Utah: Too Early to be Sure?

[KingM]

It's looking like I'll be in Utah from December 10-17. I know that the ski season gets an earlier start some places out west, but I'm still wondering if it might not be too early in the season to be assured of good conditions. The friend I'll be visiting usually skis Brighton or Snowbird. Anyone have any early-season experience at either of these places?

(And yes, the obviously solution is to push my trip a few days or a few weeks, but for various reasons, anything past December 17 is 100% impossible for me this year)

 

[prisnah]

You'll be fine....here's a link for month by month average snowfall totals for utah ski resorts:
http://www.utah.com/ski/snowfall.htm

 

[L2RAFO]

Obviously, it's different every season, but I'd be surprised if you didn't find some decent turns by then. Clearly the terrain at the 'Bird takes more snow to cover, and access than some of the other areas, so I probably wouldn't feel real confident about taking my latest greatest into the Great Scott stuff unless they get an extaordinary start. That said, your friend will be able to steer you to some early goodness.

 

[JimG.]

Utah is a good choice for early season.

I've personally flown out there for powder turns because the skiing here in the east was non-existant...and that was in late November.

 

[dmc]

The only potential issue is lack of snow depth that the pow lays on..

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Bring your rock skis

 

[SkiDog]

There better be enough snow...I just blew a TON of cash on my alta/bird pass...

M

 

[kingslug]

The only potential issue is lack of snow depth that the pow lays on..

Can you say.........scree.

 

[tirolerpeter]

Utah Early?

It's looking like I'll be in Utah from December 10-17. I know that the ski season gets an earlier start some places out west, but I'm still wondering if it might not be too early in the season to be assured of good conditions. The friend I'll be visiting usually skis Brighton or Snowbird. Anyone have any early-season experience at either of these places?

(And yes, the obviously solution is to push my trip a few days or a few weeks, but for various reasons, anything past December 17 is 100% impossible for me this year)

Last year (06) my son and I flew out to Utah at the very end of November. While there were some limitations as to terrain, we had good conditions at Snowbird and Brighton and we had plenty of stuff to ski. In fact, we actually had some pretty good tree skiing at Brighton despite their "low snow" fall.

 

[Marc]

There better be enough snow...I just blew a TON of cash on my alta/bird pass...

M

Yeah, sounds like you've got it rough. I don't know how you manage dude. I pity you.

 

[L2RAFO]

There better be enough snow...I just blew a TON of cash on my alta/bird pass...

M

To beat another cliche' about the neck, and shoulders, "What Price Heaven?".

 

[darent]

It's looking like I'll be in Utah from December 10-17. I know that the ski season gets an earlier start some places out west, but I'm still wondering if it might not be too early in the season to be assured of good conditions. The friend I'll be visiting usually skis Brighton or Snowbird. Anyone have any early-season experience at either of these places?

(And yes, the obviously solution is to push my trip a few days or a few weeks, but for various reasons, anything past December 17 is 100% impossible for me this year)

went to utah last year at that time,snowbird was OK, not great but I had a good time, It was a low snow year,went in2004 and had tons of snow. plus it snowed while we were there.I have gone to utah four times in mid december and had great conditions three times and one OK.

 

[tirolerpeter]

Such compassion!

Yeah, sounds like you've got it rough. I don't know how you manage dude. I pity you.

SkiDog is not the only one who has already bought his Alta-Bird season pass. Spread that pity around. Or better yet, come out and visit us as we struggle with The Greatest Snow On Earth!

 

[First Tracks]

Things are generally in full swing by that time. Bring on La Nina! But if times are lean, consider Alta instead. Kingslug is right -- Snowbird is one heinously rocky hill and Alta requires about 50% less base to be truly skiable.

If your friend knows the mountains well he'll steer you right. Just don't make silly visitor mistakes like flying through the Ho Chi Minh Trail (the Mid-Cirque Traverse at Snowbird) if snow is lean and prevailing winds have been from the west, etc. In fact, be mindful of sun and wind patterns and choose your runs accordingly. Also, Peruvian Cirque tends to hold more snow than Gad Valley.

I'm rambling, but you can be reasonably confident of good turns.

 

[SkiDog]

To beat another cliche' about the neck, and shoulders, "What Price Heaven?".

WOW......it was $1399.00

M

 

[SkiDog]

Things are generally in full swing by that time. Bring on La Nina! But if times are lean, consider Alta instead. Kingslug is right -- Snowbird is one heinously rocky hill and Alta requires about 50% less base to be truly skiable.

If your friend knows the mountains well he'll steer you right. Just don't make silly visitor mistakes like flying through the Ho Chi Minh Trail (the Mid-Cirque Traverse at Snowbird) if snow is lean and prevailing winds have been from the west, etc. In fact, be mindful of sun and wind patterns and choose your runs accordingly. Also, Peruvian Cirque tends to hold more snow than Gad Valley.

I'm rambling, but you can be reasonably confident of good turns.

Yeah youre rambling..... ;-)

M

 

[First Tracks]

Yeah youre rambling..... ;-)

M

Yeah, well whaddaya want? It was late.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Things are generally in full swing by that time. Bring on La Nina! But if times are lean, consider Alta instead. Kingslug is right -- Snowbird is one heinously rocky hill and Alta requires about 50% less base to be truly skiable.

If your friend knows the mountains well he'll steer you right. Just don't make silly visitor mistakes like flying through the Ho Chi Minh Trail (the Mid-Cirque Traverse at Snowbird) if snow is lean and prevailing winds have been from the west, etc. In fact, be mindful of sun and wind patterns and choose your runs accordingly. Also, Peruvian Cirque tends to hold more snow than Gad Valley.

I'm rambling, but you can be reasonably confident of good turns.

Hi Marc..I didn't know you posted on here...remember me from Skivt-l??? And also the First Tracks online chat..well maybe I'll see you and Marc in Utah this season..

 

[First Tracks]

Hi Marc..I didn't know you posted on here...remember me from Skivt-l???

You're going to have to help me a bit, for I sure don't recognize your handle here.

I post here occasionally. Greg runs a quality operation and its deserving of support.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

You're going to have to help me a bit, for I sure don't recognize your handle here.

I post here occasionally. Greg runs a quality operation and its deserving of support.

Doogie..aka the man who invented the term whose...lol