It may have taken Snowbird 20 years to get and open their new Summit at Snowbird Lodge but let the flood gates fly. Two new lifts, a gondola and the highest-elevated zip lines in North America are all on tap for the Little Cottonwood Canyon Resort. The Utah County Board of Adjustment has approved the resort’s expansion plans into American Fork Canyon.
It won’t happen immediately. There are water studies that need to be done over the next two years before construction begins on Snowbird’s private property that borders Mineral Basin. Water was the County’s biggest concern but according to Snowbird’s release, “all environmental conditions required under Utah County code were met or exceeded by Snowbird’s plan for operational expansion into upper American Fork Canyon.”
They will monitor the water to determine a baseline of quality standards in order to compare future water quality measurements against the current levels. They will submit quarterly reports to Utah County agencies for independent review.
Once they complete the studies, Snowbird hits it hard with two new chairlifts along the southern boundary of their current terrain. Mineral Basin Express will be upgraded to increase rider capacity. One of the new chairlifts in Mary Ellen Gulch will provide access to Sunday Saddle, which borders both Mary Ellen Gulch and Mineral Basin. A gondola will stretch from Hidden Peak to Mary Ellen Gulch and the gondola will also support a zip line system,
“We’re very excited about the permit approval from the Utah County Board of Adjustment, the new lifts planned for Mineral Basin and Mary Ellen Gulch will greatly expand the year-round recreational opportunities at Snowbird,” said Bob Bonar, President and CEO of Snowbird. “We have over 45 years of proven stewardship in Little Cottonwood Canyon, the same balance, protection and in some cases recovery of the environment will be practiced in Mary Ellen Gulch.”
Personally, I can’t wait to dive into Mary Ellen. Snowbird has had the area open to snowmobile and backcountry tours for years but now we won’t have to work so hard to experience that wonderful bowl. Yes, I’m a slacker.
Two more days. That’s what I need to reach my annual (average) goal of 60 days of skiing. I’m close yet I still can’t believe that 1) I’ve skied that many days in the first place (given the decent yet less than consistent snow conditions) and 2) the season will be over for Parkites this Sunday. Another week and only Snowbird and Alta will be left standing. Snowbird says they’ll operate Fri-Sun beginning May 9 but if these 60-degree days continue and they get rained on, that could be a pipedream.
Our 2015/16 ski season is almost over and it certainly didn’t feel like 60 days of skiing. I’m by no means a rock star. Plenty of friends have broken 100 so I’m not bragging. I had hoped for more. The season started slowly but then a massive storm in December finally kicked things off. The Ski Utah folks will gauge that this was a better season than the last but we won’t have final figures until at least July.
Hotel bookings were solid and the holiday morning lines at Park City and Canyons were off the charts. It would be safe to say that Utah resorts fared better than last season. The dirt didn’t start to show through until March. Even during the Sundance Film Festival 2016 guests were playing in fresh snow instead of sauntering Main Street in short sleeves.
But then the dry spell hit. Warm temperatures and two-week stretches without a storm were the norm. Cold fronts that slammed into the Sierras and British Columbia missed us. Today it’s 60 degrees in Salt Lake City and it hasn’t snowed in nearly two weeks. The mindset has transitioned to golf, mountain biking and rock climbing. As depressing as that is, it’s also exciting that we can have multi-sport days.
There’s still time for me to make those 60 days then get on the rock in American Fork Canyon. I haven’t seen the wall since November even though I had vowed to keep up my climbing at Momentum Climbing Gym but all of a sudden it’s five months later. Had I done as promised I would have had the complete workout but it’s here now. Pushing mashed potatoes until your quads scream then reaching for holds until your lats, shoulders and forearms cry, “Uncle.” You’ll have just enough strength to toast the day with a margarita from the deck of your favorite watering hole. Billy Blanco’s is a top choice.
A lot of people will poo poo Spring skiing, saying they hate the slush, it’s too much work for three hours of skiing, the sun is too hot, a ticket is too expensive when half the mountain is closed. But, seriously, People, how can you beat a sunny day in the Wasatch? There are spring ticket deals out there if you hunt and you have three more weeks until the resorts are closed. You can also head into the backcountry (if you have the gear and know what you’re doing). Spring corn is better than a Deer Valley groomer any day. Why not make the most of it?
Spring is the time to try and buy if you are in the market for new gear. In fact Alta hosts their annual free demo day today. But if you miss it, call around and find the area reps for the skis you’re interested in; you might be able to talk them into meeting up with you for a few runs on next year’s product.
Spring Gear
Now that I’ve got you convinced to wait a bit before storing your skis, here are a few items that will help make the most of the last weeks of winter:
Hydration is even more vital in the springtime so carry that bladder around in the Dakine Heli Pro DLX 24L. The pack is beloved by pros for its dedicated tool pocket, front helmet loops, breathable/padded hipbelt and backpanel, and diagonal ski carry.
Underwear is everything on hot days on the hill. The Champion Freedom Seamless medium-support sports bra comes in crazy Easter egg colors and provides day-long, soft, breathable, non-chafing comfort. And for “down there,” Knix Wear’s FitKnix Athletic undies put the rest to shame; zero panty lines, moisture-wicking lycra and a shape that moves with you without riding up, hallelujah!
Goggles get sweaty, heavy and claustrophobic in the spring but glasses don’t usually jive with helmets. That’s where Aspire Eyewear comes in. The “barely there” feel of the Celebrated frames comes courtesy of a material called SDN-4 that is extremely lightweight, pliable, and durable. The arms lay thin and flat against your temples and you’ll never worry about falling and crushing them whether they’re on your face or in your pocket. The lenses are a premium polycarbonate UV 400.
