Spring skiing at Snowbird

I've already said much about skiing Snowbird in the late spring season and how cool that place is. Our visit on May 2nd was literally picture-perfect. Yet, what makes Snowbird different from the rest of our Utah ski resorts and particularly from Park City's three mountains?

The higher elevation is one thing; a base and a summit at more than 1,000 feet higher stay colder and get more snow. Then there's the famous “lake affect” that often doubles up the amount of precipitation from one storm. Snowbird is also different in the sense that it offers wide-open runs, whereas Park City is more “in the trees.”

Finally, as the typical “territorial” demeanor, folks who ski Snowbird and Alta tend to poo-poo skiing in Park City, but they're dead wrong. I know it, because I ski both domains, and to conclude I'd say: “Vive la différence!”