Ski Utah Blog - Related Articles
Showing 10 articles out of 68.
Cat Skiing at Alta is Purr...fect!
Posted by The Ski Utah Yeti on March 9, 2010
What could possibly be better than powder skiing at legendary Alta and Snowbird? How about cat skiing at Alta? Now your talking!
Check out the snowcat skiing operation up
Little Cottonwood Canyon for a fun and unique adventure of guided
off-trail skiing in Grizzly Gulch's 375 acres of incredible bowl skiing.
Talk About Snow
Posted by Ray Grass on February 28, 2010
Snow we got. Not in record inches, yet, but Utah has snow.
I decided to do some checking after talking with out-of-town visitors on the lifts at Snowbird over the weekend.
More than once the subject of snow came up and in most cases it was followed by “That’s why we came to Utah.’’
Over the years, skiers and snowboarders have come to know that Utah has good snow.
At last count, Alta has received 325 inches of total snowfall this winter. Last year, on the same date, Alta had 407 inches of total snowfall. The long-term season average is 500.
Before the 2008-09 season ended, Alta would get nearly 300 more inches. If Alta gets even average depths for March and April, it will hit its average.
What stirred my interest was on one particular ride a couple from New York said they brought the family to Snowbird to “get out of mess back East and enjoy good snow.’’ The mess referred to, of course, is very cold and stormy weather, and heavy snow.
A man from California was in Utah for the good snow “and accessibility.’’ He was skiing Alta on Sunday, then heading for the Park City resorts. He like variety.
Another man from Florida said he came to Snowbird every winter, “because I know it has snow.’’
A woman from California asked questions about different resorts, best skiing, best dining, Salt Lake City, then said, “isn’t this snow wonderful?’’
And so it went. Snow was the common thread of conversation. And it was, this day, excellent . . . just enough soft snow over a packed base to hold a perfect edge.
At last count, Snowbird is holding a 91-inch base mid-mountain. Up the canyon a couple of miles Alta is holding a 93-inch base. Over on the Park City side, Deer Valley is at 74 inches, The Canyons at 71 and Park City Mountain Resort 75 inches.
So how does this compare with other resorts around the country?
To the East in Colorado, on the same day, Aspen reported 54 to 81 inches, Beaver 50, Copper Mountain 50 to 62 and Vail 48 inches.
In New York, Hunter Mountain showed bases of 60 to 110 inches and Whiteface Mountain, site of the 1980 Olympics, 30 to 43 inches. 26 of the state’s 34 resorts, however, are showing bases under 30 inches.
In New Hampshire, Attitash shows 24 to 36 and the highest number is Bretton Woods with 20 to 51 inches.
In Vermont, Stowe has a base of 36 to 60, Killington 42 to 54 and Sugarbush 38 to 66.
High marks this year are held in California. Alpine Meadows has a base of 94 to 152, Heavenly 53 to 82 and Mammoth 133 to 175 inches.
It should be noted here that along with the snow (inches) those visitors I talked with liked Utah’s snow (light and fluffy).
That’s another thing Utah is known for -- having the driest, lightest snow anywhere.
It has been a rather unusual year, however. Utah has had its knee-high powder days, but most of the storms have come frequently and left anywhere from 3 to 6 inches.
Which was the condition over the weekend at Snowbird . . . several inches of new snow over a groomed base.
It makes for a fun ski day. And that it was.
Photos from the 4 Area Interconnect Tour
Posted by The Ski Utah Yeti on February 5, 2010
When people talk about the Ski Utah Interconnect Tour they usually think of the 6 area tour that goes through Deer Valley, Park City Mountain Resort, Solitude, Brighton, Alta, and Snowbird. But the 4 area Interconnect Tour going through Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, and Solitude offers an arguably better backcountry experience. Check out the photos from yesterday's 4 area tour.
Favorite Runs
Posted by Ray Grass on January 26, 2010
I rode up the lift last week at Park City Mountain Resort with a gentleman from California who is planning a move to Park City. Jeremy Ranch was, at that point, his area of choice -- convenient, mountain setting, quiet and no traffic problems, “nothing like California.’’
