Westward Ho 2020

[JimK 136]

[I am down with a cold today and while I have some time on my hands I thought I'd revisit this thread, repopulate some of the lost photos and update it with some of my more recent ski activities. 3/7/20]

Hope this is the correct subforum for trip reports?

I've begun my annual western migration.  Drove to Denver in two quiet days and started skied in Colorado on Jan 28-31.  Good conditions, not fabulous, but good.  I think it snowed about 5" in parts of the high country the day before I arrived and it snowed about 5" the night before my last ski day.  In between was a mix of sun and clouds and some light snow.  Super light crowds, although it got a little busier on last day Friday Jan 31 at Vail, but not bad.

Photos from first two days at Breckenridge

 

pretty scene from top of the t-bar, good skiing up there.

view of backside of copper mtn from top of peak 6/kensho chair

dropping into Whale's Tail from top of peak 8/imperial chair

view of peak 8/imperial chair from i think e-chair.  the hike-to lake chutes terrain is upper left, didn't ski it this time, but it was open and looked good.

the double loading quicksilver six pack at base of peak 9.  unusual loading configuration, people alternating loading to left and right.

peak ten chair, this is the high speed groomer zone at breck, also some bump runs over here.

selfie from psychopath trail:-)

view of the town from t-bar again, doesn't look like, but really good skiing to left of t-bar.

i stayed three nights at this hostel in breck for $266 including tax. kind of pricey for a hostel, but fairly cheap lodgings for close to lifts at breck.  good breakfast, good respectful crowd, slept good there.  i'd stay again.

this is beyond bowl/intuition from top of peak 6/kensho chair.  this photo out of order, this is actually the first place i went to on first morning and got some of the best snow conditions of my two days skiing breck, I guess from 5' fresh the day before.  did three or four quick laps in succession, so good.

breakfast time at The Bivvi.

Edited March 8 by JimK
update and repopulate photos

[JimK 136]

Keystone Jan 30, cloudy, not a great picture taking day, but i got in a ton of high speed carving and met a friend who grilled a rib-eye for me while we soaked in the hot tub and the slopeside condo he was staying in.  The condos at Keystone are some of the more affordable slopeside in this part of CO.

this is summit of dercum mtn, i got some new skis off steepandcheap for $149 (kastle lx 85) and i like them for frontside skiing, they worked good in a few inches of powder too.

mozart trail,  super wide.

outback chair

lot of steep groomers at keystone, a couple inches of snow fell during the day.

they have a huge terrain park, one of the biggest and best around, this photo doesn't do it justice.  has own lift and there was a crew working hard on it at 430pm.

met a friend at keystone and we had a fun day.  this was only our third day ever skiing together , the last two were five years ago, yet he treated me like a long lost brother.  the camaraderie you can get from skiing is awesome!

river run base area

Edited March 8 by JimK

[JimK 136]

Vail Jan 31, really good day.  they got about 5 or 6 inches overnight and the sun came out.  I finally did some extensive off-groom skiing and it kicked my butt, but I got to get ready for my next destination - Snowbird.  Although first I'm going to meet my wife in Las Vegas for a few days before we drive north together to UT.

If you plan to visit Vail in the near future by car for the day, this boring photo of the base near I70 could be one of the most useful I ever post on NMS.  I am riding the Cascade chair.  In the center of photo is the curved Donovan Pavilion parking lot, it's free except for special events and is walking distance (half mile, but some of it is skiable with poling) from the Cascade chair.  It also gets served by a free shuttle bus every 30 mins.  I walked from my car to the lift.  i got a space there at 9 am on a random friday in late jan. it will fill up most days.

heading down what i think is sun up bowl.  way down there i was skiing some untracked and hit a four foot rock that had the 5" new snow hiding it.  took me down, i was ok but my new skis got a small core shot.  not a bad one, i will fix in utah.  the overall snow pack off the groom is not super deep in this part of CO at this time, so some caution is appropriate.

view from vail's back bowls of blue sky basin. 

i found an empty chair in blue sky basin (bsb) called earl's.  and lapped it many times.  this is champagne glades.  it spent most of my day in the BSB part of vail as there was very good new snow and light crowds.

nearby same area in BSB.

belles camp, small lodge on top of bsb.  saw a guy there that looked just like my baseball world series hero max scherzer, but when i joked with him i could see he didn't have max's special eyes, one blue and one brown.

lover's leap is that cornice to the right.

i went down it once, here's view looking up.

grand review is a super scenic run in bsb.

view of halfpipe from vail gondi.

eagle's nest summit lodge. next stop vegas, then UT.

