Snowbird 6/20

[updated 6/22 with photos]

OK -- maybe *one* more day! :)

So I was pretty sure that my season was over after snowboarding on May 3. But Snowbird kept extending their season and I couldn't resist the urge to get in just one more day. So, with the a/c cranked in the car, I headed up to the 'bird for a few runs.

You know it's going to be a good day when you need the a/c for the drive to the ski hill!


(View from the top of Mineral Basin Express.)

Snowbird still has the tram, Mineral Basin Express, and Little Cloud lifts open. And it wasn't crowded at all -- there were more sight-seers in the tram than skiers.


(Me.)

The snow is about what you'd expect for late spring skiing -- very soft and sticky. Pretty dirty. Definitely a day for the rock skis. Not "good skiing" but rather "good to be skiing". But you can't complain when skiing in June.


(Don't forget your rock skis!)

And it was pretty nice to ski in just a t-shirt.


(On the top.)

I gave up about 1:30. As I headed to the parking lot, it was 73 degrees! And it was 94 as I drove through Salt Lake City on my way home. Crazy! Days like this you should be water skiing, not snow skiing.

With today, that brings my total to 54 days of skiing this season (a record for me). It's also the longest lift-served season I've ever had -- my first day was October 15 at A-Basin and my last June 20. That's over eight months! I've actually hiked in July and September making August the only month I've not been on snow. Maybe I shouldn't put my skis away yet... :)


(Salt Lake viewed from the top of the tram.)

Sunday 6/22 is officially closing day at Snowbird. If you go, don't forget the sunscreen and drink plenty of water. Enjoy!

'til later,
- Jeff

Snowbird 5/3

Winter just refuses to go away! Thursday May 1 Snowbird received 23" of snow! That's a lot for May!

Saturday I headed up for one last day of spring skiing. Conditions were awesome. It sounded a little icy on the front side, so we headed straight for the tunnel and Mineral Basin. The snow back there was a little crunchy but softened up quickly.


(Salt Lake City from Snowbird.)

After a bunch of runs on the back side, we stopped for a quick snack, then decided to ski the front. By the afternoon, things were nice and soft everywhere, but not too slow or sticky. Just about perfect.


(The ridge over to the tram.)

Later in the afternoon, we hiked up Baldy but were greeted by a rope telling us the chutes were closed. Shoot! Oh well, I'll have to hike up sometime this summer and ski them then. :)


(Bummer.)

Anyhow. Not bad at all for skiing in May. The coverage was incredible -- no bare spots at all. And most of the mountain was still open. It looks like they will go to weekends only but be open into June if you want to go. Check out www.snowbird.com.

'til later,
- 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