SLC Trip Advice
February 26, 2011
23 posts
12 users
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So... I'll be making my first trip to SLC next Wednesday and skiing four days. We'll be staying in Sandy and have the SLC Superpass which is good at all 4 of the Cottonwood Canyon resorts. We have a 2WD rental car for getting around town in the evenings, but will plan to take the ski bus up to the resorts. I'm still debating how to split our time but defintiely want to spend a at least one day at both Alta & Snowbird.
If anyone has any tips or pointers for me regarding any aspect of the trip I'd greatly appreciate it!
Holy Cow!!
Tonight: Snow. Low around 14. Wind chill values as low as zero. West northwest wind between 8 and 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of
8 to 12 inches possible.
Friday: Snow. High near 26. Calm wind becoming west southwest between 11 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of
9 to 13 inches possible.Friday Night: Snow. Low around 13. Wind chill values as low as -2. Southwest wind 8 to 18 mph becoming east northeast. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of
7 to 11 inches possible.
Saturday: Snow. High near 26. South southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of
3 to 7 inches possible.
I love hitting up SLC, here's what I'd recommend
First day: Brighton to warm up the legs
Second day: Alta
Third day: The Bird
Fourth day: Solitude
Beware if you take the bus and ski at night in Brighton the ride home is like a Junior High party, be forewarned.
I would also advocate if you have a car shuffle those visits up a day, skip Brighton and drive up to Snowbasin. It is about 1.5 hours from Sandy in the morning and well worth it. The place is empty, has two gondolas that go 2900ft to the top, a high speed quad that takes you up 3000ft and a TON of terrain that's incredible and usually not tracked out.
I was just out there about a month ago, wishing I could be back again. On a big powder day your best bet is to park at the 9000 Trax lot and grab the ski bus you'll be the first stop, and it's a straight shot up 9000 to Little Cottonwood canyon.
Also beware that there are almost no places open on Sunday to eat, this is especially pronounced downtown, after walking the city I ended up in the hotel restaurant eating a $40 burger (I had 'real' beer as well for which I paid a premium).
Best of luck, enjoy your trip!!
Yes indeed, Alta is about to get slammed!
Thanks for the links Dennis. I'll defintely let you know when we plan to hit Alta.
pghndt - thanks for the tip about Snowbasin. I'd love to check that place out, but we already have our tickets for the Cottonwood Canyon resorts and don't want them to go to waste. I'll definitely keep that in mind for the next trip though. It's also good to know a lot of stuff is closed on Sunday.
I'm also debating over renting some fatter skis while we're out there. Depending on what conditions are like next week, my 86mm waisted skis might not cut it!
Hey Abe good news with the weather. Renting some powder skis might be fun but remember it wasn't so long ago 86mm was phat.
We'll be staying in Sandy and have the SLC Superpass which is good at all 4 of the Cottonwood Canyon resorts.
For my own info, how did you buy the Super Pass? (Super Pass advanced purchasing has changed a lot over the years.)
Reminder that the Super Pass is not valid at Snowbasin, Park City, The Canyons, etc. Canyon Sports for discount tickets to all areas. If you drive up, discount tix at Canyons Sports may be (is if you're smart) cheaper than buying a Super Pass at your hotel that morning.
Weather permitting (and check forecasts even if 2wd allowed), drive up versus taking the ski bus. A lot easier and a lot less hassle.
With the recent/upcoming pow dumps, the locals will be somewhat satiated, but a reminder: "POWDER DAYS IN SALT LAKE CITY ARE AN ABSOLUTE MADHOUSE." A similar experience to driving on the Beltway in DC during rush hour. Be prepared, have an advance plan, and contingency plans. Start out way early in the AM.
