Alta, UT Report: Deep Dry Powder in Main Chute & I Only Hit 12 Rocks

Miles Clark | | Post Tag for Conditions ReportConditions Report

 

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Report from November 12th, 2020

Saltwater snot rockets today in high mountains today…

I just had my last day of surf 3-days ago, my sinuses were still full of seawater, and then there I was standing on 11,000 Mt. Baldy feeling very meek and humble.

Fortunately, Baldy was kind today and I only hit 12 rocks!

Alta, UT. November 12th, 2020. image: snowbrains

The snow was phenomenal at Alta today.

It’s incredibly cool that Alta allows skiers and riders to hike and ski their mountain when they aren’t open.

Alta is open for uphill access from 8am – 4pm right now.

Mt. Superior from Alta, UT. November 12th, 2020. image: snowbrains

Yes, it’s still thin and yes, you still need to be very careful or better yet, wait until we get another storm cycle or two.

Shallow, early season snow conditions can be dangerous.
Just in the past week, shallowly buried rocks are to blame for the tragic death of a Bozeman woman and a British Columbia snowboarder who was killed by head trauma in a “freak backcountry accident” while skiing on his splitboard in relatively flat, rolling terrain.
As snow starts to accumulate in the Utah backcountry, it’s a good idea to tone it down because it can be easy to get hurt in the early season. Do not be overcome by powder fever. We know, it’s been a long time and you’re chomping at the bit, but it’s absolutely the worst time to ruin your whole season.
Some tips to enjoy the early season snowfall safely:
– Avoid going too fast. Maintain control, and be conservative.
– Stick to smooth, grassy, low-angled slopes.
– Stay off steep slopes
 Utah Avalanche Center
Happy campers at Alta, UT. November 12th, 2020. image: snowbrains

But, I couldn’t wait and it was worth it.

The snow was deep, dry, and there was just enough snowpack to pull off Main Chute.

Down low (maybe due to less rocks and more grass/bushes?) – the skiing was better and I didn’t hit anything under the snow.

Alta, UT. November 12th, 2020. image: snowbrains

I’m excited and honored to be back in Utah especially with such great early season conditions.

Today was day 1.

Bring it on 🙂

Alta Forecast: 

Photos:

Mt. Superior, UT. November 12th, 2020. image: snowbrains
Alta, UT. November 12th, 2020. image: snowbrains
Snowmaking at Alta, UT. November 12th, 2020. image: snowbrains
Main Chute apron. Alta, UT. November 12th, 2020. image: snowbrains
Mt. Superior. image: snowbrains
Alta, UT. November 12th, 2020. image: snowbrains
Posted by Miles Clark |

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4 thoughts on “Alta, UT Report: Deep Dry Powder in Main Chute & I Only Hit 12 Rocks”

  2. Hi Miles
    Now I’m 100% positive that the anonymous poster is you, no doubt. But the rest of the world will have to figure it out as I did because this post will never see the light of day. Will it?

    Reply

  3. Nice work! Thanks for including a plea for sensibility during these early season conditions. I feel like FOMO leads to people making poor, thirsty decisions after the first storm cycle. We got all year, people!

    Reply

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