Your correspondent pens this piece in the aftermath of a top ten ski day here in Little Cottonwood. After a foot of fresh on top of seven more feet of fresh on top of a mountain with no people, January 17 th proved to be one of those days where despite how hungry you are you don’t dare stop to eat. Late morning when our valiant ski patrol dropped the rope for Catherine’s it was time to start making laps. Ten laps as it turns out. This is where Canyon Blog would normally insert a few great photos to induce jealousy on the part of the loyal readers of this space. Sadly, they were not to be. Why you ask? Because this writer wasn’t stopping to snap shots because it was just too damn good. And besides, as you’re well aware, photos don’t do justice to epic conditions. The best your correspondent can muster is a few shots on the final run to the house off Powder Ridge via Wildcat lift. Those and one shot of a significant ice beard buildup. Well, here’s one additional shot from Snowbird yesterday when they’d just opened Peruvian lift at around 2pm. Several days of closures had the Peruvian snow primed for tracking even if the wind scour faces were a little crusty. What’s the point of these bragging lines you may wonder. Simply this: The storm cycles are still aligned and the snow gods favoring our little canyon. So you better hop on that plane, get up canyon, and drop your bags in one of our deluxe properties because staying down canyon isn’t going to do you any good when the canyon closes for the next storm. Note on our previous photo challenge: The image on the concrete buttress is actually the last chairlift pole as you ascend the Collins lift.

Alta Snowbird Vacation Rentals Archives

Surfin’ the Wave at Snowbird
Surfin’ the Wave at Snowbird

Surfin’ the Wave at Snowbird

One of the great things about spring skiing in Little Cottonwood is the light, smells, and space that pervades the senses. Because the temps are up, even though the snow is still flying, people find creative ways to enjoy the mountain. The typical example are the snakes that appear at Alta and Snowbird, usually in Ballroom and Shireen (just off the Road to Provo cat track). However, your correspondent’s favorite playground terrain is the ridge that separates Shireen from Mark Malu Fork where the exhibitionists of spring tend to gather to demonstrate their aerial skills and basically have a great [...]

CanyonBlog2024-04-05T01:24:24+00:00Local Flavor, Outdoors|

OMSG
OMSG

OMSG

Your correspondent pens this piece in the aftermath of a top ten ski day here in Little Cottonwood. After a foot of fresh on top of seven more feet of fresh on top of a mountain with no people, January 17th proved to be one of those days where despite how hungry you are you don’t dare stop to eat. Late morning when our valiant ski patrol dropped the rope for Catherine’s it was time to start making laps. Ten laps as it turns out. This is where Canyon Blog would normally insert a few great photos to induce jealousy [...]

CanyonBlog2024-01-19T20:30:30+00:00Outdoors, Winter|

Friends in High Places
Friends in High Places

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 [...]

CanyonBlog2023-09-15T02:27:00+00:00Local Flavor, Outdoors|

Big & Little Cottonwood Canyon Picnic Areas
Big & Little Cottonwood Canyon Picnic Areas

Big & Little Cottonwood Canyon Picnic Areas

Summer is a beautiful time to plan a picnic in the park! Grab your favorite snacks and visit the Little Cottonwood Canyon picnic areas near your Canyon Services vacation rental. Or make a short drive to Big Cottonwood Canyon and discover even more picnic areas like Storm Mountain and Ledgemere. Pack your picnic basket, immerse yourself in Utah’s natural wonders, and enjoy outdoor dining in the mountains! Little Cottonwood Canyon Picnic Areas Snowbird Picnic Areas All of our rentals are within a five-minute drive of Snowbird, offering easy access to the picnic areas within the resort: Observation Deck Austin Pond [...]

webservices2023-07-31T20:11:51+00:00Summer|

How to Recreate Responsibly This Summer
How to Recreate Responsibly This Summer

How to Recreate Responsibly This Summer

Utah is home to a mesmerizing tapestry of landscapes, from snowcapped mountains to lush meadows and tranquil lakes. We love sharing our state’s natural beauty and ask that all visitors recreate responsibly to help us preserve these spaces for generations to come! Stay with Canyon Services and help us reduce the impacts of tourism in Little Cottonwood Canyon by staying on trails, respecting wildlife, and leaving no trace of your travels! Plan Ahead and Prepare Planning ahead for your adventures in Little Cottonwood Canyon is a great way to ensure you recreate responsibly. Set goals for your trip and take [...]

