Utah from 12-9 to 12-14?

#1

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11/15/09 at 9:01am

Maui Steve
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I'm planning on going skiing that week. first choice is utah for various reasons. However, I've been before when not much terrain was open (anywhere) and it got a bit boring. Forecast says hopefully more snow next Friday. Who knows after that. I know it can change a bunch if they get in a good storm cycle, but I was just wondering if any of the utah locals have any predictions as to how much terrain might be open around then. Given normal snowfall from Friday on as opposed to big dumps which would of course solve the problem.

#2

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11/16/09 at 8:52am

SHREDHEAD
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Your joking, right?

Just a guess. LCC and BCC will have fairly good skiing with some rocks, on limited terrain.

Everywhere else will suck!

#3

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11/16/09 at 9:16am

Maui Steve
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I figured that I'll be skiing Cottonwoods, but just trying to get a feel based on current snow base, how much terrain will be open. I gather that everywhere else will be very limited unless some decent storms arrive in next couple of weeks. I understand it's just a guess.But hopefully an educated guess.

#4

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11/16/09 at 11:51am

Marty
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Here is whatt I see in my Crystal Ball for 12-9 to 12-14.

Alta - will have all lifts open except Supreme.

Snowbird - First to open always is - Gadzoom side. Then Tram with access to Regulator Johnson Only. Then they open Peruvian gulch. I doubt Little Cloud and Mineral basin will open by 12/9.

(BTW I am planning to be there 12/5,6. )

#5

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11/16/09 at 12:18pm

Maui Steve
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That's what I like. Someone with a stake in it. Would be nice to get a few good storms. I went a couple of years ago at similar time. When we got there, very little snow. Then it proceeded to snow about 40 inches. That was the good news. The bad news is that it took them almost until we were gone to open up much new terrain. By the time we left, it was looking pretty good.

#6

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11/16/09 at 12:22pm

tromano
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Quote:

Originally Posted by SHREDHEAD

Just a guess. LCC and BCC will have fairly good skiing with some rocks, on limited terrain.

Everywhere else will suck!

Seems like a good guess. If you want off piste, alta is the best bet at that time.

The reality is that we haven't had any big dumps here in UT this season just a handfull of small storms to just barely start building a base. There isn't much snow on the ground in the wasatch at this time. Hopefully we get a decent dump or two in the next 3 weeks.
Edited by tromano - 11/16/09 at 12:36pm

#7

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11/16/09 at 2:21pm

Tony Crocker
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That time frame is usually OK in the Cottonwoods, but in at least 1/4 of seasons it will be marginal. I recall from prior posts that this is a recurring trip in this time frame for some reason, and since Steve's coming from Hawaii he ought to go where the snow is. Right now that's Whistler. Why not take the sure thing there vs. rolling the dice and hoping Utah gets a big dump in the next 3 weeks? And if the dump comes too close before your trip it won't do you any good because it may take several days to stabilize the snowpack and get the best terrain open.

#8

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11/16/09 at 3:29pm

Maui Steve
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I was thinking of whistler. Seems like there's a hose aimed at them. However, I have a condo in PC and I have some serious time constraints that require me to be in Florida by about 3pm the day I leave whereever I am. Pretty much impossible from west coast. And you're right, I start whining every year about this time worrying about the snow. Seems like it's been a while since utah started strong early. That's probably because I've decided to go there early every year. Could be worse problems to have I suppose.

#9

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11/16/09 at 4:49pm

Tony Crocker
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Alta delayed its scheduled Friday opening http://www.firsttracksonline.com/News/2009/11/16/Alta-Ski-Area-Delays-Opening/

Reinforces the above advice. I'm presuming the business trip in Florida is what brings you to the mainland during this speculative part of the ski season. You have to be really lucky for Park City to be good that early. Hopefully you get to use that condo during the core of the ski season.

Quote:

I start whining every year about this time worrying about the snow.

No place is safe that early. Whistler sucked big time in early December last season, yet it's clearly the place to go this year. The only rational strategy is to make the call as late as possible. It's actually fortunate this year that there is someplace with this much snow in mid-November to make this type of decision easier.

#10

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11/16/09 at 5:02pm

Maui Steve
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Yes, business trip is taking me to Florida. But very tight on time given what I have to do there and a wife and kids who would prefer that I be home during holidays. The only reason I'm staying in PC is that it's free. The drive over to the Cottonwoods is only about 40 minutes. Not a huge deal while on vacation. Not that you can put much stock in it this far out, (but I will anyway) but the latest run of the GFS weather forecast model is much more optimistic for significant snow over next 2 weeks. May be an outlier, but I'm voting on the model run that says what I want.

#11

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11/19/09 at 7:58am

sjcoll
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I'll be there Dec 5 -12, anything can happen between now and then. Whatever the conditions are, it sure beats the alternative....work! I've noticed that whenever Whistler has a down year, like last year, the following year turns out to be epic.

#12

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11/19/09 at 9:21am

Maui Steve
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I agree. Anything beats work. Well. almost anything. This weekend's storm appears to be a bust.Maybe 2-4 inches. Seems to be a recurring theme this November. About 7 days out storm looks substantial for utah and then day after day looks worse. There are some hints of some changes towards end of month, but nothing to hang your hat on yet. For foreseeable future, hose seems to be aimed right at whistler.I saw on their website that they've already had their snowiest November. By the time month is over, they may be doubling their record. weather patterns do change. Hopefully this one will sooner rather than later.

#13

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11/19/09 at 9:43am

tromano
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Maui Steve

I agree. Anything beats work. Well. almost anything. This weekend's storm appears to be a bust.Maybe 2-4 inches. Seems to be a recurring theme this November. About 7 days out storm looks substantial for utah and then day after day looks worse. There are some hints of some changes towards end of month, but nothing to hang your hat on yet. For foreseeable future, hose seems to be aimed right at whistler.I saw on their website that they've already had their snowiest November. By the time month is over, they may be doubling their record. weather patterns do change. Hopefully this one will sooner rather than later.

Same story the last couple of years in the wasatch, November has been very dry and warm and the season hasn't picked up until early to mid december.

#14

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11/19/09 at 10:47am

sjcoll
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On 10/31, Alta received 42" in 24 hrs....one or two of those, and we're good to go. Hey, you never know...

#15

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11/19/09 at 12:43pm

Tony Crocker
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Quote:

hose seems to be aimed right at whistler. I saw on their website that they've already had their snowiest November. By the time month is over, they may be doubling their record.

Rarely in mid-November do you get such a slam dunk signal where to ski in early December. You need to figure out a way to make it happen.

#16

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11/19/09 at 3:47pm

Maui Steve
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You are correct of course. I wish the real world wasn't getting in my way.

#17

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11/20/09 at 9:39am

tromano
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NWS seems to be reviseing predicted totals back up for this weekends storm in LCC.

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/wxtables/index.php?lat=40.58&lon=-111.61
Edited by tromano - 11/20/09 at 9:56am

#18

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11/20/09 at 10:34am

Maui Steve
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Let's hope. The NWS discussion basically says that models are very inconsistent as to what will happen this weekend. They went w/higher one. We'll see what happens. After this weekend, models are pretty bleak for precip for next 2 weeks. Basically, the rockies want to have a big ridge parked over them for foreseeable future. However, there's a bunch of speculation re pattern change in December. For my trip, I have to make decision by Monday. Will look at the tea leaves and animal bones and tarot cards and make a call then. Luckily, I love to work.

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