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Snowbird, Utah: July 4, 2011

thetrailboss

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Date(s) Skied: July 4, 2011 :flag:

Resort or Ski Area: Snowbird, UT

Conditions: Spring--Corn

Trip Report: For only the third time in Snowbird's 39 year history, there was skiing on the 4th of July. I could not miss it. Originally, I had hoped to ski on Friday, July 1st (Canada Day, eh?) in part because my wife had to work, but we were both pretty sick still, so I postponed my visit until the 4th because when do you get to ski on the 4th of July?

After reading Snowbird's Blog the night before, I got the message that it was going to be busy so I needed to get there early. Even that did not prepare me. I got up at 6:00am and was on the road at about 6:40. I pulled into the Snowbird Center at 7:05. Man, I love the short commute. Even then the lots were filling fast. :blink:

I booted up and picked the appropriate socks for the day:

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Having already visited Snowbird the week before, finding the locker room and tickets were a breeze. The only regret I had was that none of the shops were open so I could not snag a commemorative shirt before starting for the day:

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I got my ticket and was in line at about 7:20am. By then the line was starting to spill into the plaza. The enthusiasm got me more energized than my coffee on the way up Little Cottonwood Canyon.

At 7:30am they began loading the first tram. I made my way in and watched as they turned away the two guys ahead of me who had store-bought vouchers. Turns out that they were no good for summer skiing and they were directed to the ticket office for the right tickets. I was scanned and waved through to the tram. We crammed in for the ride:

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As we climbed to Hidden Peak, the horizon got darker and more foreboding. For most of the week before we had basked in sunshine and Utah heat, and the day before it hit 100 degrees in SLC. But on the way up to Snowbird I thought it looked a bit darker than normal for that earlier in the morning and feared rain.

The tram operator addressed us as we began the final approach to Hidden Peak. "OK, so as you can see, we have some inclimate weather in the area. Pay attention to the weather. If it thunders or if there is lightning, we close immediately. Go inside. Don't stand on the tram deck because it is steel."

"Go inside where?" I thought. "There are 2,000 acres of land to ski, and much of it is open with no shelter." :blink:

We all piled out of the tram and folks hooted and hollared as they stepped into their bindings. I figured worst case was a run or two before thunderstorms and that would be fine for me. Hell, I had never skied in JULY before!

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Seeing that the cat track down Hidden Peak to Little Cloud was rocks and required walking, I started down Chip's Access to head to Mineral Basin for some recon:

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The run was well groomed corn and did not disappoint, nor did Lupine Loop, but the view across the Basin revealed a dwindling snowpack from the weekend heat:

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That said, there was still almost eight feet of snow in places to enjoy on several hundred acres and some lines were still primo.

Second run was down the other side of Mineral Basin, requiring a walk down the bare cat track:

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Meh, I wore my older boots, so no worries.

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Path to Paradise was narrower than the week before and had some cracks starting to form on the edge. Still, nothing to shake a stick at:

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Having surveyed Mineral Basin, I decided to ski a still firm Regulator Johnson to Little Cloud, which had also lost some snow:

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But I was still all smiles and enjoying the day.

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Regulator Johnson with "Private Parts" exposed (on the right).

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American Twin Fork Peaks:

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Getting up early paid off and let me get in several runs before the lines formed. Yes, summer skiing can be quite popular. As I was hitting runs, the tram was ferrying hundreds of rabid skiers and riders salivating at the chance of making history by skiing the record 202nd day of the season for Snowbird:

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Word came up the lift later in the morning that the line for the tram at the Snowbird Center wound into the plaza and was almost an hour wait. That is to get to the skiing. But being on the first tram gave me the luxury of having plenty of leg room for the first couple hours. Where to go next?

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A run down Road to Provo and Mark Malu made me think that it was time to do some exploring off the groomed stuff.

First run was down a tasty Old Lady's Slide that I had hit twice the weekend before. Sweet corn and bumps:

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thetrailboss

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On that run, my eyes spied a nice line in the Hoopie's Crotch/Gelande Hill area just beyond where I had skied the weekend before. It is just to the looker's left of my head in this picture up high:

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So I had to go find it:

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And find it I did:

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Great pitch and great snow while the masses were hugging the groomed runs:

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And speaking of masses, the lines began to become a problem. This was the 15-20 minute wait at Little Cloud. During this wait, folks were singing patriotic songs to pass the time:

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All the meanwhile salivating at my last line:

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Folks busted out their finest skis for the occasion:

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So off to Mineral Basin I went heading down a bumped up Lone Star to Garske's Face:

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But Mineral Basin was getting discovered as well.

