UDOT Goes BOOM! Canyon Blog spent a frigid (and welcome) afternoon surveying the Utah Department of Transportation’s latest contributions to avalanche mitigation and control. If you haven’t been in Little Cottonwood Canyon since before the word “virus” came to dominate the world, you’ll notice some changes looking north along Emma Ridge above Alta. Damian Jackson is the UDOT Safety Supervisor for Highway 210 stretching from the mouth of Little Cottonwood to its terminus in town. As such, the 12 Wyssen (pronounced “Wee-sen”) exploders newly placed over the summer are his responsibility. These newest installments are designed to “modernize our program and reduce our reliance on military artillery and eliminate firing over occupied residences.” Stretching from Toledo Peak to Davenport Hill along Emma Ridge they’re strategically positioned to accomplish avalanche control with less risk to humans. Fired by remote, they will largely eliminate the need for artillery and human “bomb” tossing. The new Wyssen models are an update from the earlier Gasex and Obelix models in place on Powder Ridge and Hellgate and reduce the amount of logistics and on mountain maintenance necessary to operate over each ski season. “They really provide greater flexibility and creativity by allowing us to work at different times and with shorter closures. This allows more access to out of bounds terrain in the canyon,” said Damian, who’s served in his capacity as director for three years but worked for UDOT for eight. When your correspondent asked how he liked being in charge of one of the most complicated highways for avalanche mitigation he smiled. “It’s a great job watching avalanches but exceptionally challenging. When it’s at its peak, it’s fast paced.” An understatement no doubt given that two of the world’s premier ski resorts rely on him for opening. It’s clear the state will continue to make investments in new technology to more safely manage the increased backcountry ski traffic. There’s no doubt that installation of more exploders will continue, thanks in great part to the advances coming out of Europe in the form of technology such as Wyssen. There’s also no doubt in this skier’s mind that the state and canyon have picked the right person to announce, “Fire in the hole!”

Welcome to '71 It may feel like a summer of change with social restrictions and reduced opportunities but at Snowbird activities remain open for a bit longer and the weather continues to facilitate immersion in the mountains. However, this month's blog is about the great indoors, specifically The Cliff Lodge's reinvented restaurant SeventyOne. Your correspondent had been meaning to stroll in and sample its board of fare for some time and Labor Day weekend provided just the opportunity. The first thing you’ll notice, indeed is unavoidable, is the décor. Drawing on the restaurant’s name of SeventyOne, the year Snowbird opened for business, one can’t help but be transported in time to when fashion was outrageous and the music supreme (at least in this blogger’s opinion). Earth, Wind and Fire with a dose of Stevie Wonder accompany the entrees inside. The update in menu was a timely change from the Mexican dishes offered up during the reign of El Chanate. Canyon Blog spoke with Ahmad, one of the managers. “It’s a step up from our old menu. There are more healthy options including vegetarian and vegan.” Your correspondent’s dining companions' entree choices spanned the spectrum from jumbo fried shrimp, to the veggie sandwich and finally classic baked ziti mac ‘n’ cheese. The latter is one of the dish’s best versions available anywhere. Pair with a glass of Salt Flats lager on draft and it’ll set your spirit free, so to speak. But it’s still the photos and posters in the re imagined space that really draw you into the theme. You can almost feel the skinny skis and I Ski sunglasses roaming the floor between 70’s diner seats. Says Ahmad, “I find myself giving tours of both restrooms to groups because everyone wants to see what’s in the other version.” Canyon Blog doesn’t want to spoil all the surprises but let’s just say the accompanying photo of the men’s room is guaranteed to be the only urinal photo to ever appear in this space. The snow will be flying soon and the Farmer’s Almanac is predicting bumper snowfall. So when you come back again don’t forget to tie a bandana around your head and pack your Hotfingers gloves because it’s 1971 here at the Bird. Peace.

