14 replies to this topic

[Skiing#1]

http://www.ksl.com/?...48&sid=10151636

Utah ski season coming to an end
March 25th, 2010 @ 9:52pm
By Alex Cabrero
BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON -- The ski season here in Utah is beginning to wind down, and it's no secret we haven't seen as much snow this year as we have in the past.

Brighton Ski Resort up Big Cottonwood Canyon is still open for skiers, but it and several other resorts have announced their closing dates. Most are looking at mid-April.

"Our resorts are closing pretty much where they usually do," says Jessica Kunzer, with Ski Utah.

Even though the resorts are doing their best to stay open for as long as they can, the snow hasn't really been falling as much as it has in years past.

"It hasn't been a banner snow year for us by any means. We're a little bit below average," Kunzer says.

Ever optimistic, though, the way Utah's ski resorts are looking at it, this year's below-average snowfall is still better than anywhere else. Solitude's Nick Como says we've been spoiled in years past.

2009-2010 Utah Ski Resorts Closing Dates

Resort Closing Date

Alta April 18
Beaver Mountain March 28
Brian Head April 18
Brighton April 18 (weather permitting)
The Canyons April 11
Deer Valley April 11
Park City Mountain Resort April 11
Powder Mountain April 11
Snowbasin April 18
Snowbird Memorial Day Weekend (conditions permitting)
Solitude April 18
Sundance April 4
Wolf Creek Utah Closed March 15

"When you get kind of used to counting in the 600 and 700 [inches], sure, 400 doesn't seem like a lot, but it's a lot of snow," Como says. "Our base is in the 70 and 80 inches, and that's phenomenal."

"Snowbird has got over 600 inches the last two years, and we average about 500 inches. This year, we're right around 375. We're certainly down compared to the last few years," says Snowbird spokesman Jared Ishkani.

Still, Snowbird is trying to stay open through Memorial Day, and one or two more snow storms could get them to their 500-inch average.

"Last year, the end of March, early-April, we had a tremendous storm that dropped about 130 inches in 10 days," Ishkani says.

But no matter how much snow falls, Utah's ski resorts still say it's the "Greatest Snow on Earth."

"A bad year in Utah is a great year anywhere else," Kunzer says.

"Skiing in Utah is unforgettable every year, no matter when you do it," Como adds.

E-mail: acabrero@ksl.com

[floridaskier]

This was a down year in Utah for snow, but it didn't seem like one for skier visits. It was mobbed in Park City at Christmas week, and even before and after. The closing dates are right in line with where they usually are. Park City and The Canyons always set the same date as Deer Valley (which always sets a date and sticks to it), and they often extend it a week or so longer, but not too much. Last year was a decently good snow year in Utah, and Snowbird was open into June, but I can't imagine they made a whole lot of money off it. They aren't going to set dates way off in the future if they aren't sure they can make it

[sphrrt]

Geez, I wish this article had been written a few weeks earlier, as it's much dumped ever since and the best conditions of the 09-10 season in Utah were over this past weekend!

[Skiing#1]

Brighton, Alta, Solitude and Snowbasin postponed to April 18 since there recently are new snows. Al are powder!!! It is very nicer!

[floridaskier]

Park City area is almost up to 80 inches for the week. I think the Utah economy will be ok

[Emax]

Hmm... Today is 11 May and it is STILL snowing - nearly every day.

This global warming stuff has got to stop!

[lastchair_44]

We drove by Parowan today and it was indeed snowing. I feel your pain as it will probably winter on and off here until July...

Also, wouldn't "climate change" be a bit more fitting for what's happening due to this global warming you speak of?

[Emax]

lastchair_44, on 11 May 2010 - 09:12 PM, said:

We drove by Parowan today and it was indeed snowing. I feel your pain as it will probably winter on and off here until July...

Also, wouldn't "climate change" be a bit more fitting for what's happening due to this global warming you speak of?

Yes - I believe that "climate change" is the current battle cry among the environmental zealots.
As for the incessant snowfall, maybe the next equinox will finally turn the page. I seem to remember a season called Spring... vaguely.

[Peter]

Please stop making comments about CLIMATE based on WEATHER. They are very different. No one can say with any certainty that any weather event, hot or cold, is caused by climate change. Climate is all about averages and trends over the long term.

[lastchair_44]

Wow, easy there Skier. As you can see I put the phrase in quotation marks, I didn't coin the phrase someone else did.

[Emax]

Skier, on 12 May 2010 - 07:20 AM, said:

Please stop making comments about CLIMATE based on WEATHER. They are very different. No one can say with any certainty that any weather event, hot or cold, is caused by climate change. Climate is all about averages and trends over the long term.

Certainly you realize that all of the preceding was offered in jest - not as an hypothesis or scientific claim.

In point of fact, you are correct - but while weather and climate may be "very different", you must agree that they are inseparably related - one resulting in the other. One seldom sees snow in tropical zones or monsoons in the polar ones.

That said, this winter in Southern Utah has definitely been "long term.

This post has been edited by Emax: 12 May 2010 - 08:09 AM

[Lift Dinosaur]

Skier, on 12 May 2010 - 07:20 AM, said:

Please stop making comments about CLIMATE based on WEATHER. They are very different. No one can say with any certainty that any weather event, hot or cold, is caused by climate change. Climate is all about averages and trends over the long term.

You're skin is too thin for "Global Warming".
"Weather" or not you like the "Climate" - Get over it!!

Dino

[Peter]

Sorry, it's finals week. I do care about the subject though!

[Lift Dinosaur]

Yea- my bad, too. Probably not a good idea to be posting at 11:56PM.
Good luck with your finals.

Dino

[floridaskier]

Snowbird's up to 585 inches on the year, with a good portion of that coming in April and May