It's snowing...ok, ok, it might be manmade, but at least it's snow!

I was just out on the decks of Legacy Lodge filming a PCTV interview and saw the beautiful sight of white! The snowmaking guns are churning out the beautiful powder that we so desperately have been waiting for. The temperatures are FINALLY cold enough to turn the guns on. Trust me, I've been as anxious as you. I am literally jumpy with anticipation of putting on my snowboard and making some turns. I'm also a little nervous that I won't be very good. But I'm reminded that it's just like riding a bike and it will all come rushing back to me. So, at this point in time, it's looking good for us to open on Friday. The temperatures are expected to stay cold (and if Mother Nature comes through for us) we should open Nov. 23! Please pray to your snow god or do your snow dance...whatever it is that brings the magic of cold temps and snow to Park City. I hope to see you on opening day and we can all celebrate together with a few turns on the board(s) and no falls on the white stuff! -P

Comments

[Jack]

I get it. What you're calling "quality product" is really all about "grooming and slope maintenance."

Riiight.

And the expert grooming of 3 strands of hair on an otherwise bald head would be a "gorgeous head of hair."

Eric replies:
Jack, the terrain that we will have open will have full coverage and a good groom on it - it's simply what the conditions have allowed us to accomplish.

[Trevor Jackson]

To jack who recently posted: Don't have such a bad attitude toward Park City Mountain Resort and its respected employees. They're trying has hard as they can to open early with enough snow so we're not all scraping our skis on rocks. Aprreciate what they're doing for us and how much they sacrifice. On a better note that is aweomse its opening on friday. Will there be a Jib park on homerun opening weekend?

Eric replies:
Thanks Trevor - see our Terrain Park Blog at http://parkcity.typepad.com/ride_park_city/ for park updates.

[MoSno]

Also there are a number of interesting sights in Salt Lake City: Temple Square - check out the organ recitals daily at noon or music and the spoken word on Sundays, Gardner Village, Kennecott copper mine... just to name a few.

Eric replies:
Thanks for the suggestions!

[Kim]

Paula - If we don't have snow, or a lot of good snow. . what else is there to do? I've never been to Park City before.

Paula replies: There is snow, it's just manmade. You'll be able to ski a few runs, ride our Alpine Coaster, hike in some of the lower trails, eat great food and enjoy the fun nightlife! Go to parkcityinfo.com for more information about the town. You'll have a blast :)

[Yan]

Will the town shuttle be running by Friday between Park City and the slope? I'll flying in on the 29th and will stay at the Peaks hotel. Thx :)

Paula replies: Yes, the shuttle runs year round!

still lookin good for friday?

Paula replies: fingers crossed!

[Mark Glasscock]

I shall be keeping my fingers crossed for a successful Friday opening, Paula! I fly out from the UK to Park City on Friday 30th...so please don't use all that snow up between this Friday and my arrival, will you?!!

I'm out for a 5-day familiarisation trip - I'll be with a much larger group of folk out on a Ski Challenge to raise £'s for Cerebral Palsy, centred around the Park City area, next February. Mother Nature should be back to her regular habits by then, I trust! See my URL for more details of what we'll be skiing! http://www.justgiving.com/markscopeski2008

' looking forward to my visit! Best wishes, Mark

[lukepools]

Two snowmaking questions for you.

1) How much snow does it take before a slope can be opened for skiiers? I do realize that the snow when it falls it isn't compacted with the machines.

2) How much of the mountain can you blow snow on?

Paula replies: Wow, two really good questions! We ideally like to make 10-12 inches or 70 acre feet of snow on a run before we open it. We have the capacity to make snow of 4 runs at once and 38 runs in total.

[Mari]

Hi, I am going to Park City for the first time and the plan is to ski from Monday 26th to Saturday 1st.
How many runs do you think will be open during those days? If there are few runs and lifts open, will it be totally crowded?
I have heard great things about Park City and would hate to leave disappointed, do you believe that I should change my travel plans? Thank you!!!!

Paula replies: Mari, since my expertise is not in weather and I can only go by what I read, I cannot determine how many runs we'll have open by then. It's certainly been a drier than usually start to the season, but that doesn't mean it can't change in an instant. The forecast is calling for snow next Tuesday. We can all hope that it's a huge dump that will open up a lot more of the mountain. I can tell you that Park City is amazing, but I am not sure I can be the one to decide if you change your vacation. That is completely your call!

[Joe]

How long is the average line for things like lift tickets and the lifts themselves? And keeping on topic that's awsome that there is finally some snow on the ground!

Paula replies: Ticket lines and lift lines are fairly quick, especially this time of year. The December holidays are obviously busier, but our team makes navigating the mountain very easy!

[Jack]

"We will only open IF we have a high quality product that provides our guests the experience they have come to expect."

HA! I would hardly call a couple runs open consisting primarily of man-made snow a "high quality product.

Paula replies: Jack, I understand your concern, and yes, we hold our grooming and slope maintenance to the highest standards. However, we also understand the need to at least open the resort with one or two runs for those folks (like me) who can't wait to get out there and make some turns. We have to start somewhere and since the weather hasn't cooperated lately, manmade is what we have to work with.

[Eric]

You should make a locals only line! that'd be dope. because over the students christmas breaks, the lines are forever long.

[dylan parkinson]

so you guys are'nt opening up until friday?

Paula replies: Yes Dylan, it looks like we'll be ready to open by Friday! Hope to see you out on the slopes.

[Pat]

Great News! See you FRIDAY!
What time is sheduled for opening? 9am?

Paula replies: Yes, 9 a.m. if we open as scheduled! Keep thinking positive thoughts and we're hopeful that will be the case :)