Snowbasin, or how I learned to ski blind and love the powder! I am wild about all the Utah ski areas, but Snowbasin has to be the most spactacular of all! There are similarities to The Canyons. Both have an excellent gondola which takes you over wild, fantastic mountains and forests. I really appreciate the gondola in the extreme weather we had during our brief visit. But, in the short time I was there, Snowbasin appears to have more challenging trails, and you could get to them without having to take a chairlift (unless you wanted to). There also appeared to be more flat runs at The Canyons than at Snowbasin, although the flats are great for people like my husband who enjoys cross country (in fact, I saw a growing number of telemark skiers who were skilled on the flat runs, the steeps, and the extreme powder. I would like to shake their hands, if I could catch up with them!)

A young man named Justin Rowland made the day for us. He and his family have management roles in the mountain, and he volunteered to guide us. He also saved us by loaning us goggles that fit over our glasses. In my case, the yellow goggles provided a psychological boost in the heavy snow and near-whiteout conditions.

Justin stayed with us, showed us the most suitable trails, and helped us with the best techniques I have ever received for powder skiing. By the last run, we had become addicted! What a difference a few days made! I admit, I would have problems with virgin powder and deep moguls, but that is not a problem at Snowbasin. Our trials were groomed under the snow. There are not enough skiers around on a usual day to cut up the mountain. In fact, Justin told us there is so much territory, there is an average one acre per skier. Try to find that in the East.
Snowbasin received so much snow in the last week, it could stay open for another few weeks, if it wants to. It also tries to open a bit earlier than the other areas we visited - by the start of November, if possible. When we left, it had been getting about 14” of wonderful, light snow, each day. With the cold temperatures, if should last! Snowbasin, and the other areas, also have extensive snowmaking facilities, which are used earlier in the season.

Snowbasin, like the other areas, is close to the Salt Lake City Airport - that is one major advantage Utah has over Colorado for quick visits (Colorado tends to have a longer season, but most areas are further from the airport). The Park City resorts are about a half an hour drive; Snowbasin is about 45 minutes.

Snowbasin does not yet have lodging facilities on the mountain, even though it has been a ski resort since 1940. Lodges are coming. Until then, it is best to stay in Salt Lake City, the Park City area, or Ogden, which is closest.

A pity you can’t camp out at Snowbasin’s incredibly luxurious, dining and day lodges - at the base and summit of the mountain. Wow! They have imported the finest marble, silk tapestries, rugs, and chandeliers from Italy. Even the bathrooms are gold and marble. It seems a sin to walk on the Oriental rugs with ski boots. What a far cry from the dorms and barracks I used to stay in during my first days of skiing in the 60’s!

The lodges are graced with enormous fireplaces, and serve gourmet food. But yes, you can eat your own food downstairs by a fireplace. Special sections of the restaurants are “clubs,” so you can circumvent Utah’s liquor laws, and have a drink with your meal. The lodges are so wonderful, there were many people who chose to stay inside, relax, eat, sleep on the plush couches, or whatever. They had the right motto - “if you can’t see, don’t ski!” But, I am happy we forced ourselves to ski - it was a dream that will keep me going thoughout the summer.
Now, some statistics. Snowbasin gets so much snow, it requires special “avalanche dogs” to patrol the slopes. They are around all day, even though the mountains have been blasted in the mornings. Now, where were the barrels around the dogs’ necks?

Snowbasin hosts many competitions. In the Olympics, it was the venue for the Men and Women’s Downhill, Super G, Combined, and Paralympic events, according to their fact sheet. It also hosted the 2001 Disabled World Cup. The mountain goes up to 9,350 feet, with a vertical drop of 2,959 feet. The longest run is 3 miles. Total skiable area is 3,200 acres. Average annual snowfall is a mere 400 inches - this year, I think it all came down when we were there. There are so many trails and bowls, it is an injustice to try to count them - just go. But, savor the vista while you are dancing down the powder!

Again, on Snowbasin, thanks also to publicist Roger Toll (who used to run Snow Country Magazine) and manager Chris Peterson. Boy, will I be knocking on your door again!

In short, I was fortunate to visit four excellent ski areas in Utah, and recommend you ski in all of them. The Canyons and Snowbasin have the wildest areas. Park City is a bit of the Old West, with the historic, decaying mines left in place on the slopes. Again, I think their slopes provide the best skiing, because of the way they are cut and groomed. Deer Valley may be my favorite. I love the atmosphere, incredible slopes, and the euphoria of skiing among the homes of the rich and famous. Think Beverly Hills with mountains and snow.

There are so many other wonderful ski areas to visit in the West. This is a modest start; there are miles to ski before I sleep! But, let’s hope next year’s Eastern season is as excellent as this has been. Then, we can save the West for the spring. By the way, New Zealand is great in August! Happy Summer!