Snowbird
Snowbird is the powder capital of the USA with an average annual snowfall of 12.8 metres, of if you prefer to talk in feet and inches – an impressive 500 inches of light dry powder. Compare Snowbird to snowfalls for ski resorts in
USA,
Canada and
Japan. This is a playground for all powderhounds.
Snowbird, Utah is in the Little Cottonwood Canyon of the Wasatch mountain range in the Rocky Mountains. It is 47 kilometres (29 miles - 45 minute drive) from Salt Lake City International Airport with plenty of flights from major U.S. cities, and airport shuttles readily available. It is one mile down the canyon from the resort of Alta.
Resort statistics for Snowbird include 987 metres of vertical, 1,012 hectares of skiing terrain, 90 runs serviced by 11 lifts (and two magic carpets – one in a tunnel), one of which is a tram. Famous for deep powder and steep chutes and bowls, Snowbird is a dream ski destination. There’s also plenty of everything for intermediate and beginner skiers and snowboarders.
Skiers can use a joint lift pass to also access Alta. The combined resorts provide 26 lifts in total and 4,700 acres (1,902 hectares) – one of the largest skiing areas in the USA. The resorts are joined at Sugarloaf Pass and accessed via high-speed four-packs from both Alta and Snowbird. The only downside (or maybe it’s a plus for those wary of snowboarders?) is that Alta is snowboard free.
Accommodation for Snowbird is available on-mountain within four lodges, or alternatively you can commute to this resort from Park City only 38km away. The other option is to stay in Salt Lake City (47km away) which is likely to be cheaper. The occasional disadvantage of not staying at the Snowbird resort is that the road may be closed on a huge powder day.
The Powderhounds are visiting Snowbird in early 2009. How could they resist a visit to this great ski destination where there is powder everywhere for the taking?