Best place to ski (water and snow)

[wakesport]

So, its 40° outside and raining. The boat is in a snow pile. The lakes are frozen and the ski hills here are covered in ice. I'm not sure why I live here.

Luckily we are off to the south for some waterskiing in a couple of weeks and then off to Lake Tahoe for some downhill skiing.

Where in the US do you think you can get good waterskiing and downhill skiing. I would like to be within 15 minutes of water and 2 hours of mountains. I'm thinking about Montana or New Mexico. But I would like to here some oppinions.

[Professor]

Hum… interesting thread. Let’s see, there are several places that come to mind…great mountains in the background and some great wet and frozen skiing (several have been mentioned on this site). However, most of those seem to have rather cold water. How about those more specific sites where the water and air temp is warm enough to waterski without a wet suit? I would like to hear about those also!

[André]

How'bout lake Tahoe? Sounds good to me for both skiing!

[MasterMason]

Almost anywere in the central valley of California would work. Sacramento is about 2 hours from tahoe. Tracey, Stockton, Brentwood all offer Bear about 2 hours away. Furher south you can find lakes and still get to Bear pretty quickly.. The water isn't warm in the winter, but most times you can get by with just a wetsuit.

[Professor]

Almost anywere in the central valley of California would work. Sacramento is about 2 hours from tahoe. Tracey, Stockton, Brentwood all offer Bear about 2 hours away. Furher south you can find lakes and still get to Bear pretty quickly.. The water isn't warm in the winter, but most times you can get by with just a wetsuit.
I agree it sounds great. But, is there a location where both (good powder in the mountains & warm water in the valley) are great all 12 months?

[ski_king]

I am sure ther are better places out west, but Wisp at Deep Creek Lake Md. has both (each in their own season). You can see the ski trails from the lake.
I bet MarkP and/or Jimmer knows the place well.

[MarkP]

Hey


You can see the lake from the ski trails too:headbang:

[AirJunky]

Lake Tahoe isn't exactly known for warm water, even in the summer. Pretty windy there too. As I recall Centaurian designed their big boat, the Tsunami on that lake!

[Professor]

Lake Tahoe isn't exactly known for warm water, even in the summer. Pretty windy there too. As I recall Centaurian designed their big boat, the Tsunami on that lake!
Yea, I agree but it is beautiful.

[bradamerry]

I guess I am missing alot of fun not snow sking. I have never been on a set.

[MarkP]

Go for it Brad

Take a lesson. I’ll bet you get hooked

[bradamerry]

Go for it Brad

Take a lesson. I’ll bet you get hooked


I have enough hobbies. Three boats, duck and deer hunting, camping, golf, sking, looking for Farmer and Kaylee is about to start T-ball and stuff!!

[wakesport]

It's hard to beat Lake Tahoe for downhill skiing. But, I'm not sure how good the lake is for skiing. We have some really nice water 5 minutes from us but the snow skiing is not very good (no mountains in Wisconsin). What I would like to find is a good ski lake (I don't think lake Tahoe is it) that is within 2 hrs of world class downhill skiing. Maybe I'm just dreaming.

[Professor]

It's hard to beat Lake Tahoe for downhill skiing. But, I'm not sure how good the lake is for skiing. We have some really nice water 5 minutes from us but the snow skiing is not very good (no mountains in Wisconsin). What I would like to find is a good ski lake (I don't think lake Tahoe is it) that is within 2 hrs of world class downhill skiing. Maybe I'm just dreaming.
Dreaming...of course, but maybe someone can think of the ideal location. Maybe several of us could go on a roadtrip to find the best location. Like the surfers movie "Endless Summer."

[wakesport]

Since I'm dreaming here. I'd also like to be in a medium sized town not out in the middle of nowhere.

