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Snowbasin Hosts the World in 2002
by Heather R. Burke
They call it Utah’s best-kept secret, but that is soon to
change when the world spotlight shines down on the 2002 Downhill and Super G.
But for now Snowbasin is a quiet powder paradise. Snowbasin is beneficiary of a
$25 million capital infusion in recent years, spare change from Earl Holding’s
Sinclair Oil Corporation. That name sounds familiar, also the owner of Idaho’s
preeminent Sun Valley and Little America Hotels chain. With several lifts to choose from the Middle Bowl Gondola
was our inaugural choice. It offered a swift 2,500-foot vertical ride in an
enclosed gondola, each one emblazoned with the name of a former Olympian. From
the comforts of our gondola car there are dramatic views of Mount Ogden, and The
Needles to our west. We disembarked and skied east, heading for deliciously
sweet Strawberry Bowl. The first time I skied the Big Burn at Snowmass I thought I
had died and gone to heaven, a perfect intermediate pitch with soft snow,
fabulous open glades and stunning panoramic views. Strawberry Bowl was equally
scrumptious, and served with light fluffy powder accompanied by yet another
plush eight passenger express gondola. We spent three fabulous hours exploring
over 3,000 feet of vertical, intermediate cruising and unbelievably fun terrain
before skiing back to the base area for lunch.
Bernard Russi, crazy Swiss course designer and Downhill
champ himself, has carved out this spectacular run. The Wildflower Course will
allow the world’s fastest to hurtle their bodies down this trail at speeds in
excess of 80 mph. I took a substantially longer than the requisite two minutes
to ski the course, stopping to contemplate the sheer madness of this event.
Our legs are weary from over 100,000 vertical skied that
week, so we cruised Snowbasin’s core by riding the central gondola and the two
well positioned upper mountain triples, Porcupine and Middle Bowl. Overall,
Snowbasin is as vast as Park City and The Canyons and offers classic Utah snow
and terrain like the more famous Snowbird and Alta. Recent capital in lifts and high tech snowmaking coverage
has been a priority at the Mountain. To date, Snowbasin is still humble around the edges, an old
base lodge, and portable offices make due until the new Sun Valley-like lodges
are constructed. For now, the folks here are friendly, biding their time and
peacefully scarfing up the powder, knowing full well that their spoils will not
last forever. On mountain lodging is years away still.
The “downtown” prices are a pleasant reprieve from the
usual “resort” fare. The historic 25th Street is a fun walk after skiing,
whether you are up for Greek, Italian, or a brew at the old train station. I
should squelch the rumor that Utah towns are as “dry” as the snow. Though
there are some bizarre laws, Ogden alone boasts 26 pubs and bars to whet your
whistle with the real stuff. The powder shots at Snowbasin are sure to be a face full,
the price won’t leave your pockets empty, and the easy trip from Salt Lake
City’s major airport means more miles on your downhill boards than on your
rented SUV. You can mix and match your ski days, as there are 11 other
world-class ski resorts all within an hour’s drive. Another unheard of stash,
Powder Mountain, with 5,500 acres of terrain and affordable snow cat skiing, is
only 17 miles from Ogden. Get out to Utah and discover Snowbasin before the world
gets an eyeful in 2002. Rumor has it Snowbasin’s owner is contemplating a name
change; Sun Valley Utah is a whispered possibility. If you go:
For Ski and Stay packages in the area call 1-888-OGDENSKI
or visit http://www.ogdencvb.org Ogden Marriott has ski & stay package rates and details
1-801-395-2046. Snowbasin Ski Area http://www.snowbasin.com/ For area information and ski reports call 1-800-ALL UTAH. Author Heather R. Burke Images by Photographer Greg Burke © 2000 by Heather R. Burke. Reproduction of this work,
in whole or in part, including images, without written consent from the author
and photographer is prohibited. |
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TM
Next time you are looking for a stash of unbelievable Utah
snow, check out Snowbasin. Grab a morning flight to Salt Lake City. With a
53-mile drive north, you can be skiing Snowbasin that afternoon. Though I should
warn you, the last 8 miles of the drive are not for the timid – featuring a
twisty narrow road with steep drop offs and no guardrails – a situation that
will be remedied with an all-new access road to début 2001.
After lunch we ventured west to the John Paul Express Quad,
just another 2,500 vertical feet. Stepping on to the Olympic Tram to get 500
more vertical feet we have arrived - the start of the 2002 Olympic Downhill
course. My knees are shaking from the mere concept of racing 2,900 vertical down
78-degree steeps, technical turns, and radical gulches.
In addition to the downhill course, this western flank of
the mountain offers vast glades and chutes off No Name Peak. To be sure, a
powder day at Snowbasin leaves no one disappointed. Like the more popular
Snowbird and Alta, there are cliff bands and miles of secret stashes for the
extremists.
Ogden City is 17
miles from the mountain, and is the second part of the formula. This quirky
pioneer town is renowned as home of the east-west railroad’s Golden Spike.
Ogden has every kind of lodging from full service hotels, chains, cabins and
B&Bs and dining imaginable.