Noah Ficher, of Orem, finds fresh snow in the trees at Brighton Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022. (Ben B. Braun/Deseret News)
COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, Utah — The park and ride at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon was filled Thursday as winter enthusiasts were once again anxious to take advantage of an amazing snowpack.
The crowds come on the heels of yet another winter storm and a rare avalanche mitigation effort in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Even on his last day of visiting, skier Bill Moreen said he just wanted to go up one more time before going home to New Hampshire.
“This has been a tough winter back in New Hampshire…[the snow there] is mostly man-made, frozen recycled stuff,” Moreen said. Speaking about Utah’s snow, Moreen said, “This is pretty sweet.”
The amount of snow we’ve gotten might be giving Moreen the wrong impression about how much we normally get.
“It’s almost too much…I wouldn’t want to live here and have to shovel it,” Moreen said.
Alaina Vrontikis grew up in Salt Lake City but is back visiting from her new home of Denver.
“I’ve been loving [the snow],” Vrontikis said. “All the nice, fresh snow makes it a little bit easier for me to learn how to ski…it’s a little softer landing…and it’s more fun.”
Vrontikis said her parents still live in Sandy, and that this winter definitely stands out from the ones before it.
“It just seems like every morning my dad is firing up the snow blower,” Vrontikis said.
It’s easy to see why so many outdoor lovers are taking advantage of a snowpack rivaling the best in Utah’s history.
But, Utah Avalanche Center Forecaster Nikki Champion told KSL Newsradio, avalanche danger is expected to rise over the next few days.
If you are headed to the backcountry, make sure to bring the proper equipment and avoid going out alone.