[Thrall]

At first I thought you were looking for waterskiing and snow skiing in the same season. If you are, Arizona has that, but the lakes are crowded in the summer and the mtns are not world class skiing by any stretch of the imagination. Coming from WI, myself as well, on a good winter weekend you can waterski in a shorty suit fairly comfortably.
Looking for both good water and good snow skiing, separate seasons, New Mexico is good. The lakes are all a couple hrs from Albq and so is the good snow. Lakes are not very crowded typically and you have Taos, Telluride, and a half dozen other ski resorts from 2-5hrs from Albq.

[east tx skier]

I think Scott skis on Tahoe. Tahoe has some great skiing. I particularly like Squaw. Still, I prefer Snowmass.

[wakesport]

I love downhill skiing at Heavenly and Squaw. I also like to ski at Mt Rose. But how is the water skiing on Lake Tahoe. Or is there a smaller lake to ski at nearby?

[MasterMason]

I love downhill skiing at Heavenly and Squaw. I also like to ski at Mt Rose. But how is the water skiing on Lake Tahoe. Or is there a smaller lake to ski at nearby?


I have skied tahoe before. Sometimes the water is very glassy sometimes and others it can be choppy like you wouldn't belive, actual swells. And the water is always cold, even in the middle of the summer it never gets past the mid 60's. Didn't seem to bad as a kid, but now that I have a few brains, I wouldn't ski there often if at all.

If it were me, I would live in the Valley and drive to the snow, but then I would rather be on liquid water than frozen, so I guess it is all in what your preference is.

[rodltg2]

lots of lakes coming down the hill. rollins lake, folsom and sac river is good too. better yet go as a guest to a private lake . tons of them around sacramento area.

[VTJC]

Don’t forget about Northern New England. My ski sights are only about 30 minutes apart in VT(Lake Iroquois & Sugarbush), with many combinations available in the region. Lake Placid & Whiteface, Waterbury Reservoir & Stowe, Mtn Snow & Harriman Reservoir to name a few more. I usually waterski once in the spring before I finish snow skiing, usually at Tuckerman’s Ravine! Jamie

[bcampbe7]

JohnB (or someone that has been there) will have to say for sure, but Big Bear Lake, CA looks to have it all.

[u29460]

Knowing the east cost can’t compare to some of the ski resorts in Nevada……..
In Richmond I typically go skiing and wakeboarding in the same month. Last time I was in the water was January 1st and it looks like the next two days are going to be in the 70!!!
There is a nuclear heated lake (Lake Anna) 24X7 and Wisp and Snowshoe are only a few hours away. However, I must admit this year both my water ski and snow skis are collecting dust due to the boarding craze. However, I still keep the water ski in my locker for when the bug hits me to link-em-up.

Final answer….Virginia is pretty cool for year round flexibility.

Happy V-Day :banana:

[sfitzgerald351]

Guess I'd better chime in...

Tahoe has awesome downhill skiing. Alpine Meadows is my favorite. And more so since it's only $42 or so for a lift ticket compared to Squaw next door at $60 something.

My folks have a house on the lake and a 19' deep-v runabout. There are days when the lake has glass for 26 miles. And there are days when you have 4-6 swells all day. Can't use the boat ramp near us then, and I've seen 24 foot Cobalts swamped from the swells. Most days it's glass in the AM with swells kicking up around 1-3 pm. The west side is more protected and doesn't get much swell, but the east side where we are gets hit hard. I sure wouldn't venture far in my 1984 without keeping a close look at the weather/wind. But on those days when you have 26 miles of glass and can ski in a perfectly straight line for as long as you have energy it sure is nice (see my gallery pics for a couple of shots).

There are several smaller lakes that are great for skiing on. Donner and Fallen Leaf Lake are close by and really nice to ski on. There is also Prosser Reservoir (or maybe it's Stampede) near Truckee. Never been to the reservoirs but I always see inboard ski boats headed out that way. Oh, and there is Pyramid Lake near Reno and I think some smaller lakes in the valley there. Again, never been, but there's a few boat dealers down there so there must be some decent water.

But if you live down the hill towards Sacramento you can enjoy warmer weather, have nicer ski oriented lakes, and only deal with the snow when you drive to it. Me, I'm still trying to figure out how I can make a living at Tahoe so I can move there.