Edited March 8 by JimK

[Benski 69]

The double loading chair at Breckinridge is to increase the time people have to load the chair without reducing the number of chairs.

[JimK 136]

Amazing 400 mile car trip today from Green River in eastern UT to Las Vegas, passing through UT, AZ and NV.

 

a section of I70 near Green River, UT

Ghost Rock

Interstate 15 and Virgin River Gorge in Northwest AZ.

Entering Las Vegas

Edited March 8 by JimK

[Los 8]

Nice trip reports! We have one, non-holiday weekday (the Friday before presidents week) to ski either vail, Breckinridge, keystone, or beaver creek. We being me and my three kids ages 8-13. Never been to any of these and they’re all more less within equal driving distance of where we’ll be. Any suggestions on which one to choose? 

[JimK 136]

15 hours ago, Los said:

Nice trip reports! We have one, non-holiday weekday (the Friday before presidents week) to ski either vail, Breckenridge, keystone, or beaver creek. We being me and my three kids ages 8-13. Never been to any of these and they’re all more less within equal driving distance of where we’ll be. Any suggestions on which one to choose? 

You can't hardly lose.  It might depend on how aggressive and self contained your kids are?  Keystone might have slightly less of the terrain I like, but has a couple of interesting aspects such as night skiing, a huge terrain park, and tons of steep fast groomers.  Also, it has a lot of nearby free parking.  Vail is probably the most impressive in size and especially the expanse of the back bowls, but is most entertaining when there's been new snow making the extensive offpiste enjoyable.  Logistically, it can be off-putting due to larger crowds.  Definitely investigate that parking tip I gave about Donovan Pavilion.  BC is the most posh of the bunch and is probably the best for intermediates.  Some of its best intermediate terrain is at the highest part of the ski area ensuring good snow conditions and nice views.  Breckenridge really shines in the category of easily hike-able expert chutes off peaks 6 and 8.  I guess I enjoy Breck and Vail the most of the four areas

[Los 8]

Thanks!

[MorganB 0]

Thanks Jim!  Always thoroughly enjoy your articles sand pictures.  What is this web site you are posting on?  Look forward to pictures from Vegas as you take over the city.  I got three partial days (Saturday,  Sunday and Wednesday) at Snowbowl while visiting daughter CAthron’s family.  My technique improved each day, but my stamina was nonexistent given my poor physical shape and the altitude. I did get to see Grandkids & Cathron board and ski.  Thoroughly enjoyed watching granddaughter Cate play varsity soccer for Coconino High School as a freshmen, real purpose of trip!  AZ high schools play soccer during winter season due to excessive heat in fall and spring!  OK for Phoenix, not so OK for cold and snowy Flagstaff. 
Have fun, Morgan

[JimK 136]

It was 74 degs in Vegas on Super Bowl Sunday.

 

It turned colder next day.  Vegas is not really my thing, highlight was probably the great buffet at the Palms Casino for $13.95.

Later enjoyed scenic car ride through nearby Valley of Fire state park:

Inside the Venetian hotel in Vegas:

Outside the Bellagio Hotel:

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 8 by JimK
repopulate photos

[JimK 136]

Back to skiing.

Park City Canyons-side 2/8/20:

Snowbird Peruvian Gulch 2/9/20:

 

PS:  I went to the International Ski World Cups at Deer Valley Resort under the lights last night 2/8/20 and saw the finals of the head to head dual moguls competition.  Huge crowd in high octane party mode.  Saw some great rippers!!  Women's winner Justine Dufour-Lapointe, Men's winner Mikael Kingsbury, both Canadians!  Will try to dig up some photos.

