Easiest mountain to book last minute?

[jclinares]

So, I've got a unique situation going on at the moment. I have everything booked and ready for a trip to Whistler March 9-17. This morning, Canada announced changes to their immigration requirements for Mexican citizens traveling to the country. These new rules go into effect tonight: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-re ... exico.html

This change was made without any warning, and the rumors about it only surfaced last night, hours before the official announcement: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/ ... 024-02-28/

As a Mexican citizen who holds a US visa, and already had an eTA approved for this trip weeks ago, I will "only" have to re-apply for the eTA, which typically takes 1-2 business days to be approved, but I assume there'll be a surge of people re-applying to comply with the new rules, so we don't know what the processing times will look like. I will be applying tonight, after the new rules have gone into effect (11:30 pm ET).

I'm hoping that it'll be issued sometime next week and I'll be able to make it to Whistler, but if not, I will be forced to cancel my trip to Canada this winter. I'm contacting all the companies I had reservations with for this trip (airlines, hotel, shuttles, Whistler mountain, and even the board shop where I bought a new snowboard), in case that happens. I'm hoping I won't get too screwed by cancellation fees.

But I refuse to not go on one last riding trip this winter, so now I need a backup plan in the US. A backup plan that I can enact with 1 or 2 days notice, preferably:

- In order to avoid rescheduling and cancellations, I'd prefer to wait on the Canadian eTA as long as reasonably possible.

- Because of work, I can't really move the dates. Has to be March 9-17.

- My outgoing flight is with United: Mexico City to San Francisco to Vancouver. Return flight is with Air Canada, direct from Van to Mexico. Might be easier to re-book a flight with United somewhere, instead of cancelling both trips.

- Preferably a place where I can use my 6-day Epic Pass I already bought, but I could probably apply for their coverage and get a refund. I would like to avoid paying day ticket prices, though.

- If I'm going to be waiting until a couple of days before, I need a mountain where I could find last-minute lodging at a reasonable price.

- I don't mind renting a car and driving 30-45 minutes every day to the mountain, or taking a shuttle, but I was kinda looking forward to staying within walking distance of the lifts this time around.

- I'd prefer a mountain with good terrain and good snow, but considering the circumstances, pretty much any place that's not in late season conditions already would do.

So, any thoughts on where should be my backup plan?

Tahoe? Silverthorne/Frisco? Seattle? I'm even willing to consider Alyeska, at this point. Though I dunno what those plane tickets would cost.

I'm thinking the "obvious" one might be Salt Lake City, and possibly stay in the city, if worst comes to worst. I've never been to those mountains either. The issue here is that flights from Mexico to Salt Lake tend to cost twice as much as flights to other ski destinations in the US, and Park City is probably the mountain I'd least like to go to from all the Utah options, but it's the only one on the Epic Pass.

Yes, I could just say "fuck it", scrap the Canada plan, and start booking this weekend for a new trip. I might still be in denial, but at this point, I'd rather not do that.

Appreciate the help and insights. Thanks!

[kimchi]

This late in game, I’d just optimize for conditions and being able to get into the country lol. And may end up being blessing in disguise given how shite PNW season has gone.

Kirkwood will be your jam. Guarantee you’ll love it. May not get fresh snow but the base will be epic with the amount of snow forecast in the next 5 days. You might not be able to find last minute housing on site and might have to stay in South Lake (~40 min away), but SLT should have plenty of inventory.

Heavenly also ain’t too bad midweek and the view is incredible. You couldn’t pay me to ride there weekends though.

If you want to optimize for lodging optionality, SLC is probably the call. But I don’t care for PC.

Wouldn’t bother with Alyeska, personally. Nice little resort, but not especially different than what you can find in the lower 48– that’s not what you travel all the way to AK for.

[scrub]

Yeah, Seattle is probably not your best option. I ride at Stevens Pass where you could use your Epic pass, our coverage is decent, (better than Crystal where I got a core shot this morning even though they have had 36" in the last 3 days) but it is a locals mountain with no accommodation or services and you really need someone to show you the secret spots!

[SJF_NH]

I think it's a no brainer to head to Utah. I agree with @kimchi that Park City sucks, but everywhere else I've been in UT is tits, and it sounds like they're having a great snow year.

Paging @pow_hnd...

[benjinyc]

Look into purchasing travel insurance, they'll usually cover any non-refundable deposits depending on what prompted you to cancel your trip. You may still even be able to purchase it depending on when you made the first payment to any part of your trip

none of the resorts on Epic appeal to me that much except Crested Butte and Telluride, I'd see if you can make a go there, not sure how difficult finding reservations would be. I know people that have stayed in hostels in CB

[pow_hnd]

Utah would be your best choice for sure snow wise. In the end it's gonna come down to how much it's gonna cost you, unfortunately.

[scrub]

Man, I hope they get the alpine lifts open for you! It’s going to be great up there when they do. We didn’t get that lucky.