Park City Blog

Catch up on the latest updates, tips and more.

We're doing whatever it takes...

— Posted by Eric on November 21, 2008

A group of us got together in the First Time Parking Lot this afternoon to implore Ullr, Mother Nature and whatever else might have some influence on our weather, to let it cool down enough to at least let us make snow. As you can see in the photo, perhaps something we did worked, because the temperatures dropped so that by 4pm we (well, Al and his crew) were crankin' snow guns all over the lower mountain!

Thank you to Phil, John, Lauren, Linda and everyone else who came out and helped with our informal, unsanctioned 'Pray for Snow' event. And everyone else, keep on dancing, because depending upon how much snow we're able to blow in the next couple of days, we're hoping for an opening by the end of next week at the latest (I'll keep you posted here - of course)!

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We're comming on December the 9th. will the Jupiter bowl be open then?
Thanks,
Robert.
Eric replies:
Hi Robert, to my recollection, the terrain in Jupiter is rocky enough that it needs about three feet of snow pack for it for it to be ski/rideable. I'd imagine that there's probably a foot on the ground up there right now (looks white from my house) but we need a really good storm or two before we can even think about opening it...think snow!

— Posted by Robert Lucas on November 23, 2008 3:40 PM MST

a question -- if there is in fact high temperature, in what volume does the snow melt? Or is it just a halt, as in nothing new, nothing less.
Eric replies:
Hmm, I really don't know...I do know that if the snow is still in the big piles that the guns make (they're called whales) that it melts slower than if it is pushed out. I'll see if I can find an answer for you on Monday and post it here.
Reply from Alex (PCMR snowmaking manager):
It melts based on surface area, and aspect to the sun. Man made will in general melt slower due to higher density, i.e. less air pockets between the crystals so less surface area to melt. Snow is weird though it will sublime, go directly from crystal to water vapor so even if it is below freezing the snow will disappear.

— Posted by pacer521 on November 22, 2008 8:51 PM MST

Sorry about the lack of early snow, but we're sending more good vibes here from Texas hoping for low temps and some snow in time for the Holidays.
I'll keep my fingers crossed, but the forecast is looking more promising for some white stuff on Wednesday. See you in late December.
Eric replies:
Hiya Texas Ski and thanks for the vibes. You know, it is interesting that often when we get early snow the rest of the season is a slow snow one, but when the snow starts a bit later it just keeps coming and coming...see you in a month!

— Posted by Texas Ski on November 22, 2008 7:03 PM MST

i am wondering if you guys are delaying the opening to save $? The fact is that there is not a huge market for sking until after thanksgiving and i know you don't count on the pass holders to pay the bills.
mammoth, heavenly, break, keystone are already open...its time to put a little more time and money into your snowmaking system!
Thx, passholders
Eric replies:
Hi Bradley, we have a top-notch snowmaking system (and snowmaking team), we just haven't had temperatures for the last week or two that allow us to use it. Also, this summer we invested $10.5 million in on-mountain improvements and we want nothing more than to open and showcase these improvements as soon as we possibly can.

— Posted by colorado and cali over pc! on November 22, 2008 4:07 PM MST

I'm trying my best to send the cold weather on the east coast over your way.
Watched the news last night and they are skiing in PA. Something's definitely not right about that.
Know that we are all doing Snow Dances here in NJ to get a good base for when we get there over Christmas. See you then.
Eric replies:
Jerseyguy, appreciate the help!

— Posted by jerseyguy on November 22, 2008 12:32 PM MST

My family is arriving Tues. night for our first ever ski trip. Thanks for all your hard work, we will be doing to snow dance as well, sending it from Texas.
Eric replies:
Kim, the hard work is just part of the job. And we all want to open up so we can go skiing and riding too, see you soon!

— Posted by kim parker on November 22, 2008 9:27 AM MST

I may have been in sunny California, but I was up there dancing with you guys! I'm coming up over thanksgiving, and even though there's not much of a chance of opening, we'll still have a great time. I mean, there's the cottonwoods, and come on -- its UTAH!
Eric replies:
Thanks for the positive thoughts, we'll see you soon!

— Posted by pacer521 on November 22, 2008 9:23 AM MST

Tough decision to make. I arrive Wednesday and am staying at the Marriott Mountainside until Sunday. Do I cancel and go to The Canyons? Or do I hope for a Thursday or Friday opening? If open Friday, I could stay and ski The Canyons Thursday and "THE MOUNTAIN" on Friday and Saturday.
So, if you had $100, would you bet it on being open no later than Friday?
Eric replies:
Steve, I'm just the 'web guy' and not the 'weather guy', but I do feel comfortable about us opening by Friday. I'd even hypothetically put twenty bucks on it - working for a resort I don't make enough to bet more ;-)
To be specific, our forecaster says that we should have temps for snowmaking for all but the middle part of today, for most of tomorrow with warming starting tomorrow night into Monday.

— Posted by steve on November 22, 2008 5:42 AM MST

Yeah, woo hoo!!!! Great news!!! We'll be there by Saturday of next week so hopefully there is plenty of snow ready for us!!!
Eric replies:
Keep your fingers and toes crossed, but it's certainly starting to look more and more promising.

— Posted by Grant on November 21, 2008 10:03 PM MST