Utah March 11-13, 2026
- Thread starter kingslug
- Start date
I recognize Lone Tree from the first pic above, definitely narrower and more sporting than in most seasons. I'm a bit surprised the Strawberry gondola was running to access it, as the base of Strawberry is low, very sunny and can't have much of a snowpack in a year like this. I note that the John Paul lift is not open.
This may have been the most challenging or limited Iron Blosam week for conditions I have seen since I started coming this week in 1996. I've had many trips with no new snow and many with warm weather and widespread spring conditions. I have not seen ongoing cold weather after the warmup like this aside from the start of a new storm cycle.
This year March 8 and 9 were very warm, up to 50F. March 10 was cloudy, I was not feeling well and took the day off. Liz skied a bit under 3 hours, said not much spring softening.
March 11 was clear but 18F at opening bell, rising to maybe mid-20s. I was at Alta most of my time out, probably the last person returning through the Sugarloaf Pass gate at 3:28. At that time direct south facing Bassanova was just barely softened.
Today March 12 the high temps went back up into the 40s but there were strong gusty winds. Fortunately the tram was the only closed lift. On both yesterday and today I was giving intermediate tours at Alta. Groomed skiing is better over there than at Snowbird under current conditions. In terms of ungroomed at Alta, the Ballroom Traverse is the most accessible and you can drop off it early for mellow skiing or continue farther out for a longer/steeper run. We took two runs there March 11 but it was closed March 12, presumably due to fear of wind loaded snow on the cliffs above it.
High Snowbird north facing runs retain winter snow. I was pleased both mornings on the way to Alta to find Powder Paradise and the ungroomed beyond it in good shape. Returning to Snowbird March 11 I reasoned correctly that the upper Silver Fox sector used for a freeskiing comp the prior 3 days might have softer snow and fewer moguls than other steep runs. I got in there via Macaroni and exited via the blind traverse to skier's left which leads to more open faces than the tight direct fall line.
On March 12 Bassanova was fully softened by 2:45 so I took a chance on Lone Star parallel but skier's right of the Mineral Basin lift. It had some moguls but they were manageable and had soft not hard snow. My final run was Hoops, which was quite soft with blown-in snow from today's wind.
This may have been the most challenging or limited Iron Blosam week for conditions I have seen since I started coming this week in 1996. I've had many trips with no new snow and many with warm weather and widespread spring conditions. I have not seen ongoing cold weather after the warmup like this aside from the start of a new storm cycle.
This year March 8 and 9 were very warm, up to 50F. March 10 was cloudy, I was not feeling well and took the day off. Liz skied a bit under 3 hours, said not much spring softening.
March 11 was clear but 18F at opening bell, rising to maybe mid-20s. I was at Alta most of my time out, probably the last person returning through the Sugarloaf Pass gate at 3:28. At that time direct south facing Bassanova was just barely softened.
Today March 12 the high temps went back up into the 40s but there were strong gusty winds. Fortunately the tram was the only closed lift. On both yesterday and today I was giving intermediate tours at Alta. Groomed skiing is better over there than at Snowbird under current conditions. In terms of ungroomed at Alta, the Ballroom Traverse is the most accessible and you can drop off it early for mellow skiing or continue farther out for a longer/steeper run. We took two runs there March 11 but it was closed March 12, presumably due to fear of wind loaded snow on the cliffs above it.
High Snowbird north facing runs retain winter snow. I was pleased both mornings on the way to Alta to find Powder Paradise and the ungroomed beyond it in good shape. Returning to Snowbird March 11 I reasoned correctly that the upper Silver Fox sector used for a freeskiing comp the prior 3 days might have softer snow and fewer moguls than other steep runs. I got in there via Macaroni and exited via the blind traverse to skier's left which leads to more open faces than the tight direct fall line.
On March 12 Bassanova was fully softened by 2:45 so I took a chance on Lone Star parallel but skier's right of the Mineral Basin lift. It had some moguls but they were manageable and had soft not hard snow. My final run was Hoops, which was quite soft with blown-in snow from today's wind.