He asked the question: Which of the Utah resorts is my favorite?
Having skied all 13, I had to honestly tell him I liked them all and for varying reasons . . . the larger resorts for variety and long runs, smaller resorts for atmosphere and well established runs.
I told him I’ve had great skiing at all. Oh, I’ve had bad days when temperatures were below zero, high winds and blinding snow. But, even on those days I’ve enjoyed the skiing.
Personally, I like to ski different areas. Each has a look and feel of its own. It’s also fun to sample their signature meals.
He then asked if I had a favorite run. Tougher question. All total there are nearly 1,200 runs at the 13 Utah areas.
One thing I’ve done, and repeat on occasion, is make sure I ski a resort’s signature run. They all have one.
Five years back a group of five of us, led by Nathan Rafferty, now president of Ski Utah, skied 11 of Utah’s 13 resorts in a single day. We tried as best we could to hit the signature runs.
That, I would say, was one of my more incredible ski days.
Looking at some of the signature runs I’ve skied, I’d place Alf’s High Rustler at Alta at the top. Ski magazines have listed it as one of the country’s best with a “perfect fall line.’’ It’s steep and not easy to reach, but it is truly an exciting run.
Good skiers will like the Great Scott run at Snowbird. This wide open bowl has a 45-degree slope, making it one of the steepest runs in North America. Personally, though, I like Chip’s Run. It offers open bowls, tree-lined trails, moguls, groomed meadows and hairpin turns -- all within one run.
Jupiter Bowl is considered the signature run at Park City and I love the bowls and chutes in the area, but for absolute splendor I love Hidden Splendor. It is really a fantastically beautiful run.
The signature run at Solitude is Challenger and up the canyon at Brighton Sunshine. Challenger is, as the name suggests, a steep, challenging run. Sunshine is more of an intermediate run with incredible views.
If you want to get a greater appreciation for Olympic downhillers, test your nerves on Snowbasin’s signature run, the Grizzly Downhill, better known as the men’s downhill run for the 2002 Games. I can’t imagine skiing the run without a speed check.
One of my most memorable powder runs was in Powder Mountain’s Weber Bowl. It’s a wide open bowl with a 30-degree pitch, which makes it perfect for flowing turns on good powder days.
One of the runs at Deer Valley I enjoy most, and it’s considered its signature run, is Stein’s Way, named after the legendary Olympian Stein Eriksen. Why? Because it’s long, 4,500 feet, and has a slope perfectly suited for his classy, giant-slalom-style turns and my not-so-classy GS turns.
And, talking about GS turn, the signature run at The Canyons is 94 Turns. It got its name from the fact a good skier can make 94 GS turns from top to bottom. I made a few more.
Favorite runs? Impossible to say. There are simply too many really good runs and for one reason or another I’ve enjoyed them all.
Have you got a favorite? I’d love to know. Maybe there are great runs out there I haven’t skied.
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.
Ski Utah Mourns the Death of an Industry Legend
Posted by The Ski Utah Yeti on December 30, 2009
Bill Levitt, along with his wife Mimi was a fixture around Alta. If he wasn't on the slopes, he could be found at the Alta Lodge making sure his guests were enjoying themselves. Among other things, Levitt had a keen mind and was a master storyteller. Hearing his tales of how the Utah Ski Association came to be were among some of Ski Utah's favorites.
With the Snow Gods releasing their white treasure today on Utah's mountains, it's a fitting tribute to our dear friend Bill Levitt.
Holiday traditions....skiing at Alta Christmas Eve
Posted by Jodi Saeland on December 29, 2009
I love the holidays! As a child we all have traditions and I've now started my own with my family. 3 years ago when Emily was just over 2, we started going to Alta on Christmas Eve. At the time, she was too little to ski, so we put her in the day care. They have a program called a Pre Ski at the Childrens Center. They will take the young ones out and walk them around in skis so they get the ski bug! It was Emilys first time in skis. Mom and Dad got to ski all day. One year later, Brennan and Emily went into day care on Christmas Eve.
