All photos by Rocko Menzyk

Winter came earlier than expected this year in the upper elevations of the Wasatch Mountain range in Utah. Last week, The Wasatch Snow Forecast called for 6-12 inches of snow above 8,000 feet by Saturday morning and Mother Nature delivered right on cue with a glorious dusting up the Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons.

As we arrived at Alta around 11 AM, the hype train escalated as we were greeted with the white goodness we've all become addicted to. More than enough snow had fallen to build the first featured feature of the year; the mini-money booter.

A small crew gathered as we sessioned the jump and several people were ripping down the run right below Collins lift, getting in some very rocky turns and slashes. Stoke was high as a kite all day as the boys continued send the booter. The highlight of the weekend was not from our session though. The following video contains footage of one of the most inspirational speeches skiing has ever seen, besides THall's to Henrik at X-Games a few years ago, and a classic backflip fail.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BK0u8lXBbfT/?taken-by=newschoolers

All in all, this taste of winter has me stoked for the upcoming season and all that Utah has to offer.