Salt Lake City

[thaller1]

Hi, I'm heading to Salt Lake in February. Any tips on where to ski and where to stay? I'm definitely planning on skiing Alta... undecided whether to stay in the city or near the ski resort.

Thanks in advance!

:beer:

 

[smootharc]

Stay in the foothills, and you can choose....

.....your canyon each day. But if there's a huge dump, those already up a canyon hang till storm's over, and get a day of freshies (sometimes) before anyone else can get up.

Perhaps a sampling of the "usual Utah suspects" is in order. Don't miss Solitude...it's a gem.

 

[tirolerpeter]

Salt Lake

Hey Thaller 1..I have skied virtually all the SLC area resorts over the last 5 years. My advice is to stay just to the south of Salt Lake in a place like the Best Western Cottonwood Inn. They have great ski/stay deals, and you can buy discount lift tickets that INCLUDE unlimited shuttle busses that go to all the Canyon resorts ($42/day last season). Here is a posting I did on my last trip out there. BTW, I'm planning to move to the area next summer! Check out <skiutah.com> and look at your options.

Salt Lake

Did the JET BLUE thing to SLC ($309 round trip for BOTH) with my buddy on Monday (12/6). Got to ALTA around 9:30 AM Tuesday and it was already snowing hard. By about 2:00 PM there was at least 12 inches on the ground and the drifts were about waist deep. Got lost (visibility about 50 feet) and skied into a gully. Caught a tail on a bump, flipped head over heels backward, went head first into the snow. Nearly "drowned" when I started aspirating snow. Luckily I had lost one ski and managed to backstroke back to the surface. Very scary stuff! By Wednesday AM the snow total was 29" inches at SNOWBIRD. We were literally waist deep in the trees! It was an awesome feeling for us "Easterners." Wind was so intense they never opened the Tram. Took the chair (which ends on the same ridge line as the Tram) and got dropped off into a "white hell." The only direction we were sure of was down. Couldn't see the ground, and every so often the wind simply blew me over. About 300 feet lower, the wind started to blow over us, and we actually were able to really ski again. Finished out the day on the lower lifts and areas. Snow kept coming and we got better and better in the powder. It was literally ski fast, or sink! We took Thursday off as planned. We needed the rest, and nursed our wounds. It amazed us that down in Salt Lake, it was in the 40's and simply raining lightly. Since it also kept snowing all day Thursday, we decided we had to get some "Fat Boys" for the next two days. On Friday we went to Brighton. It was GLORIOUS! The sun had come out, the temps were in the 40's, and the three-day fresh snow total was about 49 inches (on top of a mid mountain snow pack that was already at 75 inches). The powder boards I had rented made my day. I felt like I could fly. They have very little side cut, and you just have to go back to a more traditional style of turning with more emphasis on weighting and unweighting. We were giddy, whooping and yelling as we careened down the steeps (If you haven't experienced it, a Utah Double Black is something to behold!) In no time at all, we were in the trees. I now understand why there are tracks through and between anything wide enough for a human body to fit through. Also, some of the locals were jumping off ridiculous heights. From one of the lifts, we saw a local do at least a 60-foot jump and ski right out of his landing. It was like being in the middle of a Warren Miller Movie. You can (and people do) ski anything that is "inbounds." Trails exist, but only for the tourists. Due to the snow totals and the consequent avalanche danger the "back country gates" were closed. Of course, a couple of bozos didn't listen, and got caught in an avalanche in an area between BRIGHTON and SOLITUDE. Even though his buddy found him, and dug him out, one of the guys didn't make it. We watched the rescue chopper from one of the lifts as we rode up. The entire Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon region sounded like a war zone from the guns and charges they were tossing to break loose the dangers cornices and overloaded slopes. In some cases, the patrol guys just rode up the lift chairs and tossed timed charges into the snow pack as they moved. Brighton has night skiing and they even have lights on some of the steepest slopes and bowls, so we skied until about 6:30 PM. On Saturday we made a bad mistake. Unknown to us, SNOWBIRD had apparently had some sort of "fill up at Sinclair 4 times, and get a Two For One Ticket." Add the incredible amount of snow to beautiful weather, and a lot of people show up. We went back to SNOWBIRD because we hadn't skied Mineral Basin due to the closures on Wednesday. We finally found some lifts that had little or no lines, and still managed to exhaust ourselves by 4 PM. We later spoke with some people who had gone to Solitude, and they had never had a line. Oh well, 3 out of 4 ain't bad. We then went back to our hotel in town, soaked in the hot tub for about a half hour, showered, went to dinner, and then took the “Red-eye” home at midnight. Landed back in “reality” at 5:45 AM and found ourselves home. Needless to say, we are plotting furiously on doing it again. It’s easy for me since I am retired, but my buddy works, and has a fiancé to deal with. I guess I’ll have to find a new “Buddy,” because you just don’t ski in locations and conditions like that by yourself.