So, we check in at the Ski School upstairs at the Albion Base and head downstairs. There we are greeted by some of the instructors and signed in. We discuss Emilys level of skiing and they let me know what they will be working on that day. In a level 2, if they feel part way through the day the kids are ready, they will head up the lift. But for now, the magic carpet will be the start. For those that don't know what this is...it is WONDERFUL for the little ones. It is a moving escalator in the snow. They just step on it with their skis and up they go. No lift, no real way of getting hurt. A safe way for little guys. As everyone is waiting for their lessons to start, their is a movie playing and Emily gets a cubby assigned to her and heads in . "Bye Mom". Since when did she get so big :(
Alta also does 2 year old lessons. I had referred to Brennans 2 year old lesson at Brighton last week. If you do want a private lesson, you can also do this at Alta. Again, another blog for this one with Brennan.
I also want to mention the most wonderful program that Alta has. It is called "ski free after 3". Yes, this means FREE! It is only on the Sunnyside lift at the Albion Base. But... this lift closes at 4:30. This means you can take your kids up at 3 and they can ski for 1 1/2 hours. No cost, nothing!! If you are trying to teach kids or learn yourself but know you can't afford a lift ticket all the time and know you won't last more than a run or two, this is the greatest opportunity! A way to get good and get the kids up to speed so you know you can get a ticket and come again when you're ready.
I skiied for a bit and went to observe Emily. Again...she has surpassed my expectations. NO edgie wedgies. After talking with Will, her instructor, he said they try not to use them. A different teaching technique. He said they get used to the feeling with the edgie wedgies and then have to be trained without. It is a preference, I'm sure and would love to hear the pros and cons from parents and instructors on this subject.
Emily goes up the escalator like a champ and comes zipping down the hill and goes up again. HELLO, you've done this only 3 times little one. Will has the kids going down the hill around markers teaching them to turn. After all, you don't want them bombing down the hill and not turning at all. But, Em is confident she can do it, so that is great. She gets a report card on a string about all the things she has done for the day. Will says she'll probably still stay level 2 to continue to work on turns before heading up the lift.
A great thing about the class is she makes friends and continues to build confidence. She also got to wear the Alta snowflake apron...OK, I've got about a million Alta stickers, pins... :) After skiing Alta for years, was fun to see Em hitting the Alta slopes.
One other tradition.... we ALWAYS get hot chocolate. This time we got burgers, fries and hot chocolate at the Albion Grill. We were now heading to Snowbird to see the torchlight parade, fireworks and Santa coming down the tram. To see the kids eyes as Santa comes out of the tram and know he's soon coming to our house.... another GREAT and very special Christmas Eve!
Affordable Skiing: Alta
Posted by The Ski Utah Yeti on December 14, 2009
Picture the thrifty consumer who buys only one new sweater every few years but spends good money on a quality one. That’s the type of skier Alta attracts. For 70 years, the Utah resort has been known for its no-frills approach, letting the challenging terrain and abundant snow speak for itself. Though you won’t find dirt-cheap hotels or lift tickets, Alta offers few temptations for spendthrifts. Hard-core skiers come here to ski (snowboarding is still verboten), not to ride fancy gondolas or blow their budgets at trendy boutiques or aromatherapy spas.
Get the insider scoop on affordable skiing at Alta from the New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/travel/13skiALTA.html?_r=1
Skiing Alta December 9th, 2009
Posted by The Ski Utah Yeti on December 9, 2009
A great sunny day today at Alta, UT. With a few inches of new snow, the groomers were carvable and everyone was having fun. Come on out and Ski Utah. Snow is in the forecast and fun is guaranteed.
Youtube ate our audio, it was too sick to be used for free. Anyway, we'll get some new audio on there shortly.
Classic Alta Powder Skiing Video
Posted by The Ski Utah Yeti on November 11, 2009
Those of you that follow the Ski Utah Blog religiously might recognize this blast from the past video. Somethings never change. One of those things is the fun and excitement of skiing Alta on a powder day. Still as great as it ever was.
