Alta, Snowbird, or Canyons?

[skiNEwhere]

I'm driving to visit my Dad in Las Vegas in 2 weeks, which is about a 10-11 hour drive.

On the way back, I'm considering making a long detour and hitting up one of these areas for the day (April 8th). I've never skied Utah before and don't know who will have the best snow this time of year.

I've heard as a general classification, snowbird is steep and snowy, and alta is just technically difficult all around. Both have quite a bit of hype surrounding them. I think you can ski both on one ticket but seeing as I'll only be there one day I want to stay at one place.

The canyons is not ruled out as well since I can ski for "free" there with my epic pass, but I really don't know much about this resort.

Any deals people know about are appreciated.

 

[skimagic]

altA

I would go to Alta, very diverse mountain, all kinds of terrain. Snowbird seemed much more consistently steeper to me. Both Snowbird and Alta are very scenic as they arein an alpine canyon , unlike the Canyons which overlooks rolling hills. The canyons felt more like an eastern resort, a long ridge rather than sharp peaks, plus you have to take a lift from the parking lot to the village, walk through the village to get to the lift. that said, free is good. Enjoy!

 

[jaytrem]

If you decide you don't want to deal with the big detour you'll be driving right by Brian Head. They should still be open then. It's not a big place like the ones you mention. But some people, like myself, prefer the smaller/quieter type places. I would expect a better chance of spring type conditions down there, but you never know what you'll get at any of them in early April.

You'll also be driving by Eagle Point, but they're supposed to close the weekend before, and they're closed on Tuesdays anyway.

 

[ScottySkis]

i gote for Snoebird better spring conditions lots of Vert and fun tikes . Alta is good to but only one day not sure if Alta eill be open and they might louse snow quickly with sun in spring. Alta is backside if Snowbird. i havent been ti Park City so i have no cokments on that plCe.

 

[jimk]

There is something to be said for free skiing , so if your budget is tight I'm sure the Canyons would keep you plenty entertained for one day. Plus that might give you a chance to check out the cool resort town of Park City for a few hours before or after. It is at considerably lower elevation than the other two spots so you might want to stay abreast of current trail conditions for your Apr visit. That being said, there is definitely a higher wow factor at Alta/Snowbird. Strongly agree no need to try to do both of those in one day. They are big with many nuances in the terrain. Assuming you are a very highly skilled skier (no boarders allowed at Alta) Snowbird is hard to beat for high end challenges and riding the tram is pretty iconic. It goes over some "if you fall, you die" terrain. I have but one day at Alta and I must admit I was captivated by its mystique, part of that came from staying overnight at one of the great, but pricey slopeside lodges. Alta’s actually got quite a bit of choice intermediate terrain, but the steeps there are classic and IMHO exceptionally beautiful. It's one of the oldest ski areas in the US and I once read a very telling quote about Alta, "the first guys there got the best place." Lots of cheap chain motels (~$50-60 per night) in the SLC suburbs near Alta/Snowbird and you could also easily commute to the Canyons from a cheap SLC motel.
Alta, Catherine's Area:


Snowbird, Mineral Basin Area:

 

[drjeff]

Alta or the Bird *should* have better snow (especially if it isn't a powder day) than the Canyons. The lower elevation of the Canyons tends to let things get "springy" sooner than the higher elevations of the Little Cottonwood Canyon resorts.

The Canyons (and I've got about 40 days or so logged there over the years) is MASSIVE! The best way to think of it is it runs along a ridgeline that is basically orientated in a North to South Direction, and then there are a series of East to West ridges coming off the main N to S spine. The lifts for the most part run up the spines of the E to W ridges and you ski the "canyons" that these ridges create. The terrain to the North side of these ridges is generally covered with pine trees with some Aspens thrown in and stays dryer snow wise. The terrain off the South side of these ridges is generally covered in Aspens and gets softer and melts quicker. That being said, there is some phenomenal pockets of terrain at the Canyons scattered about the entire, almost 4000 acre resort to be had based on what the snow is like at certain elevations and exposures. But you can, and often do, spend a bunch of time feeling like you're going "sideways" across the resort to get from pocket of good stuff to pocket of good stuff, especially if you're not quite sure where to look, so it can be a "frustrating" resort until you know your may around. My personal favorites there are all the way on the Northside, the Super Condor lift (especially if the snow is good, the chutes off the South side), the Northside trees off the centrally located Saddleback Express, Peak 5's Northside, ALL of 9990 and the Dreamcatcher area of Dreamscape all have some great terrain

Little Cottonwood Canyon - it's almost like a skiing pilgrimage. In short, Alta + Snowbird both live up to all their Accolades! You really can't go wrong with either. The snow is generally dryer and deeper than over at The Canyons, and I will say that Mineral Basin at Snowbird might be my favorite piece of terrain that I've ever skied in my 35 year ski career. It's really just a magical skiing experience in Little Cottonwood Canyon for sure!

 

[abc]

If you're taking such a long drive, stay more than just one day!

But if you MUST limit yourself to one day, don't go all over the place.

I'd say Alta is probably best for non-expert skiers. There're challenging terrain but you need to find them. Whilst in Snowbird, it's very obvious where you can scare yourself silly.

Canyon would not be my first choice except, if it's FREE! It's a fairly big mountain and it takes a bit of figuring out. That alone, is the biggest negative if you only got one day.

