Sunday, July 20, 2014

Late Spring at Snowbird

When Deer Valley closed, I had skied 126 days out of the 128 the resort was open (I had to sit out two days because of an injury).  Most people had already written off skiing for the year, saying they were "over it."  I was not.   In fact, I got a spring pass at Snowbird and kept after it.

Looking down Little Cottonwood Canyon toward the southern end of the Salt Lake City metro area on my first day at Snowbird--a powder day!


Mount Superior

Looking over Mineral Basin

Mineral Basin

Mineral Basin

Mineral Basin

Bookends Traverse

Bookends Traverse

Mineral Basin


Snow blowing off the ridge above Mineral Basin


Hilary Step

Mount Timpanogos from Mineral Basin

After enjoying a little powder in Mineral Basin, I got lucky and followed ski patrol through a gate right after they opened up this area.  Those are my tracks still by themselves  on the far right. 

Mount Superior


Cirque Traverse

Moon rising into the bluebird sky

Scouting Mount Superior from Snowbird

Not a bad backdrop for enjoying some beverages

Waiting for the crew to get to the top: Superior reflecting in the goggles

Goggle reflection capturing somebody falling after getting off the lift.  Good times.

Not really visible here, but ski patrol was blasting on top of that mountain

Trey enjoying a light powder day under the bluest skies I've ever seen



Thursday, July 17, 2014

Après Ski Moose

During one lesson at Deer Valley, we spotted a couple of moose relaxing in the shade of one of the houses on the mountain.

Après Ski Moose skiing the difference

We hiked up the "PC Hill" at night to take in the view

Deer Valley from Silver Lake Express

Park City Sunset

I am passed my Level 1 Certification exam--guess that means I'm doing this again this coming winter

Looking up at Champion from Snow Park Lodge at Deer Valley before the start of another work day

Park City Mountain Resort at sunset

At the end of the season instructor party, one of the instructors (a classically trained clown), promised free drinks for the rest of the night to anyone who could blow up one of his special clown balloons.  Eugene surprised everyone and earned the right to drink for free.

Jordanelle Reservoir


View from one of the peaks at the Canyons Resort

View from the Canyons Resort

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Park City Mountain Resort

Over the course of the winter, I skied at Park City Mountain Resort three or four times.  It has a lift that loads from downtown Park City, so you can grab lunch in town.  It also has some pretty extreme terrain to play in when the snow is good.


Park City from the Town Lift

Park City from the Town Lift

Looking west toward Mount Timpanogos

Hiking up Jupiter Peak

Looking north toward the Canyons Resort

Looking back up to the top of Jupiter Peak after skiing down one of the chutes



Thursday, July 10, 2014

Alta Ski Area

Alta is probably the most well-known ski area in Utah, and it was at the top of my hit list for the winter.   Eventually I made it over to Alta with a couple of friends from Deer Valley.  We didn't have any new snow when we were there, but the terrain is rugged and the views are beautiful.

Waiting for the lifts to open at Alta with Mount Superior catching the early morning sun

Mount Superior from the slopes


High Traverse with Bald Mountain in the background

If you ski the other side of Bald Mountain, 





Mount Superior

Looking over into Snowbird's Mineral Basin with Mount Timpanogos in the background


Mount Superior

Scouting lines



Mount Timpanogos


Alta Crew