We spend so much of our time in conversation and projecting our thoughts onto and into the broader world and those around us. One of the aspects of spending time with mountains in the wintertime is to listen because they speak back. If we’re quiet. Other times it doesn’t matter if we’re quiet or not. When the mountains decide to announce themselves, we’ve no real choice. And no message is conveyed by the slopes of winter more clearly than avalanches. This week’s message, courtesy of Albion Basin, was “You’re not as big as you think you are.” This month’s photos, all courtesy of Alta Ski Patrol, demonstrate just how small and fragile we are as skiers and boarders in the mountains. Each of these shots are of naturally occurring avalanches. The first came off the west slope of Sugarloaf and ran in bounds as you can see. Small and shallow as it may appear, make no mistake. Were you to be caught up in that flow it would most certainly be lethal, according Alta’s Avalanche Director, Dave Richards. To the nonprofessional that may seem surprising, which is why so many folks die in avalanches. The second and third shots show Devils Castle and reveal just how tenuous our grasp of nature’s design really is. Just for scale, the crown of the second shot where it fractured is 10 feet high. And the slope’s instability extended all the way to the ground, stripping the entire snowpack to bare earth. No one caught in such a slide can survive such a massive avalanche. Your correspondent managed to catch one other massive slide and the guttural, primal even, sound it makes stops every living creature in its tracks. The rumble as it passes along the surface and even subsurface makes one instinctively desire to seek shelter. Canyon Blog mentions all of this to say how grateful he is to have the professionals on staff at Alta (and Snowbird) ski patrols keeping us safe. It’s a massive responsibility to try and mitigate the threats to the fresh tracks we all love to leave across Little Cottonwood’s upper elevations. And remember, in the case of the second avalanche, these are truly staggering slides that occurred naturally. So, when you encounter your next red jacketed professional hopping onto the chair in front of you, crossing out of bounds, or standing by one of their strategically placed shelters, give them some recognition and a word of thanks. Without them, none of us could ski our favorite mountains safely. Bet on it.

The season has officially begun at Alta. Canyon Blog dropped into everyone’s favorite powder resort on day two of the season to assess how safety and satisfaction might intersect in this unprecedented environment. And the answer is: really well. Masks are required on lifts, indoors and anywhere that you can’t maintain a safe standoff distance from others. To help with the lines there are additional ques to keep us all apart. Also, groups not together do not have to share chairs. Dining will be limited with greater spacing and prepackaged food. For more information visit Alta’s Covid-19 Response page https://www.alta.com/winter-2020-21 Parking is going to be different in Little Cottonwood Canyon this year with Snowbird implementing a reservation system. But that doesn’t concern you because, drum roll here… you are staying with Canyon Services in one of our premier accommodations and can either shuttle to luxury or enjoy parking associated with your rental. Of course you don’t read this space, nor does your correspondent write it, to talk about parking and chairlift lines. This space is for skiing, snowboarding, sunshine and powder. While the snowfall hasn’t been plentiful to date, the conditions at Alta were already completely enjoyable two days before Thanksgiving. A rare “halo” sun made an appearance in the afternoon and as you can see from the other professionally snapped iPhone photos, the crowds were no bother whatsoever. Snowbird is scheduled to open November 30 th with similar safety measures. The biggest change there is the tram where the capacity will be significantly curtailed. There’s a lot of madness swirling around out there in the ether at the moment. But whenever this journalist slaps on the boots and boards and drops off Sugarloaf or Collins and feels the gravity fueled acceleration take over (though it must be said, mandatory face masking cuts down on the briskness) nothing else matters. Though sunlit rays making a 360 degree halo come pretty close.

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!”

Outdoors Archives - Page 7 of 8

The Power of Winter
The Power of Winter

The Power of Winter

We spend so much of our time in conversation and projecting our thoughts onto and into the broader world and those around us. One of the aspects of spending time with mountains in the wintertime is to listen because they speak back. If we’re quiet. Other times it doesn’t matter if we’re quiet or not. When the mountains decide to announce themselves, we’ve no real choice. And no message is conveyed by the slopes of winter more clearly than avalanches. This week’s message, courtesy of Albion Basin, was “You’re not as big as you think you are.” This month’s photos, [...]

Brittany Patraw2021-09-29T16:49:26+00:00Outdoors|

A Digital Detox in Alta-Snowbird
A Digital Detox in Alta-Snowbird

A Digital Detox in Alta-Snowbird

It seems impossible to do anything without a smartphone, tablet, or laptop by our side in this day and age. Moment by moment, we become increasingly reliant on technologies that seemingly make life easier, but at what cost? Surely things that help us learn, communicate, and share ideas with people worldwide can't be so bad. Still, just like everything else, it's important to practice moderation when it comes to technology. One effective way to bring balance into your life is to seek refuge from the daily information-overload by embarking on a digital detox. A few recent studies have shown that [...]