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Did someone say bikinis?

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The downside of the Go-Pro camera system!

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It sprinkled off and on during the day and I was taking my coat on and off accordingly:

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Off toward Baldy I went....

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Looking for Chamonix Bowl Runs I and II. Man, they are steep!

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thetrailboss

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Looking back up at Hidden Peak, elevation 11,000 feet. Note the folks on the tram deck:

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One last look before diving in:

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And away I went.

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Very steep at the top, mellowing out a bit below, and corn all the way.

The guy ahead of me lost edge and slid head first most of the way down it. This is him collecting himself as the peanut gallery high on Baldy cheered and jeered him:

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Still, it tasted good and the line just to looker's left had to be skied:

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So back up I went. By the way, are those hot dogs ready yet?

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Folks kept pouring out of the tram:

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I found myself perched once again above the Chamonix Bowl and this line was a bit narrower but still just as fun:

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As I made my way down, I noticed that both Mineral Basin and Little Cloud were packed. As a single I could get through Mineral Basin pretty fast. The skiing slowed dramatically because of the crowds, but I was able to enjoy the great costumes. Here is Mr. America and Duff Man:

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And I even was able to snag this pic of me and the tram, complete with Old Glory:

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Back down Regulator Johnson and into the Underpass:

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And down to the base where I came face-to-face with my next liftmate, BATMAN:

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He was a nice guy. Yoda and the Jedi were skiing as well:

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After this 20 minute line at Little Cloud, I got to the top and saw that it was getting darker on the horizon:

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So I set out to do the few more runs I could manage before I got too tired or it rained:

I hit Shireen with some other guys who were straightlining it and getting air off Dr. Hip:

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But I cut over to my line on Hoopie's Crotch to enjoy more corn before heading over to Mineral Basin to ski Silver Dipper and then White Diamonds:

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All smiles on my last run in front of Hamilton Cliffs:

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A Killington Refugee?

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I quit at 1pm and caught the tram down. I was able to catch my breath and smile for a great day and a great season!

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Turns out that Guru Dave was right that it was going to be busy, but the resort did not know that it would be this busy. I had to order the 4th of July Shirt because they ran out. The Salt Lake Tribune reported the next day that Snowbird's lots were filled by 7:30 am! So getting there early was the right move. They also reported on this woman who I somehow missed:

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OK, if it does not show up, go to the Tribute Site and look at the photo gallery and you can't miss who I am talking about.

And the local NBC affiliate ran a great story about the day.

What a great way to celebrate the 4th!
 
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thetrailboss

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Effin' lucky bastard!

I think you had a reservation for all of these festivities that you had to cancel. :wink: Oh well, there is always next season! At Christmas time I think a layover in SLC is in order for you! :wink:
 

snowmonster

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I think you had a reservation for all of these festivities that you had to cancel. :wink: Oh well, there is always next season! At Christmas time I think a layover in SLC is in order for you! :wink:

March may be more do-able in SLC as I may have a business trip in that part of the world. I have to maximize face time with family in December-January so I may be travelling straight from the tropics into the office. 20 hours of flying time is no joke.

I'm trying to maximize time at the shore this summer. As much as I love skiing, I fell in love with the ocean first. Back into surfing after a layover for much of my adult life. I've missed that rush.
 
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wa-loaf

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The pics would be better without that dude always sticking his mug in the way. :p
 

snoseek

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You guys are killing me with these late season threads! Two days off since memorial day I have had. 13 more weeks of this shit and I'm back in the west again FINALLY and working considerably less in the winter, if I actually work at all next winter....

Snow looks fine for the fourth. Is it me or is that dude getting off the quad with those girls skiing off WAY too fast. I would have taken my time in the unload area!
 

andrec10

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You guys are killing me with these late season threads! Two days off since memorial day I have had. 13 more weeks of this shit and I'm back in the west again FINALLY and working considerably less in the winter, if I actually work at all next winter....

Snow looks fine for the fourth. Is it me or is that dude getting off the quad with those girls skiing off WAY too fast. I would have taken my time in the unload area!

He did not his wife to see him riding with those chicas! :popcorn:
 

jonhere

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Great pictures. What a unbelievable year last year was at the Bird. Was lucky enough to get to Utah 3 times last year and literally choked on the powder in Mineral Basin it was so deep. Best skiing of my life last year. Here's hoping to an encore year. I'm getting psyched!!!
 
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