Park City, UT 1/24/2007

[Admin]

With dominant high pressure, no new snow, a moderate inversion and Sundance Film Fest underway, Park City Mountain seemed like a no-brainer destination for a few groomers squeezed into work today. And it was a good call.

Bluebird skies, no wind, moderate temps in the upper 20s, a total lack of folks on the hill and staying up above the haze made for a beautiful work break! Took a few runs each off Bonanza, McConkey's, Silverlode and King Con, sticking to the high-speeds to maximize runs in a minimum of time. Every single lift was ski-on, and I often found myself riding alone when there was no one else loading at the same time.

In fact, on my ride up McConkey's I saw no one, and likewise not a soul on the ski down. The only person I encountered was as I was taking a photo on top when I heard, "Well, hello again!" It was a patroller whom I'd met last week.

I forgot my Suunto S6, but I'd estimate vertical skied at 14,000. And check out those massive Sundance crowds in these pics! For those who accused PC of being ugly, these pics may help as they were taken on a different, more aesthetically pleasing part of the mountain.

 

[jasoncapecod]

3 more weeks

 

[Tony Crocker]

admin is showing off the S3-IS. It's very tempting.

With regard to the scenery comments, I would not go so far as to say ugly, but with just a few exceptions (Telluride, Aspen Highlands come to mind) the U.S. Rockies are not as scenic as a long list of West Coast ski areas (Whistler, Crystal, Bachelor, Heavenly, Mammoth, even Baldy when there's no L.A. haze/smog). However, the enclosed (by other close-by mountains) nature of areas like the Cottonwoods and Vail cut down on wind and result in more powder and a lot less windpack than the more aesthetically pleasing areas I mention.

The mountain scenery champ in my experience is Chamonix. I'm sure Patrick would agree. All those glaciers and over 12,000 feet of vertical in your face from Brevant-Flegere. By contrast, I believe the 8,600 foot vertical view from Baldy to the Pacific is the largest from any lift in North America.

 

[snowave]

that first picture is pretty funny.. who do they think they are going to get to tell to slow down?? :lol:

As much as I love the eastern Sierra and Mammoth.. I still think Colorado is more beautiful, scenery-wise. That's a bit of a relative statement however, as I think that the beauty (pun intended) in going to new/different places is that they all have a unique sense of existence. BC, CA, CO, PNW, etc.. all have a different look to them, but they are all jaw dropping in their own way. Some of its personal preference as to what we think is beautiful. I'm sure I'll have a similar feeling for the Wasatch when i get to truly see them other than from the SLC airport!

 

[schubwa]

These photos show conditions any of us would have KILLED for in early November. Or last week in the East or Europe. A few months later and everyone is scrambling to change their tickets because it hasn't snowed for a week! Crazy.
The nice thing about living near the mountains (and being "stuck" there) is during the lulls you can go groomer cruzin', take long skate skis with your dog in the sunshine, hike the BC in stable snow conditions or just take a day off and show up at work.

 

[Admin]

These photos show conditions any of us would have KILLED for in early November. Or last week in the East or Europe. A few months later and everyone is scrambling to change their tickets because it hasn't snowed for a week! Crazy.

Precisely my point in the "What would you do if..." thread.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Precisely my point in the "What would you do if..." thread.

You're moving to Spokane?
:wink:

 

[Marc_C]

that first picture is pretty funny.. who do they think they are going to get to tell to slow down??

I can't read it, but I'd bet that is anything but a "slow" sign.

 

[snowave]

its the "slow zone" sign on the left side of the picture.. and the person standing in front of it.. many resorts have patrol or hosts stand there yelling at people to slow down.. I just thought it was funny that there is not once single person in the picture on the entire run. (p.s... ok, I think I see once person!)
:lol:

 

[Admin]

It is a slow zone sign, and yes, that ambassador is stationed there for precisely that purpose. Beyond the lack of people, that's at the top of the run after a fairly flat beginning where one would have to skate to get up any head of steam anyway.

 

[Marc_C]

its the "slow zone" sign on the left side of the picture..

DOH! The effects of posting at 11:30p after much of a MacMurray Pinot Noir. I think I killed a kitten last night.

 

[snowave]

its the "slow zone" sign on the left side of the picture..

DOH! The effects of posting at 11:30p after much of a MacMurray Pinot Noir. I think I killed a kitten last night.

Sorry man..
By your original response, I thought maybe you were one of those "special people" that might need it spelled out for them.

and btw, it was actually Black Mtn Sirah.. :lol:

 

[jkamien]

The chutes off Jupiter look inviting...

Is the top served by a lift?

Can you hike up there?

I don't have any context to guess how long these chutes are. Has anyone skied them?

 

[Admin]

The chutes off Jupiter look inviting...

Is the top served by a lift?

No.

Can you hike up there?

Yes.