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NEWS OF THE WEST

Entries in Utah (2)

Tuesday
Jul052011

Five Rules of Summer Skiing – Greatest Slush on Earth

By Bennett Owen

And you wondered why they call it the “Bunny Hill?”

Credit: Summer Skiing at Snowbird on July 4, 2011 YouTube

Utah’s Snowbird resort has finally closed for the season after a red white and blue July 4th celebration of skiing…with emphasis on the white, we might add.  Going into high summer season, there’s still plenty of it to go around….and enough fanatics to make a day of it.

Credit: Rick Egan: Salt Lake Tribune

Lot full? Check out the tram!

Credit: Utah Outside

It’s been a record season for Snowbird in terms of snowfall, with over 783 inches…that’s 65 feet, about as high as a six-story building. And the lifts have now been open for 201 days…one day longer than the previous record set in 2005.   The resort says the snow depth still measures 12 feet on the upper slopes. 

Credit: Summer Skiing at Snowbird on July 4, 2011 YouTube

And in their usual timely fashion, the My-West staff has prepared some summer skiing tips for those who just can’t get enough of the white stuff -

  • Bring lots of sun block and eyewear – a lead suit will also do nicely

Credit: Fox News

  • If you fall, be prepared for some serious road rash
  • Stay on piste – melting snow often triggers serious rockslides
  • Stuff a backpack and be prepared for all kinds of weather
  • If you arrive after noon – bring water skis.

And a sixth, perhaps…go down on bended knee and humbly beseech the weather gods for more snow next season…

Credit: Summer Skiing at Snowbird on July 4, 2011 YouTube

Credit: Summer Skiing at Snowbird on July 4, 2011 YouTube

Sunday
May292011

Memorial Day Weekend – You Get the Drift

By Bennett Owen

Credit: RMNP

Credit Pole-Land.com

Yellowstone? Limited access only, with snowdrifts of up to 25 feet.

Credit: cultr.sun

Tetons? Emergency avalanche crews out in force after heaviest snow pack in 45 years.

Credit:  National Park Service

Yosemite? The Half Dome Trail is still closed due to heavy snow.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Alpine Visitor Center Credit RMNP

Rocky Mountain National Park? The Trail Ridge road is closed – 17-foot snow drifts.

But there’s always a silver lining. Utah’s Snowbird ski resort is still open weekends, boasting another 18-inch dump earlier this week, for an incredible 756 inch total (so far!) You do the math, I’m watching these folks again:

Credit: Snowbird.com

Credit: Snowbird.com

Credit: Snowbird.com