I love Solitude on a powder day. Hell, if the sun hasn't come out, I love Solitude the day after a powder day. As a destination skier with limited seasonal opportunities to ski powder, on days when snow totals and recent weather history are comparable, I'll probably still pick Solitude over Alta/Bird due to the generally higher probability of thundering horde issues over in LCC. IMO, however, the worst lift layout in the Cottenwoods, just got even worse.
From the FTO article:
The new lift alignment will allow advanced skiers to remain on the upper portions of the resort's front side terrain, eliminating the long runout across mid-mountain flats via Main Street to the base area.
My response: So freaking what? Forget about the front-side terrain, the terrain served by Powderhorn that is most interesting to the "advanced skier" is all of the stuff east of the ridge from the top of PH to the the top of Apex.
It will also, however, now require two lift rides to ski the steep east-facing terrain accessible through the Parachute gate at the top of the Powderhorn lift.
Exactly! 12 minutes on the old PH was too long (says a guy who would defend the single at MRG to just about his death), but WAY better than having to take two lifts.
Also, I agree with Ice, the runout wasn't so bad. I've frequently found lots of lower-angle left-over freshies in the trees and small gullies between the bottom of the Cirque and the base.
IMO it must have been about the cost. I'm disappointed.