[DanC]

I agree it sounds great. But, is there a location where both (good powder in the mountains & warm water in the valley) are great all 12 months?

New Zealand?

Is this a trick question?

[Professor]

Not a trick question but "wakesport" started the thread discussion about where he could find both great snow skiing and warm water skiing. It was easy finding snow and good water but another request was that the waterskiing be warm...I guess 70+ water temp and no wetsuits.

[Cary K.]

I have to throw my two cents in for NC. Tons of lakes, and even a few heated lakes. The snow skiing is not great, but there are 5-6 resorts. And there are several more, even better ones up in Va / W Va. Definitely not as good as Central/Western resorts, but we do have snowskiing. I live in central/eastern NC and can be at the beach in 2 hrs, the mountains in 3-4 hrs. And as I try to think about it, I can't think of anywhere in the state that wouldn't have at LEAST 5 ski/boardable lakes within two hours. Most of them much closer than that even. I sound like a spokesperson, but I love it here.

[MarkP]

Sounds good to me.. I think NC is this years family vacation spot for us.

[Cary K.]

Anywhere in particular?

[MarkP]

Havnt booked yet but it looks like Gaston takes it

[wakesport]

When I started this thread what I really want is a nice place to waterski that is under 15 minutes to put the boat in, a decent town to live in, and great downhill skiing within 2 hours. I have the first two right now but the third is 4 hours by plane. I'm not ready to move yet, but I am thinking about it in a couple of years. We really like the lake Tahoe ski area. Utah is great but I don't care much for Salt Lake City. So, I am just looking for ideas.

[ChrisG]

I'd have to say Lake Tahoe would be the best of both worlds. Not too many places in the world where you can be water skiing in May and look up at Alpine Meadows and see people snow skiing at the same time, especially this year...lets just hope the water level rises enough where most (or all) of the launches will be open.

[zinsane]

Portland - You have to put up with alot of rain but you can snow ski on Mt. Hood year around and same wiht waterskiiing. you will definately need a drysuit for the winter months. In the valley, you are two hours from the mountains, and 1.5 hours from the coast with all in the mix.

[jimmer2880]

As far as mid-atlantic goes, I have to agree with Powerslot on Deep Creek lake/Wisp. Wisp doesn't have tons of vert (I think it's only 600+ feet), but it does have acre'age. The lake can get pretty crowded on weekends, but mornings are usually good.

On the other hand.... if I were to move anywhere (money wasn't an object), then the heated side of Lake Anna would have to be it.

[Leroy]

Several places in CA where you can easily snow ski and later water ski in same day.

Outside of CA, agree Wisp is good. Michigan and Minnesota are good, but you snow ski in winter and water ski in a short summer.


Throw in a good job required so you have the money to enjoy these sports and I'm clueless and if anyone is there they probably aren't posting!

[John B]

Well here in Big Bear Lake Ca. we water ski from April to October and snow ski from November to April.
From the time I live my house with the boat to the time I'm in the water with a rope in my hands is about 15 to 20 minutes.
Snow skiing from the time I live my house to the time I on the chairlift is about 15 to 20 minutes :D

[MarkP]

Well here in Big Bear Lake Ca. we water ski from April to October and snow ski from November to April.
From the time I live my house with the boat to the time I'm in the water with a rope in my hands is about 15 to 20 minutes.
Snow skiing from the time I live my house to the time I on the chairlift is about 15 to 20 minutes :DShow Off:worthy:

[bcampbe7]

Cary K.
I will be on Sugar this weekend, along with all of the other crazy President's Day weekend skiers. Looking forward to some boarding and relaxation!

[wakesport]

I've skied in Michigan and it is ok. But, it's not long enough runs. I like to ski so hard my quads are screaming. And I just can't get that in the mid west.

[tex]

San Diego-Living in PB, you can waterski on Mission Bay and see the mountains. Big Bear is close by. There is nothing greater than taking a jump set one day and strapping on the sticks the next!

