Park City, UT 1/17/07

[Admin]

Day 35: Nuttin' but groomers

I took a break from work this morning to head up to Park City Mountain Resort for a few runs. I hadn't been there since opening day, and I wanted a change of scenery.

My first thought was that the place was deserted! I started at 10, and there was hardly anyone to be seen on the trails. I spent the whole time yo-yo'ing cruisers off Silverlode and King Con, and I often saw no one for most of the way down each run.

I also was stunned to discover how much more snow was at PCMR than at The Canyons just down the ridgeline. While there are thin spots all over The Canyons, coverage was wall-to-wall clean at PCMR.

Finally, the effect of a lack of crowds, high-speed lifts, and fall-line cruisers was apparent: I racked up more verts in two hours today than I typically get in a full day at Alta or Snowbird.

After two hours, it was back to work even though I had a hard time pulling myself away.

 

[snowave]

You're killing me with your TR's..

I had almost decided to stay away from PCMR for riding, but those pictures are making me think otherwise..

So I guess with 7 days in SLC, maybe I shoudl consider takign a day here? What would your recommendations for conditions to be for considering PC?
One thing is, I coudl ride a few horus in PC and then stick around for some fine Apres and maybe spend the night somwhere if I can find a resonable rate (hear that might not be possible!)


btw, I have no current plans to go to The Canyons, as I hear it can be traverse hell on a snowboard.. plus the conditions can be suspect, as you mentioned if there isn't much new snow.

Hope you don;t mind the semi threadjack.. but I feel thats half the fun with postign a TR is to get some feedback for a newbie trip!

thanks

 

[Admin]

So I guess with 7 days in SLC, maybe I shoudl consider takign a day here? What would your recommendations for conditions to be for considering PC?

For a rider, it almost makes sense. It also makes sense to experience Utah's one and only true ski town as long as you're in the neighborhood. I know from reading your posts that the parks aren't your thing, but even as anti-park as I am, I have to admit that the parks at PCMR are pretty amazing. The Kid bought a season pass to PCMR solely to ski the parks with his buds. With no new snow and limited time I didn't even get up to what IMO is the mountain's best terrain on Jupiter today. With fresh snow, Jupe can be a lot of fun, especially if you time the opening right.

One thing is, I coudl ride a few horus in PC and then stick around for some fine Apres and maybe spend the night somwhere if I can find a resonable rate (hear that might not be possible!)

It really isn't. However, it's only about 35-45 minutes from where you're staying. And yes, the dining and nightlife is a blast. Expect ski town prices for apres.

Hope you don;t mind the semi threadjack.. but I feel thats half the fun with postign a TR is to get some feedback for a newbie trip!

Not at all. :wink: And congrats on that diamond!

 

[Tony Crocker]

the effect of a lack of crowds, high-speed lifts, and fall-line cruisers was apparent

Sounds like Mammoth last weekend. Except that your weather was nicer.

What is off-trail cover like at PCMR? Jupiter, Mc Conkey's etc.

The Canyons' east exposure is the culprit for worse conditions than Park City or Deer Valley. I expect we'll hit one of those areas Feb. 16.

 

[Admin]

What is off-trail cover like at PCMR? Jupiter, Mc Conkey's etc.

Dunno, I stayed at Mid-Mountain, although I suspect that it's OK with a bit of prudence.

 

[jasoncapecod]

I'm flying out on the 2/16 . staying in pcmr ... Looks 100% better than around here

 

[ChrisC]

Looks like all the moguls are off the mountain --- at the Sundance Film Festival.

 

[tirolerpeter]

Wow Marc! You really cranked those PC groomers. Hope the snow conditions hold into March and April when I am planning to be out there for good.

 

[hayduke]

there is a lot of brown on those photos...... i have seen it look better in late april after they are closed.

 

[Tony Crocker]

The town of Park City gets maybe 150 inches of snow per year. The base area off-trail is bare of snow probably half the times I've been at Park City. Given that it's mid-January of a below average year, admin's pictures look much better than I expected.

By mid-March the Park City areas are pretty sloppy if it hasn't snowed recently. If tirolerpeter doesn't get out there until then, I'd advise him to stick to the Cottonwood areas for the rest of this season.

 

[SoCal Rider]

The place sure doesn't need bare spots to look brown. Won't ever win a ski hill beauty contest, eh?

 

[Admin]

The place sure doesn't need bare spots to look brown. Won't ever win a ski hill beauty contest, eh?

It's actually much prettier up high around Jupiter (10,000 ft). I just didn't have the time to head up there on Wednesday as work was waiting. These pics were taken up there 12/29/2005:

 

[ChrisC]

Love Utah.

But I think Park City/Canyons is one of the ugliests places in ski-dom.

Bottom 10%. I will not argue about winter landscape, but only comparatively....I like Jackson, Whsitler, Telluride, Tahoe...anywhere better. And then there is Park City. Fugly.