Park City and Deer Valley look miserable over the holidays
- Thread starter ChrisC
- Start date
ChrisC
Well-known member
Despite massive snowfalls up high, Alyeska did not open its North Face until February due to a lack of snow down low - current 8 inch base.
Even today, the trial count seems subpar.
When we visited in April 2016 to ski one day at Alyeska and one day heli-ski with Chugach Mountain Guides, CMG noted they never opened the cat operation that year since there was not enough snow to build cat roads down low.
ChrisC
Well-known member
Don't worry. Park City will still have wonderful Spring Conditions (not - given its low snow base this year).
I have been to Park City/Deer Valley/Canyons (ParkWest) a few times in mid-March and April. More often than not - I find rain, drizzle, wet snow, rotted snow, WROD / Single lane snowmaking runouts, etc. - on the lower mountain.
Like Steamboat, Park City's (and other backside resorts) are too low at 6900 ft or 6800 ft, respectively. Need to be in the Big or Little Cottonwood Canyons or Colorado (minus The ' Boat).
Park City, April 5, 2022 - Another Stellar Season. Link
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EMSC
Well-known member
There is a reason for it's nickname (Park Sh!**y). While there are a few areas that can be solid (9990 for example), so much is just not very impressive combined with a convoluted lift network, huge crowds, icier conditions much of the time, etc... Not sure if I'll ever be back and I only have like 5 days there lifetime. Give me the cottonwoods or Snowbasin anytime over that hot mess.
I assume you’re enjoying Utah more than the northeast last season?
It was raining at the base of Alyeska when I was there last January. They had a decent base though, it was a good start to the winter.
I agree. I've been to Utah dozens of times and only skied Park City once. The mountains don't even look like the Cottonwoods, they look closer to an east coast mountain. I've been to Snowbasin and Powder Mountain several times. I'll probably have work outings in PC, but otherwise I'd never go.
ChrisC
Well-known member
I would much rather ski Snowbasin or Powder Mt (maybe not now?) vs. Park City Resorts. Better fall-line runs, fewer crowds, and easier mountains to get around.
It's too bad the locals are fighting Vail improvements for Park City's lift system and some of Deer Valley's expansion. But that's ski towns.
It's too bad the locals are fighting Vail improvements for Park City's lift system and some of Deer Valley's expansion. But that's ski towns.
I see my comments over the years echoed above. Park City/Deer Valley are third rate ski areas in Utah regional context.
Snowbasin?
Kamas, that explains close access to PC, very close to Jordanelle access to DV and a bit of a schlep to the Cottonwoods. Snowbasin is likely faster via I-84 than for skiers in SLC.