One of the enjoyable aspects of life in Little Cottonwood Canyon is its history of female leaders. In your correspondent’s traipsings across the slopes many of his friendships and encounters bring him into contact with amazing individuals who make our canyon happen. With the untimely loss of Snowbird ski patrol director Tina Biddle last fall it got your writer thinking about the other great leaders here that just happen to be women. That makes this season the perfect time to start profiling some of these inspiring individuals. And there is no better place to begin than with another exceptional Snowbird leader, tram foreman Laura Kittilä, pronounced like tequila but transposing the “k” and “t”. Those crazy Finns and their umlauts. Laura has been a part of Snowbird for over 15 years and kindly agreed to chat with Canyon Blog on a slow day in early January. Like most good tales, it starts with a love story. Canyon Blog: “How’d you end up in the States and then at the Bird?” Laura Kittilä: “Well, I followed a guy to Utah from home. And originally, I worked at the planetarium in Salt Lake.” The boy soon dropped out of the picture, but as a Finn she was only too familiar with skiing and a number of her friends frequented the bird. CB: “So, how’d you land on the tram?” LK: “I saw an open house posting and applied. They called the next day, and I found myself as a lifty on Chickadee.” Of course there’s more to the story. After a year on lifts and another doing summer activities she got injured and found herself working the tram gate. Once she got in the cab and started driving the tram, however, she never looked back. Thirteen years later she finds herself running a crew of professionals and loves it. Well, most of it. LK: “Storm days can be a lot. But when it’s over and the sun’s out it makes it worth it to push through the storm cycles.” CB: “So, after all these years why stay here and not go back to Finland?” LK: “The people. The customers and my coworkers.” CB: “Sounds like a lot of people to me.” LK: “I love everyone but definitely need to recharge at the end of the day.” What’s changed across a decade and a half one wonders. “There are a lot more people now. But one thing that’s a big change is when I started on the tram there were only two females, and now half of my crew alone are women.” That is a very cool thing indeed. Not missing an opportunity to put interviewees on the spot, Canyon Blog commenced a new torture when featuring locals: describing themselves in five words or less. Despite the look she gives your correspondent Laura rapidly fires off four. “Friendly. Reliable. Stubborn. Hardworking.” Then, after a short pause, “Finnish.” Anything else she’d like to add? “I am lucky to be here.” Concisely stated, but you’re not as lucky as we are to have you. Kiitos Laura!

One of the great experiences of being in Little Cottonwood Canyon is the opportunity to stop. Not for a bite or beer between runs. And not après ski, per say. What your correspondent is referring to is the opportunity to merely be in the canyon and feel its presence. That only really happens once you aren’t focusing on some task at hand like loading a chair or gearing up. In the evenings and mornings there’s a silence in the canyon. Sure, there may be four thousand skiers split between Alta and Snowbird between 10 and 2, but outside that window the canyon either empties out or the humans are all indoors. One of Canyon Blog’s favorite things is to walk about and take things in. That includes things you can experience by omission, such as noise. Put another way, its absence. It’s peacefully quiet here during those times. To have this experience requires that you not be focused on the madness of the crowds or traffic. And to turn off your computer and put down that ever demanding device that runs your life: the modern smart phone. So come for the skiing or riding certainly. But leave with something else, the experience of stopping time for just a bit and, to quote Paul Simon, enjoy “the sound of silence.”

Winter Archives - Canyon Services

Our Favorite Finn
Our Favorite Finn

Our Favorite Finn

One of the enjoyable aspects of life in Little Cottonwood Canyon is its history of female leaders. In your correspondent’s traipsings across the slopes many of his friendships and encounters bring him into contact with amazing individuals who make our canyon happen. With the untimely loss of Snowbird ski patrol director Tina Biddle last fall it got your writer thinking about the other great leaders here that just happen to be women. That makes this season the perfect time to start profiling some of these inspiring individuals. And there is no better place to begin than with another exceptional Snowbird [...]

CanyonBlog2026-01-13T18:16:35+00:00Interviews, Outdoors, Snowbird Utah, Winter|

Answering FAQs About the Utah Ski Season: Alta and Snowbird Edition
Answering FAQs About the Utah Ski Season: Alta and Snowbird Edition

Answering FAQs About the Utah Ski Season: Alta and Snowbird Edition

Visitors come from all over the country to experience Utah’s Greatest Snow on Earth. But, for visitors who have never skied here before, you may be wondering what to expect. Canyon Services is here to give you the lowdown and answer your most pressing questions about the Utah ski season. Learn about average snowfall, powder skiing, the best time to visit, where to book equipment, and much more. And when you are ready to hit the slopes, Canyon Services offers the perfect accommodations near the Alta and Snowbird ski resorts! When Does Ski Season Start and End in Utah? The [...]

webservices2025-12-19T22:22:10+00:00Winter|

Sign Up for Utah Winter Tours at the Alta and Snowbird Resorts
Sign Up for Utah Winter Tours at the Alta and Snowbird Resorts

Sign Up for Utah Winter Tours at the Alta and Snowbird Resorts

Located within the Wasatch Mountains, Alta and Snowbird ski resorts offer unforgettable slopes just 30 miles from Salt Lake City. Elevate your ski vacation and book one of the Utah winter tours at these popular ski resorts. Whether you want to ski the backcountry, snowshoe with a naturalist, or learn how to ice climb, there is a tour for everyone. Book your Utah ski vacation with Canyon Services and stay in a vacation rental within a five-minute drive of both Alta and Snowbird! Snowbird Winter Tours Beyond skiing and snowboarding, Snowbird also offers guided tours during the winter months. From [...]

