little cottonwood 2/12-15

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I understand it got warrm today at Alta, low 40's at the base, and there is a warm storm on the way.
How is the snow holding up ? Any recommendations for a 4 day trip this weekend , Sat-Tues ?
We're staying at Alta, but could easily ski at Snowbird. or rent a car and ski a day or two elswhere. Are the little cottonwood areas still the best bet ? Any significant differences with snow preservations between Alta and Snowbird ?
I've had some great days at Snowbasin. But I think that'll be a little too low ( and East facing) for this trip.
Thanks,
Jon
 
I can only speak firsthand for Alta, for I haven't skied the 'Bird in 2.5 weeks, but you'll have no worries. There's a ton of snow up there right now. Play your aspects carefully -- aim for north-facing stuff, and steer clear of anything with a southerly component (i.e., stay out of Mineral Basin).

Alta has the highest base elevation of any area in northern Utah, and that makes only the slightest difference between Alta and Snowbird. Yeah, they're calling for r**n here in the Salt Lake Valley on Saturday, but with temps only in the low 40s I'd suspect that larval stage snow won't be a problem in the Canyons.

Keep in mind, though, that the base elevation at Snowbasin is a couple of thou lower.

Give me a shout on FRS/GMRS channel 3 subchannel 13 anytime this weekend at Alta, and we'll hook up for some turns.
 
If it's really warm Snowbird preserves better than Alta. A lot of the great terrain at Alta drops east (Yellow Trail, Greely, etc.) or west (High Traverse runs) off the central spine dividing the Sugarloaf and Germania sides.

The majority of Snowbird's steeps face north and can still have dry snow when you're skiing in a T-shirt. I see this distinction a fair amount as my trips are usually in March. In February I suspect there will be plenty to keep you happy at both areas.

Mineral Basin should be OK if you time it right. It was very enjoyable mid-morning when I was there during the 2002 Olympics. On my March trips the snow is quite heavy or crusty if it hasn't snowed recently. Except for the far skier's right traverse to the Bookends, which wrap around and face northeast.
 
We skied Snowbird last weekend when the temps were also fairly warm. As mentioned by Tony, the north-facing slopes under the tram were quite nice, with chalky well preserved snow. Mineral Basin was a blast as long as you hit it at the right time of day. During the late morning/early afternoon you should have some nice corn snow and sunny rides up the chair lift. We lucked out and hit Park City on Monday, Feb. 7th with a foot of new snow. The glades off McConkey's and Jupiter Bowl were awesome with a much better pitch than I had expected from Park City. That was a nice going-away present for our last day of the trip.
 
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