The Canyons
Monday 28 January 2002

Weather

Conditions

We spent a long time debating about where to go, but in the end there was no real debate. There had been heavy snow overnight and it was still snowing. Both Cottonwood Canyons were closed for avalance control. Park City and Deer Valley were in Olympics mode, with no parking, so it was back to The Canyons, where most of the lifts were late opening.

Snow start at the Cariolet gondola	Snow on the car park shuttle	Snow on the car park shuttle

Flight of the Canyons (1189) : Chicane

The run down to the bottom on Tombstone was an indicator of what was to come. Tombstone had only just opened .. There was a narrow skied track down the centre of then run and large areas of untracked powder about 12" deep on top of the previously groomed surface. The poweder was pretty heavy so took quite a lot of energy.

Tombstone (1731) : Another World Diamond Ridge

At the top of Tombstone we were seduced by the virgin powder on Diamond Ridge. This was not on top of a groomed surface, so the depth varied from knee to waist depth. We all found this hard going. Walter had the technique, but not the strength. He fell and injured his back pretty early on the run. Gary and I were struggling for both technique and strength. We managed to get short runs with some kind of rhythm but didn't have the stamina to keep going. This was an interesting experience and took a lot longer than the previous day. Even the run out to the lift was a challenge. There was a single skied track and blowing snow meant very poor visibility.

Gary and Walter through the driving snow	Deep fresh powder on Diamond Ridge	Gary up to his waist in powder
Walter in the powder	Walter in the powder	Walter in the powder

Tombstone (1731) : Sidewinder

Back at the top of Tombstone, we looked at various options but decided to take the easiest run down. Even this was challenging with deep powder, not a good day for anyone without good balance and confidence.

Saddleback (1101) : Kokopelli, Echo, Snow Canyon

Gary was complaining of a headache, which meant that he needed liquid, so we headed across to the Snow Hut restaurant. On Snow Canyon, I managed to get a rhythm through the snow for the only time in the day.

Fresh snow everywhere

Snow Canyon

Snow Canyon (1086) : Snow Canyon

During the break, Walter took a pain killer, but when we restarted it was clear that his back was giving him problems and a further fall could have caused more damage. We decided that we would all call it a day. The weather conditions were primitive and the snow challenging.

Snow Canyon (1086) : Meadow Way

We skied across the top of the gondola, which Walter took back to the base while Gary and I took one last run down Doc's run.

Lookout (350) : Doc's Run Doc's Run

Lots of snow at the base at the end of the morning

Snow at the base at the end of the morning

Runs

Last updated: 13/03/2002