webservices2025-12-01T20:31:18+00:00Winter|

Plan a Family Ski Vacation in Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon
Plan a Family Ski Vacation in Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon

Plan a Family Ski Vacation in Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon

Winter is approaching fast. Book a family ski vacation in Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon and discover fun for the whole family at Alta and Snowbird resorts. Ski down beginner-friendly slopes, sign the kids up for ski lessons, ride the winter gondola up the mountain, and unwind together in your Canyon Services condo rental. All of our properties are located just a five-minute drive away from both resorts, offering a convenient basecamp for your winter vacation. Whether you are traveling with toddlers or teens, we offer the perfect destination for a family ski vacation in Utah! Skiing for All Skill Levels [...]

webservices2025-11-03T21:47:45+00:00Snowbird Utah, Winter|

Mid Gad Dining has Arrived!
Mid Gad Dining has Arrived!

Mid Gad Dining has Arrived!

Canyon Blog took the opportunity to coerce three of Snowbird’s finest to provide a tour of the new Mid Gad restaurant as the finishing touches fall into place. It’s amazing what a little backsheesh can do. Jake Treadwell, mountain ops director, and two of your correspondent’s favorite mountain ops leaders, Johanna and Mel, took time out of their day for your benefit. Alright, perhaps for the Canyon Blog’s benefit. The first thing you’ll notice this winter when you come sliding up is the wide open and radiant heated deck. That’s right folks, enjoy that frosty beer (more on that in [...]

CanyonBlog2025-09-28T23:19:06+00:00Announcements, Local Flavor, News, Snowbird Utah, Winter|

Spring with Snowbird’s Snow Safety Director
Spring with Snowbird’s Snow Safety Director

Spring with Snowbird’s Snow Safety Director

Your correspondent spent a brilliant powder day this week with Snowbird’s snow safety director Kami to get the latest on spring safety on another 500+ inch year. As spring takes over the slopes of Little Cottonwood, just where do the avalanche dangers lie? Well, outside the bomb throwing and route running they do in the mornings in addition to the RACs (remote avalanche control towers) there are a number of factors to pay attention to. “Mostly we’re looking at pinwheel rollers that you find on sun facing slopes,” said Kami with years of avalanche study and mitigation behind him. “Cliff [...]

CanyonBlog2025-04-06T20:38:02+00:00Outdoors, Uncategorized, Winter|

Discover Apres Ski Spots at Snowbird and Alta Ski Resorts
Discover Apres Ski Spots at Snowbird and Alta Ski Resorts

Discover Apres Ski Spots at Snowbird and Alta Ski Resorts

Utah winters provide unbeatable conditions for skiing and snowboarding. Stay within a five-minute drive of two of Utah’s best ski resorts, Alta Ski Area and Snowbird, with Canyon Services. After a day on the slopes, head to the resort's on-site restaurants and bars for apres-ski drinks, food, and music. Whether you are looking for a family-friendly spot or a place to grab cocktails with your friends, there is an apres-ski spot for everyone: Snowbird Apres Ski Spots Visit The Atrium, Snowbird’s newest apres-ski spot for cocktails, appetizers, and decadent sandwiches. Listen to live acoustic music here on Thursdays, Fridays, and [...]

webservices2025-02-28T17:59:54+00:00Local Flavor, Winter|

All dogs may get into heaven, but only a select few get into Snowbird
All dogs may get into heaven, but only a select few get into Snowbird

All dogs may get into heaven, but only a select few get into Snowbird

Canyon Blog spent a cold afternoon with Snowbird’s most recent addition to the ranks of certified avalanche dogs, Tony. Okay, and his handler, Paul S. Tony turns two in April and has already attained his Level B certification, the first step for any avi dog, and soon to be Level A, fully qualified to respond anywhere in the state of Utah. A black lab, he’s the heir apparent to Frankie, Snowbird’s long-standing champion black lab and soon to retire to the good life. Paul has served on ski patrol for eight years, having survived the world of finance and ditching [...]

CanyonBlog2025-02-10T00:33:13+00:00Outdoors, Winter|

Gearing Up for Utah Winter Weather: Tips to Stay Safe and Warm
Gearing Up for Utah Winter Weather: Tips to Stay Safe and Warm

Gearing Up for Utah Winter Weather: Tips to Stay Safe and Warm

When preparing for your Utah ski vacation, it’s important to be aware of the winter weather conditions. While this weather brings us the Greatest Snow on Earth, it also brings us challenges regarding travel and freezing temperatures. Canyon Services is here to provide you with some helpful tips to stay safe during your winter vacation in the Alta and Snowbird Areas. From driving tips to finding the right gear to keep you warm on the slopes, we have you covered: Drive Safely If you are planning on driving to the Alta and Snowbird area, make sure you are prepared: Check [...]

webservices2025-01-28T22:29:26+00:00Winter|

Silence and Snow
Silence and Snow

Silence and Snow

One of the great experiences of being in Little Cottonwood Canyon is the opportunity to stop. Not for a bite or beer between runs. And not après ski, per say. What your correspondent is referring to is the opportunity to merely be in the canyon and feel its presence. That only really happens once you aren’t focusing on some task at hand like loading a chair or gearing up. In the evenings and mornings there’s a silence in the canyon. Sure, there may be four thousand skiers split between Alta and Snowbird between 10 and 2, but outside that window [...]

CanyonBlog2025-01-18T02:08:34+00:00Outdoors, Winter|