Lightning Ridge Snowcat Opened Today at Powder Mountain

Let the Snowcat skiing begin! This morning shot shows the ideal conditions for Snowcat skiing at Powder Mountain. All lifts, POWDER COUNTRY and LIGHTNING RIDGE are now open. FREE shuttle from Eden too! Call 745-3772 for more info.

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Face shots all day long!

Barb and Howdy in Powder Heaven

Talk about a dump! You can see Barb's smile right through the cold smoke. It just got deeper for every run at Snowbasin. Looks like similar conditions at Powder Mountain below - thanks to the magic of email, I can report on both resorts on the same day.

Photograph of Laurie (Powder Mountain Adventure Pro) by Cameron Pack

Powder Mountain opens Tonight!

I just learned that Powder Mountain opened at 3 pm today for Night skiing (until 9 pm) and is $15 for adults/$12 for children. The free shuttle service will pick up at the Eden parking lot at 2:30 pm, 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm until they begin daytime operations. The shuttle will depart the Sundown lift at 9:15 pm for the return to Eden. FYI – It has been snowing lightly all day and continues, so they predict day skiing will start in the near future!

Sneak Preview at New Years Eve Celebration: Powder Mountain will extend night skiing hours on December 31st to 12:15 a.m. so that New Year’s revelers can count down the beginning of 2009 on the slopes. Night skiing will open at its regular time of 3:00 p.m. and the schedule for the free shuttle service will be adjusted to accommodate New Year’s Eve guests. Children are invited to participate in a glow stick parade at 9:00 p.m.

A special 2009 New Year’s Celebration package will be offered for only $20.09 per person to the first 300 guests that purchase on line at www.powdermountain.com. (Check the web site later in the week.) The package includes a pasta dinner, a lift pass and party favors. Powder Mountain season pass holders may purchase the dinner package for $10.00.

Those interested in skiing only may choose to purchase a night lift pass at the regular price of $15 for adults and $12 for 7 – 12 year olds. The Sundown Lodge and the Powder Keg restaurants will extend their operating hours until midnight allowing guests to order off the regular menus as well. For more information, go to www.powdermountain.com or call 801-745-3772.

And the Snow Cometh!

Finally! 18 inches in 36 hours at Snowbasin. Barb caught some of the action, posted here.

Top to Bottom Sliding!

What a day! With a little help from snowmaking on the lower half, we can ski top to bottom at Snowbasin.

Just like last year in mid December, it sounds like the weather pattern is going to change next week for the better (read that: snow storms are coming). Check out the lodging specials, and join us for some Happy Holidays!

Snowbasin Ski Resort is OPEN!

Skiing has begun at Snowbasin! My ski buddy, Barbara, caught the action here.

Snow Arrives in the Valley

Snow arrived in Ogden Valley just in time for the 2008 Presidential Election. Some of the local shredders at Powder Mountain took advantage of the snow even though the lifts aren’t running just yet.

Projected opening dates for the Ogden Valley ski resorts are: Powder Mountain – November 22; Snowbasin – November 27; and Wolf Creek Utah Ski Resort – November 22. Check out the lodging specials and winter events here. Opening dates depend on the cooperation of Mother Nature, even for the resorts with snowmaking capability. Powder Hounds might want to think about a party honoring Ullr, the Nordic Ski God. Legend has it that the bigger the parties celebrating Ullr, the bigger the snowfall that season.

Winter has Kissed the Mountains

Already a couple of snowfalls in October - really gets you in the mood for ski season to start! We are really lucky to live near these world class resorts (without the world class prices). This press release provides some great details about Powder Mountain, Snowbasin, and Wolf Mountain.

Now is the time to see Fall Foliage!

The colors are breaking out everywhere in Huntsville and Eden and around Pineveiw Reservoir. We found touring by water a great way to take it all in. Simply glorious!

Check out this link for some local routes in the area:

Ogden Valley, Utah - Fall Color Driving Tours

On the Top of the World

OK, we cheated and rode the Snowbasin Needles Gondola up before hiking the final ascent to the top of the ridge. What a great way to spend an autumn day in Northern Utah. I filmed 270 degrees of our view here:

Music in the Mountains

If you haven't spent a Saturday evening listening to music in the Eden mountains it's time. Both Snowbasin and Wolf Mountain sponsor great concerts on the weekend. At Wolf Mountain you can pack a picnic or buy from the concert vendors. It's a treat to enjoy the sunset, watch the stars come out, and tap your feet to the great vibrations. On August 23rd Eric Heatherly will be performing and it's only $20 per car load. The concert starts at 8:00 but arrive early to get a good spot on the grass!

Ogden Valley Balloon Festival - A Success!

What a great festival this year! Perfect weather, entertainment, food, art and crafts. Read about a family from West Haven and enjoy more pictures on the 2008 Ogden Valley Balloon Festival web site!

Fall Colors Coming to the Valley

It won't be long now... the nights are longer and the air is cooling. Check out these driving tour and off-road options!

Lift-Served Mountain Biking - What a Kick!

What a great way to spend a summer day - the trails at Snowbasin Resort are in excellent shape!
Which might be more than I can say for my niece Anna and I - as we point out on the map where we took out little tumbles (somehow the guys stayed spotless clean - "no guts, no glory," said Anna). We are just a little out of practice for the technical stuff, but we had a great time!

OGDEN VALLEY OFFERS SUMMER ESCAPES

Wow! Have you seen what is going on in Ogden Valley this summer? Click here for the scoop - lots of great concerts, lift-served mountain biking, mountain outdoor adventures for the kids, gourmet dining and a triathlon in September!

The Living is Easy

Summer time, and the living is easy... we went for a little fishing and photography one early morning last week. We love it when the new springtime green shows brilliantly against the leftover mountain snow.

Bird Watching, Anyone?

I ran into a couple from Maine at the North Arm Trail head who were in Utah for the Great Salt Lake Bird Festival, and were attending a scheduled "Walk" right here in Ogden Valley. I did not realize that northern Utah is one of the best bird watching locations!

Watch for the upcoming article on this Ogden Valley Pathways "North Arm" trail in the 2008 Valley Views Magazine, coming out in July.

Then... on my way home from the North Arm, some pelicans gave me a little show right across the street from my home.

(Click on my title link to go to the Great Salt Lake Bird Festival. www.greatsaltlakebirdfest.com)

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