Would Alta be worth a quick trip this weekend?

Quote:

Originally Posted by WC68 

i see they are getting some snow. 

Plane tix are expensive and id be solo. i see they are going to get some snow. I might be able to get a FF ticket.

not looking for expert terrain, just intermediate.  Coming from the east coast and dont see an easier/better option. Its a pipedream at this point...

An intermediate, older skier who started skiing recently who is considering a late season weekend trip to Alta when Supreme is closed for the season.  Nope, not worth the time or the money in my opinion.  Especially given that adjusting to the high altitude takes most flatlanders at least a day or two.  Save up for next season.  Perhaps an early season clinic?

Just left SLC yesterday.  Would love to have been able to stay longer because I have friends who are there right now.  Note that I can handle 10+ inches of powder on the easier black runs at Alta . . . not that well, but well enough to enjoy skiing in flat light during a snowstorm on trails I know already or with a ski buddy.
 

I was at Alta last Friday and it was nice. But as pointed out above, Supreme lift is now closed. It has also been very warm here the last couple days. They're saying 2-4" tonight but other places are showing a rain/snow mix over the next couple of days. If I didn't have a lot going on this weekend I might try to make it up there if they end up getting some new snow, but I would say it's probably not worth a trip from the east coast. It might end up being good, but it seems like a gamble to me.

Alta reported 9" overnight with another 6" - 12" expected by Friday.

Even though Supreme is now closed, there is some fun terrain still open ... for locals, but I'm not sure I would recommend a trip from the East Coast now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WC68 

Thanks. Hadn't researched much and didn't know they had that lift closed. I'm not worried about the altitude. I've been west twice this year with no problems.
One of those days was in fact at WP.
Guess i won't get another day till next season. Maybe I'll go trout fishing instead, weather is nice in NC, a bit chilly this am tho!

Where do you ski in the southeast?  Cataloochee will be open in late Nov/early Dec.  Hopefully other places in NC/VA/WV will have a better start next season.

So what if Supreme's closed?  For an additional $20 there is a little place next door.  
Snowbird has better lodging rates now.

             4 11   2000     30     2    243    .06    .14
             4 11   2100     26     3     93    .06     .2
             4 11   2200     25     4     93    .06    .26
             4 11   2300     26     5     94    .05    .31
             4 11   2400     25     6     95    .07    .38
             4 12    100     25      6     96    .06    .44
             4 12    200     25      7     96    .06     .5
             4 12    300     25      7     96    .05    .55
             4 12    400     24      8     97    .06    .61
             4 12    500     24      9     243   .07    .08
             4 12    600     24     12    243    .1    .18
             4 12    700     24     13    243   .08    .26
             4 12    800     24     13    102   .09    .35
             4 12    900     24      1    102    .08    .43

 14 inches, 24 degrees.  More on the way... Looks pretty good to me.   

Yah, snowbird is open and more on the way. Sounds pretty good to me. 

Yeah, I've been pleasantly surprised with the storm. I'm heading up to Alta either this afternoon or tomorrow morning.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfa81 

is the entire mountain open at snowbird? Still thinking how I'm gonna convince the wife since she is already talking about riding the bikes :-(

Baby Thunder is closed, so Tiger Tail and some of that stuff is closed.   Take the bikes with you?

Yeah, if ever there was an April weekend to do a last-minute trip, this is it. This is the last weekend for many resorts - all 3 Park City, Solitude, Powder Mountain - (according to this list), so even if Alta doesn't have anything to your liking, you have plenty of options (which you won't have after this weekend). Pretty much all the terrain left open at Powder is beginner to lower advanced. I had fun on two inches a week ago, and they've gotten 6 today with more on the way.

DO IT!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfa81 

snowbird got 14" the last 12hrs more 10-20" expected over the weekend... I'm considering driving 6hrs from Idaho and get some fresh snow since we haven't seen snow anywhere here the las 7 days or so...
is the entire mountain open at snowbird? Still thinking how I'm gonna convince the wife since she is already talking about riding the bikes :-(

Gad II lift is closed for the season.  

That is a bummer.

Live vicariously. Send me the money and I'll go skiing for you and send you some gopro video of it.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by WC68 

the only ticket that would work out for me is $1300...YIKES

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfa81 

snowbird got 14" the last 12hrs more 10-20" expected over the weekend... I'm considering driving 6hrs from Idaho and get some fresh snow since we haven't seen snow anywhere here the las 7 days or so...
is the entire mountain open at snowbird? Still thinking how I'm gonna convince the wife since she is already talking about riding the bikes :-(

Peruvian and the tunnel are closed for the season.  Of course, not an issue when the tram is running.  A 6 hour drive would be within my tolerance for a weekend trip.  But that only gets me to Snowshoe in WV, which closed a while ago. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by WC68 

the only ticket that would work out for me is $1300...YIKES

Can you fly Southwest?  Next season you could book a couple long weekends in advance when prices are low in the fall.  Pretty straightforward to cancel and get full credit if needed due to snow conditions or something else.

Might check Delta for a flight if you haven't already.. they emailed me about a fare sale to SLC this weekend. ($200 r/t)

Sounds like you are decided. You could have just given up by now and saved yourself getting your skis, talking to the boss, etc. You know what you want to do. It's stormy and overcast as hell all day, which I presume is equaling snow in the mountains. When was the last time you ever regretted taking a spontaneous weekender to catch some good snow?

I went to Alta for a bit today. Unfortunately I got really sick and was too weak to do much skiing. But it was snowing pretty good the entire time I was there and there was fresh snow everywhere. I know I said before that it wouldn't be worth the trip, but it would be a good idea if you can make it work with the flight and work.

I would go if I could.  17" and still snowing.  No crowds.  Worth the money.  

But it's not worth the damage it would do at home and work, so I can't even dream of it.  

The short answer is:  YES!

This morning at Alta was incredibly fun, with 13" new.  The Cottonwood NWS guys are predicting 8-12" additional between now and noon Sunday.  Amazingly, even the Hi-T did not suck.

Hidden Lake trees at Powder Mountain today:

Too bad Saturday is their last day.

JF