Brittany Patraw2021-10-08T20:57:48+00:00Outdoors|

Utah Snow: The Greatest Snow on Earth!
Utah Snow: The Greatest Snow on Earth!

Utah Snow: The Greatest Snow on Earth!

Utah's reputation for having the "Greatest Snow On Earth" is possibly one of the most outstanding examples of how marketing and science can shape the way people think of a place. It's no secret that the Utah snow is some of the best on the planet, but some may be asking themselves, "How is it possible?" Parts of the Wasatch Mountains accumulate more snow than anywhere else in North America, but not all the ski areas are the same. While places like Alta-Snowbird get more snow than anywhere else in Utah, some, like Deer Valley, have only modest snow totals [...]

Brittany Patraw2021-10-08T21:06:07+00:00Outdoors|

Skiing Safely in 2021
Skiing Safely in 2021

Skiing Safely in 2021

Well, the long anticipated and hoped for arrival of AD 2021 is here. Canyon Blog is no virologist, or scientist of any type really, but he did dedicate several years of his life to combating biological weapons proliferation around the world. What’s that have to do with skiing in Little Cottonwood Canyon one might ask? Very little. But it does go some distance in explaining your correspondent’s assessment skills of procedures in place by Alta and Snowbird as they conduct operations during this most unique ski season to keep us all safe. The first Monday after the holiday seemed to [...]

Brittany Patraw2021-09-29T16:50:43+00:00Outdoors|

A Day With Wasatch Adaptive Sports
A Day With Wasatch Adaptive Sports

A Day With Wasatch Adaptive Sports

One of the unique opportunities that exists in this spectacular little canyon is the gigantic, herculean even, efforts of the good people at Wasatch Adaptive Sports (WAS) in their mission to encourage those with adaptive needs and their families to realize their potential through recreation. In the wintertime at Snowbird that takes the form of skiing or snowboarding. Your correspondent spent a day this week with Phil, a Utah transplant and customer of WAS since the winter of 1992. Upon moving to the state as a schoolteacher, a new acquaintance asked him, “Do you ski?” Which struck the mathematics and [...]

Brittany Patraw2021-09-29T16:51:04+00:00Outdoors|

Embrace the Snow: Utah Winter Getaways
Embrace the Snow: Utah Winter Getaways

Embrace the Snow: Utah Winter Getaways

Making the most of winter is a lifestyle for those of us residing in the Wasatch Mountains. As autumn wanders out the door like the last guest at Thanksgiving dinner, the temperatures fall, the snow piles up, and the Alta-Snowbird ski area will be rife with slopeside patrons. But don't let the prospect of waist-high powder discourage you from enjoying a Utah winter getaway. There's something to be said about the sound of boots crunching on a new layer of snow or being the first person to glide down a mountain on a brisk morning. Now is the time to [...]

Brittany Patraw2021-10-08T21:16:05+00:00Outdoors|

And We’re Off!
And We’re Off!

And We’re Off!

The season has officially begun at Alta. Canyon Blog dropped into everyone’s favorite powder resort on day two of the season to assess how safety and satisfaction might intersect in this unprecedented environment. And the answer is: really well. Masks are required on lifts, indoors and anywhere that you can’t maintain a safe standoff distance from others. To help with the lines there are additional ques to keep us all apart. Also, groups not together do not have to share chairs. Dining will be limited with greater spacing and prepackaged food. For more information visit Alta’s Covid-19 Response page https://www.alta.com/winter-2020-21 [...]

Brittany Patraw2021-09-29T16:51:35+00:00Outdoors|

A Winter Vacation in the Wasatch Mountains: Snowbird, Utah
A Winter Vacation in the Wasatch Mountains: Snowbird, Utah

A Winter Vacation in the Wasatch Mountains: Snowbird, Utah

At no better time does Snowbird, Utah, live up to its name than during the holiday season. In a matter of weeks, the Wasatch Mountains will be covered in a blanket of fresh powder, lending itself to a magnificent transformation that morphs the fabled alpine forests into a winter wonderland and provides seemingly endless enjoyment to visitors and locals alike. This holiday season, Canyon Services invites you to change things up by celebrating in the comfort of a Utah vacation rental property. Ideally located within Little Cottonwood Canyon, our vacation homes come in various options ranging from mountainside condos to [...]

Brittany Patraw2021-10-08T21:23:57+00:00Outdoors|

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|