Snowbird, UT Conditions Report: Smooth And Velvety Snow Made For Great Skiing

Dave finds a pristine slash pad off Gad 2. PC: Jon Collet

Amidst the powder ravaging that is seemingly engulfing the country, Snowbird is doing quite well for itself. I drove from Tahoe the day before to escape what was a rain Armageddon, and learned quickly that Snowbird — nestled into the powder gulfstream that is Little Cottonwood Canyon — is simply going off. With four feet of snow from the latest storm, a base depth of more than 80 inches, and no end in sight, the Bird is living up to Utah’s famous consistency of quality and powder.

Dave sets up after the bottom turn. PC: Jon Collet

I took a few tram laps with Salt Lake resident and friend Jon Collet. At first it was only Regulator Johnson accessible from the Tram, so we traversed to Gad 2, and found wind-packed creamy velvet stashed in the trees, perfectly rippable anywhere that the high winds couldn’t pick it clean.

Jon Collet, all smiles after a long run down Baldy

We circled back to the tram for the opening of Baldy and the Cirque Traverse, which between them hold an incredible amount of steep and gnarly terrain. The winds were fierce, it was snowing on and off, and vis was low, but the badasses of ski patrol got it open safely.

Dave Zook at the bottom of North Baldy PC:Jon Collet — Dave Zook at the bottom of North Baldy. PC: Jon Collet

We picked our way down North Baldy after the openings, finding phenomenal powder on almost all aspects. Through the amphitheater — the renowned huck zone at the bottom of North Baldy — the shrubs and sticks poked through, but in the open fields, the pow was about as glorious and heroic as Snowbird can deliver.

Typical fun and jovial apres scene at the Tram Club.

After a half dozen quad-hammering 3,000-foot tram laps we retired to the Tram Club, the raucous apres-bar which slings up a shot and a beer for all of $5, served by our lovely cocktail waitress Chelsea. Don’t let the masses fool you, Utah knows how to party.