Back At Last for 07-08
— Posted by Mark on December 4, 2007
So we've been open for a little over a week and I'm finally posting for the first time this season. Things have started a little slow so far; heck I was riding single track on a gorgeous fall day Thanksgiving weekend when most years we're skiing powder. Ah well, winter has started, we have a few lifts and runs open, and about half the gang is back working.
The Patrol gathered on the Mountain a little over a month ago for our annual lift evac training. Unlike most seasons, we did not have to train amidst the first big storm of the year.
The weather was lovely, a little too lovely for late October really, and the training time was well spent. This was our first chance to work with this year's batch of rookies. I have to say that this season we have one of our lowest turn-overs ever, and the folks we did hire are certainly the best of the crop. The new crew will start on the mountain training next Monday and we look forward to having them around.
David and I attended a Snow Safety open house hosted by the National Weather Service and Utah Avalanche Forecast Center recently. The PHDs in the room told us the season may start slow with respect to snow (as it has), but should ramp-up in December. So far, 4 days into this month, they have been right. Conditions certainly have been colder and snowier and it looks like more is on its way. This gives me a chance to insert an early season avalanche safety reminder. With the recent new snow, many locals are skiing and riding lines in the upper (still closed) reaches of the Mountain. Coverage is pretty thin and the snow that is there is fairly sensitive. If you do venture into the high country, follow safe travel practices and ski/ride lightly. A few folks have taken some nasty rides in the Wasatch backcountry after our latest storm. It's way too early in the season to get hurt in a slide or by hitting stumps and rocks just below the surface. One other thing. As we do get more snow, we'll be heading into the upper bowls to start assessing conditions and even doing a some preemptive shooting. If you see us working around the upper mountain, please stay clear. We'll get those areas open as soon as we can.
When night skiing opens on christmas day. How many slopes will you have open for it if 100% of the mountain is open? What will the lift ticket cost and hours be? Thanks!
Eric replies:
Luke, night skiing (when open) is available on PayDay and First Time runs and Lifts. The hours are from 4:00pm until 7:30pm and the cost is included in a full day adult or child ticket and just a night ticket should be about $40 (subject to change).
— Posted by Luke Norris on December 6, 2007 9:52 AM MST
Eric,
What is 10420? Presumably the elevation, but is that also the name? Nobody could think of a "real" name? :-) I smell a naming contest! My entry: "Peak Achoo". Anyway, I'm still curious... is that in the Guardsman pass area? Would that area bridge into big cottonwood canyon? I know there has been talk of connecting the areas with lifts, or even a tunnel. Boy would that be good for business.
Eric replies:
MoSno - 10,420 is the name as well as the elevation of the peak (quite original on that naming as you note) and it is in the Guardsman Pass area. I don't know that this expansion would do much for an interconnect although it would bring our borders closer to Brighton.
— Posted by MoSno on December 6, 2007 8:04 AM MST
I see a snow storm is coming your way. Are you expecting alot of snow this weekend? we are coming out in 2 weeks!
Eric replies:
I just took a peak at our custom local forecast which states that the storm starting tomorrow evening, "should be a very favorable pattern to significant snowfall with totals ... of nearly two feet."
And Karen, I've some some old skis that I'm willing to sacrifice if this one doesn't come through ;)
— Posted by karen on December 5, 2007 6:18 PM MST
I see there's a winter storm watch through the weekend with 1-2 feet possible above 7,000 ft. My question is would a 2 foot dump allow Park City to open alot more of the mountain? I'm making a trip up there on December 15th and I'm hoping to have a good selection of intermediate to advanced terrain available! Think Snow!
Eric replies:
Patrick, two feet would certainly help to getting more of the mountain open, and any snow is better than no snow. Even so, we'll continue to make snow as well and open up more runs and lifts as soon as conditions permit.
— Posted by Patrick on December 5, 2007 5:52 PM MST
Hey, at the end of this december, Some friends and I will be taking our first trip to utah. I see that you only have 5 trails open, and I was wondering how mnay trails you usually have open by the end of december?
thank you
Eric replies:
John, we typically have the majority if not all, of the mountain open by mid to late December - do your best snow dance!
— Posted by John on December 5, 2007 5:36 PM MST
Hey all,
What's up with the list of open trails? Is only one trail open?
gb
Eric replies:
Gene, we currently have 5 runs open with more to open as soon as possible - see our snow report at www.parkcitymountain.com/winter/conditions/snow_report for the most current information.
— Posted by gene on December 5, 2007 10:40 AM MST
Just curious: Are there remaining areas to expand PCMR, DV, and/or TC, or does the terrain in the vicinity with the right exposure and slope already have ski runs on it for the most part? I've heard references to "Iron Mountain" and "Thaynes Canyon".
(I suppose there's always room for more condos!)
thanks
Eric replies:
Hi MoSno, I can't speak to the other resorts here in town, but PCMR does have rights to expand our skiing and riding to 10,420, which is the peak behind Jupiter lift. This is prime advanced terrain at a high elevation and while I hope this happens sometime soon, but I don't have insight into any sort of time frame.
— Posted by MoSno on December 4, 2007 9:05 PM MST