447 replies to this topic

[Skiing#1]

Snowbird opened today.

http://www.ksl.com/?...148&sid=4728569

Snowbird kicks off ski season
November 7th, 2008 @ 12:11pm
By Shara Park
It's a big day for snow enthusiasts as Snowbird ski resort opens today. It's the first ski resort to open in Utah this season. Being able to open the slopes two weeks early has made a lot of people happy.

Skier Evan Bonar said, "I'm so pumped, first day of the year and four feet of snow. I was just up here hiking a few days ago and there was no snow."

Ginny Marie Lines said, "It's just so good to be here!"

Skiers and snowboarders were lined up early this morning to be the first to hit the slopes for the 2008-2009 ski season. Today's opening is the second earliest opening in the resort's 38-year history. The earliest was on November 5th, 2004, when Snowbird received 633 inches. Last year Snowbird received 611 inches of snow and stayed operational from Nov. 30 to June 22.

Snowbird made the decision to open today after receiving 46 inches in the last five days. Twenty-eight of those came between Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon. With that much snow in such a short period of time, ski patrol was out early this morning making sure the snow is safe by looking for potential avalanche dangers and roping off hazards.

Jared Ishkanian, the PR director for Snowbird, said, "Obviously we have some early season conditions here. There are some rocks poking out in certain spots. So we want to rope all that off so there aren't any hazards lurking under the surface."

Snowbird ski patrol says they need about another three feet of snow in order to open all the runs. Right now they have four open, including Regulator Johnson, which is a black diamond.

Because they only have four runs open at this time, the resort is offering discounted tickets until they can open all of them. All they need is one more big storm to be fully operational.

The next resort scheduled to open is Brighton. It will open on November 12th.

Snowbird and Alta recently were named the No. 1 ski destinations in North America by Outside Magazine. That type of ranking helps drive tourism in Utah.

During last season, Utah's 13 ski resorts hosted 4.2 million skiers. According to the state tourism office, skiers spent 176 percent more than other tourists who visited the state overall, bringing in about $6 million.

[Andoman]

It looks like Boyne Mountain, Highlands, Crystal, and Nubs Nob are all making snow as we speak!!

[skier691]

Andoman, on Nov 17 2008, 07:57 PM, said:

It looks like Boyne Mountain, Highlands, Crystal, and Nubs Nob are all making snow as we speak!!

Don't forget Shanty Creek. 8" fresh also.

[skisox34]

All major NE resorts are cranking at full blast. the weather forecast is in the low teens for tonight so it will be as good as it gets for snowmaking.

[Kicking Horse]

Over here where I'm at it's been in the upper 40's this week. They have been making snow however it's melting away. It's not suppose to cool down until Next Thursday. :(

[Andoman]

skier691, on Nov 18 2008, 11:26 AM, said:

Don't forget Shanty Creek. 8" fresh also.

Alpine Valley and Pine Knob are both going to open on friday in Michigan. Both areas are located south of flint, and this is the first time I remember these areas opening before thanksgiving in a very long time.

[spunkyskier01]

18 inches of snow by Friday up here in Marquette. Hopefully Marquette mountain opens this weekend.

[SkiBachelor]

Oregon ski resorts have had to push back their scheduled opening date because all the snow has melted away.

[afski722]

Boyne Highland in Michigan opened this afternoon for free skiing on one run.
Boyne Mountain opens Friday
Mt. Holly is opening Thursday
Pine Knob & Alpine Valley are opening by Friday.

Winter suddenly showed up in the Midwest. One or two runs of manmade in the Midwest - haha awesome

[skisox34]

Killington opened yesterday, a day early and Okemo is opening tomorrow, a day early also. Mt. Snow plans 5 top to bottom runs on Saturday. Stowe, Sugarbush and Jay Peak plan to open Saturday also.

[skiersage]

It looks like winter is here to stay in Marquette but I could be wrong.
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Mmmmm, drown me in the sweet waters of your envy.

[tahoeistruckin]

mjturley34, on Nov 20 2008, 11:42 AM, said:

Where's the skiing ? All I see are people walking ? Sorry but no envy here ! It's nice & sunny here plus we have mountains.

Yes! Real Mountains !!
There are no mountains east of Cheyenne . You call those hills, mountains back east?

[Emax]

You are all despicable!

[skier691]

From NWS-Gaylord, MI "FROM A LAKE EFFECT PERSPECTIVE...CERTAINLY ONE OF THE BETTER LAKE
EFFECT EVENTS THAT I RECALL IN RECENT WINTERS AS A DEEP VERY COLD
AIRMASS/COUPLED WITH SUFFICIENT MOISTURE AND SYNOPTIC FORCING POISED
TO SPREAD OVER THE RELATIVELY WARM GREAT LAKES TONIGHT. THUNDER NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION
COMING OFF THE LAKE LATER TONIGHT WHICH WOULD JUST EXACERBATE
SNOWFALL RATES."

Sure, its dumping now, (another 12-24" tonight/Fri, on top of foot in the last few days), but forcasted to be in the 40-50's next week. Trying to pull the pants back up now, a couple nice days would be nice. At least the snow has everyone (higher ups) thinking ski now, finally.

[garthd]

Ouch. I hope that you intended sarcasm, which got lost in translation.

tahoeistruckin, on Nov 20 2008, 06:00 PM, said:

Yes! Real Mountains !!
There are no mountains east of Cheyenne . You call those hills, mountains back east?

[RibStaThiok]

Alright, it's November 25th. Who is still trying to finish up Summer maintenance on their lifts?

[Emax]

Here.