Where are the recent Utah reports? Advice?

[tseeb]

I've noticed there have not been many reports lately from Utah. I realize that admin has been in Oregon, but I know others including Tony Crocker are in Utah. Is it that bad? I've heard it's been warm in Salt Lake City and that snow has been firm, with little softening.

I am already checked in at SJC and will be arriving SLC before noon today. I will try to get to Alta for the $10 after 3 deal that is limited to three lifts, maybe only two that are currently running. I will be staying in Holladay the first few nights, then may be moving to Iron Blosam for last night or two.

Does anyone have any advice on where to go or how to distribute the four days I will be there with snowboarding friend from Truckee. The guy whose house we are staying at was there recently and did not ski and recommended with go hiking or bike riding. We are thinking Brighton, Snowbasin and 2 two days Snowbird, either in that order or with Snowbird on first and last days. My friend's return is too early to make turns on Saturday, mine is at 5:05 PM, although I could change that to later on Sunday if it looks worthwhile.

My friend is bummed to be leaving Truckee where his 700 foot driveway will probably get more snow that he can move with snowblower while he is gone. tahoeweatherdiscussion.com says "Totals by next Sunday could be 5-6 feet above 7000 ft. in the basin and up to 8 feet along the crest"

 

[Marc_C]

I've noticed there have not been many reports lately from Utah. I realize that admin has been in Oregon, but I know others including Tony Crocker are in Utah. Is it that bad? I've heard it's been warm in Salt Lake City and that snow has been firm, with little softening.

Not true. Watch your aspects, follow the sun, stay high, don't bother with the first hour of lift operation. The more heavily skied lines offer better skiing.

I am already checked in at SJC and will be arriving SLC before noon today. I will try to get to Alta for the $10 after 3 deal that is limited to three lifts, maybe only two that are currently running.

Except for the Albion Double, all Alta lifts are running. The $5 after 3 deal is only for the Sunnyside lift. $35 will give you access to all lifts from 2:30 - 4:30 (not all run until 4:30, but Collins and Wildcat do).

 

[tseeb]

Thanks. Posted from plane at LAX. Taking scenic route from SJC

Alta's website says Albion, Sunnyside and Cecret are $5 with Alta card after 3

 

[socal]

Thanks. Posted from plane at LAX. Taking scenic route from SJC

Alta's website says Albion, Sunnyside and Cecret are $5 with Alta card after 3

I wouldn't spend $10 to ski those lifts; in fact, honestly, unless I was teaching someone to ski or just looking to be in the mountains I wouldn't spend the gas money just to ski those lifts. I'd probably try and do one of those free lift tickets with a boarding pass deals in Park City instead (assuming they're not blacked out right now).

 

[Marc_C]

Alta's website says Albion, Sunnyside and Cecret are $5 with Alta card after 3

Yeah, I suppose that's technically correct. I just tend to think of it as Sunnyside-only since
* in the 11 years I've been here, I've seen the Albion lift in operation maybe a dozen times.
* the Ceret lift accesses two extremely short beginner trails - it is used by absolute beginners and, for most of us, as a commuter lift to access Supreme.

 

[Admin]

I wouldn't spend $10 to ski those lifts; in fact, honestly, unless I was teaching someone to ski or just looking to be in the mountains I wouldn't spend the gas money just to ski those lifts.

Although there are a couple of short but fun pitches on Vail Ridge and some fine meadow skipping off the Summer Road, I'd have to agree. A much better dealfor anyone intermediate and above is the new $30 with a new Alta card/$25 reload 2:30-4:30 ticket.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

When did they start charging to ski Sunnyside after 3 pm?

 

[Admin]

When did they start charging to ski Sunnyside after 3 pm?

http://www.firsttracksonline.com/2012/0 ... 3-program/

 

[socal]

I wouldn't spend $10 to ski those lifts; in fact, honestly, unless I was teaching someone to ski or just looking to be in the mountains I wouldn't spend the gas money just to ski those lifts.

Although there are a couple of short but fun pitches on Vail Ridge and some fine meadow skipping off the Summer Road, I'd have to agree. A much better dealfor anyone intermediate and above is the new $30 with a new Alta card/$25 reload 2:30-4:30 ticket.

Agreed on the Vail Ridge part, it's fun, and makes for some nice turns when you're skiing Sunnyside with a beginner but as I think we both agree, just not worth the trip up there nor the $10.

 

[Admin]

That's where the $25/30 all-mountain afternoon ticket comes in.

 

[socal]

Didn't know about that deal but it sounds like the right deal to me. Can't say it would really ever help me though, I'm more of a fly out after work kind of traveler, seems like a waste to be flying during skiing or business hours unless you have to.

