ground level next to Chickadee.

 

[JC]

We typically slum it in the outdoor pool at ground level. That pool/hot tub set-up is more than nice enough for us. You do have to pay extra to use the roof-top spa, and its not worth it IMHO.

 

[jasoncapecod]

When I was there the roof top pool was the only pool at the cliff..

 

[Bluebird Day]

A "good deal" at the Cliff was $872 for 3 days of lodging and tram pass tickets for 3 adults, so that works out to about $97/person/day. A couple days later (we'll be there from 12/17-12/20), the prices will sky-rocket to holiday rates with essentially the same snow conditions. We will upgrade to Alta once or twice, so that will make it $110 on those days.

I just got a quote at the Cliff for Feb 2010 of $2,300 for 5 nights and four day pass. I'd say that you got a good deal....

 

[JC]

Yeah, I got the early bird special. Only good during the questionable snow period.

 

[JC]

Well' my son just broke his wrist skateboarding and it looks like our December trip will be postponed until mid-April. He should be able to recover in time for his big swim meets in March/April, but the December ski trip is shot. From the looks of the Snowbird photos, the silver lining may be postponing the ski trip until mid-April. I've had pretty good luck with conditions at that time of year in the past....either pow or corn.

The guys trip over super bowl weekend is still a go.

 

[JC]

Well, the Dec 17-20 trip has been moved to April 16-19. My son's broken arm will be good by then! That also seems to include Alta's closing day. Should be fun.