January 30, 2005, Park City, Utah

i was just in Park City on sunday, and at Alta the day before. the snow was nice at Alta, and the groomers at PC were excellent. the slopes off jupiter were soft, with some new snow here and there. it was good to get out and ski. i love the Wasatch.<br>

Just finished the last ski run of my vacation... It has been blue sky and sunshine all week - an "Endless Summer of Skiing!".<br><br>I highly recommend Park City, Utah... 45 minutes from the Salt Lake City Airport. The flight was short. Many, many ski runs between three ski areas right here in town. and a couple more within an hour's drive. They had shuttle busses to take folks to the slopes. We drove around the Wasatch area yesterday - took a look at Snow Bowl ski area. That area had pointy mountains like the cascades, real steep right down to the parking lot.<br><br>See you on the slopes for some Spring skiing soon... - Rux

Correction: That was "Snow Basin" ski area we looked at. After visiting the Shooting Star Saloon for one of their famous burgers.<br><br>Now back in good old Washington... I'm really impressed with Utah skiing. There is so much in easy reach of Salt Lake City airport. Had a few hours between checkout and our flight, so we we visited Antelope Island State Park on the Great Salt Lake about 25 miles North of SLC. There is a bison herd roaming that island on the lake. Had a buffalo burger at the island's burger joint. Nice and sunny to right to lift off.<br><br>When I check the Crystal Mt. Cam this morning, I thought I saw a couple of guys skinning up the slope.

Hey Rux,<br>I am from Utah and skied there for 30 years(since I was 5)and it is definitely the best bang for the buck.<br>I was a snowmaker at Park City for 5 years and a lifty before that. That was better than college for me at the time.<br>The mountains are way bigger here for sure, but the quality there is the best.<br>That is awesome that you made it to the shooting star. awesome burger with a knotwurst(sp?) on top!!!!<br>If you are ever up in that area when it is snowing, go to Powder Mountain. It is a small resort with old lifts. There are snowmobiles that will tow you up some slopes and even a bus that will pick you up when you ski the backcountry like runs called powder country.<br>Snow Basin just expanded and there is actually a nice place to eat lunch. There used to be a few old trailers before the olympics.<br>I had a pass at Alta the past 10 years and definitely love it the most.<br>You can get into some awesome backcountry from there.<br>If anyone is going to Utah and need some good beta, please let me know and I will be happy to help.<br>I am going back at the end of the month as well, so if anyone wants to go, let me know.<br>Tickets on Southwest are $58.00 each way right now.<br>I can find a lot of space for anyone on a budget as well.<br>Good friends in low places.

BcPinhead... My wife and I were so impressed with Utah, that we are working on booking next year's trip. <br><br>The Shooting Star Saloon was a kick! It reminded me of the year I spent in Winslow Arizona 30 years ago. It was like nothing had changed. The ceiling is plastered with autographed one dollar bills... must be a couple thou. Had the double bacon cheese burger and a beer.<br><br>Snow Basin looked like a chunk of the NW set down in Utah, it was crowded because of all the demo tents.<br><br>Even though Park City had a 100+ inch base, it hadn't gotten any fresh snow for a while so the runs were well groomed, and very fast. One night we took a horse and sleigh ride up the Park City ski hill to the Snowed Inn and had dinner with some Utah cowboys!

Awesome!!!<br>I thought that the Snowed inn was gone.<br><br>Hope to ski with you sometime and we can share stories!!!<br><br>Bryan