Chalk, Powder, and Flips @ Alta, UT: Conditions Update and Photo Tour

While the West Coast is off to a slow start, and California continues to lack any signs of snow whatsoever, the conditions at Alta are absolutely ripping.  With 40 inches of blower snow in the past week and cold temps the coverage is great and the snow is holding up fantastically.  Patrol opened the Bad News Cliffs for the first time since the storm, which led to plenty of fresh turns and deep landings.

Alta is great because even days after the storm, things remain buttery smooth and chalky.  The chutes off of Collins Chair were just that today, serving up great turns until the chairs stopped spinning at 4:30.  If you are willing to put in the time on the traverses, you will be regally rewarded with the smooth goodness.

And if the powder and wind buffed chalk isn’t enough to keep you occupied, the number of natural hits and jumps built up around Alta will keep you feeling like a kid in a candy store.  If you want to learn how to spin and flip off natural terrain, I would have to argue that Alta is one of the greatest places to do it.  Our hats go off to the Ski Patrol at Alta for letting the public build such rad jumps.

If you’re looking to head out into the backcountry, be sure to stay up to date with the Utah Avalanche Center.  There are some deep slab instabilities lurking out there.

If you’re in Tahoe and looking for snow, the eight hour drive is well worth the effort (not to mention Alta’s tickets are much more affordable than Squaw).  Join the Tahoe exodus and head to Alta, Utah!

Photo Tour