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  1. jimk

    Managing the fickle winter of 2026

    How did you do dealing with the fickle winter of 2026? It sounds like the East did better than average, while the West was subpar. I suppose a significant part of the answer depends on where you did your skiing? Did you have a mostly enjoyable ski season, or was it quite disappointing? Any...
  2. jimk

    U.S. Ski Areas With The Biggest Cult Followings

    I agree with most of the areas mentioned in comments from posters and the areas identified in the Snowbrains article. I would also suggest Aspen Highlands has a bit of a cult following due to the presence of Highland Bowl, Deep Temerity, and other top end expert terrain, not to mention the...
  3. jimk

    Wapta Traverse - April 19-25, 2026

    Yes, drove north on the Icefields Parkway on March 28, just two days after it reopened. When we arrived at the single lane section the avi debris was mostly removed from the road, fortunately. That same day a bit further north we had some white knuckle driving in a snow squall for an hour+ to...
  4. jimk

    Wapta Traverse - April 19-25, 2026

    @claurel very cool trip and beautiful photos. I was up that way in late March to ski at Banff and Jasper areas. Drove Icefields Parkway both directions. Magnificently deep snowpack, white, white white in that area.
  5. jimk

    2025-26 Season Recap

    Ski days 2025-2026 season Update: Got one more day on a pretty spring morning at Snowbird on 1 May 2026. Grateful for a fun and safe ski season! Hope to get after it again next year, God willing :-) 68 days, and now my season is over. Monthly tally: Dec: 11, Jan: 11, Feb: 14, Mar: 18, Apr...
  6. jimk

    Vail: Epic Pass Sales and Strategy

    He went to a little catholic college in Latrobe, PA (Arnold Palmer's home town). Taught skiing at nearby Seven Springs and Hidden Valley, both in Western PA. Had an excellent ski mentor at Hidden Valley, which has a vertical of only 470', yet that was the place his skills progressed the most :-)
  7. jimk

    Vail: Epic Pass Sales and Strategy

    My son got into instructing in college about 15 years ago. His big draw was not the measly pay, but the instructor clinics, which essentially represented weekly high level lessons for free. He took full advantage of them and became quite proficient and eventually a PSIA L-3 at age 24.
  8. jimk

    Spring 2026 in Utah Cottonwood Canyons

    Me and the King are like ships passing in the night :) 25 April 2026, nice spring day at the Bird. Not too hot, snow stayed fast until I quit at 130 pm. Small crowds. Spotted a Wiggle near Upper Chips Run while riding the Peruvian chair. It was cool enough that there were icicles inside...
  9. jimk

    Western North America Conditions 2025/26

    Have friends up there recently at Sunshine and Louise, they say it's been spring mix, firm some days, good spring skiing others. But yes, they have plenty of snowpack still. First hand report From two days ago: "Current skiing up here is very meh, but not a bad place to be for meh skiing...
  10. jimk

    Spring 2026 in Utah Cottonwood Canyons

    I've only been to a couple Alta closings in last ten years. Had my own gang of friends and didn't partake in Frank stuff. Today is snowy, cold and low viz, lousy day for spring outdoor parties. I am going to Snowbird in the hopes that the ski surface is good. Dropping my son off at Alta, he...
  11. jimk

    Spring 2026 in Utah Cottonwood Canyons

    I'll be at Snowbird approx 10am to 2pm today. Give me a shout if you see old guy in black and yellow.
  12. jimk

    Vail: Epic Pass Sales and Strategy

    I'm hearing that both IKon and Epic sales are down and that short sighted people are upset about how poor the snow was this season across much of the US. Also, the fairly big increase in Ikon pass price didn't sit well with folks.
  13. jimk

    East Village at Deer Valley

    I too can't help thinking the Deer Valley expansion boondoggle cost the Alterra CEO his job. I just renewed my Snowbird senior season pass. The one free day it included to Deer Valley has been dropped :-( But in its place we've been given one free "wasatch benefit" day at Snowbasin. I'm...
  14. jimk

    Western North America Conditions 2025/26

    21 Apr 2026, the Grinch Who Stole Winter was spotted at Snowbird, UT yesterday :)
  15. jimk

    Spring 2026 in Utah Cottonwood Canyons

    I've skied LCC the last five days. Sunday was not so great and quite firm. Monday was surprisingly fun with 4" dust on crust. Tuesday was quite fun in early spring type conditions, starts firm, gets soft later. Wed similar, afternoon especially good and soft. Today rather firm, but partial...
  16. jimk

    Spring 2026 in Utah Cottonwood Canyons

    I'm having a ball at Snowbird demo-ing skis at the Blister Summit this week, 14-17 Apr 2026 . Really adds some sparkle to the late season. I don't know how well Blister and Snowbird advertised this event as the crowds are modest, but there are about 20 manufacturers and it's been super easy to...
  17. jimk

    Spring 2026 in Utah Cottonwood Canyons

    i think im going to alta today, 13 apr 2026. i have a use or lose wasatch benefit day. will be in my black and yellow colors. 4" new snow last night with maybe a couple more coming today. right now they are calling for one foot on thursday.
  18. jimk

    Spring 2026 in Utah Cottonwood Canyons

    12 Apr 2026, a change is in the wind. Winter coming back to Snowbird for a least a week. This was just my second day back after three weeks away. Lower mountain hanging in there, but just barely. Upper mountain doing ok. Mineral Basin view with some buddies. The place was dead quiet...
  19. jimk

    SLC-Panorama-Banff-Jasper-Big Sky-SLC 18 days March & April 2026

    Later on 31 March 2026 we passed through Banff one last time and had a meal at The Boss Kitchen and Bar. It's named after a famous alpha-grizzly bear that still roams the area. Banff was one of my favorite locations ever for a large gathering of ski friends. The town is highly walkable and...
  20. jimk

    SLC-Panorama-Banff-Jasper-Big Sky-SLC 18 days March & April 2026

    Having skied LL/SSV, Chamonix and Grindelwald in the last three months I'd diplomatically say they are all equally gorgeous. My impressions of Banff area are biased because the snow quality was so good. Having that and scenery was a big WOW. I've also skied Telluride and it's quite beautiful...
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