Hardcore skiing for 5 straight days in Utah...didn't think I had it in me at age 52! Had planned to have my daughter join me but one month after we made plans (in November) she informed me that she was pregnant (w/my second grandchild) and that she probably couldn't go (doc said NO!). So I went solo and wife was very concerned about safety so I hired a guide for first three days. Spent one day each at Snowbird, Alta and Brighton (all days w/guide) and had a great time exploring the lesser known areas of each resort and gaining valuable tips on how to improve as a skier. My guide was 20 y.o. and had boundless energy and enthusiasm...if you've never skied with a guide before you should try it.
Anyway, guide wasn't available after the first three days so I needed to go some place where the runs weren't as scary and the snow was better. There's this little (as in 7000 acres if you include their cat skiing) place called Powder Mountain (PowMow for short) outside of Odgen, Utah...with a name like Powder Mountain how could you go wrong? You can't.
Day 1 was at the resort itself. It had snowed about 6" the night before and the place looked great upon arrival. Wisely took the free 2 hour mountain tour - this place is convoluted to say the least. "Base" lodge is 3/4 up the mountain at about 8,200 ft. There are multiple ridges, canyons, etc. that are all in-bounds, plus there is "out of bounds" that is also in-bounds. Anyway, do you know hard it is to listen to a tour guide describe the area when all around you is untracked snow? Finally bailed on the tour and started exploring...here's what I found:
Endless, untracked terrain as far as the eye could see. This on a day where the locals told may they hadn't seen that many people at the resort in as long as they could remember!
As I continued exploring I saw a gate/trail called "Powder Country". Wasn't sure what to make of it because of the dire warning signs (you are entering expert terrain, etc. etc.) so I waited for some locals to go in and tagged along. Down we went through deep powder and trees for quite awhile until we came out at the access road (to the base of the resort). Followed the road down to a landing and a minute later a bus pulls up...everyone loads up and back to the resort base we go...what the hell?!! Lapped this one for a few times (untracked lines each time) and then noticed that people were coming down on the other side of the road as well. Took a bit to figure out how to get there (you have to ride a different lift up) but in short order I was over there and heading down. Untracked but much steeper...in a bit over my head but made it down to the bus stop. Found out that Powmow also has a snow cat running up two other areas of the resort for $20/ride. A bargain considering that these are high exposed areas (SP does avy control) that provide long/hi vert. runs.
So that's the $75 dollar lift ticket version of Powder Mountain. Then there's the BC snow cat operation (this is the $425 lift ticket) that is run from this resort. On my 5th and last day of skiing I signed up for this trip. Was a bit spooked b/c the night before they emailed us and said that only the advanced/expert terrain was available due to the fact that some fat tire bike race was going to be in and around the mellower terrain. Was further spooked b/c the woman at the desk asked if I had powder skis; I said "I think so" and she asked how wide they were. I said "96mm under foot" - she frowned and said "you really should have 105's or above - we can rent you some". I'm thinking WTF, since when do you need 2'x6's to ski powder? I declined the rental but my anxiety level was through the roof and I began to doubt my abilities even though I had just skied the same powder the day before w/out any problems.
Anyway, the anxiety went away after we road the cat (holds 12 people) up and dropped in on a treed run of fairly easy terrain. The 96mm's worked as they did the day before and we all carved up some nice foot deep powder w/out any problems. As the day progressed the runs got harder but the snow got a little deeper as well so it didn't seem much harder.
On the 2nd to last run I made it down to about 12 feet above the cat track - all that was left was a steep 45 degree incline to the actual cat track itself. I tried to pick my way through some brush and caught my left ski - before I knew it I was facing uphill in a full spread eagle then fell right on to my back. Slid down all of the way and almost took out four skiers
...fortunately they jumped out of the way but my legs were a twisted mess. Strained my left hip flexor and could barely walk the next day.
Anyway, it was a great two days at the little place called Powder Mountain. Honestly, I think I'll skip LCC/BCC next year and make Ogden my home base for the week. In addition to Powder Mountain there is Snowbasin and also Beaver Mountain (a bit further) that also has endless untracked tree skiing. Alta and Snowbird are awesome places but can get crowded and tracked out within 2-3 hours of opening. Plus, a lot of their terrain is at the edge of my skiing abilities. Powmow on the other hand, is just right.
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