Big Changes at Alta Alta continues to make changes to facilities and the slopes on schedule ahead of this year’s ski season. Canyon Blog met up with Alta Ski Lift General Manager Mike Maughan to see firsthand what the resort was getting up to over the summer. Slopes first because, well, nothing’s more important than the actual skiing. At the bottom of the hill dirt was removed to smooth out the pitch on lower Sunnyside (leading to Albion Grill) so there isn’t a steep ridge for beginners to navigate. At the top of Supreme the slope’s been graded to add a bit of speed coming off the lift as you make your way down Upper Big Dipper. The track is now also wider. Just walking the trail on an August morning, the difference is obvious and will make for a better experience for beginners and experts looking to drop into runs like No9 Express and Upper Sleepy Hollow. The other big change long time skiers will notice are the additions to Alf’s restaurant. There is a significant extension to the west end, adding more seating and a commanding view of the Sugarloaf lift and runs in a stylish and timeless design. Elsewhere inside the ski shop now has a new space and more room to offer memories. You’ll be able to look inside from above as you walk in the new upper entrance on the east side. The former retail space is now additional seating. Given health measures necessary to keep everyone safe the addition will provide additional distancing for all. Finally, there’s a meeting room available for groups near the east end as well. More mundane, but certainly welcome, is the widening of the east end of the Albion parking lot. A lot will change this upcoming season in addition to improvements for obvious reasons. “We’re looking to provide the magic and beauty that people have come to expect from Alta. Food service will be different and we’re still assessing best and safest practices for employees and customers while containing virus exposure,” concludes Mike. Your correspondent has no doubt the safety professionals and modifications on and off slope are going to make for a great year. Opening day announcement is still a bit away but stay tuned, the 2020/21 season is coming, and the promise of a new year is in the name.

The best of the off (ski) season is upon us. Hiking trails are open across both Alta and Snowbird terrain with wildflower blooms assaulting the senses without remorse, those cheeky buggers. The pristine feel of Utah’s premier alpine destination is everywhere in the canyon. Canyon Blog has been covering both resorts as well as the north side of the canyon on foot and doing his journalistic best to capture the glory in amazing Android phone technicolor. Sadly, for readers of this space, Canyon Services retained your correspondent for his writing and not his photographic prowess. Aspiring Ansel Adams limitations aside, attached are a handful of shots featuring a number of local blossoms. Your correspondent’s favorite, the mountain columbine, is absent because on the separate occasions he captured them the shots turned out to be out of focus. No matter. These shots more than compensate and show the mountain glory of summer. The weather continues its run of pleasant temperatures and favorable winds to enjoy time outdoors and safely away from the crowds. For those unaccustomed to strenuous uphill travel the Snowbird tram and Peruvian chairlift are running to give everyone views of a lifetime (using sound social distance practices). Of note: our inventory of homes continue to rent far in advance of the 20/21 ski season. These self contained offerings allow for safe holiday merry making and ski vacations. So rent early to reserve your dream accommodation. Because rest assured, the mountains will be open and calling when the snow flurries return. Till then, or until you can pop in for a summer visit, here are the best of your correspondent’s floral flavors. Enjoy and join us soon!

Brittany Patraw, Author at Canyon Services

UDOT goes BOOM!
UDOT goes BOOM!

UDOT goes BOOM!

UDOT Goes BOOM! Canyon Blog spent a frigid (and welcome) afternoon surveying the Utah Department of Transportation’s latest contributions to avalanche mitigation and control. If you haven’t been in Little Cottonwood Canyon since before the word “virus” came to dominate the world, you’ll notice some changes looking north along Emma Ridge above Alta. Damian Jackson is the UDOT Safety Supervisor for Highway 210 stretching from the mouth of Little Cottonwood to its terminus in town. As such, the 12 Wyssen (pronounced “Wee-sen”) exploders newly placed over the summer are his responsibility. These newest installments are designed to “modernize our program [...]

Brittany Patraw2021-09-29T16:52:46+00:00Outdoors|

Skiing in Utah: What to Pack for a Ski Trip
Skiing in Utah: What to Pack for a Ski Trip

Skiing in Utah: What to Pack for a Ski Trip

Deciding what to pack for a ski trip can feel like a daunting process, but it doesn't have to be overwhelmingly stressful. While it's not overly challenging to rent or buy essential items once you've arrived at your destination, it's never a bad idea to have a plan in place to pack accordingly. As such, if you realize you've forgotten something as you're unpacking, you'll be able to mitigate your misstep quickly. When skiing in Utah, especially if you've traveled far, the list doesn't have to include every provision in your bag. However, keeping track of the essential items will [...]

