Warm weather, little snow cause hurdles at ski resorts

SALT LAKE CITY — Some ski seasons come by quickly. Others — like this year’s — not so much.

Alta Ski Area is usually open by now.

“Currently, we don’t have enough base depth to open, but we’re hoping we do by Friday, Dec. 5,” said Alta Ski Area communications manager Lexi Dowdall.

Dowdall said that all depends on Mother Nature.

“We’ve only had about six inches so far, which is pretty atypical for November, but we’re just kind of stuck in a trough pattern, and we’re seeing some disturbance in the forecast.”

Finally, things are cooling down.

“We’re looking for cold nights and really low humidity. And that allows us to be most efficient with both our electricity use and the water we’re using the pump up the snow guns.”

The story is the same at Brighton Resort. They’re asking people to stay off the mountain while they make snow.

Brian Head Resort opened last week. They’ll open additional terrain on Thanksgiving Day.

Powder Mountain and Nordic Valley are scheduled for Dec. 12, followed by Eagle Point Resort on the 19th.

The rest are waiting on the weather.

“My message to all the skiers that are waiting down in the valley for (this snow) to come … wash your car, buy some skinny skis,” Dowdall said.

While they wait for snow here, a lot of the employees don’t have work. So Alta Ski Area is putting together a winter essentials drive on Saturday.

“You can bring by and donate clothing, jackets, warm items, hand warmers, and all those donations will go with Volunteers of America,” Dowdall said.

They’ll also accept used ski gear.

“If you have gear that’s five to 10 years old, it’s broken … our employees will be on-site doing all the recycling (and) sorting.”

Dowdall said that sometimes, a slow start to the ski season pays off in the end.

“Sometimes the driest November, early Decembers become the wettest January, February, March.”