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Utah Snow

post #1 of 49
2/21/07 at 8:15pm
Thread Starter 
So what do the next few weeks hold... is there still some hope for some big Utah DUMPS this winter????

I am heading out in a few weeks .... staying near Snowbasin & Powder at Wolf Creek

what say ye????
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post #2 of 49
2/21/07 at 9:13pm
From this afternoon's Cottonwoods forecast:

"A cold Pacific trough will approach from the west. The surface cold front will most likely arrive Friday morning between 5am and 9am. Some snow will develop over the area ahead of the front but the heaviest snow will be after the front passes and the winds switch to northwest. Storm totals by Saturday morning will likely be 12-18 inches with around 1 inch of SWE in the Cottonwoods."

And: "Another storm possible late Sat/Sun."

I think the tide has definitely turned.
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post #3 of 49
2/21/07 at 9:30pm
I booked my trip to SLC last night and I'll be arriving Thursday afternoon.

What do you think is the best game plan for getting the most powder and least crowds? I'll be skiing Friday-Monday.

I have never been to Snowbasin or Powder Mtn so I was thinking of heading out there for at least a day. Will they get nearly as much snow as the cottonwoods? How are the crowds on the weekend? Should I hit Solitude or Brighton to avoid the crowds on Saturday or will the lines at Alta be worth it?

I'm most concerned with getting to ski some quality powder. If its worth fighting the crowds I'll do it.

Also, can anyone tell me what the drive to Snowbasin is like. I probalby won't have 4wd. Also, should I avoid driving up cottonwood canyon on Friday morning if I expect to drive back down Friday afternoon? Do you think the road will be clear by Saturday morning?

I guess thats enough questions. Thanks in advance for your help/suggestions.

Mike
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post #4 of 49
2/22/07 at 7:02am
Just got back from Utah (Feb 13th-20th)...skied Alta, Snowbird, Solitude and Powder Mtn. Alta and Snowbird by far had the best conditions, Solitude the worst (frontside Mtn snow depths were low however was able to mine some nice pow shots in Honeycomb Canyon.)

At the beginning of the trip powder was somewhat heavy and in places wind loaded, however we were able to ski, for the most part, untracked snow.

Monday (19th) we skied knee deep blower pow at Alta...awesome!

More snow on the way tonight through tomorrow according to reports...I believe the tide has turned!
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post #5 of 49
2/22/07 at 7:31am
Tomorrow's (Friday's) storm is comming in on a northwest flow, which favors Big and Little Cottonwood, so they (especially Alta) will probably get more snow than the other places. The last storm supposedly only dropped 9" at Alta and it was mind-blowing. This storm is supposed to drop up to 18", so I'll let you draw your own conclusions. Solitude will surely be less crowded than Alta/Bird, but then again they will be less crowded the next day and the next day and the next day. I'd save the Ogden areas for next week, if at all. Personally, I will be at Alta - but it helps a lot if you are familiar with the area, crowds and openings. I can pm you with a rough game-plan but there's no way I'd post something like that on the internet for everyone to read. As for the drive - unless the storm sticks around longer than expected (which it may very well do) Saturday morning should be ok, but Friday afternoon/evening may get pretty scarey especially without 4WD/AWD. Of course, you could just drive up Friday morning and get caught in an all-night interlodge - then you won't have to worry about driving back down or back up on Saturday!
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post #6 of 49
2/22/07 at 3:47pm
Tomorrow and tomorrow night look big. I also saw a forecast that is calling for snow like 7 of the next 10 days or something. March tends to be the best snow month.
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post #7 of 49
2/22/07 at 3:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sjcoll View Post
Monday (19th) we skied knee deep blower pow at Alta...awesome!
Yeah, that sucked.















Like not at all!!!

And, I've got the day off tomorrow!!!
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post #8 of 49
2/22/07 at 4:38pm
This is Powdergeddon!!

