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Advice for Snowbird

2K views 3 replies 3 participants last post by  rafavilardo 
#1 ·
Hi there, new here! I've been snowboarding for a bit now but I am not an expert by any means. In any case, I have not been snowboarding for the last 4 years or so and just booked a trip to Snowbird, UT for 2 days of snowboarding!! :jumping1:

I'm in CA and before this have only done Big bear/Snow Summit, Mammoth and Mountain high. Have never snowboarded in UT before.

Now, I need some advice on how to proceed after this long absence from the sport. I will stick to the easy runs to get re-acquainted for day #1 (Chickadee, Big Emma, Baby thunder) but on day #2 I want to try taking the Aerial tram and coming down Chip's run.

Here is my question - is Chip's run too difficult? I see that is crisscrosses many double diamond trails so I would hate to lose my course, is the trail clearly marked?
 
#2 · (Edited)
Damn, I feel bad for you. Going to Snowbird and sticking with the runs you mentioned is like driving a Prius on the Autobahn.

You should be okay on Chip's Run and several of the other blue runs coming from the Tram as long as you are comfortable navigating narrow cat tracks (access to most everything off the Tram). You might also enjoy Mineral Basin... The more challenging terrain is in the middle, but if you stay towards the sides you should be fine. The blues in Gad Valley are fun as well. Don't worry about accidentally dropping in to a black off Chip's, it's fairly well marked as long as you are paying attention. Anyway, you have to at least try riding from the top... If you just stay on the lower green runs you'll always think what might have been.

The blue runs at Snowbird are going to be more challenging than anything at the California mts you mentioned... Obviously the terrain will be the most similar to Mammoth, although the mountain is setup much differently.

My advice, challenge yourself... Snowbird is great for that. You can see the blue groomers as you ride along the ridge off the tram, so drop into some steeper terrain and you can always cut across the mountain toward the easier runs if you feel uncomfortable.

Good luck and have fun! I hope they get some good snow in time for your trip.
 
#4 ·
Snowbird FTW

Just came back from SLC. First time there.
We did Canyons first day, PCMR two times and Snowbird at the end.
Really enjoyed all of them but was really surprised with Snowbird. I have to tell you that was the best experience I had. Challenging yourself all the time. Dropping those big walls was something really amazing and didn't have seen any mountain like that. I was really impressed and very happy to having that opportunity even with the lack of snow. I can't imagine how awesome that mountain can be in a powder day. Have to comeback.

You probably gonna hate chips run, trust me! You'll be doing all blacks and will love mineral basin. Little cloud will be your home as well. :)

By the way, does anybody know any mountain with the same characteristics of Snowbird?
 
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