Off Peak Podcast by PeakRankings

Sam and Nicole discuss the logistics, benefits, and drawbacks of their winter living in Tahoe—and highlight some noteworthy experiences.Relevant Links:Off Peak Podcast Episode 12: Tahoe Ski BumsTahoe depth map (looks even better in person)Squaw Alpine's Gondola Looks to Be on Track for Winter 2021. Here Are Our Initial Thoughts on the Project. 

Sam interviews three long-time Tahoe residents—who also happen to be his roommates.Relevant Links:Follow Dave on Instagram: @halfcabking

Sam finally drives across the country after his tumultuous first attempt.

Sam starts his road trip to Tahoe…two months earlier than expected. Along the way, he learns some valuable life lessons.

The team reconvenes from afar to dive into recently released 2020-21 operations plans from around the skiing world. Later, Sam and Nicole offer some valuable advice for those booking trips with children this season.Note: This episode was recorded before Vail Resorts said they may remove their reservation system if proven unnecessary.Relevant links:Epic/Ikon: 2020-21 pricing, reservation, and COVID protection policies: https://peakrankings.com/content/epic-or-ikon-which-should-you-chooseJackson Hole 2020-21 ops plan: https://www.peakrankings.com/content/jackson-hole-adding-bootpack-to-rendezvous-peak-details-additional-operational-plans Big Sky 2020-21 ops plan: https://www.peakrankings.com/content/big-sky-announces-2020-21-operating-plans-may-add-bootpack-to-lone-peak Killington 2020-21 ops plan: https://www.peakrankings.com/content/killington-announces-operating-plans-for-the-2020-21-season Arapahoe Basin 2020-21 ops plan: https://www.peakrankings.com/content/arapahoe-basin-releases-2020-21-season-details-will-not-require-reservations 

Sam and Nicole disseminate their plans to move to Lake Tahoe for the 2020-21 winter ski season.

The team highlights notable lodges and hostels from recent trips to Jackson Hole, Whistler, Killington, and other resorts.

The team discusses the PeakRankings navigation score and hones in on two particularly egregious examples. Sam gives kudos to Vail Resorts for a recent resort upgrade. Nicole, George, and Sam share what they're drinking.

Sam and Nicole go into detail about what they learned after attending UDOT's Little Cottonwood Canyon public access meeting this week. Later, the team discusses recently announced U.S. visa restrictions and how they may hurt the ski industry.Relevant links:Why Utah's Little Cottonwood Canyon Gondola—Or Any Traffic Relief Project—Won't Be Coming Anytime Soon: https://www.peakrankings.com/content/why-utahs-little-cottonwood-canyon-gondola-wont-be-coming-anytime-soon Cottonwood Express Proposal: https://www.dropbox.com/s/g0bjoposmk30a1g/Little%20Cottonwood%20Canyon%20-%20Boring%20Company%20tunnels%20proposal.pdf?dl=0 Visa restriction article: https://www.fragomen.com/insights/alerts/president-trump-imposes-ban-h-1b-l-1-h-2b-and-j-1-entry-beginning-june-24 

Following her recent surgery to address the issue, Nicole details the shoulder injury she obtained while skiing two seasons ago. In addition, we discuss the wacky events that accompanied the day of the incident.

We discuss our recently published Northstar review and how the resort stacks up against other Tahoe destinations. We explain our crowd flow ratings in light of an atrociously long Vail lift line that went viral this season.Relevant links:Northstar reviewAll Lake Tahoe reviewsVail lift line video Vail, Whistler Blackcomb, Jackson Hole, Big Sky reviews

We discuss Epic's recent COVID-19 policy announcements, as well as Ikon's addition of Mt. Bachelor and Windham to their passes. George shares a cool story with the bros. Plus, the exciting conclusion to the Kirkwood lift mystery!Relevant links:Our write-up on Epic's new pass policiesOur write-up on Ikon's addition of Mount Bachelor and WindhamMore info on the cracking of the Kirkwood lift mystery

We discuss Ikon's recent moves to accommodate pass holders affected by COVID-19, as well as a lift disappearance mystery that no one seems to be able to get to the bottom of. We also answer some questions from our listeners.Relevant links (as mentioned in the pod):https://www.ikonpass.com/en/shop-passeshttps://skimap.org/SkiAreas/view/537 (historical Kirkwood trail maps)https://winter.mtbaldyresort.com/covid-19-guidlines/ (not a typo)