Boy, what a way to end a year. After a relatively dry autumn start to the ski season, the latter days of 2012 have been blessed by our god Ullr (or is it Skadi?) Since Christmas Eve, Utah’s mountains have been hammered by snow measured in feet, as in more than one. This has given every resort a huge boost in terrain awesomeness, and also allayed fears of 2013’s water year… for now.
Eagle Point was the state’s big winner from the last wave of snow, with over 35″ reported. The Wasatch fared almost as well with over two feet of powder in the Cottonwood Canyons. Not only were the ski resorts giddy with holiday skiers, but the backcountry also was unbelievably deep.
Mike D and I went looking for fresh tracks in Butler Fork, and boy did we find them. Considering the amount of cars at the trailhead, we figured scraps would be left, but after gaining the ridge to Circle All Peak, and heading to our less-obvious, secret runs, we found the entire aspect untouched.
Dropping in, we whooped with surprise as the snow was even deeper than it looked. We got buried in it, at least waist deep if standing still, which translates to over-the-head waves when turns are made and speed is gained. We wove through the trees sinking deep at the bottom of every turn until all that was visible was a helmet top joined to a lone ski pole sticking out of a cloud of cold smoke. We both agreed that it was the deepest day of the season, if not the last two.
Hopefully this trend continues and we have more days like the ones we’ve been lucky to experience this holiday week. Goodbye 2012, please hand the powder wand to 2013 on your way out…