 

[Evren]

I believe the PC boarding pass deal is blacked out for all of March.

 

[tseeb]

My flight arrived SLC on time but friend flying from Reno is delayed 30 min so I will probably not make it skiing today before 3, if at all.

Any advice on where to go which days? We have two day Snowbird tickets that don't have to be consecutively. Otherwise we have access to 4wd vehicle. open to ideas, willing to consider deals on tickets and limited to places that allow boarders

 

[socal]

Being in LA I won't speculate on the conditions, but if you haven't been, Snowbasin is a great choice for a fun day of skiing, lot's of vertical, great food, and amazing bathrooms (you'll see). Obviously Snowbird is a must hit and I like Solitude (got engaged at the top of Eagle Express), without any new snow I'd assume almost anywhere will be deserted. Having spent 1 day at brighton I'd say skip it.

 

[Admin]

With this kind of warmth Marc_C's advice above holds true for just about anyplace here right now. Just pick what looks interesting to you and go.

 

[powdurdog]

Not true. Watch your aspects, follow the sun, stay high, don't bother with the first hour of lift operation. The more heavily skied lines offer better skiing.

Yeah, pretty much.

Alta today: firm and bumpy (best case), crusty or icy (everything else)

This was day 1 of a 3 day Alta/Snowbird trip (I'm from back east). Looks like I nailed about the absolute worst 3 days of the month--2 weeks since last signficant snow, multiple mid-40 degree days before and during my trip, and, last but not least, 20-30" of snow beginning THE DAY AFTER I LEAVE. ](*,)

But I digress. Ballroom and Baldy Shoulder actually were decent most of the day--firm winter snow. Other things weren't too good. Wildcat face was icy. I literally saw nobody all day on West Rustler. I tried to get to some high north or east aspects in the afternoon, but the High Traverse was quite the challenge today. Where it wasn't a sheet of ice, there were places where the snow dwindled to a mere ribbon. Eagles Nest was skied out and not very appealing. High Rustler late afternoon had softened decently to make for a decent run (starting about 1/4 of the way down to avoid the rocks).

 

[tseeb]

Thanks for the report. Without changing my return flight, I can ski Alta until about 2 pm on Sat. We skied Sundance on Tues. It had softened and mostly skied well. My snowboarding friend thought Wed. morning at Brighton was too firm. Person showing me around said some conditions were worst he has seen. I skied 9:45 to 3:15 and found some good snow and some challenging runs. Snowbird next two days where friend of my friend is in extreme comp. Will post more when I have better Internet access

 

[powdurdog]

Snowbird on Thurs. was very nice spring skiing. Took Marc_C's advice--started a little late, stayed above 9500' all day, followed the sun, and followed other skiers. Mineral Basin was good in the morning. Cold winter snow (until late morning near the bottom). Little Cloud to the right (Mark Malu Fork, etc.) was good in the afternoon. Much better day than yesterday. I think part of the problem Wed. was the previous day had high wind which buffed the surface and created overly firm to crisp snow.

Back to Alta tomorrow.

Saturday may be kind of iffy with the developing strong winds ahead of the storm.

 

[Tony Crocker]

I know I'll attract the usual from the Altaphiles, but the remaining winter snow is a lot easier to get at at Snowbird than at Alta. Unfortunately today Friday a good chunk of that in Silver Fox will be off limits due to the competition.

Tuesday was the high wind day when tram and Mineral Basin were closed, so I only skied the afternoon that day. Liz went home on a redeye last night, but she skied 20K vertical every day she was here for a week (1 Solitude, 1 Alta, 5 Snowbird). Saturday at Alta was warm enough to soften West Rustler nicely by late afternoon. Thursday was similarly warm to soften west facing aspects under the Little Cloud chair. It was also warm enough to soften the Bookends and some lower part of Rasta Bowl which had remained packed powder all week until then.

Today Friday will probably be the second worst day to Tuesday. The others have all had enough good snow to keep our Iron Blosam group content for full days. We have been skiing a lot more repeat runs than usual though.

 

[Marc_C]

... last but not least, 20-30" of snow beginning THE DAY AFTER I LEAVE.

Where are you getting those figures from? We *might* get as much as a foot or so out of this approaching storm, but with highs in the 30's during several of the predicted snowy periods, the snow is just as likely to be elephant snot, with 20% water weight.

Edit to add: oh, OK - just saw the most recent NWS forecast. Yeah, if everything verifies on the high side, maybe we will be at the 20"-ish mark. But with this season we've only had one storm cycle that went to the high side predictions, so hopeful, but not placing any bets.