Wandering past the Snowbasin moose, we were drawn in by the familiar strains of “In Heaven There Is No Beer,” an American polka classic adapted from the 1956 German song “Im Himmel gibt’s kein Bier.” The Park City Polka Players commanded the Bavarian Stage as families, baby strollers and dogs filled the green grass lawn at the base of the ski resort.
It’s Oktoberfest at Snowbasin, or as they say, SnowWiesn!
As the leaves begin to turn ever so slightly, and as days get just a little crisper in late summer, minds turn to fall festivals. I think Oktoberfest.
Since the 19th century wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen at Theresienwiese (Therese’s Meadow) in Munich, the annual gathering has been known simply as die Wiesn. Now it’s come to Snowbasin.
For me, it was a bit of a training exercise. In just a few weeks, I’ll be at the original Wiesn in Munich, gathering with the big boys to hoist steins of helles in the Bavarian capital.
Things were decidedly calmer at Snowbasin as we grabbed a shaded picnic table seat near the stage to listen to German music. Parading in front of us was an English setter in lederhosen and his border collie partner in a dirndl.
Dogs totally rule at SnowViesn. And so do babies.
Knowing that this was a training run for me, I wandered through the nine beer purveyors. Kudos to local breweries for rising above the world of IPAs to make some classic German brews. I gravitated to Utah’s mothership of Bavarian brewing with a traditional Helles from Templin.
Halfway through the beer, I was tearing up as the band played “Edelweiss,” my mind wandering to Julie Andrews twirling around in the flowers amidst a mountain meadow high up in the Alps.
For me, it was about building knowledge. In just a few weeks, I’ll be at the original Wiesn in Munich, gathering with the big boys to hoist steins of helles in the Bavarian capital.
Finishing up my Helles, we waltzed over to the Needles Express to check out the view high atop the mountain. It’s still so impressive to see the huge log lodges Earl Holding built for the 2002 Winter Games. None is more breathtaking than Needles Lodge.
On a cool mountain afternoon, the mellow sounds of alphorns filled the air, echoing off the rocky escarpments of the Needles. In front of the lodge, an entire six-piece ensemble of handcrafted Swiss and German alphorns serenaded us in the sunshine.
Eric, from Utah Alphorns, was our guide, telling us that the 12-foot-long instruments are traditionally carved from mountain spruce aged for nine years, usually outside the woodworkers’ barn high in the Swiss Alps. And did you know that an alphorn can play only 14 notes? And it’s all highly dependent on the lips of the musician.
Carole always has probing questions — like, how do you get them on an airplane? Eric explained how they come apart in sections.
Then it was back to the music.
Down at the Snowbasin base area, it was time for the 3 p.m. competitions. First up was the costume contest. I wonder if that’s what they call it in Munich? I was getting a photograph of the contestants when I suddenly realized I had a chance to win myself. I hopped in.
“Everything from the waist up is from Bavaria,” I exclaimed to the crowd. “And I’m wearing Fjallraven pants only because my wife won’t let me wear lederhosen.”
I think I finished second.
Next came the Masskrugstemmen. This is where you hold a liter stein of beer with your arm extended out in front of you. My money was on Ryan. He just seemed to have the right focus, plus a cool Bavarian hat with a badge that said: “I’m the reason the beer is always gone.” Alas, after three or four minutes, Ryan’s arm gave out.
Hunger was setting in with the excitement of the day. It came down to the Rippchenstrang, Hähnchenbrötchen, or a Bratwurst. The brat won out. And the kind tapkeeper from Prodigy Brewing in Logan poured me a tasty Oktoberfest Märzen.
As the music played on, I contemplated. As many as 7 million people will come to the Wiesn in Munich this month and next. It’s decidedly quieter at Snowbasin. In fact, it was downright civil.
It was a true family affair, with dogs and babies reigning supreme. Bring a blanket. Pack the kids in a wagon. Dress up the family pooch. And enjoy an afternoon in the autumn sun, while thinking about carving some turns in just a few months.
Prosit!
DETAILS
When
Every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. through Oct. 18. Check out details at snowbasin.com.