Utahns enjoy final days of ski and snowboard season

Utahns enjoy final days of ski and snowboard season

(Scott G Winterton/Deseret News)


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BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON — One by one, Utah's ski resorts are closing for the season.

In a farewell tour to winter, Derek Kemp and his family have been hopping from slope to slope to finish out the season. They were on hand when Solitude Mountain Resort closed last weekend, enjoyed a final day of skiing at Brighton on Sunday, and still hope to hit the slopes at Alta next weekend.

"It's just been fun to have the family up here," said Kemp, who watched his wife and 2-year-old daughter learn to ski this winter. "Even though the snow has been horrible this year, we've had a blast."

With ski season ending, "swimming lessons are coming up soon" for little Meili, Kemp said with a laugh.

Following a warm, dry winter, many Utah resorts have already shut down their slopes, while others are riding out a final April storm. Brighton finished the season Sunday with a 63-inch base, while Park City Mountain Resort had about 23 inches of snow on the slopes for closing day, according to the Ski Utah snow report.

Davy Smith, a day manager at Brighton, said the resort only saw about half as much snow as last season, but that didn't dampen the mood Sunday.

"We still had a good turnout of people every day. No matter how the snow conditions are, you still find some cool people," Smith said. "Closing day is always the best time of the year, it's always a party up here."


Closing day is always the best time of the year, it's always a party up here.

–Davy Smith, Brighton day manager


Dustin Gray, of Lehi, took his two young sons to Brighton for the festivities Sunday. They were pleased to find plenty of space on the easier runs, a jubilant crowd skiing and snowboarding in costumes, and food and bounce houses for the kids.

"They're still learning how to ski, so it was a perfect day for it," said Gray, who hadn't made it up the slopes much during the dry winter, but made sure to capitalize on the new snow from last week's storm.

Alta, which will close through the week and open next weekend for a final blowout, currently has 84 inches of snow, according to the snow report. Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort reported 44 inches of new powder, adding up to 84 base inches, following the Wasatch Front's walloping snow storm last week. Conditions permitting, the resort intends to remain open daily through May 10 before celebrating its final winter weekend.

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