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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 [...]

2025-02-10T00:33:13+00:00Outdoors, Winter|

Happenings at Snowbird

Well, the chairs may have stopped spinning, but the season isn’t over. Though to be fair, your correspondent is one of only a handful of holdouts still making turns. To that end, here are a few shots from his daily boot pack up Dalton’s Draw. The remnants of the season are not the topic of this month’s installment, however. Canyon Blog stopped by to chat with Dave Fields, Snowbird general manager, to get the latest on the mountain since it’s clear they have plans. First is the replacement for the Mid Gad restaurant. “We’re really excited about the new dining [...]

Secret Weapon Morning Buns

This month your correspondent has elected to share some confidential ski performance information guaranteed to exponentially improve your skiing or boarding regardless of your skill level or conditions on the mountain. Just what could accomplish improvement on such a scale without fail you wonder? The answer is contained in two simple life altering words: morning buns. And just what are these? Canyon Blog wasn’t exactly sure, other than that whenever they’re on offer at Baked and Brewed in Snowbird Plaza he doesn’t pass up the opportunity to secure one. So, in order to answer the question, he sought out Jessica [...]

2024-02-09T01:36:01+00:00Local Flavor|

Hidden Peak’s hidden purpose

Riding the tram at Snowbird and pouring out onto the summit with your skis in hand and powder turns in mind it’s easy to miss just what’s around us. When you next step through those new doors take a moment and look up before you clear the gates. There, between the tram wheels you’ll see a number of instruments and antennae on top on the west side. To help make sense of some of those items Canyon Blog tracked down Dr. Maria Garcia from the University of Utah’s Atmospherics Sciences Dept. Turns out that there’s some serious science goin’ on [...]

2023-12-14T02:13:36+00:00Local Flavor, Outdoors|

An Interview with Miner Dick Fleue

Canyon Blog sat down with a Little Cottonwood Canyon icon this month to learn a bit about the canyon’s history. Many don’t understand that for the first century of its occupation by the largely European stock who entered Utah in the 19th century LCC was primarily a mining endeavor. Dick Fleue is the last surviving miner to have actively worked in some legendary workings in the canyon including the Flagstaff, Columbus Rexall, Columbus Consolidated, and Wasatch Drain Tunnel. For a time in the late 1950s and early 60s as a teenager and twenty something he explored many others including some [...]

2023-11-25T19:04:37+00:00Interviews, Local Flavor|

Your Annual Oktoberfest Update

Well, the snow’s made its appearance. Here and there and not enough, but then, when is it ever enough? Oh yeah, that’s right, last winter! So, with that thought in mind, allow your correspondent to start there, rather than with all thing beer, bretzel and brat. One of the great joys of staying in Little Cottonwood in one of our premier properties is the easy access to the world outside the festival. Saturday October 7th is a perfect example. To earn his caloric allowance Canyon Blog wandered up slope to take in the views and assess the early snowpack. And [...]

Friends in High Places

Sometimes, when you’re out on the slopes of these mountains, you find yourself in the presence of the true locals, who own them and make their living here. If your mind drifts to Alta or Snowbird lifties or your favorite tram operator you’re off point. Last week, while scrambling up the scree by Shreen run (think Road to Provo if you can’t place it) to police up a few errant ski patrol bamboo poles, Canyon Blog almost literally bumped into one of his favorite locals on the mountain. Porcupine of course. Always retiring, never in a rush, and usually enjoying [...]

2023-09-15T02:27:00+00:00Local Flavor, Outdoors|

An “Outside” Perspective on Alta’s Record Storm

For followers of Canyon Blog and Little Cottonwood Canyon, you can find a summary of our wild two weeks of storms and avalanches penned by your correspondent in Outside Magazine's online site: https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/snow-sports/alta-snowbird-interloge-little-cottonwood-canyon-snowfall/ It was a season full of superlatives and if you can't make it out here before Snowbird shuts down daily operations on May 14th (weekend trams and some lifts will continue beyond that date) your blogger wishes you a wonderful spring and summer.

A Dispatch from the Trenches

Well, much as your correspondent hates cliches, this is one for the record books. Snowbird passed its all-time season snowfall record yesterday which was 782”. As of this morning, where Canyon Blog remains trapped in Alta, they’re standing at 805”. And it hasn’t stopped. Alta is sitting on, or rather under, 874”. It was only one week ago today that this space was reporting 764 Alta inches. If public math serves that’s 110” of new in a week. In April. The day before yesterday’s interlodge was one of the top three ski days of this powder hound’s career, someone who [...]

2023-04-05T17:57:46+00:00Outdoors, Winter|

Plan a Wellness Retreat in Utah at Alta Snowbird

After a day of shredding the slopes, there’s no better place to end the day than a local spa. Let your aches and pains from skiing dissipate with a revitalizing massage, facial, or body treatment. Or skip the slopes and plan a wellness retreat in Utah and focus on healing your mind, body, and spirit throughout your getaway. Many of our Canyon Services vacation rentals offer private hot tubs so you can continue your wellness retreat in the comfort of your rental home! The Cliff Spa at Snowbird The Cliff Spa is located within the Snowbird ski resort, offering easy [...]

2023-03-09T21:54:26+00:00Winter|