Little Cottonwood Canyon open until 9 a.m.

SALT LAKE CITY —  Little Cottonwood Canyon will open temporarily this morning to downhill traffic. People have until 9 a.m. Friday morning to make their way out of the canyon.

UDOT made the announcement Thursday night. Over 1,500 people have been stuck in the canyon as resorts have been in interlodge since Monday due to considerable avalanche risk.

In just the last week, resorts have seen feet of new snow. 

Daniel Galleguillos, who was working at SnowBird when the interlodge took place told KSL NewsRadio he’s seen a lot of avalanches covering the road in Little Cottonwood Canyon. 

“Mud, maybe some stones, it’s crazy. I’ve never seen snow like that,” Galleguillos said. 

Galleguillos said that food began to run out before trucks were able to transport more to the resorts this morning. 

“We are out of towels, lots of trash bags… just a few kinds of (food) plates that can be made,” he explained. 

Rick Gates, with the ski patrol at SnowBird, also made it down the canyon this morning, after being snowed in for five days and five nights. He told KSL NewsRadio he’s very glad to be down. 

“We got a couple of days of country club skiing,” Gates said jokingly when asked what it was like being snowed in. 

As far as clean-up goes, Gates reports it will take a few days to clear all the snow and debris out. 

🚧 #RoadClosureUpdate🚧
CORRECTION: #SR210 will be temporarily open for DOWNHILL travel ONLY from 5AM -9AM* (not 10AM as stated below)@UDOTRegionTwo @UtahDOT @AltaCentral @AltaAlerts @alta_of @SnowbirdAlerts @UPDSL @RideUTA @CHCity @sandycityutah @UACWasatch @WasatchBCAlli https://t.co/SKHCuAhf3T

— UDOT Cottonwood Canyons (@UDOTcottonwoods) April 7, 2023

It is unknown when the canyon will reopen as crews continue avalanche mitigation. 

Photo credit: Daniel Galleguillos

Related: Full interlodge in effect for Alta and Snowbird ski area