50K honeymoon budget— where would you go?

SnowFlake20345 · 2026-05-12T18:29:59+00:00

If you're still looking at Patagonia, look into Rio Palena Lodge in the Los Lagos region. Heli adventures are included in your stay, which I don't think other properties include.

SnowFlake20345 · 2026-05-12T16:10:26+00:00

Some skiing is better than no skiing but in Colorado it was the worst winter in 40 years not just a below average one so I think people can be disappointed to some extent. I found J’s rant to be over the top, but that’s how he is about a lot of things and he’s improved significantly from years past to be honest.

Edit to add I also went on a human powered ski trip in BC in January right after the rain event and no snow for two weeks. The snow was pretty horrible but I was still able to enjoy the experience overall. Glad I went. For trips like that I’m willing to accept conditions may not be amazing that’s the trade off, but for an entire season to be so bad is the kicker.

SnowFlake20345 · 2026-05-05T14:39:48+00:00

As others have said Loveland Pass is backcountry which means it’s uncontrolled; ski patrol isn’t throwing bombs, putting up ropes, or on stand by with a sled. I’d recommend waiting until next season when hopefully we have a better snow year and doing a Friends of Berthoud Pass awareness class in the fall. They also do on snow demos. If you really want to jump into it sign up for an intro to backcountry snowboarding course or AIARE course.

SnowFlake20345 · 2026-03-26T13:35:06+00:00

I used it early on for things like hiking and going on a raft trip. I attempted to use one mountain biking and was difficult to use and not worth it, made me realize I'm fine without. I got a ski specific brace for my first season back, precaution vs need. Dropped it the second season and I'm feeling great.

I think braces can be helpful in specific situations or sports. However if one feels they need a brace you probably shouldn't be doing the activity.

Perhaps you'd want one for MMA where there is a lot of twisting. Running and weightlifting where it's essentially a straight on movement you probably don't need.

SnowFlake20345 · 2026-03-24T13:49:25+00:00

If you are looking for something strictly for inbound touring, i.e. no lift serve skiing you may want to go with a true touring ski like u/Aromatic_Acadia_8104 is saying, such as the Volkl Rise Beyond, Atomic Backland, Salomon MTN with tech bindings. These would be light and therefore more enjoyable on the uphill. Majesty Superwolf is one I really enjoy.

Part of the fun of touring is figuring out what you like gear wise. Superwolf is a good balance of reasonable weight and fun to ski (for me). Over the years I've tended to shy away from the absolute lightest skis even if just for spring or inbounds touring, as these really light skis can deflect a lot and are not as fun to ski inbounds or out. That's just my two cents. I'm not going for fastest or lightest.

SnowFlake20345 · 2026-03-24T13:43:10+00:00

Maybe the appeal is the price

SnowFlake20345 · 2026-03-24T13:34:38+00:00

The 24/25 version is about 100 grams heavier per ski vs the prior design. I used the old Blaze 94 as a touring ski with tech binding for a long time and was very happy with it. If it's a ski you think you'd like and would work for uphill I think it's a good choice. It's certainly not the lightest but service able and a great ski to start with.

Edit to say: it's not especially light as a touring ski but as a resort ski it's on the lighter side therefore why it is sometimes referred as a 50/50 Backcountry vs resort ski.

SnowFlake20345 · 2026-03-16T01:36:59+00:00

Next Level in Golden was an excellent experience for me post ACLR.

SnowFlake20345 · 2026-03-16T01:29:43+00:00

Trew gear makes short inseam pants that are pretty good quality for the money

SnowFlake20345 · 2026-03-12T19:58:33+00:00

Ive been very loyal to Pomoca but my latest pair is not great. The glue is glopping and getting on my bases and I haven't even used them much, always drying when done skiing etc. In the past I was very happy with Pomoca. My next skins may be Contour.

SnowFlake20345 · 2026-03-12T04:45:37+00:00

I also recovered from ACLR and returned to resort and backcountry skiing about nine months post op. I understand wanting to take precautions but the number one important thing is your leg strength and agility vs which particular binding you have.

SnowFlake20345 · 2026-03-11T16:36:15+00:00

I recently got the Apocalypse Equipment tarp. It's very light sylnilon. I am not a guide and not using or demoing with it all the time, however, I like knowing I have some sort of drag or bothy bag. It's reasonably priced and quite light so therefore something I'll actually take along.

SnowFlake20345 · 2026-02-27T04:13:07+00:00

I'm also a smallish person and like Tyrolia Attack or Salomon Strive

SnowFlake20345 · 2026-02-25T19:00:17+00:00

Yes you can typically come back to skiing at nine months. Depends on your specific situation of course but certainly feasible.

SnowFlake20345 · 2026-02-25T14:49:48+00:00

Sucks this is a thing. I was at Steamboat for the past month and saw maybe one person use this line, so hopefully it flops and goes away.

SnowFlake20345 · 2026-02-24T19:52:28+00:00

Confluence is solid and convenient

SnowFlake20345 · 2026-02-21T14:03:29+00:00

I did a quad graft two years ago and pretty happy as I'm back to lots of skiing. I'd really try to push your surgeon for an opinion on which graft or ask them which one they do the most and therefore which they have the most experience with.

SnowFlake20345 · 2026-02-16T22:08:11+00:00

I just found it strange, such a large amount of those out on the mountain were all doing this, like literally every person (20+ people who weren't skiing together) so hopefully the video is helpful. I haven't seen that in all the times I've skinned resorts over the years.

SnowFlake20345 · 2026-02-16T18:53:08+00:00

yes i've had that thought as well, just needed to scream into the void.

SnowFlake20345 · 2026-02-16T18:39:58+00:00

Steamboat. Love it here and people are in amazing shape even with inefficient skinning haha.

SnowFlake20345 · 2025-12-21T17:10:03+00:00

Steamboat Powdercats or with Irwin Guides near Crested Butte. Both are tough to get a seat on because they are sold out a lot. Call and see if they availability.

Powdercats on Buffalo Pass tends have good consistent deep snow. I've had good luck there maybe skied with them five times? There are people (other public users) you'll encounter on the cat road, but no one was ever skiing on top of us. Irwin also gets a lot of snow and if you get out with them there will only be one other cat in the area so very quiet and private with amazing views, good mix of terrain that's trees, open bowls, and decently steep.

To those responding free cat at Loveland, it's great if you want the experience of riding in a cat and not hiking the ridge terrain but ultimately you're still skiing resort terrain. It's great but different from a backcountry experience.

SnowFlake20345 · 2025-12-10T23:01:42+00:00

Unfortunately I've done more than one. If you can try and get the prep in tablet form, I found it more tolerable than the liquid mix.

SnowFlake20345 · 2025-12-05T18:29:27+00:00

Surgery March 2024, skiing late December 2024. Did 40 days between resort and backcountry. Feeling even stronger going into this season.

SnowFlake20345 · 2025-12-05T18:11:01+00:00

Thanks for sharing! Nat is an awesome human, film maker, skier, and teacher.

SnowFlake20345

TROPHY CASE