As with any planning, whether in business or for pleasure the common traits in a trip leader tend to exemplify a display of relentless execution for results, vision and of course motivation to follow-through.  It is often an unsung job left to the guy who came up with the idea in the first place to sweat the finer propaganda and find a place that will satisfy the lowest common denominator of the group.  To the organizer it may be seen as a project.  But the rewards are great when the goods are good.  And like the cause and effect theory would state - without taking a gamble or risk there is simply no reward to be had.   

Step #1 – narrow down the search.  Get started by determining your search criteria and spending budget and that of your entourage.  This will help to establish a boundary and provide a focused approach.  As my marketing teacher likes to say, “sharpen your focus to broaden your appeal”.  The same notion can be applied here.

It’s a no brainer that each mountain has it own unique features that make it appealing in some way.  Sure, we’d all like to try fit it all in.  It all boils down to thinking globally (the what) while acting locally (the where).

Step #2 – determine when to go.  Keep in mind the past isn’t necessarily a reliable way to predict the future years, especially in years of predictably unpredictable weather cycles.  You may think that factoring in weather predictions from the almanac will increase the odds of getting a dump but it’s usually hit or miss and odd weather pattern seasons can come into play.  The weather patters of El Nino, and La Nina or the ‘Pineapple Express’ of winter can certainly tell you whether a good or marginal snow season is expected and where.  Claims on climate (not weather) at most resorts, however, are generally accurate. 

Step #3 – booking the expedition – the devil is in the details. 

Before booking, assess the access it takes to get to the resort from point to point.  A fewer number of transfers in transportation will usually mean less chances of mix-ups with baggage claims whereas the opposite are directly related to lower lift lines. If all you’re looking for is a hassle-free time away from the stresses of the big city then fewer transfers is probably the way to go.   There is no right of passage to getting there unscathed or without some kind of bind.  Since a good portion of what happens after you set out is situational and just plain ‘fluke’.

Step #3a - After establishing the above, determine the living arrangements you want.   Slopeside lodging, kitchen and enough beds to outfit the group are all imperatives on my trips as is the hot tub for the apres ski experience.  Make a list of the other amenities you would like.  Also, many travel operators such as SkiCan and Merit offer multi day lift ticket vouchers which can help to get you on the mountain a lot sooner than waiting in long lines while the early risers get all the powder.

Many of us have fallen into the tourist trap and there are times when it’s unavoidable. Well, truth be told, the odds are good that flocks of others have the same idea and are taking the very same approach for filling their hunger to have it all readily at their ski tips at the same spot you’re intending to ‘get away from it all’ while all you can do is watch strangers poach what could have been your fresh lines.  To really get that breaking away feeling, as part of your research check for school breaks as well as those mandated in the local area or country.

As with every facet of life, we have preferences toward certain things and loyalties are no exception when we have needs to satisfy.  This also holds true in leisure travel.  We often have preconceptions on what we’ve seen in a segment of a ski movie or an advertisement claiming it boasts a little “something for everyone”.  With these notions in mind comes expectations or impressions formed in the mind of the prospective traveller.  These images tend to stick the most with you and puts the resort at the forefront in your decision making.  Whatever your fancy the media has a big role in the stake. 

To find your salvation just takes time and creative thinking beyond buying into resort claims to find those hidden and not yet discovered gems that are more known by those willing to do the research.  Converting this time, energy and determination into feelings of new discovery are what leads to fulfilling and worthwhile ski trips.

Over the past couple of falls when I was going through my annual research process for the next mountain experience, little did we know the mark that little lesser known gems in Wyoming and BC would leave on our memories.  The short but ever sweet side trips we made were value-adding and a nice surprise.  It was primarily the quaint atmosphere and lower profile status of those lesser known mountain that made it into such a fresh breath of air.  The main trip clinchers that took us to the Teton Mountains in the first place was the reputation of Jackson and answering the call of their final legendary tram boarding call - 40 years in the making of transporting skiers to some of the most spectacular and extreme terrain in North America.  But don’t fret, another tram is in the works.

The ‘Ghee’ (short for Grand Targhee) was the unsung mountain and one of our favourite days of the week given the treat it really was and terrain that had a slice to dish out to all who are looking for uncrowded front-country.  The scenery of the ‘Grand Tetons’ and general friendliness of this mountain staff were unmatched.  We had a much similar experience in Whitewater BC last winter, another breath of fresh air in a class of its own with some of the best gladed chutes in the west.  Whitewater’s elevation gives consitent unclouded weather and soft snow.

Back to group planning 101 - organizing a group to travel across the country can be analogous as a balancing on one ski.  It takes eye to detail to nail it down.  Like Michael Jordan once said about getting the basics figured out “get the fundamentals down and the level of everything you do will rise”.   To be an effective trip leader, one must also be open and resilient to ever-changing elements in the journey that starts in the research phase.   Rarely has there been a trip that has gone without a challenge that stands between you and a glistening blue bird powder day.  Just when it all seemed to be going as planned a curve ball is thrown your way and POW! it hits you like you were back in the days of giddy snowball fights.  So the best thing to do is be flexible and take it as it comes.

