The return of Indian Summer
— Posted by Eric on November 18, 2008
I arrived back in Park City yesterday afternoon and I was amazed by some glorious almost summer-like weather. Unfortunately, this unseasonably warm weather has impacted our planned opening, that was scheduled for this coming Saturday. Here are the details from a note that we just sent to our local business partners:
With our scheduled opening day now five days away and mountain conditions similar to our last update, we are unable to open on Saturday, November 22. We want to provide our guests with the experience that they have come to expect from a top-five rated mountain and at this time we are unable to do that.
Our snowmaking team has patiently waited for the temperatures to cooperate but unfortunately a high pressure has loomed over the Utah region for the past week. Last night the overnight low temperature at the top of PayDay was 50 degrees, with a low at the plaza level of 38 degrees. The 10-day forecast looks very similar to what we've seen this past week, but it takes just one storm cycle to get the mountain in excellent shape as was evident last season. Last year we had very similar conditions, where for the first two weeks of the season we had less than five runs open, however a storm hit on the 6th of December and we were able to open much more of the mountain. As we all know, last season was a near record snowfall.
Ultimately, we still need a total of 72 hours of ideal temperatures (average of 20 degrees or less) to provide optimal conditions on our lower mountain runs. This includes at least 24 hours to complete snowmaking on Homerun and at least 60 hours of ideal temperatures to complete PayDay and Treasure Hollow.
Legacy Sports will open for the season this Saturday, November 22 from 10 am to 6 pm. They will be offering a 20 percent discount on all outerwear making it the perfect time to stock up on all the latest winter fashions!
Regardless of the Resort's on-mountain opening, please note the following:
Alpine Coaster will open on Wednesday, November 26 with operations from 11 am to 3 pm.
Kristi's Coffee Cafe will also open Wednesday, November 26 from 10 am to 4 pm.
Legacy Cafe and Legends Bar & Grill will open when the Resort opens for skiing and riding
Thank you for your continued support of Park City Mountain Resort.
Our snowmaking team has patiently waited for the temperatures to cooperate but unfortunately a high pressure has loomed over the Utah region for the past week. Last night the overnight low temperature at the top of PayDay was 50 degrees, with a low at the plaza level of 38 degrees. The 10-day forecast looks very similar to what we've seen this past week, but it takes just one storm cycle to get the mountain in excellent shape as was evident last season. Last year we had very similar conditions, where for the first two weeks of the season we had less than five runs open, however a storm hit on the 6th of December and we were able to open much more of the mountain. As we all know, last season was a near record snowfall.
Ultimately, we still need a total of 72 hours of ideal temperatures (average of 20 degrees or less) to provide optimal conditions on our lower mountain runs. This includes at least 24 hours to complete snowmaking on Homerun and at least 60 hours of ideal temperatures to complete PayDay and Treasure Hollow.
Legacy Sports will open for the season this Saturday, November 22 from 10 am to 6 pm. They will be offering a 20 percent discount on all outerwear making it the perfect time to stock up on all the latest winter fashions!
Regardless of the Resort's on-mountain opening, please note the following:
Alpine Coaster will open on Wednesday, November 26 with operations from 11 am to 3 pm.
Kristi's Coffee Cafe will also open Wednesday, November 26 from 10 am to 4 pm.
Legacy Cafe and Legends Bar & Grill will open when the Resort opens for skiing and riding
Thank you for your continued support of Park City Mountain Resort.
As always, I'll be posting updates on our progress as soon as I get them, and I hope to get up and document current conditions on the upper and lower mountain with some photos in the next day or two
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my dad and i already have our trip planned for dec 6-9..do you think there will be snow on the ground to open the mountain..?
Eric replies:
Alex, it's all about the temperature right now and as soon as it hits 28 degrees wet bulb, we're turning on the guns. The forecast looks like we may get a change soon and if so we'll be skiing and riding before you even get here - keep your fingers crossed!
— Posted by Alex on November 20, 2008 3:28 PM MST
We too are disappointed with the delay in opening. Now to plan B; any suggestions on activities in Park City besides skiing?
Eric replies:
Deb, we'll have our Alpine Coaster open starting on Wednesday, but there are lots of other activities around town including shopping & dining on Main St, checking the ski jumps and bobsled track at the Utah Olympic Park. I'll try to compile a list and post it in the next day or two.
— Posted by Deb R on November 20, 2008 2:05 PM MST
I see great potential on the extended forecast stating Wed. next week! Snow, baby, snow!!
Eric replies:
Tim - ditto!
— Posted by Tim on November 20, 2008 9:32 AM MST
Seriously your crew is the only one behind on making snow. Just get it over with already and be like Deer Valley and set a DEC opening date every year.
Even with above average snowfall for early november and temps in the teens late october and no guns were running.
PCMR dosent want your money! They enjoy taking a loss right now.
Maybe the delay is actually because the new lift isn't ready and the snow is just an excuse. To much heavy equipment still running all over the base area. To many parts still in the 1st time parking lot.
Buy a Canyons Pass this year, they open on Thanksgiving. 7 days..
Eric replies:
George, please read our blog to see what really is happening at PCMR, thanks!