As Denis said, Little Cottonwood Canyon closes frequently for avi control, then reopens. This causes some of the most amazing gridlock known to man. Typically LCC is scheduled to open at 8:30AM after morning avi control. (Often closes mid-afternoon prior to the evening rush hour down.) Often they'll get slides during AM avi control, and LCC may open way later than the previously-announced reopening. When there is a massive dump and LCC has an avi closure, Solitude in BCC is no longer Solitude. Masses head to LCC.
You must take buses on powder days when 4wd or chains are required for the canyons. Get there early. Parking lots at the base of the LCC/BCC canyons can be filled up by 8 AM. Or earlier. Even worse, by the time that the bus gets to the parking lots (last stop prior to heading up the canyons), THE BUS MAY BE ENTIRELY FULL AND NOT LET ON ANY ADDITIONAL PASSENGERS. YOU MAY HAVE TO WAIT 2 HOURS FOR A FREE BUS AS OTHERS ON THE BUS ARE SKUNKING YOUR POW LINES. Buses leaving the base lots after 8 AM can be risky. Moral: study the bus maps and get on the bus at a stop prior to the last stop. Additional factor to consider: in the event of LCC closure, your bus up LCC may be stuck in traffic along with other vehicles getting to the base lots. Gridlock to LCC can extend past the base of BCC. Get a road map in advance.
511 for road conditions in addition to the sites listed by Denis.
If the Cottonwoods are a cluster on a big pow day, The Canyon or Deer Valley are very good options. Snowbasin can be, but beware that Snowbasin is maybe the worst area in the world to ski on a low visibility day. Powder days often == low visibility days.
Snowbasin is huuuuuuuuge, and has free oak paneled cubbies, but somehow I liked the terrain at Alta and Soli better. Snow is better in the Cottonwoods as well. See if you can find mine shaft at Brighton.
I've skied every Cottonwood area at least 10 times (know a lot of terrain at each, but there is toooon's more to learn.) Alta used to be my favorite, but no mas.
Note: I believe the Super Pass is not valid at both Alta and Snowbird on the same day. But I don't know of many sane people who try to ski both on the same day. (Unless you are a local skiing some pow lines in between but you can take the bus back.)
My personal preference order:
1) Solitude. Pro's: great terrain, less crowded. Con's: some of the steepest faces get a lot of sun exposure and degrade quickly. Very poor traverse to vertical ratio. Some surprising cliff areas/rocky cruxes in some not too steep terrain.
2) Snowbird. Pro's: Steepest terrain, longest vertical, 2-day lift passes are the best bargain of all areas. Con's: can get crowded, especially the tram, wind exposure can be tough at the top. Mineral Basin has generally bad sun exposure, and with two high speed lifts, can get skied out entirely in 2 hours. (With the exception of some traverse/hiking areas.)
3) Alta. Pro's: Nice mix of wide open bowls and trees. There is a reason for the legend, but there are better options IMHO. Con's: becoming a lot more expensive, can get crowded, the upper traverses to get to a lot of good terrain are heinous, finding the obvious good terrain can be surprisingly tricky, even if you can easily see it from below. (I've forgotten some of the entrance routes.)
4) Brighton. Pro's: nice terrain, often overlooked. Great north-facing evergreen tree skiing, a lot of it intermediate capable with some surprising challenges for experts. Con's: lots of teeny-bopper snowboarders with teeny-bopper attitudes at certain times. Some of the nicest trails through the woods are not that steep (but meander a bit like some of the NE classics), but you can find a lot of steep stuff there. Great Western lift suffers a lot of sun exposure.
For my own info, how did you buy the Super Pass? (Super Pass advanced purchasing has changed a lot over the years.)
I ended up booking it in a package through Southwest Vacations. I was able to get 5 nights lodging / 4 day pass for under $300 per person (3 in our group).
Man, thanks for all that great info John! I didn't realize how intense things got out there on a powder day. I was able to get chains with my rental so I guess we could still drive up on snowy days. I'm also debating about dropping an additional $200 to go for the 4WD... oh the decisions!
