Ski Utah Blog - Related Articles
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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.
Powder Day at the Canyons
Posted by The Ski Utah Yeti on January 26, 2010
The snow has been falling at The Canyons for a week straight! We have received over 56 inches in the last week, doubling our season snow pack for the year. The snow just keeps coming. Come ski the legendary Utah powder at the largest resort in the state, The Canyons.
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!
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
Snowbird, Utah December 12-13, 2009
Posted by The Ski Utah Yeti on December 21, 2009
Great video from Snowbird.
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
Lots of snow all over Utah!
Posted by The Ski Utah Yeti on December 13, 2009
11 Utah Ski Resorts reported over a foot of new snow and it continued to dump all day long. Check out this video from PCMR.
Big Storm For The Weekend
Posted by The Ski Utah Yeti on December 11, 2009
Brian McInerney fills us in the on the next storm to impact Utah. Big totals are expected in the mountains of Northern Utah for Saturday night into Sunday. Watch the slideshow.
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc/wxbriefing/wxb10dec2009/player.html
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.
What's up with our storm?
Posted by The Ski Utah Yeti on December 7, 2009
Check out the latest presentation from Brian McInerny, Hydrologist with the National Weather Service. You Brian Head locals are going to love this one.
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc/wxbriefing/wxb07dec2009/player.html