 

Edited March 8 by JimK

[GnarPowStash 15]

Back to skiing.
Park City Canyons-side 2/8/20:

Snowbird Peruvian Gulch 2/9/20:

 
PS:  I went to the International Ski World Cups at Deer Valley Resort under the lights last night 2/8/20 and saw the finals of the head to head dual moguls competition.  Huge crowd in high octane party mode.  Saw some great rippers!!  Women's winner Justine Dufour-Lapointe, Men's winner Mikael Kingsbury, both Canadians!  Will try to dig up some photos.

Awesome! Glad you’re hitting the heart of the season out there. I’m heading to utah at the end of the month. Any advice on how to attack snowbird? Or any other cottonwood advice?



Sent from my iPhone using Northeast Mountain Sports

[JimK 136]

BCC rarely closes.  It closed the other day for a super heavy weekend crowd/traffic, not because of snow closure.  Normally if you enter BCC by 730-8 AM you are good.  LCC is more prone to morning snow closures if there has been more than six inches new overnight snow, which is once or twice a week or more.  A lot of six inch storms don't close LCC, but some do if only for 6-8am time frame.  LCC was closed this past Thurs, Fri and Sat AM due to dangerous wet snow and lots of avi mitigation work.You can track road situation on ski resort websites or Check with UDOT:   https://udottraffic.utah.gov/

I will be at Jackson Hole last week of Feb otherwise I'd meet you for a few runs at Snowbird.

Snowbird's a pretty challenging mtn.  The most mellow skiing is in Mineral Basin.  There is some good dark blue/single black diamond skiing off the Little Cloud chair too.  Gad 2 and Gadzoom chairs are good for tree skiing on low vis days, some of it is very challenging.  Advanced/expert skiers/boarders must hit the various chutes like Great Scott off the Cirque, which is fun to observe when riding the upper half of the tram.  Peruvian side has good top to bottom skiing and is sometimes less crowded than other areas.

Edited February 11 by JimK

[JimK 136]

2/11/20, cool beautiful day at Snowbird.

View of The Cirque and blue tram car from Peruvian Chair.

 

Larry the porcupine in right edge of photo

 

peruvian tunnel

 

I like Mineral Basin esp. on a sunny weekday with no crowds.

 

View of MB from the Bookends area.

 

View looking down towards Little Cloud lift from Rasta Chutes area.

Lo

 

Looking back up cirque traverse towards snowbird summit/hidden peak 11k feet.

 

sucking wind after skiing above chute off the cirque.

 

Edited March 8 by JimK

[JimK 136]

Since arriving at my winter destination in SLC on Feb 5, 2020 I've logged four days at Park City, nine days at Snowbird, two days at Jackson Hole, and one day at Grand Targhee.  It hasn't been super snowy in that time, but there have been probably four powder days in the 6-12" range.

Random shots from recent days at Snowbird:

Near Bookends area:

Thunder Bowl, far lookers right on frontside of mtn:

 

A few from Park City, Feb 2020:

This is in the Red Pines Chutes section of 9990.

A friend took this shot of me in the same area of 9990.

Jupiter Bowl:

9990 and Jupiter Peak have some of the most challenging skiing and best snow at PCMR and are rarely crowded.

Edited March 8 by JimK

[JimK 136]

In late Feb 2020 I went to WY for a few days of skiing at Jackson Hole and one really sweet day at Grand Targhee.  

Here some photos from Jackson Hole, late Feb 2020

Upper Hobacks

Rendezvous Bowl

Again, one of my favorite recent photos:

another friend in Rendezvous Bowl, Cody Peak in background.

I like these because Corbets can be seen in background

 

Offpiste in the Apres Vous area.

 

Grand Targhee, I went here for the first time ever on Friday, Feb 28, 30 degs, super sunny, packed powder conditions, wonderful low-key vibe compared to Jackson, ample free parking 100' from the lodge, light trail traffic.  Awesome experience.  They tell me I was lucky to catch such clear, stellar conditions because it's often foggy/snowy/low vis.  Not for me:-)

 

 

 

This place gave me a fixation on large tetons

As great as Targhee is on a sunny day, I'm sure I'd lose my mind trying to track up all the open acreage on a powder day with light competition.