"And the stars of Heaven fell unto the Earth,
even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs
when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
And the Heavens departed as a scroll
when it is rolled together,
and every mountain and island
were moved out of their places."

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc/snow/mtnwx/mtnForecast.php

The Great Day of Wrath is comming!
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post #9 of 49
2/22/07 at 4:41pm
TAKE THE BUS. I wouldn't drive those roads in anything but a 4wd. You can park at the lot for Big and Little cc and hop on the bus. As far as Snowbasin and Powder, you have to drive. Got caught in a nasty storm coming back from Snowbasin. Very ugly. Zero crowds at either, especialy Powder Mtn.
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post #10 of 49
2/22/07 at 5:47pm
hate to be the bearer of bad news but pow mtn is not the place to go late in the season, it has a lower elevation, not the greatest exposure, and mostly not that steep and gets baked by the sun. last year i skied Now, and it was sloppy, warm and slow. my buddies skied it yesterday and it had some nice pow after mondays storm in the am then in the afternoon turned sloppy. today i skied The Canyons and the conditions were not the sweet crisp snow that i crave and almost always find readily available in the cottonwood canyons. I am not sure if it is lower elevation or what, bu the Park City resort have never been up to snuff when I've been there. I am sure they ski fine in a storm or during the mid-winter, but the sun it getting high and it is making a difference.

i've always had very good snow this week, but have missed the good storms last few years, looks like i will get my due. Tomorrow, I'll throw the goggles on and "let gravity be my guide". I love skiing in a storm as long as I know my way around and it is dumping enough to soften the moguls.

so plan for next two days, one day alta one day snowbird, what could be better? two days snowbird!!!!
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post #11 of 49
2/22/07 at 6:39pm
Does the SLC airport operate on schedule during these storms??
We fly into SLC at noon next Wednesday. Forecast is showing a strong system in the area on that day.
Can I relax??
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post #12 of 49
2/22/07 at 7:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sjcoll View Post
Just got back from Utah (Feb 13th-20th)...skied Alta, Snowbird, Solitude and Powder Mtn. Alta and Snowbird by far had the best conditions, Solitude the worst (frontside Mtn snow depths were low however was able to mine some nice pow shots in Honeycomb Canyon.)

At the beginning of the trip powder was somewhat heavy and in places wind loaded, however we were able to ski, for the most part, untracked snow.

Monday (19th) we skied knee deep blower pow at Alta...awesome!

More snow on the way tonight through tomorrow according to reports...I believe the tide has turned!
i was at solitude sunday before prez day and honeycomb canyone sun exposed side had very shitty coverage while the back side furthest from front had good covergae except snow was kinda crusty
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post #13 of 49
2/22/07 at 7:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sugaree View Post
Does the SLC airport operate on schedule during these storms??
We fly into SLC at noon next Wednesday. Forecast is showing a strong system in the area on that day.
Can I relax??
your plane SHOULD be fine i'm not sure about this storm but it mite be like rain in SLC and snow in mountains since it is a strong pacific system if thats the case your plane will definatly land because rain is usually no problem enless it is very heavy and accompanied by strong wind...
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post #14 of 49
2/22/07 at 7:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by eyeski View Post
TAKE THE BUS. I wouldn't drive those roads in anything but a 4wd. You can park at the lot for Big and Little cc and hop on the bus. As far as Snowbasin and Powder, you have to drive. Got caught in a nasty storm coming back from Snowbasin. Very ugly. Zero crowds at either, especialy Powder Mtn.
on prez day sheriffs were parked just past the LCC park n ride and giing people $500 tickets if you were drving somethign that didn't have 4wd or chains this was after the 10" lcc got sunday nite and monday morning, i took the bus that day, it WAS crowded but it was also prez day so understandable but suprisingly on mountain it wasn't crowded only bus was, basically if u go thru expert gates at any resorts you will find lots of stuff to enjoy...eg snowbird the main spine that the tram kinda goes up has gates at very top just off the tram there are very nice chutes going into peruvian and then some very nice chutes further going into gad valley, on powder days those chutes are AMAZING, also try bookend in MB after the prez day storm they opened the bookends the next day and it was powder turns on a SUNNY day which was amazing...
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post #15 of 49
2/22/07 at 7:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jer View Post
Tomorrow's (Friday's) storm is comming in on a northwest flow, which favors Big and Little Cottonwood, so they (especially Alta) will probably get more snow than the other places. The last storm supposedly only dropped 9" at Alta and it was mind-blowing. This storm is supposed to drop up to 18", so I'll let you draw your own conclusions. Solitude will surely be less crowded than Alta/Bird, but then again they will be less crowded the next day and the next day and the next day. I'd save the Ogden areas for next week, if at all. Personally, I will be at Alta - but it helps a lot if you are familiar with the area, crowds and openings. I can pm you with a rough game-plan but there's no way I'd post something like that on the internet for everyone to read. As for the drive - unless the storm sticks around longer than expected (which it may very well do) Saturday morning should be ok, but Friday afternoon/evening may get pretty scarey especially without 4WD/AWD. Of course, you could just drive up Friday morning and get caught in an all-night interlodge - then you won't have to worry about driving back down or back up on Saturday!
Looks like I'll head to Alta on Friday. I'll probably park at the bottom of little cottonwood and take the bus up to Alta. What are the chances of getting stuck there for the night?

