President's week crowds at SLC area resorts...?

[Marc_C]

Another misconception. It is not legal to sell beer in a keg or any container larger than X ml (I don't recall the size limit at the moment) to consumers. However, in a bar it is perfectly legal to dispense and sell the contents of said cask. We in fact do have a number of cask conditioned beers. Squatters Pub always has at least one on tap. The bigger problem is that since a cask conditioned ale is unpasteurized, it must be kept cold, and in Utah, it is illegal to have coolers in the state liquor stores.

My understanding is that I cannot walk into Squatters brewpub in downtown SLC and buy a greater-than-4%-ABV beer that doesn't come in a bottle. If I am wrong about this, then it is a misconception shared by just about everyone who has ever reviewed a Squatters beer on beeradvocate.

You and they are incorrect. Every single one of the beers listed has been available on tap at one time or another. You have to sit in the specific bar area or eat at a table and order from a server in order to get them.

But none of that is what you originally said. You had stated flatly that cask conditioned beers were illegal in Utah. That is not true.

[flyover]

But none of that is what you originally said. You had stated flatly that cask conditioned beers were illegal in Utah. That is not true.

With all respect, I did not. Here's the quote:

However, the truest expression of many of the higher-alcohol styles is cask conditioning. Such beers are, apparently, not legal to sell in Utah.

Stated another way: it appears that higher-alcohol cask-conditioned beers cannot be sold in Utah.

I use words like "apparently" and "appears" because I haven't actually dug into the Utah code to look at the alcohol statutes. I note that even Squatters themselves do not appear to be doing anything to dispel this misconception. Take a look at the beer list on their website:

http://www.squatters.com/our-brew/

Out of the 12 listed beers, 9 of them are 4% ABV and available at Squatters' pubs on tap. 3 of them (the IPA, the Hop Rising, and the Big Cottonwood), have ABVs higher than 4%. According to Squatters' own website, these higher-ABV beers are available at their pubs only in bottles. If they can legally sell higher-alcohol beers on tap, why does their website create the very strong impression that they don't? Also, why the heavy manipulation of the ABVs to meet that 4% number?

[snowave]

Ok, So how about another topic for my trip.

Tell me more about Powder Mtn.

But keep these thoughts in mind for me, please.

I've done a little research here, but am still having a hard time getting a grasp for the place. If I'm not going there just for powder, are the groomers decent (long and nicely groomed) and enough to keep us entertained for half a day or so? (if it were just me, I would be there primarily for the powder... but I am sacrificing a little here for the lady)

The other alternative for our last day of riding is Brighton. Mainly because as I said earlier in this thread, it's the only place in the LCC and BCC that I haven't been to yet... and it's going to be the only chance for the lady to go to one of the front side canyon resorts as we're doing Sundance, PC and Snowbasin as the others. Plus, I might get to see Admin, and raid his secret stash of 22.8% beer.

My lady is a middle road intermediate skier. She can go down blacks, but mainly just to get down. She likes blues, and mostly groomers. However, she has had a couple powder days, but that's not really what I think is best for us this trip.. We're mostly going to stay on the groomers with a little bit of off piste stuff if the snow is decent.

I board, so do I need to be concerned about many flats? I have heard some rumors...

Would you do PowMow of Brighton based on these concerns?

Thanks for any advice..

[q]

I've spent a lot of time at Powder Mountain.

It is a massive area, there are more than enough groomers to keep anyone happy if they are into that and it is deserted. The general complaint would be that it is a little on the flat side and that would be particularly true of much of the groomed terrain and solely talking about groomers there are one or two pretty long cat tracks to the base of Paradise(not looking at a map so don't jump on me if I have the wrong name).

There is a laidback vibe at the resort IMO in comparison to any of the other Utah resorts and the bar after skiing is the best.

[Admin]

Agree with q. Love the place, but if you don't know where you're going and on a board you could find yourself on a flat without good planning. That nearly rules out Cobabe Canyon due to the access issues (flats at the top and a poma lift could create access issues if your other half isn't used to riding one on a board). You'd want to stick to the runs closer to the lift in Paradise, or ride Hidden Lake, Timberline, etc. If she's never done a cat run then $12/pop is a cheap introduction.

[snowave]

good info.. Thanks for the tips. Flats are not fun... btw, I ride, but the lady just ski's right now. However, one of our biggest complaints about Montana was all the flat runouts at the bottom 1/3 of the mtns.. at Big Sky/Moonlight, Bridger.. and a little less so at Discovery. It was kinda annoying.. but we are spoiled with Mammoth, I guess. It's obviously a little easier to avoid when you know a place better.

However, you guys are taking the easy way out by not picking a place for me! I don't like making decisions.... cuz if I'm wrong, I can't blame it on someone else.