If you only got one day, you have to resign yourself that you'll not see the "best" of most any mountain. OK, except Snowbird, since it's got a lot of wide open bowls.

 

[bigbog]

From what pics I've seen...might wanna do a quick check of any reports from Grand Targhee too...y/n?
Wish we on the EC had such tough choices:grin:

 

[thetrailboss]

I'm driving to visit my Dad in Las Vegas in 2 weeks, which is about a 10-11 hour drive.

On the way back, I'm considering making a long detour and hitting up one of these areas for the day (April 8th). I've never skied Utah before and don't know who will have the best snow this time of year.

I've heard as a general classification, snowbird is steep and snowy, and alta is just technically difficult all around. Both have quite a bit of hype surrounding them. I think you can ski both on one ticket but seeing as I'll only be there one day I want to stay at one place.

The canyons is not ruled out as well since I can ski for "free" there with my epic pass, but I really don't know much about this resort.

Any deals people know about are appreciated.

Alta/Snowbird hands down.

Higher elevation, more snow, and more snow coming. Alta and Snowbird have similar terrain but ski completely differently. At Snowbird the terrain is wide open with a few big bowls that you ski right into. Snowbird also has a lot of crazy $hit to ski. Overall, Snowbird is steeper and designed more for expert skiing. Alta has more variety with better trail skiing options and better for more varied skiing on a single run (groomed, bumps, off-piste, etc.) At Alta you have to hike or traverse a long way to the good stuff. Otherwise it is groomed runs with lots of trees, bumps, and other treats off the side.

FWIW Snowbird is going until at least Memorial Day.

Canyons is completely different. The lower altitude makes a HUGE difference. And no real bowls or anything like Snowbird or Alta.

 

[thetrailboss]

And if you need photographic evidence to make the decision, feel free to go to my albums HERE.

 

[thetrailboss]

If you decide you don't want to deal with the big detour you'll be driving right by Brian Head. They should still be open then. It's not a big place like the ones you mention. But some people, like myself, prefer the smaller/quieter type places. I would expect a better chance of spring type conditions down there, but you never know what you'll get at any of them in early April.

You'll also be driving by Eagle Point, but they're supposed to close the weekend before, and they're closed on Tuesdays anyway.

Brian Head is an interesting place. It has the highest base elevation of any resort in Utah. And interesting views of the Cedar Breaks. They are still open and got a foot of fresh last night.

 

[jaytrem]

Brian Head is an interesting place. It has the highest base elevation of any resort in Utah. And interesting views of the Cedar Breaks. They are still open and got a foot of fresh last night.

Did you manage to make it down to the 2 southern places this year?

 

[Hawkshot99]

I skied Snowbird and canyons a few weeks ago (as well as PCMR and Powder Mtn).

I personally hated Snowbird, and have no real desire to go back. We skied tons of soft, DEEP snow the day before at Powder Mtn(and 2 days before at Canyons) but The Bird was hard pack and crappy snow. Could not see anything from the flat light and openness. I personally do not love open skiing, as I like having depth perception and objects around me. I have been told that I am crzy for not liking Snowbird, but on of the guys I was with has been there a few times, and every time he has experienced the crappy conditions we had, as well as other friends who have been there.

The day at Canyons was one of the best ski days of my life, and I love that place. Powder Mtn is also AWESOME, and much cheaper than most places out there.

 

[marcski]

Go to Snowbird and Alta. IMHO, they are the best mountains in the area. However, find yourself a local, befriend them and have them show you around because, especially at Alta, a lot of the better terrain/aspects are a bit off the beaten path. Just one of the things that I happen to love about the place.

 

[thetrailboss]

I skied Snowbird and canyons a few weeks ago (as well as PCMR and Powder Mtn).

I personally hated Snowbird, and have no real desire to go back. We skied tons of soft, DEEP snow the day before at Powder Mtn(and 2 days before at Canyons) but The Bird was hard pack and crappy snow. Could not see anything from the flat light and openness. I personally do not love open skiing, as I like having depth perception and objects around me. I have been told that I am crzy for not liking Snowbird, but on of the guys I was with has been there a few times, and every time he has experienced the crappy conditions we had, as well as other friends who have been there.

The day at Canyons was one of the best ski days of my life, and I love that place. Powder Mtn is also AWESOME, and much cheaper than most places out there.

PowMow is cool.

And as for Snowbird, the weather can be a factor, but I would not knock it based on one outing.

 

[thetrailboss]

Did you manage to make it down to the 2 southern places this year?

I've scouted out BH on two business trips down there but not yet skied there. I have not been to Eagle Mountain either.

 

[crank]

Go wherever the snow is best that is all. If spring conditions are all that is on the menu, The Canyons may be best as it is lower. If real snow I think Alta is often better than Snowbird for snow quality.

 

[thetrailboss]

And I just saw your PM on this, skiNEwhere. Just wrote back. Sorry for the delay.

 

[CoolMike]

Snowbird hands down. This place is world-view shattering. An incredible experience. I loved it there. I'd sell a kidney to go back.

 

[Brad J]

I prefer Alta over Snowbird, better snow, more varied terrain, better vibe. will be there until the 8th. I get there the 3 and will post a report. They will be getting sone fresh next week. don't waste your time going to the Canyons this time of year. You will not regret going to Alta.