Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort to Open Early Due to 50-Inch Snowstorm

 

 

Snowbird snow cat preparing the mountain for opening.
Snowbird snow cat preparing the mountain for opening.

Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort will be opening earlier than planned on Thursday, Nov. 15, because of the storm that left one to two feet of snow in Salt Lake City and dumped 50 inches of snow at the resort.

"This is the storm we needed to get the season started off right," said Bob Bonar, president of Snowbird. "Lake effect made a good storm into a great storm leaving more than four feet of snow throughout the mountain."

The resort installed new snowmaking equipment over the summer, doubling its snowmaking capacity and allowing more terrain to open earlier in the season. Snowbird also updated the Little Cloud chairlift to a high speed detachable quad. The new lift will have its grand opening with a celebration on Dec. 1, 2012.

Gadzoom, Mid-Gad and Chickadee chairlifts will be open on Thursday. Beginner terrain will be available on Chickadee. Intermediate and advanced terrain will be available on Bassackwards and Big Emma. The Aerial Tram is scheduled to open with skiing on Regulator Johnson on Saturday, Nov. 17, conditions permitting. The remainder of the mountain will be closed to all guests, including hikers.

All-day tickets will be sold at a reduced price. Lodging and lift ticket packages are available for as low as $99 per person (plus tax and resort fees, two night minimum stay). Details can be found at www.Snowbird.com.