Thanksgiving Storm Brings Fresh Powder To Utah Mountain Resorts

COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, Utah – If you woke up in the Salt Lake Valley wondering where the snowstorm was, it was up in the mountains — where people were ready to play. Skiers and snowboarders who ventured up to Park City or Brighton Wednesday found quite the blizzard blowing in.

Two weeks ago, skiing in Utah on Thanksgiving seemed very unlikely.

But when the storm started to deliver Wednesday morning, conditions changed very quickly.

“Seriously, I live for days like this,” said Ryan Gunn, after finishing a run on his snowboard.

He wasn’t alone. The arrival of about a half-foot of real snow kicked the season into gear at Brighton Resort and filled the parking lot early in the day.

Brian Head, Brighton and Park City Mountain resorts were open by Wednesday and Alta, Snowbasin, Snowbird and Solitude open Friday.

Park City skiers also enjoyed the fresh powder. Four more Utah resorts open in the next few days and the promise of more snow even adds to the energy on the hill.

“It’s a different thing boarding on packed, groomed snow versus fresh stuff that’s come down,” Gunn said. “Just being so early in the season, it’s just so nice. You can’t pay for days like this.”

The quality of snow was better than just about everybody expected.

“I was expecting twigs and branches and rocks everywhere, and it’s actually pretty good coverage,” said one skier, who was playing hooky from work to enjoy the skiing.

There was plenty of wind blowing the snow around to make it feel like mid-season.

“It’s super powdery and fun,” said Quinn Novak. “So, I’m really enjoying it.”

Brighton opened another lift Wednesday and more runs for early-season riders.

“It started dumping earlier this morning a little before the lift started running,” said Will Novak. “But, it’s pretty deep. It’s really fun.”

It was storming pretty steadily throughout Wednesday.

“This is incredible,” Gunn said. “I would stay up here all day if I could.”