mes3,

Well, you're ahead of me. I hadn't heard ownership of Powder Mtn had changed, but I'm not surprised. It's really the only area left that is undeveloped. I'll see what I can find out for you.

Remember, now is a great time to buy if you have good credit and the $$. I'd buy at the beginning of a ski area expansion, rather than later!

Our weather has warmed up a lot, but we still had about 2 feet of snow on the mtns Sunday/Monday. It's all about the altitude.

Ciao

Dayle I'm surprised you missed the news reports on Powder Mountain - http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=2684099

Yes, I missed this. Interesting. Another developer (out of Phoenix) was trying to do the same thing in Daniels Canyon east of Heber. Incorporate the existing residents into a town (against their will) so he could build a new ski resort "like Deer Valley", once he got to make up his own zoning rules. The residents won!

Hi again, guys!

Thanks for the tips about the car. Yeah, I think a car is definitely in order for the next trip. I'd also love to check out Powder Mountain, Sundance and Snowbasin. I've heard great things about all three. I think I'll also try Park City at some point. A friend's son lives there, and from what my friend says, it sounds like a great town and mountain.

I figured the food prices would be exorbitant at the resorts. I think I was more impressed with how low key and budget-friendly Brighton was than with how expensive Solitude was. I'm really drawn to locals' places, probably because I have a dream of being a "local" myself someday. I can think of nothing better than living in a place where I could ski at least twice a week.

I've been sorely tempted by some low, low airfares to go back to Utah at the beginning of April. How is the snow, generally, at the four Salt Lake resorts (Snowbird, Alta, Solitude, Brighton) or any of the others, around April 3rd? I know there's no way to know for sure, since the weather changes, but it looks like this year has tended to be pretty good for snow so far, so that April skiing may not be a bad idea. What do you locals think?

Incidentally, the deal is $525 for one person, including flight (from San Antonio), hotel (3 nights), car (4 days) and lift tickets (if I do a 2-day Superpass, possibly cheaper if I get discounted tickets somewhere). Pretty darn cheap!

I think it will be very good spring skiing this year. We continue to have storms every few days or so. Sounds like a really good deal to me.

That is an amazing deal! Just the hotel would be more than that to me....consider the flight and car for free. I will be there as well and am hoping for spring skiing due to an excellent year so far.
If you like locals style, have you tried Alta? Powder Mountain may be like that as well. Snowbasin is pretty posh now....very, very elegant. All the places on the Park City side, especially Deer Valley are pretty high end with high prices. If you come the next weekend, you can join our GTG!

Linds,

During a normal snowfall year, April skiing at the higher areas is absolutely great! Alta, Snowbird, Brighton and Solitude should all be great.

Just go on the Snowbird website and check out the snow report. They never lie or exaggerate their totals, they don't have to! Snowbird stays open until the first weekend in May, longer if snow is good. Then, they go to "summer skiing". The tram opens at something like 7:30 am and runs until early afternoon. You can ski all the way to the bottom as long as there is snow. Otherwise you can yo-yo on the Little Cloud lift.

Lodging prices also go down at Snowbird in April. Check out their spring season packages before you book the other.

Let it snow!

Hi, guys!

I'm actually thinking of trying Alta this time. I went with a snowboarder last time, so Alta was out. Since this looks like it's going to be a solo trip, I get to go wherever I want!

Just trying to justify going twice in one year. But I'll actually only be missing one day at work (as a defense lawyer, I can get most of my work done in court on Thursday morning before flying out). And it IS a spectacular deal. Besides, maybe I'll get to do a little sight-seeing in Salt Lake this time! Hmmm... Somebody talk me into this!

Linds

Just do it! I never pass up a great deal if I can swing it. :)

Ncounty -- If I do this, I'll be there April 3rd through 6th. I'd love to join any and all gatherings (is that what GTG means?) if y'all are around. Anyway, I agree with you about snatching up the good deals. It drives my budget-conscious mother crazy, but by being the way I am, I've been able to travel a LOT. Hooray for being impulsive!

Dayle -- I looked at Snowbird's lodging for those dates, and I think the best I can do is $879.42 for lodging and lift tickets. Since I'm going solo, I'd have to shoulder the entire cost of the room. Nope, I think I'll just be a cheapo this time, stay in the mid-valley area and commute. If the roads are too icy for my driving skills (doesn't take much!), I can just park at the 6600 & Wasatch Blvd. park and ride and take one of the ski buses up to the resorts.

I'm a slavish devotee of the Snowbird website. I particularly love the SnowCam, with its time-lapse feature. I'll log on and let it loop, watching the snow pile up. It makes me drool. Not sure if that's because I love to ski, or if, as a Texan, I just love snow, but it's fun, anyway.

Time to go stare at the priceline page for a while longer. I can feel my willpower breaking down!

Linds

Linds,

There's no such thing as having to be talked into going skiing!

Get your priorities straight girl!

Linds, the official GTG is April 12 in Park City for lunch. But perhaps we could plan a dinner one night while you're here (Thursday night Dayle?). Market Street Grill has a yummy halibut early bird special before 6:30 http://www.gastronomyinc.com/cottmsg/

Linda and Barbara,

I could probably do dinner that night if you like. Let me know!

Linds- sorry I will miss you; I don't arrive till the 7th. Your budget conscious mom should be proud of you for snatching up such a good deal. I'm the same way; I travel cheap so I can travel a lot. I think I did 15 trips last year.

Hi, again, guys!

Well, I'm edging closer to buying this trip. If I come up there, my flight wouldn't get into SLC until 6:12pm on April 3rd, but I would be up for a later dinner, if you guys would like to do that. I'm also going to be in SLC for most of the day on Sunday (my sight-seeing day!), so lunch that afternoon might be an option, too.

Let me know!
Lindsay

Just bought the trip! Now I have to get some work done to justify the expense!

Lindsay - looks like our schedules won't work out during your stay. I'm sure you'll have a great time though. I think spring skiing is the best! Have fun!

Thanks! Will do! Sorry I'll miss you, though!