That's also some great info about the buses - I'll be sure to keep that in mind if we do use them. I wouldn't have realized that they filled up so quickly.
I'm surprised to hear that you rank Solitude as your #1. I had kind of decided on skipping Solitude entirely for two days at both Alta & Snowbird. I might reconsider that and do a day there - perhaps that'd be a good place to hit on Saturday. I also just found out that my buddy can get us free tix at Snowbasin so we might up hitting that one day too. Man, why didn't I plan this trip for a whole week!
One more question... do lift lines get bad at these places? I've been spoiled skiing directly onto the lift at CVR all season
I ended up booking it in a package through Southwest Vacations. I was able to get 5 nights lodging / 4 day pass for under $300 per person (3 in our group).
That is a steal of a price!
Man, thanks for all that great info John! I didn't realize how intense things got out there on a powder day. I was able to get chains with my rental so I guess we could still drive up on snowy days. I'm also debating about dropping an additional $200 to go for the 4WD... oh the decisions!
You have over a million people living in greater SLC. Most love to ski. Some of the hardest core skiers in the world live there. When roads are clear with no traffic, the areas are 20-30 minutes from the edge of town.
I'd probably opt for the buses instead of using chains; you have to find an area to chain up before entering the canyons. If you're in a storm cycle, the 4wd would be worth it. If not, then no.
Solitude is a great place to hit on Saturdays. But you also can't go wrong with 2 days each at Alta/Bird.
After a lot of recent dumps, the locals can get a little jaded (or have to pay their bills.) 6-8" may not seem worth it (after 2-3 foot dumps), so you may escape the crowds during a good stretch of snow.
I'm surprised to hear that you rank Solitude as your #1. I had kind of decided on skipping Solitude entirely for two days at both Alta & Snowbird. I might reconsider that and do a day there - perhaps that'd be a good place to hit on Saturday. I also just found out that my buddy can get us free tix at Snowbasin so we might up hitting that one day too. Man, why didn't I plan this trip for a whole week!
Plan your day at Snowbasin carefully, lots of wind hold potential up there ...
... do not skip Solitude, imo. I don't have as much experience there as johnl but I know fun when I see it. Good vibe all around, good steeps, honeycomb, paradise, etc... and not crowded on a Saturday. I'll shut up now
A few more of my observations.
1.) Bus can be a PITA, but on a powder day it's worth it. I almost always board at the first stop (TRAX 7200 S) on my line and get off at the last (Albion). That assures you of a seat. At Albion you are first stop on the way down. I hate standing on the way down after a hard day. I have seen days when all seats were taken by the second stop. Also you want to get your skis in the back of the bin. Nothing is more annoying than to have your skis in the front and everybody abusing them as they yank theirs out from the rear. And close, or chain, the bin after you put skis in or take them out. People get clocked in the head by falling skis when the bus goes around corners if this is neglected. The LAST bus from 7200 S in the morning is 8:00.
2.) From Albion you can access everything in 2 lift rides except the Wildcat trees. Admittedly it is a bit of work. The Snowbird people like to say, A - L - T - A, stands for Another Long Traverse Ahead. It also stands for better snow if you are adventurous and willing to work.
3.) I've had no more trouble getting something to eat at a reasonable price on Sun. than any other day. There are some excellent brewpubs in SLC. I like Red Rock and Squatters. Both are downtown in the 200W, 300S +/- a block or 2. I always have the Huevos Rancheros with my beer. You can't get huevos like that in DC. And if you are up in the canyons; well Mormonism doesn't exist in LLC or BCC.
4.) I too like Solitude despite its being cursed by an abominable lift layout.
5.) Lastly, and just my not so humble opinion, LCC and BCC are the heart of UT skiing. Park City, Deer Valley, The Canyons do not compare. When you drive up to their bases after a few weeks of skiing LCC every day you'll think you found a golf course.
I've only been to Utah once, butI second the recommendation for Squatters. Reasonable-priced, pretty good food, and when I went, hot women. What more can a guy ask for after a long day of skiing?
