The Canyons
Sunday 27 January 2002

Weather

Conditions

It took us quite a long time to get going, so we didn't actually start to ski until about 9:45. Our first choice for breakfast, Marie Callendar's was not open. When we went to get discount ski lifts, we were advised against Snowbird because of the high winds. We decided on The Canyons and headed up I-80. As we neared Parley's Summit we encountered heavy snow and by the time we turned off towards Park City, the roads were getting pretty difficult. Our second choice for breakfast, Denny's at Kimball Juntion, was also closed (for remodelling), so we ended up going all the way into Park City, to Mt Air Sports.

Flight of the Canyons (1189) :

Back at The Canyons, there was the open air gondola from the car park and the Flight of the Canyons before we could start to think about skiing.

Saddleback (1101) : Snow Dancer, Chicane

Our first run from Saddleback gave us a good feeling for the day. There was obviously plenty of fresh snow on top of the groomed base (probably about 8") and patches of untracked powder at the edges of the track. We decided to head across to the extreme South of the resort, Dreamscape, where there was likely to be untracked snow.

Saddleback lift

Tombstone (1731) : Another World, Ripsaw

The run down from the top of Tombstone was very similar to the previous ones, with lots of soft powder on top, but by now getting pretty well kicked up.

Peak 5 (1020) : Harmony

At the top of Harmony, there were warning signs of unmarked obstacles. In fact we found none, the first part of the run was a cat track, but with few people and the opportunity to keep going quite fast.

Peak 5 lift	9090 from Peak 5 lift	Peak 5 lift
Gary on Harmony run	Powder on Harmony run

Dreamscape (878) : Panorama

We convinved Gary that the black run down from the top of Dreamscape would be fine. It was. We turned right and traversed to an area of almost untracked snow, with the occasional tree to ski around. Apart from one or two places where the fresh snow was not quite deep enough to hide the crud underneath, the slope was a delight. At the end of the runout to the bottom of the lift, there was a short mogul field under the lift. We did it, just the once! It wasn't very pleasant. The moguls at the top were rock hard.

Dreamscape (878) : Panorama Snow Dancer

Back up the top of the lift, we once again turned right. This time we started down a little closer to the lift, with a few more trees to add more challenge. Snow Dancer was in much worse condition than the run we took previously. It had been more heavily skied and the underlying bumps were more apparent.

Dreamscape (878) : Panorama, Panorama Bliss, Bliss

.. at the bottom, we headed back up Dreamscape and did the same run again.We were ready for more, so despite the slowness of the lift and the high winds at the top we went back up Dreamscape. This time we took the "double blue" run which crossed under the lift. This was in great condition with lots of areas of fresh snow and opportunities to ski in and out of the aspens, so ..

An innovation this year is a small café at the bottom of the Dreamscape lift. We took advantage of it to stop for a warming drink mid morning. It advertised "restrooms". The thunderbox behind the café was truly awful, close to overflowing, but is was there.

The bottom of Dreamscape	The bottom of Dreamscape	The café
Daybreak lift

Harmony

The only escape from Dreamscape is Harmony, the long road around the new condo developments down to the base of Tombstone lift, which definitely needs an "essential turns only" approach to avoid walking. We just about made it without stopping completely.

Tombstone (1731) : Another World Diamond Ridge

At the top of Tombstone we turned left and headed down the top of Diamond Ridge just to the North of the lift line. This is a genuine black run with moguls all the way. On top of the ridge, the moguls were hard and unyielding. To the sides there was better snow, but strange cambers. We all enjoyed this, but it took a toll of our legs. The long cruise to the bottom of the lift was a great relief.

Tombstone (1731) : Sidewinder

We looked carefully at the two chutes on the North side of Tombstone lift, but not for long. There were lots of trees and we could not see an easy line through. So, we took the east route down the steep but groomed Sidewinder.

Saddleback (1101) : Meadow Way Pine Draw Ecstasy

When we started up Saddleback, our intention was to ski the run along the ridge. This was not ingreat condition, so we looked seriously at the gladed runs to the side. The snow was in much better condition, so we decided to give it a go. This proved to be one of the best runs of the day. At the top the slope was relatively open. Lower down the trees closed in a little meaning that we had to plan our line carefully. Walter, of course, had no trouble. Surprisingly, Gary and I also followed comfortably. The snow was in great condition. This was so good that we went back for more.

Walter in the trees	Walter with Gary following	Gary following

Saddleback (1101) : Meadow Way Pine Draw The Pines

This time, we entered the glade a little higher up. As the name of the run, The Pines, suggests the trees were a little closer together. Once again, this proved to be a great run and we emerged at the bottom sporting enormous grins of satisfaction.

Saddleback (1101) : Kokopelli, Echo, Snow Canyon

Back at the top of Saddleback, we resisted the temptation to go back into the trees and skied across to the Snow Hut mountain restaurant for a rather late lunch.

Flume

Super Condor (1791) : Upper Apex Ridge, Lower Boa Arlande

After lunch we noticed that the Super Condor lift along the length of Apex Ridge was running. (Earlier in the day it was on "wind hold") Conditions were still pretty grim along the ridge, skiing almost head on to the wind away from the top of the ridge. We kept well clear of the runs through the trees. Walter warned us that they got pretty close together lower down and turned left down Arlande, one of a number of similar black runs, not too difficult technically, but pretty long and tiring.

Super Condor (1791) : Upper Apex Ridge, Lower Boa Kestrel, Willow Draw

As we got to the top of Super Condor for the second time, conditions were much worse and the operator warned us that the lift was likely to close again. This time, we skied further down Apex Ridge before cutting off, skiing a very pleasant open face and the much shorter Kestrel.

Golden Eagle (1400) : Road DO Doc's Run Golden Glades

By the time we got to the bottom of Super Condor it was indeed stopped, so we had to ski down towards the base. In the week we would have had to walk uphill to get back to the base area, but at weekends, the slow old two seater Golden Eagle chair runs. As we rode the lift, Walter saw a glade of trees that looked fun. To get to it, we hade to pick up speed on the upper section of Doc's Run and ski quite a distance uphill. It worked - we got to where we wanted to go without having to walk. The trees and bushes were pretty well spread out, so the only challenge was the depth of the powder. My legs were very tired and I didn't ski the run very well at all.

Gary and Walter on Golden Eagle	Slopes below Golden Eagle	Looking through the mist to the bottom of Apex Ridge
Under Golden Eagle	Under Golden Eagle	Under Golden Eagle

Golden Eagle (1400) : Sunrise, Doc's Run, Bad Lands Golden Glade

With tired legs, it was time to call it a day. After one last ride on Golden Eagle, we took the upper part of the glade we skied before and then the lower part of Doc's Run back to the base.

3G demonstration van in an area with no current phone coverage!

Runs

Last updated: 13/03/2002