As for the rest of the weekend I guess I'll wait and see.

Thanks,

Mike
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post #16 of 49
2/22/07 at 8:21pm
Jeez, from the stories I'm hearing about Monday, it was totally epic- possibly historic. As good as it gets. Too bad I was on an Idaho freeway looking at the backside of a potato truck. The weather map looks like the perfect storm is upon us tonight, but nothing yet- just dark clouds and high winds.
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post #17 of 49
2/23/07 at 4:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnowbirdDevotee View Post
so plan for next two days, one day alta one day snowbird, what could be better? two days snowbird!!!!
So...if two days at Snowbird are better than one day at Alta, and one at the Bird...why are you skiing Alta? :
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post #18 of 49
2/23/07 at 4:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mvppsu View Post
What are the chances of getting stuck there for the night?
Not that great unless something goofy happens on the road (crash, slide off, avalanche, etc). If they are going to do mid day avy control on the road, they will post it on the white boards at the bottom of each lift.

Don't stress it. I've never gotten stuck, and only come close a couple of times (knock on wood).
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post #19 of 49
2/23/07 at 5:26am
Geez, I am thrilled with these storms rolling into Utah.

Not only snow predicted but cold temperatures, too.

Looks like my first impression of Utah skiing is going to be a good one.
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post #20 of 49
2/23/07 at 6:22am
Suger, looking good. It started after midnight. There's 3.5 inches in my driveway. I'm just a bit higher than the PCMR base, so there will be double that up top. It's snowing steadily, and the report is for it to keep up all day and night. Another storm is scheduled for Saturday night :http://alta.com/pages/report.php

I'll go up and do some more research.
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post #21 of 49
2/23/07 at 6:50am
I read a report last night, I think at the Snowbird web site, and it said Tuesday into Wednesday an even stronger system will be in place.
Being from the East (Maine) I am hoping to learn my powder turns quickly.
I think I can handle it!!
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post #22 of 49
2/23/07 at 6:54am
Here's a couple of tidbits from the avie report....

