Snowbird, Utah: November 20, 2011

[thetrailboss]

Date: November 20, 2011

Resort: Snowbird, Utah

Conditions: PP/MG/FG (10" of new snow on Friday/Saturday making a base between 20-30 inches at midmountain).



Weather: Cool, starting out with snow showers and ending with clouds, temps in the 20's rising to near 40.

2012 Trip Report #: 1

Report: It has only been about four months since the 2011 season ended Snowbird for me on July 4th. And it was only fitting that the 2012 season start just a few feet away from where it ended. Snowbird had been making snow for the last couple weeks on their pre-season route, which is from the top of Gadzoom down Bassackwards and Lunch Run to Mid Gad, and then Big Emma to the base. The fan guns were still working hard today to compensate for the low snow levels. Snowbird had Mid Gad and Gadzoom running.

I got to the lot at about 8:40 and got a nice spot in the front row. Where is everyone?



First lift ride I heard that Saturday was crazy. Lots of injuries from folks hotdogging and skiing stuff that just is too thin. I skied from 8:55 through 1pm. It got busy at 11am resulting in a 3-5 minute wait for the singles line that got longer. I did several laps, all on Gadzoom except for one on Mid Gad, which was not really worth it. Gadzoom delivers 1,827 vertical feet, runs over a mile long, and in 6.5 minutes, so it is a no-brainer.

I alternated between Lunch Run:



Bassackwards:







All leading to a traverse to Big Emma:












And a choice between Big Emma and Lowest Bassackwards:




I did do some off-groomed stuff, but it was thin:





Still working some terrain....



The tram, and presumably Chickadee and Little Cloud, are slated to open soon. LC was spinning, but not loading. Regulator Johnson looked good from my vantage point....



Great vibe. Lots of folks from the east coast who relocated to SLC and Utah. Great chatting to folks on the lift. I can't wait to get back...soon enough!

[gmcunni]

you suck!

[Scotty]

It must be so hard living in Utah

[jimmywilson69]

It must be so hard living in Utah

No Sh#T!

glad you had fun, I'm jealous

[WJenness]

I'll be out in Feb! Keep posting the recon!

-w

[snoseek]

Wait=over

Looking good. Big Emma has to be the most challenging green ever! Utah always gets theirs.

I got three and a half more weeks working here, then it finally begins for me.

[thetrailboss]

Snoseek: I agree on Big Emma. As the norm with Snowbird, the terrain is challenging and when I first hiked Gad Valley this summer and looked down it I was like It is wide though and the pitch quickly flattens, but it should be a blue for sure, especially in early season.

And you are not missing much out here. Lots of avalanche but not lots of snow. Interesting conundrum. It is very early yet though. KSL ran this story last night.

[snoseek]

We need the storms to roll in off Norcal to both be content. Utah always seems to get a piece of every pattern thogh. It will come and when it does you will be reassured about living in Utah and not New England.

[4aprice]

The skiing looks good but it sure looks different from my last trip out there last April. Here's a game for you Trailboss. I spent a good chunk of time out there in December 2003 which was a very snowy early season and got to see the maturation of a Utah season. Keep your eye's on certain rocks and outcroppings and see when they disappear. In Dec 2003 it was a weekly occurance. Looks like the 1st week in April for me to be out there again.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