PS: My experience with the areas around Park City, is that they are "overly groomed, and overly priced." However, if snow conditions are right (and February should be great!), and you have a car, definitely take a day and ski SNOWBASIN. It is really a beautiful place. Even if they get a snow dump, they do an incredible job opening up the mountain roads. You don't even have to drive the 11 miles or so up the mountain yourself. You can park in large lots just at the edge of the city and take a shuttle bus up to the areas. PM me if you have any additional questions or just want to chat about it.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

You got some nice tips from Triolerpeter. When I went I stayed in Park City. Even though it's a fun town I'll try something else next time. Of the three areas right there I liked The Canyons the best. The only thing I liked at Park City Resorts was the Jupiter Bowl area. Deer Valley was ok. We also skied Snowbird and Alta which were superior to the 3 Park City Mountains. They get alot more snow and have much better terrain.

What week in Feb. are you going? When schools out the 3rd week my crew and I go someplace for that week, but havn't picked for sure yet. I liked to try skiing around Lake Tahoe. I havn't done that yet and have heard good things.

 

[thaller1]

You got some nice tips from Triolerpeter. When I went I stayed in Park City. Even though it's a fun town I'll try something else next time. Of the three areas right there I liked The Canyons the best. The only thing I liked at Park City Resorts was the Jupiter Bowl area. Deer Valley was ok. We also skied Snowbird and Alta which were superior to the 3 Park City Mountains. They get alot more snow and have much better terrain.

What week in Feb. are you going? When schools out the 3rd week my crew and I go someplace for that week, but havn't picked for sure yet. I liked to try skiing around Lake Tahoe. I havn't done that yet and have heard good things.

I'm heading out the first week. No kids so I'm going to try and avoid the holiday week.

Thanks for all the information. I want to make my first trip out west to be as wonderful as possible!

 

[thaller1]

Re: Salt Lake

Hey Thaller 1..I have skied virtually all the SLC area resorts over the last 5 years. My advice is to stay just to the south of Salt Lake in a place like the Best Western Cottonwood Inn. They have great ski/stay deals, and you can buy discount lift tickets that INCLUDE unlimited shuttle busses that go to all the Canyon resorts ($42/day last season). Here is a posting I did on my last trip out there. BTW, I'm planning to move to the area next summer! Check out <skiutah.com> and look at your options.

