Alta/Snowbird - 2/29

[HuntSki16]

Hey all.

Got out to Utah Thursday Night. Fabulous temperatures, though I was a little hesitant with the warm weather. I kept thinking back to last year when we made our annual trip out with the 50's at the base, all three days.

However, while last year was certainly sloppy and not a typical Cottonwood experience, today was phenominal.

Followed some advice from boardmembers. Devil's Castle and Cecret Saddle were great - still relatively light powder. We hammered some big groomers from the top of Collins straight down the face, and worked the trees near Sugarloaf. We were disappointed to see that Supreme lift was closed today, as they were doing maintenance. Mineral Basin was opened to all Alta pass holders (limited to Baldy Express), however the southern exposure made it sloppy. One run there and we were back to Alta.

I must say, however, the best run of the day was our last. We took High traverse all the way to the north facing trails, skipped the tempting Westerly facing slopes, and came down between the trees on the north. The snow was dry and chalky. The slope was full of snow and certainly steep. Unbeliveable run. Other than a powder day, best run I have had a Alta in a bunch of years. Good way to end the day.

Thinking of staying at Solitude tomorrow and skiing here with the 8-10" they are forecasting for tomorrow afternoon evening.

Trip is starting off great.

Thanks.

L

PS. It didn't start out so great when my Alta pass purchased from Canyon Sports in Cottonwood was a dud. Alta made me buy a new pass, and then go back to Canyon for a refund. Which they did, by the way, including the additional $5 I had to shell out at the mountain.

 

[tirolerpeter]

I skied Alta today also. Sunny, warm, and some great snow if you stayed in the north aspects or in the trees. My friend Paul (he too is an "immigrant" to UT that I recently met on a lift, and have started to hang with) and I did two laps on "Gun Sight." It is a heck of traverse and hike up (side-stepping) but the run down the chute was really delicious. All in all, a great Alta day! BTW, did you remember your sun-screen? The UV factor was really high!

 

[TRam]

My folks where up there today as well, my dad was really annoyed about the lift being down but said it was great skiing. Was it really in the high fourty's on the top of the mountian?

 

[tirolerpeter]

My folks where up there today as well, my dad was really annoyed about the lift being down but said it was great skiing. Was it really in the high fourty's on the top of the mountian?

Yes, it was annoying that Supreme was down. And yes, it was in the high 40's and sunny :lol:

 

[Marc_C]

Was it really in the high fourty's on the top of the mountian?

No, not quite:

2-29-2008> COLLINS TOP HOURLY REPORT > 10,500'

Month 10.5K
Day Hour Temp

------------------------
2 28 2200 25.8
2 28 2300 25.6
2 28 2400 25.1
2 29 100 25.2
2 29 200 25.9
2 29 300 25.4
2 29 400 24.6
2 29 500 25.7
2 29 600 26.5
2 29 700 26.6
2 29 800 29.0
2 29 900 31.2
2 29 1000 32.5
2 29 1100 35.9
2 29 1200 37.4
2 29 1300 39.0
2 29 1400 37.4
2 29 1500 37.5
2 29 1600 38.7
2 29 1700 38.0
2 29 1800 37.0
2 29 1900 35.0
2 29 2000 34.2
2 29 2100 33.2
2 29 2200 33.6

But remember that at our elevations, bright sun raises the effective perceived temperature by 10 - 20 degrees.