Edited March 8 by JimK

[JimK 136]

So much has happened since I last posted in this thread!

In early March 2020 I got in some good skiing at Snowbird, UT:

I also met some friends at Brighton one day:

My last day of lift served skiing was Friday the 13th with friends at Solitude, UT.

I am still holding out hope that Snowbird will reopen perhaps sometime in April?

 

 

I went snowshoeing in BCC with my wife on St. Paddy's Day:

A few days later I hiked to a waterfall in Heughs Canyon near Holladay, UT:

Upbeat article about Utah hiking during the virus crisis:  https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/03/21/i-feel-like-hiking-is/

 

On March 22, 2020 I took a scenic drive with my wife and we ended up walking along the shores of the Great Salt Lake.

 

Good place to practice social distancing:

 

Will stay in Utah for another month or two and see how it goes.  Wishing all of you are safe and well in these unsettled times!

Edited March 23 by JimK

[fcksummer 257]

1 hour ago, JimK said:

So much has happened since I last posted in this thread!

In early March 2020 I got in some good skiing at Snowbird, UT:

I also met some friends at Brighton one day:

My last day of lift served skiing was Friday the 13th with friends at Solitude, UT.

I am still holding out hope that Snowbird will reopen perhaps sometime in April?

 

 

I went snowshoeing in BCC with my wife on St. Paddy's Day:

A few days later I hiked to a waterfall in Heughs Canyon near Holladay, UT:

Upbeat article about Utah hiking during the virus crisis:  https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/03/21/i-feel-like-hiking-is/

 

On March 22, 2020 I took a scenic drive with my wife and we ended up walking along the shores of the Great Salt Lake.

 

Will stay in Utah for another month or two and see how it goes.  Wishing all of you are safe and well in these unsettled times!

Awesome pics as always. Super jealous of all your travel

[JimK 136]

New snow in the Wasatch today after a dry spell.

 

[JimK 136]

Neighborhood stroll today around Cottonwood Heights.

The abandoned Old Mill.  A paper mill was first built here in 1883 and partially rebuilt in 1927.

Nearby Old Mill Park.  The entrance to Big Cottonwood Canyon is in the left-center background.

View of same area from near the mouth of BCC.  The old mill is the orange building to right.  Downtown SLC is in far background.

Edited March 30 by JimK

[JimK 136]

3/30/20
Bonneville Shoreline Trail near Holladay, UT:

Pretty trail, involves a ~400 vertical foot climb, then the trails follows the contour of the front range of the Wasatch and is relatively level and easy hiking with great views of the Salt Lake Valley.

3/31/20 Golden Spike National Historical Park, UT:
Promontory Summit where the first transcontinental railroad connection was made (and golden spike driven) is a somewhat desolate high ground near the north shore of the Great Salt Lake.

The beautiful Chinese Arch named after railroad workers.

One of numerous rail bed cuts dating back to 1869.

The Big Fill was an extremely laborious engineering project necessary to build the rail bed over a ravine not far east from the Golden Spike site.

 

FYI, we made no stops driving to and from Golden Spike National Historical Park and our only time outside our car was for quiet hikes along the abandoned rail line. Our smart phones allowed us to get a nice audio tour while visiting the park.

 

Edited April 4 by JimK

[Benski 69]

All the pictures are missing

[JimK 136]

11 hours ago, Benski said:

All the pictures are missing

Thanks for the heads-up Ben.  Hopefully you can see them now.  And far more importantly, hope that Corona situation in your household is under control!

Edited April 4 by JimK

[ABV 145]

Thanks for the heads-up Ben.  Hopefully you can see them now.  And far more importantly, hope that Corona situation in your household is under control!

I can see them now ! Thanks !

[JimK 136]

Selfie with my son from the 2APR20 skinning trip to Alta.

 

 

Walking around the neighborhood 7APR20.

It's not just Major League Baseball that's been shut down.  All youth baseball across America is also impacted.  In spring this is normally a busy ball field in the Salt Lake City suburbs. 

God bless America.  Stay strong!  Things are gonna get better soon.  Maybe one of the silver linings in this cloud is that we all learn to be nicer to each other in the future.

Edited April 8 by JimK