What is the best affordable ski resort/mountaineering, climbing town?

TFB wrote:Sure, I'll throw in a plug for Ridgway/Ouray. I "spend most of my time" over the hill in the Magic Kingdom: Telluride. If you've made it this far in a mtn town, then you can disregard comments from the "Martin Acres" types who dream about living in the mtns but have no idea what its really like. I hesitate to give you the DL on where we ski and climb b/c when I travel and people ask me where I ski or climb I usually say The Creek or Rifle, which is true, but after hanging out in Boulder with the chicks and "climbing heroes", its nice to have a place, a climbing, area to ourselves and I don't want more people to coming here and clogging it up with their shiny gear and attitudes. Suffice it to say that there are about 100 limestone crags around Ouray: some developed/some not. Ridgway has more sun than anyplace else I know including Boulder. That said you need to "roll your own" in a place like this: build your own house (or fix it anyway), run your own business, fix your truck, shovel your own roof, etc: In short, you're a long way from the Boulder Rock Club! I've ice climbed in most places and the San Juans are the only place where it doesn't have that desperate "bitter cold, gray sky, blowing snow in the face" feel to it. I find leading pitches under the bridge in the Ice Park to be very challenging. Get there late, leave early and still scare the shit out of myself leading hard ice. Tons of ice in the backcountry too. On the skiing side, I don't want to get into that one too much either but one of my bros in Silverton summed it up best, "TFB, I skiied 110 days last year, everyone of them in the backcountry and everyone of them powder". Have fun and enjoy the search!

I got hooked on this place about 11 years ago...when I did a semester of college in this town. Climbed ice 44 days in a row, when I first got there. Ski Red Mountain Pass, climb some ice, and soak in the springs all before dinner. But the trick is financial stability and schools (if you have kids). Someone mentioned that this was like the Tetons...ok show me the black ice couloir of the San Juans and I'll buy that.

Ok, here's another thought...Bend, OR. Someone mentioned this town recently. We have been checking it out and have some friends that have recently moved there. The cragging sounds incredible....after living in JH for 10 yrs I dearly miss a solid crag session or two a week. That sounds very appealing. But is there alpine climbing to be done there? And, it showed the town to have around 80k people...that seems like a huge city to me? Is there a small town feel there?

Standing underneath Bridalveil, the biggest waterfall in the state is a unique experience. Its like the droplets splatter above you, left and right, and freeze in the air forming frozen ledges that interconnect, sometimes overhanging, for 400 ft.
44 days of ice climbing in a row? Don't know what to say about that. Other than the Yosemite score card, I've lost track of how many climbs I've done, how many partners I've had, etc. But I guess I've led over 1,000 pitches of ice; many more than that I think I'll need to have my head examined/live in a home. I can also add that my worst day rock climbing is better than my best day ice climbing.
You might need to switch gears though: I go to The Creek for the day, often. This pisses off the BDR/DEN/SLC crowd, but everyone wants what they don't have.
On a side note, it was very common 100 yrs ago in the mining towns to use the tailings for road bed. I saw a great special about the high levels of cancer from this and huge exposed mining tailings with kids playing on them. Only to find out it was in Leadville! I think you could google it. Many mtn towns have this problem.
Also on a side note. Are you single? B/c if you are you might never get laid again.

There are some other places in Idaho that would be worth a look. Boise, ID has some good climbing close and even better if you are willing to drive 2 hours in any direction. Housing prices in Boise are reasonable as well. Also if finding a job isn't an issue I'd reccomend McCall, ID. Two ski areas within 30 minutes of town. World class nordic. Tons of un climbed rock. Possible to climb in Riggins in the winter. Close to Boise if you need to get to the city.

Bend is absolutely awesome. The cragging is world class between Smith Rock and Trout Creek (think Indian Creek!). The town is the perfect size... still feels small but has all the benefits of a big city (with a million things to do for kids).

Unfortunately, there is no real alpine climbing. You can slog up some volcanoes though...

If you want to have a lifetime of cragging and mountain biking, acceptable skiing, and an awesome family town - Bend is tops. And the cost of living is dirt cheap here right now. Seriously, homes are 50% reduced. But jobs are scarce too.

Hope this helps
Andy

Ty Meadows wrote: +1 Nice brewery and "The Beav" is great with great backcountry access. Pretty close to City of Rocks, Idaho, for summer climbs.

Brewery in Logan?

