Ski Utah Blog - All Articles
Showing 10 articles out of 788.
Park City Grand Prix 2010
Posted by The Ski Utah Yeti on January 26, 2010
Park City hosts the 2010 Grand Prix in their world class superpipe. Big crowds, snow, music, and more. This Olympic qualifying event was fun for all. Shaun White, already guaranteed a spot on the Olympic Team wins.
Low viz, high hopes, and big air: The North Face Masters takes off at Snowbird.
Posted by The Ski Utah Yeti on January 26, 2010
Snowbird, UT, January 25, 2010 - After two days of being grounded due
to weather and unsafe snow conditions, The North Face Masters was
finally given the green light today on Snowbird's famed Silver Fox
venue. With nearly seven feet of snow in seven days, competitors have
had to put themselves on hold, although they were treated to several
epic days of riding the greatest snow on earth. As the athletes boarded
the tram this morning, the nervous anticipation permeated through the
crowd of eager riders. The women were slated to start things off, but
low visibility threatened to shut things down yet again. Fortunately,
the fog began to lift and the middle and bottom portion of the venue
revealed its powdery goodness. By eleven o'clock the riders were on the
course laying down smooth lines through untracked fields of fresh. With
an abundance of soft landings to be bombed, the women showed their
fearlessness as they hucked themselves off every terrain feature in
sight. Squaw Valley's Iris Lazzareschi slayed a technical line down the
east side of the venue just as the clouds parted, if only for a brief
moment. The windlips up high were great and the course was fun, said
Iris after her run. Other standouts included Snowbird locals Kaitlin
Locke and Laura Dewey. However, it was former Master's champ, Shannan
Yates flawless performance that earned her the coveted Katana Sword.
With the conclusion of the women's competition, the men prepared for
their assault on the course. Due to the delays brought on by weather,
this event would be one run and done style, so every turn meant the
difference between in and out of the rankings. Heavy hitters, Rob
Kingwill and Travis Rice, promised to bring the best to the table, and
the crowds weren't disappointed. Some world-class billy-goating high up
on the venue marked Rob's run, and his solid stomp of a 30+ footer at
the bottom of the course drew applause from all in attendance. Always
the showman, Rice started out his run with a big slash for the cameras
up top and several big airs over peppery take-offs throughout the
venue. After his run, Travis simply said, Damn fine course, damn fine
snow. As the comp continued, the international riders from New Zealand,
France, Japan, Russia and Canada made their countries proud as they
carved and hucked their way through the course. Another fine
performance came from the event's oldest rider Dave Watson, 41 years
young, as he tore up the Fox and went huge at the bottom. When asked
what was going through his mind as he sent it over the last cliff, Dave
laughed and said, I hope I don't hit those rocks. By the time the dust
settled and the judges conversed, Mark Carter of Jackson Hole was
crowned the winner of the men's division. Fluidity and aggressiveness
were the hallmarks of his run, and he noted, I just wanted to do
something that nobody else had done.
Yates and Carter will defend their titles at the next Masters event in two weeks at Crystal Mountain in Washington.
Backcountry Awareness Fundraising Party
Posted by The Ski Utah Yeti on January 25, 2010
Benefiting the Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center
Saturday, February 6, 2010 – Golden Cliff, Cliff Lodge
Proceeds support the Snowbird Renaissance Center, which in turn, supports the Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center
This fundraiser will include light hors d'oeuvre, beverages, music and a silent auction.
Hors d'oeuvre & Beverages
•
Crudités Display with Broccoli, Cauliflower, Celery, Carrots Radishes,
Green Peppers, Mushrooms and Cherry Tomatoes with Asiago Ranch Dips
• Fresh Mini Fruit Kabobs
• Tortilla Chips, Salsa and Guacamole
• Sourdough Rounds with Spinach Artichoke Dip
• Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
• Sliced Roma Tomatoes with Fresh Mozzarella
Served with a Balsamic Glaze on Sourdough Toast
• Beer, wine & soft drinks
Tickets & other information
Tickets: $50
Hors d'oeuvre, Beer, Wine & Music: 4:30 – 7 p.m.
Silent Auction: 4:30 – 6:45 p.m.
