Utah ski resorts are opening more and more terrain, and it should only get better as a big storm is on its way. Much needed terrain openings happened at both Alta and Solitude over MLK weekend, providing new places to explore and untouched powder to those lucky enough to be there at the rope drops.
Honeycomb Canyon opens at Solitude
At Solitude Mountain Resort, the big news is that Honeycomb Canyon opened for the first time this season. While I was backcountry skiing in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Saturday, I could hear bombs going off at Solitude all day long. Ski patrol were working hard to get Honeycomb open. Well, that hard work paid off. Honeycomb is open with limited runs (many of the double black diamonds are closed) and the Honeycomb Return lift is running.
Alta finally opens the High T
In Little Cottonwood Canyon, Alta finally opened the High Traverse. Skiers can now access the entire backside including Gunsight, Thirds, Greeley Bowl, High Rustler and more. Previously this season, that terrain could only be accessed by a boot pack up Jitterbug. Now life is normal again. But, the High T being the High T, coverage is… spotty at best. There is a lot of pepper there, and even some bare dirt sections. As you side step up to Thirds over rock and soil, worrying what you’re doing to your precious skis, just think to yourself: “tools not jewels.”
Coverage is very good at Alta right now. Skiing in Catherine’s I didn’t hit any rocks. Same goes for Backside, High Greeley, Greeley Bowl and Greeley Hill. The snow on that side of the mountain is very good skiing – soft, smooth and fun to blast through.
Mineral Basin at Snowbird now open
Ski patrol spent the weekend running routes in Mineral Basin, which is now open. Snow coverage is excellent there and the skiing is great. With the opening, the Peruvian Tunnel, Baldy Express, Mineral Basin Express and the Alta connection are all open.
If the forecast holds true, we should see even more terrain openings in the Wasatch. According to Evan Thayer with OpenSnow.com, significant snow is possible bringing “over-the-head blower powder.” Perhaps this big one will be just what we need to see 100% of terrain open in the Wasatch. Keep your fingers crossed.