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how would you compare Kirkwood to northstar/sierra |
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nifeblade 
Ski Bum 
Joined: Jan/04/2013 Location: 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 178 |
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 Topic: how would you compare Kirkwood to northstar/sierraPosted: Mar/02/2013 at 4:46pm |
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if you had the choice to only go to one of them; which one would it be? and what if you had to choice of choosing two?
i need to make a decision and i can only make it to two over the break and i need some input.... thanks! |
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Piranha
Instructor 
Joined: Feb/28/2008 Location: 19 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3669 |
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Posted: Mar/02/2013 at 5:06pm |
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kirkwood and sierra are the best (in that order)...but northstar and sierra are closer to one another and to stateline, which is where I'm guessing you'll be based. Kirkwood takes a bit of traveling to get to, so it's not really that convenient
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nifeblade
Ski Bum
Joined: Jan/04/2013 Location: 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 178 |
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar/02/2013 at 6:07pm |
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i actually will be taking bus on sepaate days :P i wanna get a park day in though... so does northstar basically suck? :(
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Muse25
Local 
Joined: Nov/25/2009 Location: 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 591 |
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Posted: Mar/02/2013 at 6:30pm |
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Northstar has great parks! lots of variety. Kirkwood has tons of terrain and if you're into blacks, Kirkwood's blacks sh*ts on any blacks in Tahoe. Sierra has great glade skiing. If I had a choice it would be N* and Kirkwood. But if you want a park day go to N* for sure!
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Piranha
Instructor
Joined: Feb/28/2008 Location: 19 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3669 |
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar/02/2013 at 6:36pm |
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imo, there isn't anything in Tahoe that sucks. Northstar does have notoriously good parks, but the parks at the other resorts are pretty good, too. I, personally, wouldn't go out of my way just for park, especially since it's march and you never know when/if a mega dump is going to happen.
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dking
Instructor
Joined: Aug/19/2007 Location: 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1511 |
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar/02/2013 at 7:57pm |
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Kirkwood is the best all around mountain. I haven't been there this season yet, so I can't comment on the parks.
Northstar has the best parks, but the worst mountain. Sierra is in between with a smaller, but diverse mountain. Again, I haven't been to Sierra this season, but they'd typically have the worst parks of the three. With the snowpack being what it is, you might be best off going to N* and just riding the parks all day. But be prepared for some lift lines. |
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No Sig... I'm just not that witty or creative
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nifeblade
Ski Bum
Joined: Jan/04/2013 Location: 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 178 |
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar/03/2013 at 1:36am |
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where should i stick to if im a beginning advanced rider? i dont want to side step the entire way down but want a challenege.... is the backside tough? as in tougher than cornice express?
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Blur510
Instructor
Joined: Feb/27/2009 Location: 19 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1328 |
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar/05/2013 at 8:39am |
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[QUOTE=dkinge]Kirkwood is the best all around mountain. I haven't been there this season yet, so I can't comment on the parks.
Northstar has the best parks, but the worst mountain. Sierra is in between with a smaller, but diverse mountain. Again, I haven't been to Sierra this season, but they'd typically have the worst parks of the three. With the snowpack being what it is, you might be best off going to N* and just riding the parks all day. But be prepared for some lift lines.QUOTE] going to sierra with my friend, he picked it, and he is a park guy, I rather ride the whole mountain and explore than just to hit the park all day (which is what he does) So your post just made me smile a bit. |
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nifeblade
Ski Bum
Joined: Jan/04/2013 Location: 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 178 |
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar/05/2013 at 10:07pm |
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Thanks for the insight and input.... i'm going to northstar on a Thursday (of spring break) should i expect really bad crowds then?
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lightning80
Instructor
Joined: Mar/10/2010 Location: NorCal Online Status: Offline Posts: 3189 |
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar/06/2013 at 11:02am |
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Personally, I would go to Kirkwood for terrain and Northstar for park. Northstar also has pretty good terrain variety.
Non-holiday weekdays are not bad with crowds for the most part. Especially if you head to the backside and martis.
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Piranha
Instructor
Joined: Feb/28/2008 Location: 19 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3669 |
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar/06/2013 at 12:12pm |
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nifeblade
Ski Bum
Joined: Jan/04/2013 Location: 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 178 |
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Posted: Mar/06/2013 at 1:37pm |
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i think our school is one of the few that's on this spring break schedule though... most california schools are out in about two weeks. but most thursdays are still crowded then? I might reconsider going then ....
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dking
Instructor
Joined: Aug/19/2007 Location: 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1511 |
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar/06/2013 at 3:03pm |
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Getting some snow right now. I'm up at Kirkwood today. About a foot in the parking lots and over two feet up top and still falling. Even with only part of the mountain open, I barely had to wait in a lift line... only really when they first opened chair 6 Aron's mid-day.
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No Sig... I'm just not that witty or creative
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nifeblade
Ski Bum
Joined: Jan/04/2013 Location: 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 178 |
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar/06/2013 at 6:22pm |
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how bad were the winds though? im afraid they migt close down cause i heard saturday is going to be really windy...
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LittleSoup
Lift Op. 
Joined: Feb/28/2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 8 |
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar/06/2013 at 7:00pm |
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kirkwood, like other mtns have been known to put lifts on wind hold. but it has to be really bad for that to happen. it doesnt mean that you cant hike up though.
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nifeblade
Ski Bum
Joined: Jan/04/2013 Location: 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 178 |
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar/06/2013 at 10:28pm |
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really? I might actually try that...