I am also heading up to Utah for my second trip next Thursday - Sunday. We found a great deal to stay at Solitude (for the price of 4 day lift tickets, we get 3 nights of free lodging at the Inn at Solitude). Abe, did your deal with Southwest include airfare as well? If so, which airport are you flying out of?
If anyone want to ski together and don't mind skiing with an intermediate skier, let me know!
Darwin
Also having only been to SLC one time, I'd recommend either the Porcupine Pub (right outside Big Cottonwood Canyon - great local beer, and really, really good nachos) or the Bayou (downtime - great beer, pretty good food).
Jana and I ended up making the Porcupine our daily stop on our weeklong trip out there, and loved it. It's in no way "impressive", but it is a great apres-ski sort of place...
aaron
bring some ibuprofen (I-b-broken) and drink lots of water for your altitude headache the first day.
bring some ibuprofen (I-b-broken) and drink lots of water for your altitude headache the first day.
Utah is a lot better than Colorado. Elevation of SLC (benches are higher) is 4,200. Lower than Snowshoe and about the same as the top of T-Line. I've never had an altitude issue in Utah. Colorado on the other hand....
Also you want to get your skis in the back of the bin. Nothing is more annoying than to have your skis in the front and everybody abusing them as they yank theirs out from the rear. And close, or chain, the bin after you put skis in or take them out. People get clocked in the head by falling skis when the bus goes around corners if this is neglected.
I've stopped trusting those bins; too much carnage on your skis and too tough to get skis in/out on a crowded bus. When I'm seated, I hold the skis between my legs. Keeps snowboarders away also.
bring some ibuprofen (I-b-broken) and drink lots of water for your altitude headache the first day.
Utah is a lot better than Colorado. Elevation of SLC (benches are higher) is 4,200. Lower than Snowshoe and about the same as the top of T-Line. I've never had an altitude issue in Utah. Colorado on the other hand....
well duh about SLC. I'm talking about up in the canyon where you are skiing which is above 10K :P and when you jump right into it you can feel it especially when you hike for stuff above the lifts.
bring some ibuprofen (I-b-broken) and drink lots of water for your altitude headache the first day.
Thanks for the reminder chaga... I definitely learned my lesson about 5 years ago out at Breckenridge. I went out for a few beers my first night there and ended up with a thumping headache for the rest of the weekend.
I'll also never forget how much I felt the altitude just trying to walk around at the top of the Imperial Lift... I'm definitely a flat lander
If you're sleeping down in SLC, there's generally no big worry about altitude sickness, but you definitely need to pace yourself and keep hydrated during the day while skiing. I generally stay up the canyon at Alta, sleeping at about 8500 ft and then skiing 8500 to about 10500 ft during the day. In that scenario, you don't ever get a real break from the altitude effect, so more caution is needed. I've been lucky to not have any issues other than a mild headache the first night as I adjust. I do take it easy to start, remember to take meaningful breaths (hard when your mouth is agape over the powder), drink a LOT of water, and don't hit beer until the second night.
Abe: total jealous on the timing of your trip. We came back just a few days before the last dumpage started. But did get a chance to really SEE Snowbasin since it was a bluebird day . . . with spring snow conditions. We also checked out Brighton and Solitude. Plenty of powder in the trees at Brighton 3 days after. Look for True Grit off Great Western. Alta is still my favorite. Do you arrive early enough to consider the Quickstart for a free liftie at PCMR?
JohnL: SuperPass online seems to be $64/day and min is 3 days. At La Quinta Midvale, could get 1 day for $64, 2 days for $124, 3 days for $180. Was nice that I could get one for friends who flew in a couple days afterwards since I only stayed at La Quinta one night before getting into a VRBO house for the rest of the week.
Good to know how to handle the bus if needed. Given a choice, I'd go for a AWD rental. Or staying at Alta Lodge.
