Utah December Trip Planning - Snowboarding Forum

tbholle · 09-22-2011, 09:23 PM

My friends and I are planning a trip to the SLC area this December. One of my friends has an Aunt/Uncle who has a condo near the Olympic Park ski jump that we can stay at for free. I am the only one of my friends with real skiing/boarding experience and for that reason (plus what I have read in this forum) I would most like to ride Snowbird and Solitude resorts as opposed to Park City and Canyons.

I was looking at directions from where I think the condo is to these resorts and everything said that we would have to drive back to SLC then around to 210 to get upto Snowbird. Is this the only way during the winter? It would be nice not to drive an hour each way everyday but seems like this might be the only option. Although Im sure it is worth it?? Also is the second week of Dec. typically a good week to go? Fewer crowds before the holiday season really starts? Ive been checking snow history for the last few years and Dec. looks like it gets plenty of fresh snow that would make for a good week riding. Do they get enough by this time to be able to ride the whole mountain? Would it be better to wait until January after MLK weekend? What do yall think? Thanks for any help. Getting pretty stoked about my first time riding the Utah pow.

neednsnow · 09-23-2011, 07:20 AM

1. Yeah, the drive to the LCC or BCC brings you back through SLC, from PC. That is a bummer considering the actual straight-line distance is so short. It is worth the trek though.

As for timing. I tend to go by the rule of thumb that the longer into a season you wait, the better the base is. However, I've gone over MLK two or three years and been skunked for snow and conditions. It really is hit or miss for super super fresh.

**killclimbz** · 09-23-2011, 08:51 AM

December can be rough in Utah. While they do get a ton of snow the start of the season seems to be fickle there. January is a much better bet. Especially MLK weekend. Usually by then they are just getting hammered with storms on the regular. Still, you can have fantastic conditions in December. I believe last year was a good one and we are hopefully having a repeat this season.

tbholle · 09-23-2011, 02:10 PM

Yeah Ive been looking at onthesnow.com for previous season totals and snowfall by the month and December typically gets alot at Snowbird and Solitude (109in and 155in last year). I was worried about how big of a base there would be by that time. Looks like we should wait til late Jan. or maybe Feb to make sure everything is covered. I ride Mt Hood alot so wont be too bad waiting but all of my friends are in Georgia so they are very eager...

09-22-2011, 09:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
tbholle Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 44	Utah December Trip Planning My friends and I are planning a trip to the SLC area this December. One of my friends has an Aunt/Uncle who has a condo near the Olympic Park ski jump that we can stay at for free. I am the only one of my friends with real skiing/boarding experience and for that reason (plus what I have read in this forum) I would most like to ride Snowbird and Solitude resorts as opposed to Park City and Canyons. I was looking at directions from where I think the condo is to these resorts and everything said that we would have to drive back to SLC then around to 210 to get upto Snowbird. Is this the only way during the winter? It would be nice not to drive an hour each way everyday but seems like this might be the only option. Although Im sure it is worth it?? Also is the second week of Dec. typically a good week to go? Fewer crowds before the holiday season really starts? Ive been checking snow history for the last few years and Dec. looks like it gets plenty of fresh snow that would make for a good week riding. Do they get enough by this time to be able to ride the whole mountain? Would it be better to wait until January after MLK weekend? What do yall think? Thanks for any help. Getting pretty stoked about my first time riding the Utah pow.

09-23-2011, 07:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
neednsnow -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: PA Posts: 1,208	1. Yeah, the drive to the LCC or BCC brings you back through SLC, from PC. That is a bummer considering the actual straight-line distance is so short. It is worth the trek though. As for timing. I tend to go by the rule of thumb that the longer into a season you wait, the better the base is. However, I've gone over MLK two or three years and been skunked for snow and conditions. It really is hit or miss for super super fresh. __________________ Neednsnow.com: Traveling the States and Taking Pictures

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09-23-2011, 08:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
killclimbz Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Front Range Posts: 9,175	December can be rough in Utah. While they do get a ton of snow the start of the season seems to be fickle there. January is a much better bet. Especially MLK weekend. Usually by then they are just getting hammered with storms on the regular. Still, you can have fantastic conditions in December. I believe last year was a good one and we are hopefully having a repeat this season.

09-23-2011, 02:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
tbholle Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 44	Yeah Ive been looking at onthesnow.com for previous season totals and snowfall by the month and December typically gets alot at Snowbird and Solitude (109in and 155in last year). I was worried about how big of a base there would be by that time. Looks like we should wait til late Jan. or maybe Feb to make sure everything is covered. I ride Mt Hood alot so wont be too bad waiting but all of my friends are in Georgia so they are very eager...