Andy Laakmann wrote:Bend is absolutely awesome. The cragging is world class between Smith Rock and Trout Creek (think Indian Creek!). The town is the perfect size... still feels small but has all the benefits of a big city (with a million things to do for kids). Unfortunately, there is no real alpine climbing. You can slog up some volcanoes though... If you want to have a lifetime of cragging and mountain biking, acceptable skiing, and an awesome family town - Bend is tops. And the cost of living is dirt cheap here right now. Seriously, homes are 50% reduced. But jobs are scarce too. Hope this helps Andy

Andy, thanks for your thoughts...they have been very helpful and have given us alot to talk about.

OK, my first choice of the perfect mtn town would have to be Jackson Hole. It's still snowing there!!! But, it's not perfect; there's little no cragging, barely any ice climbing, and very expensive. My second choice would be Ridgeway CO...rideway is sunny when Ouray, Telluride, and silverton is not, close to Moab, and has ice, rock, skiing access, and alpine adventures....but your job market is montrose, which isn't the worst but certainly not the best.

We are focusing our energy and job searches on Bozeman MT...which puts us 4hrs from the Tetons, ice climbing, some rock climbing, mtn biking, and a ski resort for the "kids". Any thoughts on this choice?

We actually decided to focus our energy and job searches on Bozeman MT...which puts us 4hrs from the Tetons, ice climbing, some rock climbing, mtn biking, and a ski resort for the "kids".
On a side note, Bend OR seems like a great place to live, but I think that it would be too hot and dry for us and I might go crazy without having mtns close by...start jumping out of airplanes or something like that. Also, I think that my first choice would be Ridgway CO but there are some financial risks moving there...having a family makes these choices difficult.

Any thoughts on Bozeman MT?

I live in Silverton and pay less than $200 a month for rent in a nice place. Endless skiing and climbing options nearby. Ridgway is great too, especially for families. Of course there's not many jobs so you may have to commute to telluride or carve out your own niche.

this is good reading

I've never been to Bozeman, but it seems pretty centrally located between Yellowstone, Tetons, and Glacier. All would be within a weekend's drive, for sure. You'd also be fairly close to the ice climbing in Cody in the winter.

Anchorage, AK is a great place for the mountain lifestyle and family. Lots of jobs, best skiing in the world, ice climbing, adventure rock climbing, good community and people. Don't let the winter day light scare you off, it's not that bad.

Bend really isn't too hot or too dry, for what it's worth. While Smith Rocks seems like a desert, the climate of Bend is much wetter and cooler. Bend is closer to the Cascade crest and gets noticeably more moisture (but still not "wet" by any means!)

But there are no real mountains, just rocks :)

Athan,
Where did you actually end up going? Last few posts sounded like you were leaning towards Bozeman?

As for my 2 cents (which isn't much since I don't post too much on MP). Bend -- those that mentioned it are correct for the climbing aspect.
Smith is great especially with the family to bring them down to do a bit of climbing, hanging out, let the kids explore. Very developed but also quite beautiful area.

Trout is just an amazing place in general, not overcrowded at all. In fact, almost every time been there it's either just been my party alone, or my party +1 other. Very friendly community feel (lockers left on chains). The approach might be difficult with the kids though so would be more of a parent retreat for you guys.

I can't speak for the skiing there though, but have heard good things.

The French Alps, La Grave to be specific!

Are patience was running very low in Billings MT. I have never lived in a big town before...actually Jackson Hole has been the biggest town by far (I am trying to forget about our stay in Billings MT). And so, I was strongly pushing Ridgway CO or even a move to the N. Conway area. My wife had doubts about both one being my mother would be very close to us in NH. (Not everyone can get along i guess). So, we were on the very edge of moving to the Asheville NC area, which would put us closer to my wife's parents (about 5hrs away from Nashville Tn) when she had a call from Bozeman OBGYN. And so we have been in Bozeman now for about 1 month or so and seem to be settling in. It is a bigger town than I ever thought I would live in (about 50k) but there are alot of like minded people here...a ski resort, hiking, some rock, ice and the Tetons and our friends in JH only about 4hrs away. I think we are going to make a run of it here. Is it my first choice...no but it will provide the schooling for my kids, income for the family, and outdoor activities for everyone. I do not consider Bozeman a mtn town as some may but having a family with other opinions and needs and comfort zones to consider I think it is a perfect match for the whole family....and I also think I would have had a much harder time living away from mtns and bc skiing for the next umpteen years.

One more thing...I've taken my daughter climbing twice since being in Bozeman and am having a hard time finding a family friendly crag in the 5.4-5.6 range.

It doesn't match with the Sierra or Colorado, but near Bend are Mt Washington and the Three Sisters areas, which give a pretty good alpine experience.

Schweitzer in idaho Is amazing! I haven't been to many resorts, but that one ha some amazing views, and has relatively close access to washington and montana. Not sure about housing prices.