Brittany Patraw2021-10-08T21:29:57+00:00Common Questions, Outdoors|

Deciding Between Alta and Snowbird
Deciding Between Alta and Snowbird

Deciding Between Alta and Snowbird

It's no secret that the Wasatch Mountains have some of the best snow in North America. Known for its steep ridges and deep powder, Little Cottonwood Canyon is considered an elite ski destination. At the center of one of the most top-rated skiing enclaves in the world, Alta and Snowbird are a collective winter sports paradise. In the heart of it all, Canyon Services has luxurious offerings in both areas, so deciding on where to stay can sometimes be mind-boggling if this is your first visit. To help you decide which is best for you, we've put together some information [...]

Brittany Patraw2021-10-08T21:36:41+00:00Common Questions|

Welcome to ‘71
Welcome to ‘71

Welcome to ‘71

Welcome to '71 It may feel like a summer of change with social restrictions and reduced opportunities but at Snowbird activities remain open for a bit longer and the weather continues to facilitate immersion in the mountains. However, this month's blog is about the great indoors, specifically The Cliff Lodge's reinvented restaurant SeventyOne. Your correspondent had been meaning to stroll in and sample its board of fare for some time and Labor Day weekend provided just the opportunity. The first thing you’ll notice, indeed is unavoidable, is the décor. Drawing on the restaurant’s name of SeventyOne, the year Snowbird opened [...]

Brittany Patraw2021-09-29T16:53:20+00:00Local Flavor|

Mountain Retreats to Alta and Snowbird, UT
Mountain Retreats to Alta and Snowbird, UT

Mountain Retreats to Alta and Snowbird, UT

While it may not seem like it now, winter is just around the corner, but there is still plenty of time to get out and enjoy the comfortable autumn weather before the snow starts dropping. As much as we love summer, fall is an excellent time for a mountain retreat to Alta and Snowbird, Utah. As the warm temperatures diminish, so do the number of tourists before ski season starts, creating the perfect opportunity for those hoping to avoid crowds. Moreover, the crisp autumn winds lend themselves to a variety of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy in cooler weather. [...]

Brittany Patraw2021-10-08T21:42:53+00:00Outdoors|

Big Changes at Alta
Big Changes at Alta

Big Changes at Alta

Big Changes at Alta Alta continues to make changes to facilities and the slopes on schedule ahead of this year’s ski season. Canyon Blog met up with Alta Ski Lift General Manager Mike Maughan to see firsthand what the resort was getting up to over the summer. Slopes first because, well, nothing’s more important than the actual skiing. At the bottom of the hill dirt was removed to smooth out the pitch on lower Sunnyside (leading to Albion Grill) so there isn’t a steep ridge for beginners to navigate. At the top of Supreme the slope’s been graded to add [...]

Brittany Patraw2021-09-29T16:53:39+00:00Interviews|

Glorious Summer
Glorious Summer

Glorious Summer

The best of the off (ski) season is upon us. Hiking trails are open across both Alta and Snowbird terrain with wildflower blooms assaulting the senses without remorse, those cheeky buggers. The pristine feel of Utah’s premier alpine destination is everywhere in the canyon. Canyon Blog has been covering both resorts as well as the north side of the canyon on foot and doing his journalistic best to capture the glory in amazing Android phone technicolor. Sadly, for readers of this space, Canyon Services retained your correspondent for his writing and not his photographic prowess. Aspiring Ansel Adams limitations aside, [...]

Brittany Patraw2021-09-29T16:53:52+00:00Outdoors|

We’re most definitely Open
We’re most definitely Open

We’re most definitely Open

It’s still spring and there’s still snow (if you want it that is). Unbelievably, the mountains delivered another foot of fresh last week, thus extending the white just a little bit closer to summer’s official start. Your correspondent continues to make tracks here and there across Alta and Snowbird, the latter having opened uphill travel a few weeks ago. Right now the mountain is the perfect mix of a little skiing here or there and trail hiking. It remains important to keep safe from a health standpoint and Canyon Services is here to help by providing private accommodations in the [...]

Brittany Patraw2021-09-29T16:54:15+00:00Local Flavor|

About Brittany Patraw