It’s mid April and many Utah ski resorts are closed for the season. But don’t hang up those skis and snowboards just yet, because a big storm is on the way and it will bring winter back to the Wasatch. This late-season storm is so impressive that Ski Utah has issued a Powder Alert.
Powder Alert for Thursday and Friday
According to Ski Utah, A cold spring storm will bring snowfall to the region beginning Thursday morning and lasting thru Thursday night into early Friday morning. Mountain locations will see widespread significant snowfall. Due to the cold temperatures, the snow quality will be that of a typical mid-winter storm. Best times for powder will be late Thursday and early Friday. Total accumulations will be 6-12″ with the Cottonwood Canyons receiving 12-24″.
Sounds like a Friday powder day is on tap!
While roughly half of all Utah resorts have closed, some are shutting down the lifts this weekend, so it may be your last chance to ski. A big powder weekend would be a perfect sendoff and to squeeze in a few last runs.
Snowbasin, Solitude and Brian Head will all close on April 15th.
Brighton plans to shut down on April 22nd.
Other resorts are planning to stay open longer, including Alta and Snowbird.
As we all know, Snowbird stays open the longest in Utah and their closing date has not yet been set.
Alta will have a soft closure on April 15th, but will reopen Friday-Sunday for three more weekends after that until May 6th. Alta always embraces their spring season and will have a variety of events up until closing day.
Alta in April
This Friday, April 13, you can join Friends Of Alta for a guided tour with Executive Director Jen Clancy. Learn about the group’s conservation easement program as well as other current projects! The tour will meet at 10 a.m. at the bottom of Alta’s Collins Lift and is expected to end at 12 p.m. Those interested in attending are required to supply their own lift ticket and have an intermediate ski level. Email katie@friendsofalta.org with any questions.
Saturday, April 14 is Alta Earth Day, which encourages environmental stewardship, responsible recreation and awareness of the relationship between climate change and the future of the ski industry in Little Cottonwood Canyon and beyond. The Day’s Event Will Feature: eco-friendly vendors; a ski, snowboard and Patagonia clothing recycle; naturalist tours, birding in Alta, and an Après Earth Day celebration & film featuring the environmental ski film “Guilt Trip” by Salomon TV.
“This event speaks Alta, a fun casual gathering by Alta patrons to celebrate all that Alta provides by way of its natural environment, skiing, and community mountain experience. It’s my favorite day of the season next to pow days,” says the Alta Environmental Center’s manager and Alta resident Maura Olivos.
www.alta.com/the-mountain/events/earth-day
Finally, Alta’s Closing Day is a celebration not to be missed. Dress up in your favorite costume and hit the slopes in one final sendoff to another wonderful Alta season.
For updated information on Utah resorts and their closing days, go to skiutah.com