Report from December 5, 2023

Alta Ski Area, Utah, via chairlift for the first time this season today.

Ski day #303 of the 300 project (the cut-off is imminent: Dec 8).

Alta is full of snow.

They’ve already seen 117″ of snowfall this season.

There isn’t a ton of snow in Utah yet this year, however, Alta is doing pretty great.

It’s the only open resort that we know of that has legit off-piste skiing.

I met up with pro skier Noah Gaffney from Lake Tahoe, CA, today for some laps, and he was on a tear.

I watched him get wild on the Church double drop twice – one successful & one where he hit rocks on the takeoff.

He then proceeded to throw enormous, smooth backflips off an awkward jump with rocks in the takeoff and a pretty flat and not-that-soft landing.

Of course, he made it look like cake.

He’s elevated to another level, and it’s glorious to behold.

I had a blast keeping my feet on the ground for the most part.

I did follow the rat pack (Parkin, Jake, Noah, and more) into a small double drop.

To be honest, I’m still shy as the sharks are still circling out there.

Rocks are popping up all over as we mow the powder down.

I do really want a backflip before my 300 project ends in two-days…

Noah’s gonna help me dial in a jump tomorrow, and hopefully, I can courage up for it.

The snow was buttery smooth in lower Hi-Boy.

The lower traverse was fun, and my favorite run – right under the Collins chair – was skiing well (minus the occasional rock surprise).

Alta is skiing well.

Alta is skiing damn well.

Thanks, Utah!

Snow Numbers

Forecast

Photos