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dmo580
Lift Op.
Joined: Apr/04/2007 Location: Bay Area Online Status: Offline Posts: 62 |
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar/12/2013 at 11:26am |
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I've had a N* season pass for years.... Here's what I think
N-Star: - On weekends its crowded as hell. I used to hide on the back side but even then the lines would hit 30+ minutes after 11am. I had a fast pass for 2 years, but was half useless because only one of my buddies bought one as well. I had to wait in line with the rest of my friends, and we'd just go singles line instead. This could have improved with the new Promise Land Express? I only hit N* twice last year and went to Heavenly the other times, but I found the Backside those times to be more bearable. OTherwise I hide in Lookout. - GREAT park. Even though I don't do the more advanced stuff, it's so fun just cruising up Vista and watching everyone hit the jumps, especially the big ones. Looks so fun. - I know it's flat, and much of the blacks are overrated, but being able to race down the Back is fun. Even the front is OK with Comstock. Great blues for intermediates though IMO. Plus you still have Lookout for decently challenging stuff. - I try to go SUndays to avoid the crowd. - I really do like the Village. I like being able to come back, sit around, hang out. I would like staying there one day provided I have the money, but it's just a fun friendly atmosphere. I've had buddies who bring their gfs who don't want to go on the mountain and instead hang out in the village. - Go early or parking sucks. And traffic sucks on the way back unless your group is real good about leaving before 4:30. My friends are in general really slow, or we decide to grab a waffle and coffee and take our time. Kirkwood: - Not all quad lifts. Slow as hell. I hate the triple chairs as they just hit you as you get picked up and throw you off. - Great snow. I love Chair 6, Sentinel Bowl, The Wall, etc. The blacks are awesome. - Hard to get around. If I go with intermediates everyone always wants to go Chair 1 and then work over to Chair 2 to 3. Wastes so much time. Of course I could be the douche that just runs off on my own. Wanna go Sentinel Bowl? GOtta hit Chair 6 and do the horrid traverse for boarders, then make sure you cross back over after going down the bowl. I prefer Olympic and Zachary for that reason. - Crowds are manageable. Very manageable. If Chair 6 starts getting crowded, it's a 10 minute wait max, and going to the Wall is always a no wait. The trick is getting enough of my advanced friends to go with me that trip so we can just shred The Wall nonstop. - Meh park. - Gets quite icy for the green runs for newbies as they're in the lower half of the mountain which hides in the shade. But with a season pass, you get both so why not!
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nifeblade
Ski Bum
Joined: Jan/04/2013 Location: 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 178 |
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar/12/2013 at 1:57pm |
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how do you think the crowds at northstar are on weekdays like wed/thurs?
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dking
Instructor
Joined: Aug/19/2007 Location: 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1511 |
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar/12/2013 at 3:09pm |
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It might have helped that the wind was blowing up the hill, so at your back when on the lift. On days I've seen lifts get shut down, the wind was blowing in the other direction; in your face while unloading.
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No Sig... I'm just not that witty or creative
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dking
Instructor
Joined: Aug/19/2007 Location: 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1511 |
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar/12/2013 at 3:13pm |
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No Sig... I'm just not that witty or creative
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nifeblade
Ski Bum
Joined: Jan/04/2013 Location: 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 178 |
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar/12/2013 at 5:08pm |
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Yeah the winds at squaw weren't bad at all.... except at the top of sierra. thanks for your input!
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dmo580
Lift Op.
Joined: Apr/04/2007 Location: Bay Area Online Status: Offline Posts: 62 |
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar/13/2013 at 1:27pm |
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I went 2 years ago during the CSU springbreak on a Wed/Thurs. Completely empty. Can't even compare to a Sat or Sun even if it's a snowing weekend. Maybe there's more people during the UC spring break, but my memory is kinda faded from back in my undergrad days :D
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zakk
Instructor
Don Otto Chair - Nevados de Chillan, Chile Joined: Feb/25/2009 Location: 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3205 |
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar/13/2013 at 1:36pm |
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I have ridden Northstar and Sierra maybe a hundred days each. The Double Whammy pass was the best pass ever. Have the Epic pass this year.
I have ridden kirkwood maybe 20 days. Northstar* has the best parks around. that's a fact. it isn't the steepest mountain around, but a fun day can be had and the grooming is fantastic. with no snow, between the parks and the groomers, Northstar is my go to. Kirkwood* on a powder day is something you have to do in your life. many people will claim Squaw/Alpine, but Kirkwood has easily that same level of terrain, without the Squallywood flavor and it doesn't get tracked out in 60 minutes. Sierra* is a mix of those two. very solid parks, great trees, fun groomers, Huckleberry Canyon when the conditions are right, so if I had to pick one, with no idea what the snow would be like, it would be Sierra. *your mileage can and will vary. these statements have not been approved by the FDA. please consult your physician before starting any exercise. |
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-zakk
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jibhugger
Ski Bum
Joined: Feb/24/2010 Location: 18 Online Status: Offline Posts: 283 |
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar/13/2013 at 9:42pm |
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If you want mostly parks, mixed with a little powder and some speedy groomers, N* is for you. I speak out of experience here, the parks are legendary for a reason.
If you want powder, go Kirkwood. If you want some leisurely runs, then some powder, then cruise back to the lodge, go Sierra. I was at Sierra this past weekend, and they had four 10ft jumps, and 1 40ft. Literally the worst park i have seen in all my years. PS: going to N* on a weekday shouldnt be too bad, especially later in the week, once everyone has had their fill the first few days. |
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