Give ‘em the bird…just joking, give the Bird a hand!

I love Snowbird, the amazing tram to 11,000’, the 500’ bounty of Utah pow, and the awesome 2,500 acres of terrain that makes every skier’s top 10 must ski list. But just like Mr. Blackwell’s top 10 best dressed list, ski resorts need to update their wardrobe and keep their look fresh – so to speak. Snowbird has proposed a 5 year improvement plan with 11, not 10, important but modest improvements to the ski resort. These are thoughtful, low impact to the environment, upgrades…but since Snowbird is in a National Forest and their goal is always to work in harmony with the environment and forest service…your support of the proposed MDP is appreciated and important.

Snowbird hopes to improve their beginner area, provide night skiing in Gadzoom area, install a new conveyor lift for first timers, create bike trails and a new outdoor deck, remodel the Mid Gad Lodge restaurant and make Gad 2 lift a detach, to name a few.

 

Here are the 11 proposed improvements to Snowbird Resort from 2011- 2016:

1. Beginner Skiing Area Below Entry One

2. Conveyor Lift in Gad Valley

3. Baby Thunder Yurt

4. Night Skiing on Gadzoom

5. Lift Maintenance Shop and Office Expansion of the Lower Gad Valley Pump Station

6. Gad Valley Day Lodge Adaptive Sports Expansion

7. Bike Trails and/or Park

8. Relocation of Lunch Run Summer Road

9. Remodel of Mid Gad Restaurant

10. Gad 2 Upgrade

11. Outdoor Deck for General Gritts

Here is a detailed description of Snowbird’s Master Plan

So don’t just flip the Bird, friend the Bird and show your support by emailing comments-intermtn-wasatch-cache-saltlake@fs.fed.us in support of Snowbird’s plans.

Read our family ski trip reviews of Snowbird

Read More

still skiing?

Who's still skiing? My friend in Utah just passed 186 ski days...I am impressed but admittedly "done"! But for those still wanting to go, there is plenty of snow in the high elevations of New England, out west and Canada.

This winter of 2011-12 has been one of the snowiest on record. Snowbird received a record breaking 690 inches (that's a whoppping 57 feet of fluff)! And its still snowing! Big Sky and Moonlight Basin had their latest closing dates every on Easter Sunday April 24 - the Montana resorts closed with deep coverage on most every trail.

If you still want to make some turns, check out Sugarloaf, Saddleback, Jay Peak, Killington and Sugarbush in the East. I think Sugarloaf will be the last resort standing in New England come May 15 (when you can tee and ski at the Maine resort on the same day)!

Out west, Snowbird and Alta, Loveland and Arapahoe Basin are still blanketed in snow. Idaho's Brundage keeps cranking along with Oregon's Bachelor and Timberline. California late players include Squaw, Sugarbowl and Mammoth - who vows to keep skiing till July 4! North of the border, Whistler Blackcomb and Lake Lousie continue to carve. Did I miss any?

So many resorts have passed the  half year mark, offering skiing and riding for more than 6 months of the year. And skiers and riders cheer! Where's Al Gore and his global warming fear?

Read More