— Posted by George on November 20, 2008 8:01 AM MST
Thanksgiving is always a 50-50 proposition. PCMR folks might not appreciate business being redirected, but if things don't work out at PCMR you usually have the cottonwoods resorts to fall back on. Trading ski-in-ski-out for 90 minutes of driving each day probably isn't where you wanted to be, but at least you'll be skiing.
Eric replies:
MoSno, we have historical data showing that Thanksgiving is quite a bit better than 50-50 with us, but your point about the Cottonwood resorts is certainly valid - they are open, see http://www.skiutah.com/snow_report/ for current conditions.
— Posted by MoSno on November 20, 2008 5:57 AM MST
So disappointed with mother nature. We've got two families coming out to Mountainside Resort. We knew we took a chance booking Thanksgiving week, but that's the only time kids have off! So much for the ski in/out...hopefully the town isn't dead.
Eric replies:
Kathy, there will be things for your family to do here in town and in the area, see www.parkcityinfo.com for ideas.
— Posted by Kathy on November 20, 2008 4:29 AM MST
The Mountain Resort Snow Report is a little more positive:
FORECAST
Discussion: 1:20 PM 11/19/08
Another sunny, warm day over northern Utah! The high pressure will be shifting off to the east tomorrow with a cold front approaching from the Pacific Northwest. There's not a great deal of moisture expected with the front, but still a chance of a couple of snow showers. The front reaches us a little after midnight Thursday night ushering in a colder air mass and allowing for some snowmaking on the mountain.
Eric replies:
Hi Grant, good point, the lows are forecasted to reach 26 and 25 on Friday and Saturday, but the highs are predicted at 37 and 43. We will be watching the thermometer and crank the snowmaking as soon as conditions allow.
— Posted by Grant on November 19, 2008 10:23 PM MST
Im just as disappointed as everyone else about the current weather conditions, but im just wondering on what day you predict that the mountain will open?
Eric replies:
Hi Zev, I'd love to give you a prediction, but I wouldn't know where to start. I know our ops guys are ready to jump just as soon as they get colder temps but that might not happen for a week or so from what we see.
— Posted by zev on November 19, 2008 5:25 PM MST
Oh no! I'm so disappointed. I booked the Marriott Mountainside Resort for the Thanksgiving week and the trip was planned 6 months ago. My 5 yr old son will be more disappointed because I've been telling him that we are go skiing since I got the reservation confirmed.
Eric replies:
Justin, I can understand your disappointment, but with 60 degree temperatures again today, we're getting ready to throw down some toasts to the snow gods.
— Posted by Justin on November 19, 2008 4:25 PM MST
We've got reservations at the Marriott Mountainside Resort starting on 11/29 through 12/6 and specifically chose that location for skiing. It's been planned for almost a year. We stayed at Summit Watch last year and the season and snow was awesome during this time. I'm concerned about the lack of snow so far...
Eric replies:
Grant, to say we're concerned as well is an understatement, we're not at all happy about the hand Mother Nature is dealing us at the moment!
— Posted by Grant on November 19, 2008 2:56 PM MST
I am praying snow. I keep checking the 10 day forecast and hoping for the best. We are booked up so snow or not we are coming. Funny, I was having to wear my ski jacket last night here in Alabama.
Eric replies:
Thanks for the positive thoughts Tim!
— Posted by Tim on November 19, 2008 2:39 PM MST
I guess its time to put out the "Let it Snow" sign... What a drag everyone was so excited about this weekend. Snow Dances everyone, no matter how crazy they are and how silly you look. Although not in the car, unless your a passenger... Hmmm even that could be dangerous! :)
Let it SNOW, Let IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!!!
Eric replies:
Kenn, I'm washing my car daily now, I'm even thinking about hitting it once in the morning and once in the afternoon :-)
— Posted by Kenn on November 19, 2008 11:19 AM MST
I know i have been waiting for skiing for about 7 months. I have had enough of summer because wakeboarding season is over. But i agree with the comments above, i get more info from your blogs than i do from the regular site. EVERYBODY PLEASE PRAY FOR SNOW!
Eric replies:
Chris, we sincerely hope we won't keep you waiting much longer, we want to get up and make some turns too.
— Posted by Chris on November 19, 2008 7:51 AM MST
So what is the expected opening day? Do you expect to open on Thanksgiving? So much for a ski-n-ski-out weekend!
Eric replies:
Hi Steve, we will open just as soon as conditions allow. The problem is that we don't see temps cold enough for snowmaking or a winter storm in our area for at least a week at this point :-(
— Posted by steve on November 19, 2008 6:45 AM MST
I like the PCMR blogs. I get more info from them than from the main part of the website. Example, the opening day delay should be more prominent on the site. Keep doing a great job.
Eric replies:
Thanks for the feedback and suggestion Mack; we're always looking for ways to make our websites more user friendly.
— Posted by Mack Marks on November 18, 2008 7:06 PM MST
sooooo gay. i hate this weather it was like 70 degrees in provo today.
Eric replies:
Chris, we're not huge fans of this current extension of summer either...pray for snow!
— Posted by chris on November 18, 2008 5:29 PM MST