Attire: Casual
Backcountry Awareness Classes
We will be holding (2) 2-hour classes on Saturday, February 6th on
basic to intermediate backcountry skills. These classes will meet in
the Alpine Room, Level 2, Snowbird Center. The first class will meet at
9 a.m. and the second class will meet at 1 p.m. Bring a transceiver if
you have one and be prepared to go outside. There is no charge for
these classes, however, donations are welcome and encouraged. This
program is sponsored by Wasatch Backcountry Rescue and the Snowbird
Renaissance Center.
Ski Utah Extends Greatest Flake Video Contest to Feb. 26
Posted by The Ski Utah Yeti on January 25, 2010
Ski Utah Extends Greatest Flake Video Contest to Feb. 26
Win a free, 5-day Utah Vacation, including airfare, lodging and lift passes
Economy still got you down? Never fear! Your Utah ski or snowboard
vacation may be easier scored than you thought. Ski Utah is extending
the video essay contest on its YouTube page, TheRealSkiUtah (Link to
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheRealSkiUtah). Contestants are invited to
enter 30-60 second videos on why they are “The Greatest Flake on Earth”
to win a five-day Utah ski or snowboard vacation.
Simply post a video response explaining why YOU are the Greatest Flake
by Feb. 26 and you could be the winner of roundtrip airfare for two,
three nights lodging for two in Park City, two nights lodging in Salt
Lake City, one day skiing at Park City Mountain Resort, The Canyons and
Deer Valley, and two Salt Lake Superpasses, good for two days of skiing
at your choice of Alta, Snowbird, Brighton or Solitude. Ski Utah will
also award a Burton Air 48 snowboard to the runner-up.
Ski Utah encourages entrants to focus their videos on their love of skiing or snowboarding in Utah. Check out the below video, submitted by Leo Ahrens and Sam Cohen, which was awarded a brand new pair of Rossignol S3s.
Utah sets Winter Dew Tour attendance mark!
Posted by The Ski Utah Yeti on January 21, 2010
Thanks to the 30,000 fans who represented a record crowd this past weekend at Snowbasin resort. Did you miss out on the action? Don’t worry, Ski Utah did the Dew Tour, check out the video.
Powder Day Video
Posted by The Ski Utah Yeti on January 21, 2010
January 20th was a great 15 inch powder day. More snow is on the way!
Locals Tip: Sundance During Sundance
Posted by Thomas Cooke on January 21, 2010
Where are you, I said. Driving back from Sundance, she said. I've never skied there before. Wow. It was sooo fun, and so laid back. This was a recent call from my friend Kate, who lives in San Francisco, but comes to Utah often for business, especially right around the time of the Outdoor Retailer show. This was her first time skiing at Sundance Resort, and she was blown away by the beauty of the mountain, the terrain, and the fact that after many years of coming to Utah on ski-related business trips, she had never been there before. I get this all the time. I know countless locals in Park City who live only a short drive away from Sundance Resort, yet have never skied there. Maybe it's because there is a bounty of skiing at Deer Valley, Park City Mountain Resort, and The Canyons, that us locals easily take for granted. Maybe it's because when you visit the Sundance Resort website to casually browse for quick info about the mountain, you have to scan the entire homepage before you find a tiny link that even mentions skiing. Maybe it gives the locals the impression that the skiing is secondary, but I can tell you that would be a false impression.
One of my local's secrets is to hit Sundance for a ski day or two during the Sundance Film Festival. For one, it always snows during the festival, so you know the conditions will be good. This last week of storms: case in point. This could mean many laps of untracked shots in Bishops Bowl on a powder day. If you get hungry and need a break, you can step out of your skis and head into the Bearclaw Cabin at the top of the mountain for a signature tin of nachos, then walk outside, step in your bindings, and pick up right where you left off, dropping back into the bowl. All the while, you are graced with amazing views on clear days that rival any resort in Utah. Sundance really shines as a place for a family ski day, especially if you have little ones. There are cool mellow trails that wind around the mountain, more than enough adventure for my 5 year old who gets excited about saying she went all the way to the top of the mountain. The skiable acres are relatively small (under 500 skiable acres) compared to other resorts, but it skis a whole lot bigger than that.
Utah is Going to Get Dumped On!
