The race is on! With winter here and snow falling in Utah, ski resorts around the state have announced their opening dates. Historically, Brighton and Solitude have had an ongoing, friendly competition to see who can open first. But this year, it seems Alta is gunning for top honors, as both Solitude and Alta plan to open on Friday, November 21. Brighton has announced November 22 as their opening day.
So who will win? Depends on what time in the morning diehard skiers get first chair. Either way, everyone has something to look forward to when the lifts start spinning. Alta completed a ton of terrain work on the lower mountain with a re-grade of Corkscrew to make it wider and less of an icy bottleneck for intermediate skiers. This re-grade also took away the cat track that split the bottom of High Rustler, which means Alta’s most iconic run will be an consistent fall-line from top to bottom. Get those quads ready and try to ski it without stopping! In addition to new terrain work, Alta has new ski school programs in place and a new website launching soon.
To prepare for the opening, Alta is closing the mountain to uphill traffic at 4 pm on November 14. Collins Gulch and Albion Basin will be off limits, but access will remain open up the Summer Road.
Over at Solitude, they’re offering free skiing on opening weekend. According to a press release, season pass and ticket book holders can bring a buddy to ski for free when they officially open on November 21st.
To participate in the offer, season pass and ticket book holders can stop by the Moonbeam Lodge Ticket Office any day during opening weekend, November 21-23, 8:00am – 4:00pm, to receive one free day ticket. Solitude expects to have three lifts operating – Eagle Express, Moonbeam, and Link, servicing eight runs.
So will Alta or Solitude open first and get all the bragging rights? Or will Brighton steal the show and open, unannounced, on Thursday the 20th? Get those skis tuned and edges sharpened, because either way, we’ll be skiing soon.