A Cluster Of Utah Mountain Resorts To Keep Lifts Spinning Into Spring
True to its reputation, the state of Utah delivered the goods this winter as the snow just kept on coming from November through March.
As a result, a majority of the Beehive State's 14 ski and snowboard resorts will be open into April -- with three others expected to pass the May 1 date with lifts still spinning. While everyone got snow early and late, northern and central Utah mountains performed better throughout the season than their southern cohorts.
Perennial snow-hogs Alta and Snowbird easily topped 400 inches of total snowfall but neither approached their all-time records of 600-plus inches from the skies. Alta aims to go until April 20, while long-runner Snowbird will once again go deep into May.
Located above Beaver, Eagle Point recorded about 75% of the amount of snowfall it usually gets. The south Utah mountain was particularly hard-hit with only single-digit snow totals in December and January. The resort is set to close April 6.
Nearby Brian Head, despite being the highest elevation (10,900 ft. summit) resort in Utah, suffered deep into February before the snow gods blessed the state's southernmost skiing and riding mountain with its largesse. Building on this late-season supply, Brian Head hopes to stay open into May.
Up north, it was a different story. Northernmost Beaver Mountain hit its 240-inch average on the button with strong February and March snow storms. Likewise at neighboring Cherry Peak, which hit its average as well. Cherry Peak closed March 30 while "The Beav" will stay open a week longer.
To the east, Snowbasin had more than 260 inches fall, or about 90% of the usual, while neighbor Powder Mountain picked up 245 inches -- about 80% of normal. Both had steady snowfall except for a less-than-stellar January. Powder is set to close up April 6, while Snowbasin hopes to run to the end of April.
Down below, Nordic Valley near Eden fared OK, with 85% of normal snowpack by the end of its season on March 23.
Out of Salt Lake City, both the Wasatch Front and Back resorts had solid seasons. Up Big Cottonwood Canyon, both Brighton and Solitude held firm in the early months, then got pounded with 100-plus inches in February and March. Sundance had a good year, staying above 85% of normal.
Sundance will close April 6, Solitude says it will operate until at least April 24, while Brighton set to go into mid-May.
Over the divide, Park City and Deer Valley got enough to stay with 10% of their annual average snowfall. February and March were their best months, setting up for both of them to run until April 20.