And finally, as wisdom is a function of age and lessons learned, I’ve come to realize the effort it takes to plan trips over the years, whether weekend road trips in the east or week-long escapes to the rockies.  Certain factors have stood the test of time after repeatedly appearing under our microscope when we go through our annual process of figuring out the next winter vacation destination worthy of our vacation days and bank. 

These are the 10 most determining factors that have appeared on our list time after time:

1.  Overall reputation.  Be mindful that some of the best, less commercialized gems, are less advertised and have less marketing than many mega resorts so they are often overlooked by the untrained trip planner.  Not so many resources have been spent promoting them – a definite upside.

2.  Bigger isn’t always better.  Not to be confused with altitude or innuendo, this measurement should measured in acres (width * height) and vertical (height) between the top lift landing to the bottom of the lowest lift that you’ll actually ski to, not the parking lot.  However, if the mountain is known for its degree of challenge than this factor may not weigh as heavily on you.  Remember that the best powder stashes are in areas hidden from wind and dry-est snow is usually at higher elevations.  The higher ground factor usually plays a role in where we go.

3.  Cost. To live within your means or not, that is the question.  Both can co-exist if you plan it right.  Travel tour operators are a good reliable source to book all the elements of your trip (flights, ground transportation, hotels, lift passes and the like) all for one price.  Generally speaking, expect to pay roughly $1500 - $2000 when you’re traveling from the East coast.  Much less if you’re already a westerner.  Many tour operators use a comparable star rating scale which tend to be reliably indicative of price and overall quality you should expect to experience there.  Nail down the resort and then explore this as the next phase in your planning. 

4.  Challenge.

Is the resort known as an expert, intermediate or a family resort?  Many resorts are using a similar rating scale for qualifying difficulty but this can still be subjective depending on the surroundings and actual conditions of the day.  Contrary to Canadian resorts, European resorts have a  different rating system and it is therefore in your best interest to work your way up from easiest to most difficult instead of tackling the mountain the other way around.

5.  Access.  This factor is mostly situational, depending on the location of the resort.   My groups have tended to flock to mountain ranges that are at least 3 hours in driving distance from cities to increase the chances of less skiers per capita on the hill that will help to preserve powder for more runs or days.  We also look at the number of transfers you need to get there, whether it means plane changes, transportation through rugged terrain or better yet land transfers to take the hassle out of the equation.  Ask your travel operator or the resort on how many connections you can expect between transfer points.

6.  Acreage. In western resorts that reach higher than the tree-line definitely have an advantage in this department.  Resorts with this feature tend to have bowls that offer endless lines and more runs than they actually advertise which in essence adds size.  But treed runs have their own appeal.  It usually means there are more runs than are actually marked and more aspects on the hill that can trap good snow build-up.  Wherever it applies look at the fraction of above the treeline options for more expert terrain.  At eastern resorts, gladed runs tend to shelter snow longer and can compete with the best in the west.

6.  Gladed runs.  Remember that trees always win and keep the snow for longer and usually more protected from sun scorching.  Hands down.

7.  High speed lifts. This is a bit of a paradox.  More of these modernized super fast terrain accessing lifts means fewer powder runs to yourself.  Less is more..

8.  Nightlife options.  What options does the resort offer?  Perhaps an après-ski brewski will suffice.  Or maybe you are of the down all day rest up for freshies school of thought.  The late night scene may have appeal to the young at hearts but like Seinfeld would say “late night Seinfeld kills the early morning Seinfeld”.  You do the math.  Perhaps an energy drink will solve this concern.

Honourable mentions:

Going backcountry in the cat or heli – no previous experience required.  For the beyond the boundary, more thrill-seeking minded skier and those willing to spend an additional pay cheque for a day of skiing the untracked prestine (well worth every penny!), nearby Heli and Cat skiing operations can be the icing you need to really feel alive.  One word sums this one up – deliverance!

Percentage of sunny days (if available).  This can be a plus or minus depending on your skier profile.  Averaged out, it can give you a ballpark percentage for days you can expect it not to snow on your trip.  A powder day full of face shots with your best friends in tow with conditions with full view of your powder 8s can no doubt make for some of the greatest memories to take home.  All important elements to a powder chaser.

They say you get what you give.  Therefore spending some quality time on your research, as you would to do an acquisition, can make the difference between getting a sweet and sour score.  The same applies to a trip.  Only in this form they come as memories. Like A-team member Mr. T has said “I love it when a plan comes together”.  In the end, always remember that a bad day of skiing is always better than a good day at work. 

I hope you found some value in the above points to plan a ski getaway to remember. 

Exceptionally useful websites that I have frequented when doing resort research over my last 10 years of trip planning: :