webservices2023-06-20T20:51:53+00:00Outdoors, Summer|

Snowbird Fires up Their Convertibles
Snowbird Fires up Their Convertibles

Snowbird Fires up Their Convertibles

Well, they’re finally here. After much waiting, some minor disasters, a record snowfall year, and a long spring runoff, the balconies for “new blue” and “new, new red” are in place and ready for you. Typical of your correspondent, he used his faux investigative journalist credentials to gain a sneak peek to see if riding on top of the tram cars was worth all the hype on the morning before their grand opening. The answer in a word: yes. Thankfully, the installation went without hitch on June 5th during scheduled tram maintenance. No crane required, merely a cable system to [...]

CanyonBlog2023-06-17T02:39:01+00:00Announcements, News, Summer|

Utah Summer Vacation Ideas: Alta-Snowbird
Utah Summer Vacation Ideas: Alta-Snowbird

Utah Summer Vacation Ideas: Alta-Snowbird

Alta-Snowbird may be known for its winter activities, but our mountain towns offer a year-round vacation destination. During the summer, the mountains come alive with blossoming wildflowers, wildlife roams the Albion Basin, and ski resorts transform into an outdoor recreation oasis. Plan your Utah summer vacation with Canyon Services and discover hiking, fishing, and mountain biking just minutes from your condo rental! Utah Summer Hiking Trails Once the snow melts, Alta Snowbird offers an abundance of hiking trails to explore. Alta offers around 13 miles of trails, ranging from beginner to advanced. Explore the Albion Basin and take in views [...]

Sarah Reinke2023-05-24T20:01:46+00:00Summer|

Easy Hikes in Utah: Alta Snowbird Hiking
Easy Hikes in Utah: Alta Snowbird Hiking

Easy Hikes in Utah: Alta Snowbird Hiking

Utah’s Alta Snowbird region is not just for winter ski trips; our mountain towns are also a great place to take the kids this summer! Soak up the sunshine with easy hikes in Utah that wind past beautiful lakes, awe-inspiring vistas, blossoming wildflowers, and cascading waterfalls. Whether you are looking for a stroller-friendly path or a longer trail for older kids, there is endless exploration awaiting in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Choose Canyon Services to host your Utah summer getaway and access adventure just outside your door! Observation Point Trail The Observation Point Trail is a free, paved, flat, and stroller-friendly [...]

webservices2023-04-28T17:33:14+00:00Outdoors, Summer|

Drop What You’re Doing (an emergency announcement)
Drop What You’re Doing (an emergency announcement)

Drop What You’re Doing (an emergency announcement)

Rarely does Canyon Blog issue public service announcements, but such are the dire circumstances that it’s demanded of your correspondent in the interests of your health and mental state of mind. With that out of the way, here’s the deal. Whatever you’re doing, and regardless of where, you simply need to stop, book a flight, toss on a few layers of gear, and slap some fiberglass or carbon to the bottom of your feet. As your correspondent writes this (March 29th) Alta is reporting 764” for the season, but that’s simply not going to be true by the time you [...]

CanyonBlog2023-03-31T01:29:04+00:00Outdoors, Winter|

Rush Out Here and Then Slow Down
Rush Out Here and Then Slow Down

Rush Out Here and Then Slow Down

The snow continues to drop in Little Cottonwood Canyon and the skiing is beyond compare. And by that, your correspondent does mean anywhere. Readers of this space are only too familiar with the superiority of Wasatch powder and the fact that leasing one of our properties puts you into a skin-in ski-out experience not available anywhere else. To prove that point your faithful investigative journalist is winging his way to Austria and Norway to compare this season’s snow with other world class destinations. Such is his dedication to his profession, but he digresses and will report back on that when [...]

CanyonBlog2023-03-03T21:35:18+00:00Outdoors, Winter|