Posted by The Ski Utah Yeti on January 21, 2010
Here's the forecast we've been waiting for. Straight from Brian McInerny with the National Weather Service.
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc/wxbriefing/wxb20jan2010/player.html
If you build it...they will come (the storms that is!)
Posted by Jodi Saeland on January 20, 2010
Living in Utah and skiing in Utah...well, we get pretty spoiled. In fact, we get a bit snobby. If there isn't at least 6" of new snow every few days or a week, we feel cheated. When in fact, other parts of the country would be very excited to see even 1/2 the snow we get.
Besides the point, it has been an El Nino year and maybe not quite the winter we'd like to see....until now! During an El Nino year, there is warming of the waters off the coast of South America, trade winds weaken and the warm water pools in the western Pacific. Ok, so..what's my point? We oftentimes will see a ridge or high pressure over the west and storms go around the high. High is associated with sinking air=no storminess. El Nino also will shift the jet streams. This is important because the jet stream acts as a steering wheel for storms. You want that wheel over you, not around you. During an El Nino, we get a split jet. The storms normally go over southern California (like we're seeing the last few days with floods and if you are one that watched the Golden Globes :)) and scrape by southern Utah. Brian Head resort in southern Utah does well. The storms also go through Canada and drop into the Dakotas. (Remember the big Christmas mess?)
Is this doom and gloom for the north? NOT AT ALL!! Again, we are an impatient group in the north waiting for the powder. Folks, it has arrived! As with all good things..it takes time and patience. The pattern has changed. The high pressure has broken down and the storms are lining up in the west and Pacific. If you had a look at the satellite...the colors are GOOD! This means lots of moisture headed into northern California and right into Utah. It doesn't take much for us to really get hit hard and see the snow pile up. Not only do we need it for skiing, we need it for the reservoirs. In looking back at data for the past 10 years+, El Nino, La Nina...no Nina; there is no pattern that favors a low/high year which is great for Utah!
Point said, the storms are here and I got a chance to experience it first hand Tuesday at Alta. 16" new snow, knee deep! Yep, doesn't get better.
Enjoy the pattern change. Does this mean we're done with El Nino? No, supposed to continue and we will see the pattern swing back and forth; but for now it is stormy and the high has moved on.
TV for Deer Valley
Posted by Ray Grass on January 20, 2010
For those who missed the World Cup freestyle event at Deer Valley last weekend, all is not lost.
The TV production will air three times this month -- on NBC Jan. 23 at 1:30 p.m. EST, and on Versus Jan. 24th at 5 p.m. EST and Jan. 31 at 4 and 5 p.m. EST.
Having covered so many skiing events over the years, I’ve found none have been better than those at Deer Valley, due in part, no doubt, to the fact that the resort held these same events in the 2002 Games. Practice makes perfect.
The athletes I talked with said, when asked, that the Deer Valley events were among their favorite, suggesting everything from food to organization to course preparation, all of which will no doubt be covered in the TV production.
Remember, now, those who competed in this event will very likely be the same skiers you can expect to see in the Vancouver Olympics starting in February.
It’s one thing to see mogul and aerial competition in person and another to see on TV. My choice has always been to stand at the base and watch in person. You get to see all the competitors, from the very best to those trying to break into the sport.
The TV production, though, will be fun to watch because it will give a pretty good preview of what can be expect in the Olympic competition.
Based on that, the United States should do well in women’s moguls. U.S. skier Heather McPhie tied with Canada’s Jennifer Heil on the first day. Shannon Bahrke of the U.S. was third. American skiers also took 6th, 7th and 8th.
In the men’s, the U.S. placed 4th, 6th, 8th and 9th.
On the second day of mogul skiing, McPhie set herself up as a definite gold contender with a 2nd. Heil won. Along with McPhie, the U.S. took 3rd through 5th.
The best the men could do was a 7th.
Aerials are a different picture. China dominated the women’s event winning 2nd through 6th. Lydia Lassila of Australia won the free-flying event. America’s best was 9th. The best the U.S. men could do was 6th and 12th.
For me, anyway, seeing events like this, either in person or on the screen, or both, puts a more familiar face on the Olympics. And, it good to see how TV covers Deer Valley.
