UT this weekend
- Thread starter skimore
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Marc_C
Active member
In other words....if you're desperately snow starved, there will probably be good skiing on some new snow. "Moderate" in our forecasts usually means no more than 6" - 12". Since it looks to be a warm storm, the snow may be denser than usual - ie: 10% - 12% instead of 8% (our average density).
If you're looking for/expecting 2 or 3 feet of 6% fluff, save your airfare for another time later in the season.
The snow moved in about 6 hrs earlier than expected, and it's been puking all morning in the SLV. I've got 3-4" already here at the house at 5,000 feet and its forecast to taper off later this afternoon as the main band moves south.
I won't be up the canyon until about 5 pm today. It's forecast to continue until morning in the mountains. The lake effect machine is the usual variable once the front moves through. The Snowbird SnowCam is showing about 3-4" new right now:
I won't be up the canyon until about 5 pm today. It's forecast to continue until morning in the mountains. The lake effect machine is the usual variable once the front moves through. The Snowbird SnowCam is showing about 3-4" new right now:
Marc_C
Active member
More or less for storm total - it all depends on how fast it moves and when the winds shift to the north, which pretty much turns off all precipitation and any lake effect. About the only thing we can say with any certainty is that whatever happens with this storm, the skiing will be better than anything in the Northeast at the moment.skimore":2aqai8n0 said:
This is likely too late to help with your decision making process, but I was up at Snowbird tonight (orientation for Kim Ulmer's Ski to Live clinic) and I believe that there's more than the webcam above shows, so perhaps it was affected by wind. It's up to the hubs of wheels of cars in the parking lot.
The roads in the SLV were greasy tonight -- just ask Marc_C about his mailbox. :wink:
I had KSL radio on in the truck on the way down canyon at 9:30 and heard Kevin Eubank live for about 5 minutes. According to him, the temperature gradient over the lake has set up such that someone's getting a burst of lake effect tomorrow morning, too. If the wind is a westerly, it'll head for Davis and Weber Counties. If it's a northerly, it'll be Tooele. If it's a northwesterly, we'll get it where it matters.
The roads in the SLV were greasy tonight -- just ask Marc_C about his mailbox. :wink:
I had KSL radio on in the truck on the way down canyon at 9:30 and heard Kevin Eubank live for about 5 minutes. According to him, the temperature gradient over the lake has set up such that someone's getting a burst of lake effect tomorrow morning, too. If the wind is a westerly, it'll head for Davis and Weber Counties. If it's a northerly, it'll be Tooele. If it's a northwesterly, we'll get it where it matters.
I guess I'll try again maybe next weekHey Skimore, next wknd (MLK wknd, right?) may be even better...supposedly a big front will be coming into the West, and UT usually does well in a cold, unstable flow like that.
And I can tell that, of my trips to UT (and hopefully I'll have one during the last week of Jan), perhaps my most memorable one was during MLK wknd in Jan 1995. I spent a lot of time in Big Ctnwd Canyn because they couldn't get the road up Little Ctnwd Cnyn open. And my experience was that most folks in UT don't have MLK day off, so that day was like a normal midweek day, versus a holiday.
And I can tell that, of my trips to UT (and hopefully I'll have one during the last week of Jan), perhaps my most memorable one was during MLK wknd in Jan 1995. I spent a lot of time in Big Ctnwd Canyn because they couldn't get the road up Little Ctnwd Cnyn open. And my experience was that most folks in UT don't have MLK day off, so that day was like a normal midweek day, versus a holiday.
NeedhamSkier
New member
I've been watching this thread with interest, as I'm heading out to SLC on Wednesday with my wife and our two boys. This will certainly be our only trip out West and could well be our only decent skiing of the season if the weather in the East doesn't pick up, so we are psyched, and watching all the weather forecasts with bated breath.
We've cashed in all our miles and Marriott points to do the trip on a very tight budget. For similar financial reasons (kids under 10 ski free) we'll be spending most of our time at Brighton. I know that some of the posters here don't think so much of Brighton, but can't always choose what we want when the family is along. I know Millicent is probably the best lift, but any ideas on specific areas to look for some nice powder if we do get lucky would be accepted with much gratitude.
One other question - we've rented a 4WD, but are there ever times when the UTA buses are running but there not even letting 4WD up the canyons (I guess they would need to put chains on the buses)?? Having skied in the alps, I know there are occasionally times when they only let vehicles with chains on the mountain. Just curiosity really, as I'm aware this is an unlikely scenario.
We are definitely thinking snow here - we'll see if our good thoughts can produce the requisite goods on Weds/Thurs next week...
