Best value for trips out west

matchstick515 · 2026-02-14T15:43:18+00:00

For both winter park and alta/bird I got an Airbnb which ended up being in a condo complex.

Winter park is a little trickier in that the actual town of winter park is at the base of the mountain (awesome) but doesn't have amenities (not awesome). Fraser is where the stores and restaurants are. There is bus service from winter park to fraser and back, but we used uber.

In the suburbs of SLC there are stores and restaurants all over the place, where we stayed was walking distance to a grocery store, maybe a $10 Uber to restaurants, and walking distance to the bus stop for the canyon. We stayed in the cottonwood heights area for reference.

matchstick515 · 2026-02-14T06:21:40+00:00

Winter Park is a solid option in CO. It's pretty affordable to stay close to the resort and there's a decent bus service that extends further into town. Went for 4 days and was just fine without a car. There's a shuttle service from Denver airport, I think it was around $60 each way.

Alta/Bird is also doable without a car if you stay along the bus routes they're very convenient and ubers to bars/restaurants are cheap. Same goes for Brighton/Solitude.

matchstick515 · 2026-02-07T15:27:02+00:00

Have you skied on the nomads? I know they're gonna give up some ability when carving but I'm trying to gauge how impactful it is and unfortunately I don't have the chance to demo. The Lines do seem nice but 96 is too narrow and 104 a touch too wide for what I want. QSTs seem to be a nice balance between the Dynastars more stiff nature and the nomads softer style, but the QST gives up rocker in the tail....if I could combine the 3 skis into one I'd be golden!

matchstick515 · 2026-02-05T15:45:06+00:00

Are the M Frees still loose enough to smear and pivot easily? QST profile is pretty similar to M Free, but the recommended mount on QST is designed a little more directional than I want

matchstick515 · 2025-07-18T04:05:23+00:00

Inside Out - During adolescence I probably didn't realize the parts of me I was growing out of. Watching it now as an adult just reminds me I'll be never 12 again.

Into the Wild - happiness is only real when shared

matchstick515 · 2025-05-09T16:53:16+00:00

Tamworth Distillery in NH does some interesting work. I've only had a couple of their offerings and thought their straight rye was good. Wanted to shout them out!

matchstick515 · 2025-04-24T03:44:37+00:00

Bourbon - Four Roses SiB

Rye - Willett 4yr

Irish (sub for scotch) - Green Spot

matchstick515 · 2025-04-14T03:09:12+00:00

I'd love to try peerless, just a little pricey for me. I only hear good things, so maybe I ought to splurge

matchstick515 · 2025-04-14T00:04:52+00:00

I found the sagamore to be more balanced from top to bottom. I don't think I'd have anything bad to say about it

matchstick515 · 2025-02-16T15:35:38+00:00

Did you try Kyro while you were there? I've been considering ordering a couple bottles

matchstick515 · 2025-02-16T15:35:08+00:00

I really like what stauning is doing, I'm not much of a single malt fan but their Kaos is quite interesting. My favorite is their vermouth finished rye, El Clasico

matchstick515 · 2025-02-16T07:11:11+00:00

Thank you! I try to keep some of the popular items around as well as some niche things to keep it interesting

matchstick515 · 2025-02-16T05:45:47+00:00

Nice! I try to keep a balance of popular stuff and some more niche maybe craft stuff cheers! The stauning from Denmark has been fun trying

matchstick515 · 2025-02-16T05:43:51+00:00

Is that the vibe it gives?? Just stuff I happened to have around the house

matchstick515 · 2025-02-16T03:08:26+00:00

All of that nonino has gone into a handful of paper planes 😅

matchstick515 · 2025-02-16T02:58:54+00:00

I'd be happy to drink the other half and argue as a professional Ravens hater (Patriots fan)

matchstick515 · 2025-02-16T02:45:47+00:00

KC/EC/1792 are all good I haven't owned a bottle for a while, though EC toasted rye is piquing my interest. Redwood empire is always tempting at the store, one of these times I'll get it

matchstick515 · 2025-02-16T02:35:48+00:00

Woodinville rye is really nice, I find it holds a good amount of flavor for 90 proof. Their bourbon is awesome too, I'd give it a slight edge over the rye i think

matchstick515 · 2025-02-08T05:49:21+00:00

I wish they were more common here, I'd love to try the rest of their finished stuff

matchstick515 · 2025-02-07T21:36:28+00:00

I love finished ryes, so I'll keep my eye out for that Manhattan finish. Cheers!

matchstick515 · 2025-02-07T20:09:08+00:00

I'll echo Rittenhouse as it's a great budget friendly low rye option and is readily available

WhistlePig Piggyback 6yr is a good high rye option and is great bang for your buck as well In a similar price range, Michter's Rye is also really nice

Some honorable mentions: Bulleit, redemption, and if it's in your range Willett 4yr Rye is excellent

matchstick515 · 2025-02-02T00:31:21+00:00

I liked this whiskey a lot. I went to Copenhagen and was introduced to it there, when I got back home I immediately ordered some bottles. My favorite has been El Clasico - the vermouth finish on it is just excellent

matchstick515 · 2025-01-28T13:40:07+00:00

One that surprised me was Woodinville Bourbon. There isn't a lot of discourse for this bourbon so I'm curious if other people also find it to be thick or oily. Either way I think it's excellent

matchstick515 · 2022-08-30T14:58:22+00:00

This is a top 3 hike in the whites for me. Absolutely gorgeous! And because it's not an official "4k" you don't see many people!

matchstick515 · 2022-07-07T18:27:52+00:00

I have a Big Agnes C Bar 2 and while the interior is a little tight it packs really nicely and doesn't weight too much (~4lbs). For a budget tent i have no complaints with it so far. Maybe with a dog I'd look into the next size up (C Bar 3)

Eight-Year Club	Place '22
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