Salt Lake

Did the JET BLUE thing to SLC ($309 round trip for BOTH) with my buddy on Monday (12/6). Got to ALTA around 9:30 AM Tuesday and it was already snowing hard. By about 2:00 PM there was at least 12 inches on the ground and the drifts were about waist deep. Got lost (visibility about 50 feet) and skied into a gully. Caught a tail on a bump, flipped head over heels backward, went head first into the snow. Nearly "drowned" when I started aspirating snow. Luckily I had lost one ski and managed to backstroke back to the surface. Very scary stuff! By Wednesday AM the snow total was 29" inches at SNOWBIRD. We were literally waist deep in the trees! It was an awesome feeling for us "Easterners." Wind was so intense they never opened the Tram. Took the chair (which ends on the same ridge line as the Tram) and got dropped off into a "white hell." The only direction we were sure of was down. Couldn't see the ground, and every so often the wind simply blew me over. About 300 feet lower, the wind started to blow over us, and we actually were able to really ski again. Finished out the day on the lower lifts and areas. Snow kept coming and we got better and better in the powder. It was literally ski fast, or sink! We took Thursday off as planned. We needed the rest, and nursed our wounds. It amazed us that down in Salt Lake, it was in the 40's and simply raining lightly. Since it also kept snowing all day Thursday, we decided we had to get some "Fat Boys" for the next two days. On Friday we went to Brighton. It was GLORIOUS! The sun had come out, the temps were in the 40's, and the three-day fresh snow total was about 49 inches (on top of a mid mountain snow pack that was already at 75 inches). The powder boards I had rented made my day. I felt like I could fly. They have very little side cut, and you just have to go back to a more traditional style of turning with more emphasis on weighting and unweighting. We were giddy, whooping and yelling as we careened down the steeps (If you haven't experienced it, a Utah Double Black is something to behold!) In no time at all, we were in the trees. I now understand why there are tracks through and between anything wide enough for a human body to fit through. Also, some of the locals were jumping off ridiculous heights. From one of the lifts, we saw a local do at least a 60-foot jump and ski right out of his landing. It was like being in the middle of a Warren Miller Movie. You can (and people do) ski anything that is "inbounds." Trails exist, but only for the tourists. Due to the snow totals and the consequent avalanche danger the "back country gates" were closed. Of course, a couple of bozos didn't listen, and got caught in an avalanche in an area between BRIGHTON and SOLITUDE. Even though his buddy found him, and dug him out, one of the guys didn't make it. We watched the rescue chopper from one of the lifts as we rode up. The entire Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon region sounded like a war zone from the guns and charges they were tossing to break loose the dangers cornices and overloaded slopes. In some cases, the patrol guys just rode up the lift chairs and tossed timed charges into the snow pack as they moved. Brighton has night skiing and they even have lights on some of the steepest slopes and bowls, so we skied until about 6:30 PM. On Saturday we made a bad mistake. Unknown to us, SNOWBIRD had apparently had some sort of "fill up at Sinclair 4 times, and get a Two For One Ticket." Add the incredible amount of snow to beautiful weather, and a lot of people show up. We went back to SNOWBIRD because we hadn't skied Mineral Basin due to the closures on Wednesday. We finally found some lifts that had little or no lines, and still managed to exhaust ourselves by 4 PM. We later spoke with some people who had gone to Solitude, and they had never had a line. Oh well, 3 out of 4 ain't bad. We then went back to our hotel in town, soaked in the hot tub for about a half hour, showered, went to dinner, and then took the “Red-eye” home at midnight. Landed back in “reality” at 5:45 AM and found ourselves home. Needless to say, we are plotting furiously on doing it again. It’s easy for me since I am retired, but my buddy works, and has a fiancé to deal with. I guess I’ll have to find a new “Buddy,” because you just don’t ski in locations and conditions like that by yourself.

PS: My experience with the areas around Park City, is that they are "overly groomed, and overly priced." However, if snow conditions are right (and February should be great!), and you have a car, definitely take a day and ski SNOWBASIN. It is really a beautiful place. Even if they get a snow dump, they do an incredible job opening up the mountain roads. You don't even have to drive the 11 miles or so up the mountain yourself. You can park in large lots just at the edge of the city and take a shuttle bus up to the areas. PM me if you have any additional questions or just want to chat about it.

I'm drooling at the thought of all that snow!

Thank you for all the great information! I took notes and as I have more questions I'll be in touch. I appreciate the offer!

LET IT SNOW!!!!!!!!

 

[Talisman]

If you go out to Utah for a week you really need to go to Solitude and Brighton in addition to Alta and Snowbird. I found great fresh conditions at Solotide and Brighton days after Alta and Snowbird were picked clean. Park City is a fun ski town, but I prefer skiing in Little or Big Cottonwood Canyons. The Park City areas aren't bad, the others were just better in terms of terrain and snow.

 

[blacknblue]

I lived in Park City and Salt Lake City for a year, and I sell ski vacations to the area now, fortunate enough to travel with clients out there 2-3 times a year. :lol: That being said...
If you are a good skier, you will probably want to do the Cottonwood Resorts (Alta and Snowbird in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Solitude and Brighton in Big Cottonwood Canyon). I suggest Solitude on a weekend, and Alta and Snowbird on weekdays. You can still fairly inexpensively in Sandy (suburb at the base of the canyons). You can purchase interchangable lift tickets from the Salt Lake Convention Bureau that are good for all 4 resorts. Check out www.moguls.com if you want some help.
Going over to the Park City resorts (Park City, Deer Valley, The Canyons) is okay, but mostly for intermediates unless you know right where to go. Park City is the party town, though, if you want that.
Another great (and underrated) option is to take a day to go up to Snowbasin, outside Ogden.

 

[Schusseur]

First trip to Snowbird and Alta last March(normally ski in Vermont). Out of luck on the snow - nothing fresh for a week before I got there. Was I bummed? NO WAY. Am now in absolute awe of those 2 places. Even with old snow, had a blowout good time. In various parts of Mineral Basin and Gad valley the wind blows in steady "fresh" snow - just head out and follow some of those traverses. Stayed at the Inn at Snowbird. It was OK. Quiet. Wish there was at least 1 decent evening hangout around. Not really necessary to stay at the resort. The way the sun hits, conditions didn't soften up much til about 10 AM anyway. Park City is more fun, but forget about cross-canyon transport. Next time I would stay in PC, rent a car and hit all the ski areas.