Hikers, Skiers And Snowboarders Enjoy Fresh Powder
Feb 6, 2019, 8:51 PM | Updated: 9:04 pm
With nearly two feet of fresh snow in Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons, plenty of people headed that direction for skiing and snowboarding. Others had a different plan of attack, away from the crowds.
Backcountry skiers regularly find ways to avoid the crowds at the resorts. Today, we ran into backcountry skiers and snowboarders who found their own slopes in gentle terrain away from avalanche danger.
“Greatest snow on earth,” said Lyman Woolens, as he and Alec Kitch prepared to snowshoe up a slope all to themselves. “Heading up the west slope of Grandeur (Peak), going to snowboard down and find a good line.”
The lower slopes of Grandeur Peak rarely have enough snow for riding even during a good snow year like this one.
LIVE UPDATES: Snow Continues In Some Areas Into Afternoon
“It’s been pretty epic compared to last year especially,” said Kitch. “The snow is been great. Hope it keeps coming though.”
This storm dumped more than a foot of snow on the west-facing slope.
Scott Reichard and his son, Nick had a similar plan.
“Going to do a couple of laps as long as it’s safe and take it from there,” said Nick.
They geared up and checked their safety equipment.
“It’s a snow day,” he said. “But, the resorts are packed, so this is in our backyard. Why not?”
They skinned up the main shoulder and then picked their own ski lines on the way down.
“We’re on a text chain with some buddies, and it’s taking them a couple of hours to get up Big Cottonwood today,” said Scott. “It took us five minutes to get here. So, that’s the plan.”
They were thankful for a peaceful powder day without crowds or traffic jams.
Take a look at the big flakes falling during our live shot at five @KSL5TV Lake effect snow should continue until sometime tomorrow. #KSLWeather #KSLTV #utwx pic.twitter.com/FEcODMEzz6
— Jed Boal (@jedboal) February 7, 2019