After one of the more memorable and snow-packed winters in recent memory in 2010-2011, this year’s lackluster ski season is quickly approaching its end.
And it may be a welcome end, too.
“There were definitely challenging weather conditions,” said Emily Summers, communications director for Deer Valley Resort. “I’ve felt bad for our snow maintenance guys this year we kind of put them through the wringer.”
All three Park City-based resorts, Park City Mountain Resort, Canyons Resort and Deer Valley Resort are, scheduled to put a cap on the 2011-2012 season this Sunday, April 15.
The three local resorts have been able to remain open while many other ski resorts around the state have had to hang up the closed sign earlier than expected.
According to www.skiutah.com , resorts already closed for the winter season include: Wolf Mountain Resort, Sundance Resort, Snowbasin Resort, Eagle Point and Beaver Mountain.
Krista Parry, director of communications for Park City Mountain Resort, said this year was a bit of a letdown after the 2010-2011 season produced a total of 503 inches at PCMR (compared to a total of 236 inches as of Tuesday afternoon), but reiterated that the resort was thankful for its ongoing investment in snowmaking capabilities.
“We owe everything to our snowmakers and groomers,” she said. “We would not be able to be open without them.
“Our first big snowstorm of the season was that first weekend during Sundance. We’re grateful that we have obviously a great snowmaking system here at the resort. It’s something we’ll continue to invest in next year.”
Parry said the significant drop-off in snowfall hasn’t deterred the folks at PCMR from looking forward to next season. She said the 1991-1992 season was one of the driest winters on record, but was followed by the largest snowfall on record.
“Now we can look forward to next year,” she said.
Parry added that a golden egg left over from Sunday’s Easter egg hunt at the resort, which contains a season pass for the 2012-2013 season, has yet to be found. She said the golden eggs typically are found right away, but this year features a “very well-hidden” spot. Clues will be posted on the PCMR Facebook page starting this morning.
As for suggested runs, Parry said the McConkey’s and Jupiter lifts are still running strong and, if resort-goers would like a good groomed trail before the season ends Sunday, she suggests the runs off the Silverlode Lift.
The summer season is scheduled to get underway at PCMR on Friday, May 25.
“We’re already in summertime mode,” Parry said.
According to Summers, Deer Valley was able to have a successful ski season despite the lack of snowfall. She singled out the VISA Freestyle World Cup event held the first week of February as a highlight.
“It definitely made for an interesting year,” she said. “It was one of those years why we value our snowmaking capabilities. We’re able to make snow on 70 of our 100 runs.”
She recommended the Flagstaff Mountain lifts, specifically Northside and Silver Strike Express chairlifts, to access runs with prime conditions; since they are north-facing trails, they get the least sun exposure. Almost all are intermediate groomed runs.
The summer season at Deer Valley is slated to get underway June 15, Summers said, and added that winter-season passes are valid during summertime.
Steve Pastorino, director of public relations for Canyons, said the resort is approaching this last weekend of the season “cautiously optimistic.” He said snow reports indicate potential for one last hurrah for this season.
“I think we’re going to get three feet of snow this weekend,” he deadpanned. “We’re going to go out with a bang. You never know when you live in Utah.”
Canyons Resort is scheduled to kick off its summer season with a “soft opening” on Friday, May 25. All summer activities are slated to begin June 14, Pastorino said.
For more information on the three resorts and the current breakdowns of open lifts, runs and more, please see our Rec Report on page B-2.