Winter is right around the corner here in the Wasatch Back, and it's time to get geared up and ready for the 2021-2022 ski season! The snow has already been flying with regularity here in town, and it has been adding up at the higher elevations. As you will see below, our resorts are busy getting ready to open very soon, and there are great opportunities to round our your ski and snowboard gear at one of the many upcoming ski swaps. Think snow and hope to see you on the slopes very soon!
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Our pre-season snowfall has been outstanding so far here in the Wasatch! Following a very dry spring and early summer, the late summer and early fall brought some much needed precipitation. In fact, October wrapped up as one of the wettest on record here in northern Utah. More importantly, it was also one of the snowiest in recent memory.
The precipitation has helped establish a solid early season snowpack on the higher elevation slopes, and it is hopefully setting the table for a great ski season. The long range forecast shows that we will likely experience another La Nina winter, which generally means that the weather could go either way here in the Wasatch Back.
Here's hoping that it continues to be snowier than average!
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See below for the latest opening dates for our local resorts in and around town, as well as those further afield in Northern and Central Utah. Of course, all opening dates are subject to change, depending on weather and other circumstances. Make sure to check the links provided for the latest updates.
49th Annual Park City Ski Swap |November 5 - 7 | Basin Rec Field House
The Park City Ski Swap is run by Park City Ski and Snowboard (PCSS). PCSS relies on donations, grants, tuition, and fundraising efforts to fund a comprehensive year-round ski program aimed at developing young athletes in Park City and surrounding communities. The Park City Ski Swap acts as the largest single fundraiser for PCSS. Tickets and more information here.
Friday, November 5th: 8 pm - 1 am , Admission $15 Saturday, November 6th: 10 am - 6 pm, Admission $10 Sunday, November 7th: 10 am - 2 pm, Admission $5
The Ogden Ski Swap offers new and gently used gear for up to 60% off retail pricing. You can also sell your own equipment. If you wish to sell gear, bring it in Thursday, Nov. 11th from 5 - 9 pm, or Friday, Nov. 12th from 10 am - 3 pm. More information here.
Dates, times, and costs for the swap are: Friday, November 12th: 5:30 - 9 pm , Admission $7 (ages 14+) Saturday, November 13th: 10 am - 4 pm, Free Admission
TUNA XC Ski Swap |November 13 | Sugar Space | 132 S 800 W Salt Lake City
Looking to pick up some new cross country ski gear for the upcoming season? Then you should definitely make plans to stop by The Utah Nordic Alliance (TUNA) on Saturday, November 13th between 9am and noon for their cross country ski swap. They will also be collecting winter clothing donations for local charities, so make sure to bring any winter clothing donations to help keep someone else warm this winter. Cash only, and 10% of sales go to TUNA Junior Programs. More information here.
St Lawrence Thrift Store Ski Sale |November 19 - 20 | Zermatt Resort
Stop by Zermatt for St. Lawrence Thrift Store’s annual ski sale, where you can get used winter sports equipment for great prices! Customers receive free ski wax with purchase of skis, compliments of Adventure Haus, and there will be a drawing for Deer Valley Lift tickets and a 1-night stay and dinner at Zermatt Resort. The event will follow Utah Health Department COVID-19 guidelines and face masks will be recommended. More information here.
Friday, November 19th: 9 am - 6 pm Saturday, November 20th: 9 am - 4 pm
Soldier Hollow Ski Sale |November 19 - 20 | Soldier Hollow Nordic Center
Come to the Nordic Center at Soldier Hollow (lower level of the Lodge) for this annual sale! Used equipment will be for sale, with the possibility of some new equipment as well. More information here.
Friday, November 19th: 9 am - 4 pm Saturday, November 20th: 9 am - 4 pm
Utah Valley Ski Swap |November 19 - 20 | Showbarn at Thanksgiving Point
The Utah Valley Ski Swap will offer a wide assortment of ski and snowboarding gear, including kids gear, hats, clothing, and even snowshoes, as well as an array of both new and gently used gear at up to 60% off retail pricing. Vendors will be there to help guide you and answer all of your questions, and you will also have the opportunity to come sell your own gear on consignment on Friday, November 19th from 10 am - 3 pm. More information here.
Friday, November 19th: 5:30 pm - 9 pm, $7 Admission (ages 14+) Saturday, November 20th: 10 am - 4 pm, Free Admission
Alta Community Enrichment Gear Swap | Dec 2 | Our Lady of the Snows
The Alta Community Enrichment (ACE) Gear Swap will take place the first Saturday in December from 8:15 am - 5 pm. 25% of sales benefit ACE. There are no fees to submit items. Please, no gear older than 10 years, and limit purchases to 10 items per person or entity. More information here.
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Kids Ski Free in Utah?
You might be surprised at how many resorts offer free or dramatically reduced rates for kids' skiing and snowboarding. Our friends at Ski Utah recently summarized the great variety of options available at our local resorts in this article.
The biggest cost will be to your ego, as your kids will likely be out-skiing you in no time!
Join the 14th Annual USAW, where Utah’s avalanche community will team up with snow professionals from around the west to share avalanche knowledge. Regional avalanche workshops are the most time and cost-effective way to build and refresh advanced avalanche skills available. This is your chance to learn from avalanche experts, and brush up your skills before the start of the season.
You’ll learn from forecasters, patrollers, snow scientists, highway avalanche crews, search and rescue personnel, mountain guides, ski industry manufacturers, backcountry skiers and snowboarders, snowmobilers, avalanche researchers, and more. The format will be 15-minute presentations followed by Q&A.
If you have kiddos who are in their growth spurt years, it may be hard to justify buying all new snow sports equipment each season. Our inventive local retailers have developed an excellent solution. Each of the shops below offer a very reasonably priced solution to your growing children’s equipment needs. They allow you to pay a set price at the start of the season, and at any point when those growth spurts happen, or when their skills move past the original equipment, your child is able to trade in all or part of the equipment package for a better fit.
This is an awesome and very cost effective way to allow your child to use brand new, state-of-the-art equipment and yet get through those growth spurts. Some of the shops also offer the convenience of free overnight ski and snowboard storage from their resort base locations. Here are the most recommended retailers.
PARK CITY AREA Aloha Ski & Snowboard Rentals/Banhof Sports | 888-536-6284 Christy’s Sports | 888-413-6966 Jackson’s Base Camp | 435-200-8909
SALT LAKE CITY / COTTONWOOD CANYONS Utah Golf & Ski | 800-858-5221 Ski N See | 800-722-3686
Hope you had a great summer and fall, and I look forward to seeing you around town or out on the slopes this coming winter. I will make sure to keep you posted on all the great events that will be going on in and around Park City and the Wasatch Back.
Look for the WINTER EVENTS NEWSLETTER in your inbox in a couple of weeks!
