Latest news with #SkiUtah
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
What Utah ski resort had the most snow this past winter?
While past winter wasn't a banner year for snow in Utah overall, some ski areas put up solid, even impressive totals for the season. And while the state's 15 resorts closed earlier this spring, three places in North America — all in the West — remain open for at least another week. Utah resorts are now gearing up for summer activities like mountain biking and hiking. Preliminary data from the National Ski Areas Association released in May showed that the 2024-25 season marked the second-highest visitation on record at U.S. ski areas, with a total of 61.5 million skier visits, a 1.7% increase over the previous season. A skier visit is counted each time a person uses a lift ticket or pass at a ski area. Ski resorts in the Rocky Mountain states accounted for nearly 43% of all skier days nationwide during the 2024-25 season, which turned out to be nearly the biggest year ever. The data was preliminary because some areas are still open. Several resorts were close to if not above their average annual snowfall. As usual, the resorts in Little and Big Cottonwood canyons picked up the most snow among Utah resorts during the past season. (Snow totals are per Ski Utah.) Snowbird led the way with 542 inches, one of two resorts in the state to exceed 500 inches this year. 'It has been one heck of a season filled with powdery bliss, slush season frenzy and plenty of shredding to go around. The stoke was high, sometimes the vis was low, but it just meant we were getting dumped on. Where else would you want to be?' reads Snowbird's season-ending posting. Neighboring Alta Ski Area in Little Cottonwood Canyon checked in just behind Snowbird with 538 inches. In Big Cottonwood Canyon, Brighton Resort had 578 inches, while Solitude ended with 420 inches. With an early opening last November, Solitude totaled 183 days of operation, the most in the state. 'We've melted out! We promised to keep you skiing and riding as long and possible — and we did! We kept our lifts spinning deep into May, but Mother Nature has decided it's time to end the #LongestSeasonInUtah," according to the resort. On the Wasatch Back, Park City Mountain ended the season with 306 inches, while Deer Valley closed with 265 inches. Despite a down snow year — 169 inches total — Brian Head in southern Utah managed to pull off the longest season in its 60-year history with 181 ski days. 'Thanks to our dedicated team, an early opening in November and strategic investments in snowmaking, we've delivered our longest season yet — all while keeping skiing affordable for everyone,' Amber Palmer, Brian Head marketing manager, said in a press release. Here are totals for the other ski areas in the state, per Ski Utah. Beaver Mountain — 242 inches Cherry Peak — 186 inches Eagle Point — 190 inches Nordic Valley — 90 inches Powder Mountain — 253 inches Snowbasin — 276 inches Sundance — 213 inches Woodward Park City — 160 inches Even though Utah resorts are closed for the year, some lifts are still spinning at Mammoth Mountain in California, Arapahoe Basin in Colorado and Timberline Lodge in Oregon, per OnTheSnow.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
This Utah resort just exceeded 500 inches of snow for the year
The past couple days of heavy snowfall in Little Cottonwood Canyon pushed Alta Ski Area over the 500-inch mark for the season just before Utah resorts begin to wind down for the year. As of Wednesday, Alta, renowned for its deep powder skiing, had 505 inches of snow for the 2024-25 season, joining a handful of North American resorts that have reached that benchmark this year. The total, though, is still short of its average of 547 inches annually. Snowbird, also in Little Cottonwood Canyon, isn't far behind at 493 inches to date, according to data compiled by Ski Utah. Alta picked up 22 inches in the past two days, while Snowbird reported 20 inches. The Big Cottonwood Canyon resorts, Brighton and Solitude, total 378 inches and 377 inches, respectively, for the season. All other Utah resorts are under 300 inches as of Wednesday. Alta and Snowbird rank among the snowiest resorts in North America so far this season. Others include: Alyeska Resort, Alaska, 597 inches Mt. Baker Ski Area, Washington, 551 inches (as of March 24) Timberline Lodge, Oregon, 502 inches Mt. Hood Meadows, 452 inches Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming, 442 inches Skiers and snowboarders have enjoyed some spring powder days but more could be on the way before the lifts stop spinning for the season over the next few weeks. Here are the closing dates for Utah resorts, per Ski Utah: Alta — April 20 Beaver Mountain — April 6 Brian Head — May 4 Brighton — May 18 Cherry Peak — closed Deer Valley Resort — April 20 Eagle Point — April 6 Nordic Valley — closed Park City Mountain — April 21 Powder Mountain —TBA Snowbasin — TBA Snowbird — May 26 Solitude — May 11 Sundance — April 6 Woodward Park City — TBA
Axios
07-03-2025
- Health
- Axios
How learning to ski helped me stop feeling SAD
After living in Utah for 16 years, I finally know how to ski. Why it matters: It has done wonders for my mental health. Catch up quick: I've struggled with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) every winter since I moved to Utah from sunny southern California when I was 11 years old. Despite growing up in Utah County, my working parents never had the time — or resources — to drive me up the canyon for lessons. Also, winter sports aren't popular in their native Mexico and Guatemala. For years, I felt isolated when my friends got excited about snowfall and rolled my eyes when they would use words like "shred" or "pow." Yes, but: That changed this year when I decided it was time to get on board and learn a new winter sport to force me out of my apartment through Ski Utah's Discover Winter program. State of play: My ski classes were held at Deer Valley Resort, where, at times, all I could think about was not getting crashed into after covering the Gwyneth Paltrow ski collision trial two years prior. The big picture: With the proper clothes and gear, being surrounded by snow-capped mountains and getting my heart rate pumping helped change my perspective about Utah winters. The bottom line: I may still fall getting out of ski lifts from time to time, but snow in the forecast no longer feels like an obstacle. It's an invitation.
