Powder Mountain Trip

On Jan 4, 11:03*am, Dave Cartman wrote:
In article ,





*"helibrdr" wrote:
First - thanks to all who offered some advice last year on Powder Mountain
during the holidays. Wife wanted to go back to Breck but the costs during
our timeframe (12/28 -1/2) were astronomical. She generally only skis a half
day or so and then wants to go back to a book and a fireplace. Slopeside at
Breck for a 2 BR was about $600/nt and lift tickets $86/person (5 of us)..
Most all of CO and UT were similarly priced.

Ended up with a recommendation of Powder Mountain, UT. Stayed at the Sundown
Condos across from the Sundown lift for about $300/nt and lift tickets at
$48/person (included night skiing).

Snow was fantastic - well over 2 feet over the first three days and sunny
the last. My 3 sons and I decided on getting a mountain host the first day
while my wife was taking her half day lesson which since it was dumping snow
was a good idea as we couldn't see more than 50 yards and didn't know the
layout of the lifts/terrain. We ended up getting a great guide (Pete - who
is also the owner of dps skiswww.dpsskis.comand Dave). Great guides, great
snow, great fun - he had my sons and I doing laps off of Paradise lift
through the trees for the day! Great to see your 10 year old fearlessly
bouncing between the aspens (yes between - not off of) in 18-20" of powder!
Especially considering this was first time on snow for the year - too warm
in the midwest for the local hill to even make snow.

Second day - even more snow- wife wanted us to stick around with her on
Sundown lift. She was less comfortable as even the groomed green runs had 6"
of fresh powder on them. There are some fun, but shorter runs skiers right
off the lift which also give the opportunity for some trees as well. Since
this is the teaching lift, most of the black runs off of it were untouched.
Kids and I did laps for hours in the powder plus shared run time with the
wife/mom.

Third day - still more fresh snow - I don't think it ever stopped. Spent the
day on Timberline, Paradise, and Hidden Lake lifts. Less fresh in the center
of runs, but still far from totally chewed up. Great along the edges of most
runs and in the trees. Still an amazing lack of crowds compared to what we
would see at Park City or Snowbird.

Last day - sunny and perfect- most main runs still soft but no fesh lines -
kids immediately suggested.....Trees!!! I was amazed that there was still so
much good snow still left in the trees - even directly off of main runs near
the lifts - again on Paradise and Hidden Lake for the most part. It was
great. Could only do a half day - had to head back to SLC for flight.

Regrets - didn't get to do the Cobabe Canyon area, Ridge cat terrain (buy by
the run $10!!!), or some of Powder Country (very accessible back country)

My take - very nearly empty considering the time of year we went, great
mountain host guides on the weekends - mostly long time locals who know the
terrain, cost was minimal compared to other places for being on the
mountain, somewhat rustic but we were there for the snow not a huge mega
lodge and spa. Just over an hour and 15 from SLC airport, but it appears
most people don't head past Little/Big Cottonwood and Park City. It was
about 15 miles past Snowbasin. Kids enjoyed the night skiing/riding as well
though after going hard during the day it was usually about 5-7 runs at
night before they were ready to fall asleep on the lift.

Now back to reality and work waiting for my next chance - damn my kids are
spoiled - don't even know if they realize how lucky they were to get those
conditions.

Happy New Year and hope the snow keeps falling.

Shhhhhh! *Powder Mountain is too far away, the lifts are old and slow,
and the snow really isn't that good. *They also have a lot of sharks and
stinging jellyfish. *Snow Basin has marble bathrooms and an excellent
Cobb salad. *Everyone should go there instead. *

Now that we know there is skiing in Texas, I think eveybody should go
there to ski. It's nice and warm, there are no crowds, and the women
are barely dressed. Summit County is cold and windy. There is a good
chance that you'll get stuck on I-70 for days if you try to make it
up. I'd rather be attacked by 100 eels than be stuck in the I-70
parking lot for a day or two.
--
Marty