Quote:
Heavy snowfall started falling around 4am and has been snowing in the 3 inch an hour range for the past couple of hours!! Snowbird had 6 inches already at 6 am in the village.
Quote:
Snow is falling and will continue for most of the day before tapering off this evening some time. Most mountain locations in northern Utah should see 6 to 12 inches of snow and areas favored by a northwest flow could be into the 16 to 20 inch range by the time it’s finished. Up to an inch of water weight or a bit better could be added to the snowpack. We’ll see a break for Saturday which has me quite concerned that this will entice people into dangerous areas. I would not be surprised to see another avalanche fatality on Saturday. PEOPLE……try your best to control your hunger for fresh snow. Another fairly decent storm is expected Sunday.
The Scary part there is mainly directed at Back country skiers.
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post #23 of 49
2/23/07 at 7:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lonnie View Post
Not that great unless something goofy happens on the road (crash, slide off, avalanche, etc). If they are going to do mid day avy control on the road, they will post it on the white boards at the bottom of each lift.

Don't stress it. I've never gotten stuck, and only come close a couple of times (knock on wood).

I got stuck at snowbird last year during a heavy spring storm. It was great! Spent the night on a hide-a-bed in the hallway of the cliff lodge. They didn't open the road until about noon the next day. We had the entire mountain ski out by then. A day I won't forget anytime soon. Was anyone else there?
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post #24 of 49
2/23/07 at 7:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dinidar524 View Post
I got stuck at snowbird last year during a heavy spring storm. It was great! Spent the night on a hide-a-bed in the hallway of the cliff lodge. They didn't open the road until about noon the next day. We had the entire mountain ski out by then. A day I won't forget anytime soon. Was anyone else there?
Was that the day the avalanche came across the road?
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post #25 of 49
2/23/07 at 1:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sugaree View Post
I read a report last night, I think at the Snowbird web site, and it said Tuesday into Wednesday an even stronger system will be in place.
Being from the East (Maine) I am hoping to learn my powder turns quickly.
I think I can handle it!!
The snow's so light you don't even notice it. You'll feel like you're on groomers back east, except for that floaty feeling, that and all that snow in your face. Have fun.
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post #26 of 49
2/23/07 at 1:22pm
Well, we had good snow today (PCMR), as much as a foot up high in places. Pretty great stuff- no hit bottom in the back bowls, and five inches of fluff on the groomers. Light and dry, 'jes like we like it.
Suger- Do rent some fatties. I heard great things about Volkl Auras today.
PS. It's been snowing all day, heavy at times at the higher altitudes, and is expected to continue. strong winds at ridgetop, lots of blowing in and drifting. Should be good tomorrow. Cottonwoods will be swell.
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post #27 of 49
2/23/07 at 2:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lonnie View Post
Was that the day the avalanche came across the road?
I think there where actually a few avalanches that came across the road that day. In fact, I remember hearing about a car or two being swept off the road in one of those avalanches.
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post #28 of 49
2/23/07 at 4:04pm
I remember that day. I was down canyon

Anyway, today was very nice. Not the blower stuff we had on monday, but nice none-the-less. It was NUKING when we left about 2:30-3:00 We didn't want to fiddle with the road, which was in great shape given how much it snowed today. Good job UDOT.

Tomorrow will be nice, but a madhouse...

L
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post #29 of 49
2/23/07 at 4:48pm
Well, after snowing steadily for 15 hours, sometimes light, sometimes heavy, It broke for an hour or so and now it's officially nuking in Park City.
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post #30 of 49
2/23/07 at 4:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sjcoll View Post
So...if two days at Snowbird are better than one day at Alta, and one at the Bird...why are you skiing Alta? :
have to go with the group concensus, i'm sure my day tomorrow at alta will be just fine, but i can look forward to TONS of runout and the bogus sugarloaf lift, teacups instead of bowls, big rutty traverses, and "glamorous" hiking.

god bless america - lift ticket was $50 at my hotel desk, superpass, La Quinta, MidVale. Yesterday I paid $69 for $39 worth of skiing at The Canyons, showed up at 1:30 from morning flight.

It was wicked up there today, at snowbird, esp on the top half of the mountain, i was suprised by how even the snowfall was all the way down to the bottom of the mountain. skiing was mostly chopped up, but later, because visibility at the top of mineral basin was so awful, the slopes filled in for some real powder skiing feeling.
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