HEADS UP ON CLOSING DATES
Alta: April 17 closure – Reopen April 22, 23, 24 with Collins, Sunnyside & Wildcat
Ever dream of filming for Warren Miller? And do it with free schtuff? Warren Miller Entertainment (WME), HEAD and Squaw Valley|Alpine Meadows have joined forces for the ultimate POV video comp. “HEAD to Squaw Video Contest” wants your user-generated videos and the winner will rake in the ultimate prize package.
The grand prize includes a ski and boot package from HEAD and an invitation to film with WME at Squaw Valley|Alpine Meadows during the 2016-2017 season. The winning video will also be presented on-screen before every Warren Miller Film Tour screening in 2016.
“The HEAD to Squaw Video Contest’ is the ideal platform for Warren Miller fans to demonstrate their talents in an organic setting where their peers influence the decisions,” says WME Managing Director, Andy Hawk. “We hope to see footage from mountains and ski towns far and wide and we are eager to work with a skilled individual on production of our 68th feature film in Squaw.”
Ok, so they’re using a format I absolutely hate- begging everyone you know to vote for your work. It’s as bad as asking all of your friends to sponsor every 10k you enter but so be it. Contestants will upload their video to the WME website and can share their entry on social media to gain votes. Voting will be tiered and open to the public until the third and final round. At the end of the third round on Aug. 26, the 4 videos with the most votes will be put before a panel of judges including Jeremy Jones, JT Holmes, Jonny Moseley and representatives from Warren Miller Entertainment, HEAD and Squaw Valley|Alpine Meadows.
The panel of judges will select the GRAND PRIZE winner based on the entrants’ talent either as a cinematographer/editor OR as a winter sport athlete. Of the remaining three finalists, the video with the most fan votes will be awarded the Fan’s Choice prize.
The winning footage should showcase either your skills as a rider or as a cinematographer/editor will demonstrate and amplify the mountain lifestyle.
The submission period is from 9am MST on Monday, Mar 14 until 5pm MST on Friday, May 20.
The rounds are as follows:
VOTING ROUND 1: June 1- July 1
* Period of fan voting, where a unique visitor can only vote one time during this period
* The top 16 videos will advance to the next tier
* At the end of this period, all vote counts reset to 0
VOTING ROUND 2: July 11- August 5
* Second period of fan voting
* The top 8 videos will advance to the next tier
* At the end of this period, all vote counts reset to 0
VOTING ROUND 3: August 9 – August 26
* Third period of fan voting
* At the end of this period, the top 4 videos will be brought before the panel of judges and a winner will be chosen.
I texted my roommate last week asking if he needed to me to let his dog out because she was whining. He texted back, “Yeah. I’ve been in the hospital all day. I broke my back.” He had been trying to stick a sick trick in the terrain park at Park City Mountain and, well, didn’t. Luckily, he is able to walk. The docs want to wait six weeks to see how it heals before they operate because the injury is close to his spinal cord.
On Feb. 27, 2016, Casey Fehlberg, 30, basically tried the same thing. His friends say the Orem man landed on his face while boarding at PCM and suffered serious brain damage. He was wearing a helmet but that does nothing if you crash face first. Fehlberg was flown to the University of Utah Medical Center in an induced coma. According to his brothers, Felhberg was always flipping and jumping. And yet he has no insurance!
Fehlberg has a GoFundMe account to help cover medical expenses if you know this former BYU Cosmo the Cougar mascot (late 90s) and a social media campaign, #GoBigForCasey to help bring awareness to his accident. The biggest take away here unfortunately is that terrain parks are dangerous and you shouldn’t jump in without insurance.
I was heading down to the Thunder Chair at Jackson Hole, Wyo., when I saw the bodies tangle. A skier going way too fast, cutting across skier’s left had turned his head for a split second to look back at his buddy who was yelling, “Look out!” Just then the biggest wreck I can ever remember seeing happened. The skier smashed into a heelside snowboarder. Thankfully, though she was seeing birdies circle her head, she was fine. The skier had dislocated his shoulder, bent his pole and delaminated his ski. Ironically, they were the only two people in the bowl NOT wearing helmets.
Utah Ski Deaths
In Utah this week, a New Jersey man without a helmet struck a tree and died while skiing with friends at Snowbasin. He wasn’t as lucky as those Jackson peeps. Frank Maddaloni is the fifth person killed among Utah’s mountains so far this season. While past seasons saw spikes in avalanche deaths, this season runs the gamut among heart attacks, tree trauma and slides.
Last month (January), in Utah’s first avi death of the season, experienced backcountry guide and author Tyson Bradley triggered a slide on Gobblers Knob that carried away his client who apparently ignored directions and followed too closely. The 600-foot-wide rip across Whitesnake sent Salt Lake resident Douglas Green over 2,500 feet of terrain and 1,400 feet of vertical at speeds near 60 to 70 mph. Green, 49, died at the scene.
A week later Summit County Search and Rescue uncovered the body of 50-year-old Stephen Jones. A 60-foot wide, 500-foot long avalanche in Lamb’s Canyon buried the Wanship, Utah, skier.
Accidents have happened inbounds as well with a 67-year-old Utah man collapsing from a medical condition at the base of Tombstone lift at Canyons earlier this month and a 60-year-old Utah man dying in a snowboarding accident on an intermediate slope at Park City Mountain.
This latest cycle of warm temps, rain, snow, warms temps again will lead to some seriously sketchy backcountry conditions in the Wasatch over the next few weeks so if you are heading out the gates make sure you know before you go, have the right gear, an experienced backcountry partner and wear a helmet (in bounds and out). Think safe, be safe this spring.
