Skiing the 4th of July has only happened three times in Snowbird’s history. 2011 was year #3, but the season will also go down in the books as the longest season at 202 days, and for record-breaking snowfall with a total 783 inches. To celebrate these amazing stats, but to mostly experience the novelty of skiing on the 4th of July, Snowbird was slammed with people seeking a chance to slide on snow during America’s birthday.
The parking lots at all entries filled with cars by 8:30. A long Tram line snaked around the Snowbird Plaza and across the bridge that spans Little Cottonwood Creek. The resort base looked more like an epic powder day, except these hardcore skiers were wearing bikinis, costumes, and tons of red, white and blue.
“It is such a fun day to be up here,” said Emily Moench, Snowbird’s Communications Manager. “We’ve got eight to ten feet of snow in some places at the top of the mountain and it’s just great skiing.”
The Tram brought skiers to the top of Hidden Peak, and each car-load typically broke out into song. In one instance, Born to be Wild blasted from roof-mounted speakers, prompting everyone to join in and belt out the chorus. Once on the peak, revelers were able to ski down to either the Mineral Basin or Little Cloud lifts on snow that was much better than expected for a day well into summer.
The Solitude FOGS were on hand, grilling and drinking libations next to the ski patrol shack. “Can you believe the snowfall? 800 inches or something like that,” said Dave Nordstrom as he lounged in a lawn chair with a spectacular view of Little Cottonwood Canyon falling away behind him. “We have a great group of friends and we ski together as many days of the year we can.. Utah is the best skiing in the world.”
Adam Symonds donned a Statue of Liberty hat as he charged down Mineral Basin’s moguls. “How awesome is it to be here on the 4th of July? America’s birthday?” Symonds asked. “It’s awesome. Awesome to be skiing on the 4th of July.”
Shotgunning PBRs, skiing nearly nude, and gawking at costumes rounded out the party on Hidden Peak. Outfits ranged from the R-rated Stars and Stripes banana hammock, to Spiderman, Duff Man, flag-draped bikini girls, and even a man dressed as a Shake Weight.
Skiers and snowboarders went all out to mark the occasion of skiing on the 4th of July, because it only happens on average once every 30 years. Now the lifts have officially stopped for the season in Utah, and boy what a season it was.
To really get a sense of what it was like at Snowbird on the 4th of July, watch the video below.
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