2011-2012 Winter Events at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort

Please save these dates for special events at Snowbird this season. Detailed press releases will follow, but here is an overview of our favorite happenings to keep on your radar. If you have any questions, contact Snowbird Communications Manager Emily Moench at (801) 891-3496 or emoench@snowbird.com. You can also follow Snowbird at www.facebook.com/snowbirdUT or www.twitter.com/snowbirdski. 

Pre-Christmas - Grand Re-Opening of The Aerie. Thanks to the combination of a complete remodel of the floor space, a new chef and a new manager, guests of The Aerie Restaurant, Lounge and Sushi Bar can expect an entirely new dining experience on the 10^th floor of The Cliff Lodge at Snowbird.

December 23 - Snowbird’s 40^th Birthday Party. Celebrate Snowbird’s 40^th birthday with $40 Tram and chairlifts tickets, DJ Knucklz spinning 70s disco music, and a party on the Plaza Deck.

December 24 - Santa’s Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks. Hundreds of skiers and snowboarders will ride down the mountain in a line carrying torches, with a special appearance from Santa Claus rappelling out of the Aerial Tram. The Torchlight Parade begins at dusk, with a fireworks display to follow. The evening will end with a candlelight service. A special holiday menu will be available at select Snowbird restaurants.

December 28 - The Summit Gala. Please join us for a celebratory evening of Snowbird’s 40th

anniversary and annual fundraising gala, benefiting the Snowbird Sports Education Foundation, Wasatch Adaptive Sports and the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation. Snowbird’s founders, Ted Johnson and Dick Bass, will be the featured speakers.

December 31 - New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks. Similar to the Christmas Eve parade, hundreds of skiers and snowboarders ride down the mountain in a line carrying torches. The parade begins at dusk, with a New Year’s Eve fireworks display to follow.

January 9-10 - FreeRide Avalanche Summit. In an effort to promote safe travel in the backcountry, Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort and the Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) are hosting the third annual Freeride Avalanche Summit, a unique blend of instruction that combines the expertise of industry-leading avalanche forecasters with the experience and influence of local, professional athletes.

January 19-21 - The North Face Masters of Snowboarding. The largest open, big mountain snowboarding competition in the country kicks off at Snowbird,  and continues to two other locations, with an overall prize purse that tops $50,000. The North Face Masters provides an opportunity for established riders, as well as up-and-comers, to put together a winning run during two days of competition. Utilizing control, fluidity, creativity and style in choosing their line, riders will embrace the features within Snowbird and showcase the progression of the sport.

February 9-12 - Scott Markewitz Photography Workshop. One of the ski industry’s most prestigious photographers, Scott Markewitz, will hold his third annual photography workshop at Snowbird. Participants will learn about all aspects of winter outdoor photography with morning and evening classroom sessions and on-hill practice photographing professional skiers and snowboarders in action. Participants will also have the opportunity to take pre-public Trams and work with Snowbird Ski Patrol.

March 1 - Spring Passes valid. The only Utah resort to sell season passes for spring-only, Snowbird will validate passes for the spring season on March 1. The average season in the Rocky Mountain region is 135 days. Last year, Snowbird was open for 202 days of skiing and snowboarding. Pricing TBD, depending on snowpack and anticipated closing date, however last season was $499.

March 13-17 - Subaru Freeskiing World Championships. Now in its 15th year, the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour (FWT) is the largest and longest-running competitive big mountain freeskiing tour in the history of the sport. The Subaru FWT features over $110,000 in prize money and an unprecedented seven stops, including the final stop at Snowbird. Several athletes from Snowbird will be competing in this prestigious competition, including Angel Collinson, who is currently in second place after the first two stops of the Tour.

March 17 - Steve Young Celebrity Ski Classic. This fundraiser will bring an impressive group of NFL players, Olympians and Paralympians to Snowbird to ski and raise money for Wasatch Adaptive Sports programs.  Former San Francisco 49er Steve Young headlines a group of NFL players and Olympians who will be on hand skiing in a fun race against Wasatch Adaptive Sports participants in a dual giant slalom format on Snowbird’s Gad Valley Race Hill. An evening fundraiser will follow, featuring live and silent auctions for international vacations, ski packages and more. 

April 1 - Spring Season Passes valid. As the other Utah resorts close, Snowbird offers skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to continue riding for at least another month (anticipated closing is Memorial Day, conditions permitting). Last season, Snowbird stayed open until July Fourth, making this pass valid for three extra months of skiing and snowboarding. Pricing TBD, depending on snowpack and anticipated closing date, however last season was $299.

April 6-8 - Junior Freeskiing Tour (JFT). This big mountain tour will conclude with stop #5 at Snowbird. The JFT is a platform to develop young professional big mountain athletes by providing opportunities to compete and help progress the sport of big mountain freeskiing, with many skiers continuing on to the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour (FWT). Alumni of the Junior Freeskiing Tour include Snowbird locals Johnny Collinson and Leo Ahrens, all currently competing on the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour.