karens

Hi all. Now that I've finally gotten a bit better skiing, we're itching to ski out west. When are skiing conditions generally best in Utah (Alta/DV/Snowbasin)?

We're heading up to the Poconos tomorrow and they are predicting rain Fri. Ick.

jamaltay

Winter

issy

Utah skiing is nothing like what you are used to. Seriously, anytime between Dec-Feb is good providing it is a "typical" winter.

Going during Sundance (mid-late Jan) is a great time for skiing in the Park City area, because the slopes are less crowded. The down side is the town of Park City is quite busy.

abram

I would recommend late January to mid-March; we've been there in early January when the snow was a little thin, and not all runs were open.

Dayle

Hi Karens,

I live in Park City and have been skiing in Utah for over 30 years. In a normal year, our skiing gets good just in time for the Christmas holiday insanity. Most of our mountains need at least 4 - 6 feet for us to consider skiing "good". Note that Christmas is nuts, the runs are crowded the the snow can get really packed down. They do a great job of grooming and it will still be nothing like what you are used to in the East.

Best skiing is January through March for the Park City areas, and all the way through April for the higher Snowbird, Alta, Solitude, Brighton, Snowbasin. Spring skiing is great, powder in the morning and tee shirts in the afternoon. No crowds either....just bring your sunscreen.

March is normally the biggest snowfall month, followed by April.

Have fun!

karens

Thanks, all, for your replies. We are thinking of going next year in late January, and the following year in late March (which would co-incide with spring break since Easter is early that year).

I already can't wait. I've heard I will never want to ski in the east again after skiing in the west. (We've been out west dozens of times - but all in the summer. It gets harder and harder to come home! If I didn't have kids to think about, I think we'd be packing up a moving van!)

Dayle

Karens,

If you do come in late January, be aware that you will be overlaping with the Sundance Film Festival. A very fun event, the town is nuts, but the slopes are nearly empty. Make your reservations way ahead. I suggest a condo so you can cook in. It's hard to get dinner reservations, but it can be done.

karens

Dayle - we would come on Super Bowl weekend. Friends went this year and said the slopes were not crowded.

Is Sundance Super Bowl weekend?

karens

Dayle - I just looked up the dates for the 2006 Sundance Festival (which were Jan. 19-29) and realized that what I really meant was that we will be going the first weekend in Feb.

Dayle

Hi Karens,

First w/e in Feb and Sundance will be over. Our slopes are normally less busy on Sundays than Saturdays, way less day skiers come up from SLC on Sundays.

You'll have a great time!