[sfitzgerald351]

I definitely enjoyed my 4 years in San Diego (went to UCSD). Made my spending money by teaching waterskiing to the cuties at SD State. We told them they'd get a better grade if they would bring us food and wear fun bikinis and they happily obliged. I tried to tell them we were kidding, but they kept coming with the food and eye candy. Skiing in salt water can be a bit of a drag when you take a digger, but Mission Bay is definitely a water sports paradise.

I would disagree though with Big Bear being a reasonable place to ski. The resorts are small and on the weekend it seems like all of LA shows up. And I seem to remember the drive being like 3+ hours from S.D.

I'd move to somewhere outside of Sacramento before I moved to San Diego given the travel constraints. Housing is cheaper in Sac too. But depending on what one does there are probably more/better jobs in S.D.

[Bongo]

I have to put in my $0.02 for Tahoe / Sacramento. Live near Sacramento -- in the valley where it is warm and run up to Tahoe for a quick jump on the slopes.

I lived in Silicon Valley for a spell. A bunch of co-workers and I drove up to Squaw Valley mid-week to ski toward the end of the snow ski season. Great skiing. Nobody on the slopes. Rode back with a buddy of mine who had a then new BMW 330 CI. As we leave the ski mountain, he turns up the tunes, opens the sunroof (???, I think) and we start flying off the mountain toward Sacramento. About every 5 minutes, the temperature is up another 5 degrees. By the time we hit the German brew-haus on the causeway between Sacramento and Davis, its over 80 degrees. And late afternoon / evening. Sat on the patio in 80 degree weather reminiscing about the day on the slopes. :toast: Not bad. Not bad. :D

[tex]

I definitely enjoyed my 4 years in San Diego (went to UCSD). Made my spending money by teaching waterskiing to the cuties at SD State. We told them they'd get a better grade if they would bring us food and wear fun bikinis and they happily obliged. I tried to tell them we were kidding, but they kept coming with the food and eye candy. Skiing in salt water can be a bit of a drag when you take a digger, but Mission Bay is definitely a water sports paradise.

I would disagree though with Big Bear being a reasonable place to ski. The resorts are small and on the weekend it seems like all of LA shows up. And I seem to remember the drive being like 3+ hours from S.D.

I'd move to somewhere outside of Sacramento before I moved to San Diego given the travel constraints. Housing is cheaper in Sac too. But depending on what one does there are probably more/better jobs in S.D.
I wasn't meaning to suggest that Big Bear was anything close to Park City, Breck, or Steamboat. It's just nice that it's close enough to PB to at least get there by the next day. I did ski there once and it sunshined, rained, snowed, sleeted, and helled all on the same day. Worst day skiing ever!

[wakesport]

So, what are the waterskiing options in the Sacramento area? I have visited Sacramento but it has been a long time. Are there public spots to ski that are close by?

[John B]

I wasn't meaning to suggest that Big Bear was anything close to Park City, Breck, or Steamboat. It's just nice that it's close enough to PB to at least get there by the next day. I did ski there once and it sunshined, rained, snowed, sleeted, and helled all on the same day. Worst day skiing ever!

I will say the same thing my little hills,but they are big enough for most skiers.The main run is a mile long.
And if you don't like skiing in a zoo of people don't ski on a weekend.

Here is a picture of one of the two ski areas in Big Bear,
and there is a lake too. :D

[John B]

That is about two thirds of the ski area. The other third is to the left of the picture.

[John B]

You can live in Big Bear, and be a skier (water and snow) and have both.From where I live it is a five minute drive to both the ramp and chairlift.
And if you must work it is about 1 1/2 hour to downtown LA.
But you know what is said about work.

WORKING IS FOR PEOPLE THAT DON'T KNOW HOW TO SKI. :D :D :D

[John B]

So you guys get to work, I'm going skiing. :woohoo:

[jimmer2880]

So you guys get to work, I'm going skiing. :woohoo:

:rant::rant::rant: NO SOUP FOR YOU!