[socal]

Just my opinion, but I don't think Powder Mountain is the right choice if it hasn't snowed. There's some decent groomers I guess but it's called Powder Mountain for a reason. Also, it's a pretty tough place to get your bearings at the first few times you're there, I'd say give Brighton a try if you haven't been and save Powder Mountain for a day when it snowed within the past day or 2 and you want to get some good intermediate powder skiing in.

[snowave]

Just my opinion, but I don't think Powder Mountain is the right choice if it hasn't snowed. There's some decent groomers I guess but it's called Powder Mountain for a reason. Also, it's a pretty tough place to get your bearings at the first few times you're there, I'd say give Brighton a try if you haven't been and save Powder Mountain for a day when it snowed within the past day or 2 and you want to get some good intermediate powder skiing in.

Those are kinda some of the thoughts that've been in the back of my head... I've also considered the snow factor, too. So if there is some fresh stuff when we're there , and the lady is up for it, we might give it a shot.

Thanks!

[Tony Crocker]

I agree with Powder Mountain comments about groomers, particularly with Snowbasin in the neighborhood. That is one of the very best fall line groomer mountains anywhere. My ex Becky loves the place.

I would also take Solitude over Powder Mountain in your situation, particularly with current snow conditions.

[Admin]

I would also take Solitude over Powder Mountain in your situation, particularly with current snow conditions.

As someone who's actually here in Utah, I can tell you that "current snow conditions" are no longer an issue.

[kingslug]

And if anyone thinks that the liquor laws are killing the ski industry, they haven't skied in Utah...nothing will kill it, its growing, so much so that the issue is how to accomodate it.

[socal]

And if anyone thinks that the liquor laws are killing the ski industry, they haven't skied in Utah...nothing will kill it, its growing, so much so that the issue is how to accomodate it.

With the huge $'s they're spending to promote it better be. I see almost 1 Ski Utah or Ski Park city ad every commercial break (sometimes 2).

[snowave]

no doubt.. SLC is really saturating the LA market with ski commercials. My favorite is the one where they say something like "Utah isn't what you think".. and proceed to show a bunch of people drinking, being served booze., etc... We are also getting a ton of Alberta commercials, too. Both Utah and Alberta have much more enticing commercials than the very periodic Mammoth commercials.

Now, I feel better about the authenticity of this thread thanks to Crocker and Admin sniping a little.

[snowave]

Had a nice week in the area... although, some challenging conditions at times.

Brighton: Presidents Day... was busy, but tolerable. Snow was great, with mostly nice PP conditions. First time here. Enjoyed the terrain, but the lift structure at the base is a little weird. Drove up to Ogden for the evening and hit the hot springs before dark. Had a great dinner at the Marriott restaurant of all places.

Snowbasin: Tuesday... terrible. most lifts closed, poor vis, snow, wind, etc... bolted for the shooting star saloon for burgers and beer, then to Homestead Crater for a nice soak.. alot of fun. I have been here before and was really looking forward to showing off the terrain to the girl, but it'll have to wait til next time. Headed to PC and had another great meal at the High West Distillery.. bought a bunch of whiskey and their amazing lemonade syrup/recipe.

Park City: Wed.... freak windstorm for about 2 hrs, most lifts closed during that time.. then it let up. Snow conditions were OK, PP, a little fluff on top in places... crowds were moderate, except everyone was at the King Con lift when it was the only lift open mid-morning. P.S. I still don't like the mountain layout/terrain/lifts... but had a great time in town, as usual. Bought the lady a nice ring .. and had another amazing dinner at the Purple Sage.

Sundance: Thurs.... my first time here... extremely variable conditions.. bottom 2/3 of the mtn was pretty close to ice from the rainstorm/wet snow the night before, then it got cold and froze everything... however, the top 1/3 there were some nice PP and even powder conditions in the bowl and thru a few of the aspen grove runs at the top.. which was quite nice. The lady and I really liked the Owl Bar, Foundary Grill, and then has the best massages of our life up at the spa.. I really liked the place, as people were very friendly (not snooty), service was great... and it had a very laid back, and unique vibe. The mountain has some very nice terrain, albeit nothing huge.. but the views and low skier density were great.. The bottom lift was rediculously slow and long, but I suppose that's part why the place has the vibe it does and low density traffic.


Tried to get admin to meet up for a last minute beer when we got into SLC, but couldn't persuade him to get out of his cocoon after skiing all day. Next time for sure...

Not going to post any pics since this is a skiers forum,and most of my shots are scenery and food pictures.

Thanks again for all the tips, guys... appreciate it.

[Admin]

Bought the lady a nice ring

Tried to get admin to meet up for a last minute beer when we got into SLC, but couldn't persuade him to get out of his cocoon after skiing all day. Next time for sure...

You bet. I was toast that night.