We've cashed in all our miles and Marriott points to do the trip on a very tight budget. For similar financial reasons (kids under 10 ski free) we'll be spending most of our time at Brighton. I know that some of the posters here don't think so much of Brighton, but can't always choose what we want when the family is along. I know Millicent is probably the best lift, but any ideas on specific areas to look for some nice powder if we do get lucky would be accepted with much gratitude.
One other question - we've rented a 4WD, but are there ever times when the UTA buses are running but there not even letting 4WD up the canyons (I guess they would need to put chains on the buses)?? Having skied in the alps, I know there are occasionally times when they only let vehicles with chains on the mountain. Just curiosity really, as I'm aware this is an unlikely scenario.
We are definitely thinking snow here - we'll see if our good thoughts can produce the requisite goods on Weds/Thurs next week...
NeedhamSkier, first off it was fabulous today. More to follow in a separate topic.
Second, FYI Snowbird offers free skiing to 12 and unders with the purchase of an adult ticket (up to two freebies per adult ticket).
About the canyon restrictions, the canyon roads during ski season will be in one of the following states:
1. Any vehicle with snow tires.
2. 4wd/chains required.
3. Closed completely.
There are no times when buses are allowed but private vehicles aren't. FYI, 4x4/chain restrictions were in place off and on over the past 36 hours, the first that I've seen that in a while. Last night when I headed up for an event at Snowbird they were actually checking cars heading up.
Second, FYI Snowbird offers free skiing to 12 and unders with the purchase of an adult ticket (up to two freebies per adult ticket).
About the canyon restrictions, the canyon roads during ski season will be in one of the following states:
1. Any vehicle with snow tires.
2. 4wd/chains required.
3. Closed completely.
There are no times when buses are allowed but private vehicles aren't. FYI, 4x4/chain restrictions were in place off and on over the past 36 hours, the first that I've seen that in a while. Last night when I headed up for an event at Snowbird they were actually checking cars heading up.
I used that 2 kids with one adult deal at Snowbird some when my kids were younger. I don't think it includes tram, but with the new Peruvian lift and Mineral Basin you won't lose much and it's way better than Brighton.
I thought there were other Utah areas with 1 kid free per adult plans, but I don't remember which ones.
Despite Alta's reputation for reasonably priced tickets, that does not apply to kids. They pay full adult price as I recall.
I thought there were other Utah areas with 1 kid free per adult plans, but I don't remember which ones.
Despite Alta's reputation for reasonably priced tickets, that does not apply to kids. They pay full adult price as I recall.
NeedhamSkier
New member
Thanks for solving my curiosity on the bus question and also for the heads-up on the Snowbird deal. I guess I didn't even really consider skiing at Snowbird because the lift-ticket is pricey to start with and I just assumed it would be the same for kids.
Now, here's the interesting question - I was thinking of buying the Super Pass, which gives you any of the Cottonwood resorts for $48/day. If we do that, do you think Snowbird will still do the kids ski free pass? That would be a sweet deal... Also, any thoughts on kids ski school at Snowbird - we were planning to put the boys in school a couple of mornings and if you have the freedom to ski by yourself, then Snowbird is definitely the place to take it.
Thanks again, and not to be greedy, but any tips on Brighton still appreciated.
Now, here's the interesting question - I was thinking of buying the Super Pass, which gives you any of the Cottonwood resorts for $48/day. If we do that, do you think Snowbird will still do the kids ski free pass? That would be a sweet deal... Also, any thoughts on kids ski school at Snowbird - we were planning to put the boys in school a couple of mornings and if you have the freedom to ski by yourself, then Snowbird is definitely the place to take it.
Thanks again, and not to be greedy, but any tips on Brighton still appreciated.
NeedhamSkier":1t63qxf4 said:
It wouldn't surprise me if they would. They let me do it off a season pass in the past.
NeedhamSkier":1t63qxf4 said:
I don't necessarily understand the question. Why wouldn't you have the freedom to ski by yourself anywhere while your kids are in ski school?
NeedhamSkier":1t63qxf4 said:
I'm afraid that I don't have many to offer. I'm not a big fan, and accordingly I haven't spent much time there. The middle 75% has a prominent flat spot midway down the mountain, such that many tree lines require a slog out. Millicent has great terrain, IMO, but that's one lift.
Take away Milli, and Brighton feels like an eastern ski area on steroids IMO.
Marc_C
Active member
Admin":fkftqvjv said:
I've been here 6 seasons and I ski on average 60+ days per season. I've skied Brighton 1.5 days in that time, and really don't plan to go back. It has a huge boarder scene, aggressively cheap pricing for kids, and excellent backcountry gate access. The terrain is a snore for skiers. Enough said.