Christmas Eve at Deer Valley 12/24

Conditions: packed powder over machine made
Weather: twenties, sunny
Gear: Volkl 7 24 Pro skis

Sunday Kevin and I headed up to Deer Valley. We met up with Eric for a gorgeous day of skiing. We caught a little soft in the trees off Sultan before heading across the mountain to Empire.

(Kevin in the trees.)

After lunch in Empire Lodge, we met up with James and Dave and headed up Empire lift. Since it only opened last week, there was still some nice snow left. We had a few nice runs down Empire Bowl before heading out to Daly Bowl. The best snow we found was in the trees off the traverse.


(Me at the top of Empire, looking over Heber.)


(Eric skiing Empire Bowl.)

Another of Deer Valley's well-kept secrets is the apres ski at Snow Park Lodge. On the weekends, there's live music while you enjoy drinks and snacks. Check it out if you're ever up there.

'til next time,
- Jeff

Back to Brighton 12/21

Conditions: packed powder
Weather: twenties, sunny
Gear: K2 Recon Riser snowboard

Today I made it back to Brighton for the first time since opening day. There were a lot fewer people there (go figure!) and so it was pretty nice. The snow has definitely improved -- that last storm really helped.



I spent most of my day riding off Snake Creek and Great Western. There is some really great terrain off both those lifts. The groomers were nice but the stuff in the trees was the best. Runs like Lone Star and Thor are really fun.


(Top of Great Western; Timpanogos and American Fork in the background.)

My pet-peeve-of-the-day: people who smoke on the lift! I'm pretty sure it's not allowed to begin with, but don't invited yourself to ride up with someone else, then light up! Rude!



I hear we may get a little snow tomorrow. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

'til next time,
- Jeff

Deer Valley 12/16-17

Conditions: powder!
Weather: twenties, snowy
Gear: Volkl 7 24 Pro skis

So, we finally got some serious snow this weekend! A storm moved in Friday and it snowed about 2 feet between then and Sunday night. This made for some awesome skiing both Saturday and Sunday!

Saturday I headed up to Deer Valley for a great day of skiing. Cars were already parked out to Lot 5 when I got there, but I didn't see any of the crowd on the slopes. The snow (5" as of the morning report) was wonderful.

Sunday was even better. They were reporting another 10" overnight and it was at least that! If you got off the side of the trail or in the trees, you could easily find knee-deep powder with spots where it was even deeper. This was the best day of the year so far!

I had my first face-plant in a long time on Sunday afternoon. It was my last run of the day and started down Success then veered off under the Silver Lake Express lift. There's a nice little pitch there that had only 3 sets of tracks. I was making some nice turns and even caught a little air off the cat track. But right where the hill leveled off and merged with Solid Muldoon, the powder got really deep and my skis stopped cold! Both rear bindings ejected simultaneously and I went face first in the snow. I wound up with my goggles around my mouth and a helmet full of snow! But it was totally worth it! And I'm sure the folks on that chair got a good laugh.

Sorry no pics. On account of the cloudy, snowy weather, I didn't take my camera. But I'll get some shots for you next time I go.

'til next time,
- Jeff

Solitude 12/9

[Sorry ... coupla days behind. I'll get caught up soon. I promise!]

Conditions: packed powder
Weather: sunny, chilly
Gear: Volkl 7 24 Pro skis

Went up to Solitude on Saturday. It was a beautiful day. As usual, Solitude wasn't crowded at all. And the snow was nice, though we could use a little more.

It had been a few years since I had skied Solitude. I used to have a pass there during grad school, but haven't skied there much since then. There is some really nice terrain, especially off the Summit lift.

The terrain in Honeycomb Canyon is also awesome. They didn't have the lift back there last time I was there and it's a welcome addition. That cat track out of there used to be torture on a snowboard! It still takes a few lifts (Sunrise and Summit or the *looonnnggggg* Powderhorn) to make laps in Honeycomb, but it's really worth it.

(Honeycomb Canyon from the top of Summit lift.)

One thing I realized was how spoiled I've become! The last few years I've done most of my skiing and riding at the Park City resorts: Park City and Deer Valley. Almost all the lifts at those resorts are high-speed lifts. Unfortunately, Solitude only has the one high-speed quad and there's so much great terrain that it doesn't service. It means spending a lot of time riding the slower lifts. But your reward is that you usually have the resort to yourself. Tradeoffs! :)

'til next time,

- Jeff

Snowbird 12/5

Conditions: packed powder
Weather: sunny, pleasant (20s)
Gear: K2 Recon Riser snowboard

Today I made it to Snowbird for the first time in years. The weather was nice, the conditions were decent, and the crowds were non-existant.

(Two views of Mineral Basin.)

I spent most of my time on the Gad Valley side of the mountain, making runs off GadZoom and Gad2. But I did venture over to the tram for a run down Regulator.


(Salt Lake City from Hidden Peak.)

There's definitely some great terrain on this mountain, but they could use a little more snow to cover some of the rocks. I think I'll wait to go back until they get the new Peruvian Quad open.

'til next time.
- Jeff

Deer Valley 12/2

Conditions: packed powder
Weather: sunny, low teens (COLD!)
Gear: Volkl 7 24 Pro skis

Saturday, Deer Valley opened for the 2006-07 ski season! The skies were a beautiful blue and the snow wasn't too bad. As always, it was a good day to be out.



(Me. Atop Bald Mtn.)

I tried to hit each of the runs that was open. This included Birdseye off of both Wasatch Express and the newly upgraded Sterling Express (It used to be a SLOW triple. Hooray for the upgrade!)


(Riding up Wasatch Express.)

I then headed down the scenic Sunset to try Ontario off of Quincy Express. It's a bummer they don't have more open over there, but they were working on it and promised to have more (hopefully Northside Express) in the next day or two.


(View from Sunset.)

After a hearty lunch of Deer Valley signature turkey chili (yum) I made a few runs with a friend who is a ski school supervisor. We did Birdseye again before heading back to Bald Eagle Mountain and making a few runs off Carpenter Express. Big Stick was a little slick where it gets real trafficed, but Success was in nice shape.


(Looking out over Park City to the north.)

As I mentioned, snowmaking was in progress and it looked like Deer Valley would have much more terrain open soon. I can't wait!

'til next time,
- Jeff

PS Remember, Deer Valley only allows skiing -- take your snowboards to Park City.