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Snowbird It Is

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bdowning
Posts: 1630 - Karma: 243

After having the time of my life last year at Jackson Hole, my buddies and I decided to plan our trip for this year to Snowbird, Utah. I know there are some differences between the 2 mountains, but I have heard unbelievable things about Snowbird as well.

My buddies and I are all very good skiers, supplied with beacons, avalungs, and so forth so we are prepared for the terrain. I just wanted to write a quick post to get a feel for the mountain. I know the main attractions, like the flat landed Kong Cliff...but what other offerings from the mountain should I look to give a try? I'm looking mostly for solid cliffs, steep chutes, and obviously....steep, wide open pow...which I'm sure I'll find a lot of.

Anyone with experience at Snowbird, who is willing to share some insight. I am very appreciative. So thanks in advance, I'll throw some karma for non-sarcasm related posts.

Dec 5 2012 4:33PM
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YewTard
Posts: 619 - Karma: 196

You sure you weren't takin tram laps here last season? You seem awfully familiar. The Broom Closet is also guided by a lawn gnome and you must know the password.

Click for larger image

In all seriousness though you don't have to go digging for big lines at the 'Bird. They're everywhere and mostly in plain sight.

Dec 5 2012 4:43PM
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CB_Radio
Posts: 197 - Karma: 39
Money plus equipment doesn't equal good skier! The best skiers can ski a 210 strait ski in the bird pow and make it look stanky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dec 5 2012 5:23PM
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bdowning
Posts: 1630 - Karma: 243
I appreciate the mature input.
Dec 6 2012 9:51AM
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bdowning
Posts: 1630 - Karma: 243
Cool dude.
Dec 6 2012 9:52AM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3597 - Karma: 3,895
Pipeline. Straight line it.
Dec 6 2012 10:49AM
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Scott29~
Posts: 1448 - Karma: 62
So being from Washington I've never had to encounter any of the flailing east coasters who throw off money and new equipment as they roll down the hill. What is the protocol when I see one of these creatures?

Do I poke it with a stick?

Do I wave my hands wildly in the hops of scaring it off?

Do I throw cappuccinos at it so it melts like in the wizard of oz? ~
Dec 6 2012 1:04PM
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bdowning
Posts: 1630 - Karma: 243
West coast snobbery at its finest. I don't purchase this equipment because its cool to have, that'd be a solid waste of money. I purchase this equipment because it's safe. I don't choose mountains like JH and Snowbird so I can get all decked out in "cool" gear and fall down the mountain.  If it were up to me, I'd spend my money elsewhere. I don't care to own a beacon and I don't enjoy having anything on my back when skiing anyway, but I understand accidents happen. Nothing wrong with a safety net and piece of mind.   The pose as challenging mountains with terrain I enjoy. If you can get by the fact that I use a beacon, helmet, and so forth; I'd appreciate some solid input.
Dec 6 2012 1:37PM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3597 - Karma: 3,895
Pipeline. Straight line it.
Dec 6 2012 2:18PM
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Bo_bot9
Posts: 1437 - Karma: 275
you'll get a good view of the layout after a tram ride or two on a clear day. if it is stormy avoid mineral basin and play around gad 2 trees. carbonate and north/west baldy will provide your cliff fix. have a good time and bring some snow with you.
Dec 6 2012 10:10PM
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gr4
Posts: 1499 - Karma: 945
wait. you don't even have an airbag? maybe the avi dogs will dig you out if you fill your pockets with bacon.
Dec 6 2012 11:25PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 36680 - Karma: 110,602
Yeah there's an assload of lines in plain site at the bird. But you need to straigtline pipeline first to gain access.
Dec 10 2012 10:44PM
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currentwestman
Posts: 3292 - Karma: 330
bro youre better off trying TGR or even better, meeting people when you get here. NS is useless when a thread gets rolling with retards like this. idk snowbird or i'd help you out. good luck
Dec 11 2012 12:49AM
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YewTard
Posts: 619 - Karma: 196
LOL. I read/post over there too, but if you're seriously suggesting TGR as a sincere alternative for advice you're either trolling, smoking crack, or don't really read the forum much. We're lightly poking fun here- put this on TGR and it will be 3 pages of blood and guts. I love it over there but to say they're ruthless would be the understatement of the century- especially if he had the misfortune of posting it in the Wasatch Conditions thread.

OP I was serious earlier when I said you can scout most of the Bird's big lines from the lifts. The tram and Peruvian give you all your options off the Cirque/Baldy, and you can eye up the Gad Chutes from Gadzoom. Mineral is open enough that you can see the Bookends/Flora Cliffs from just about anywhere. All of those zones will likely keep you entertained the whole time you're out here without having to go traversing for the more off-the-grid spots.
Dec 11 2012 4:29AM
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wasatch_rat
Posts: 1771 - Karma: 2,937
you don't really need all that gear unless you are going in the backcountry, but if it makes you feel safe whatever. my go to chair when it snows is gad 2, hit up tiger tail and thunder bowl when they open. little cloud is good for mellow open pow, and the tram probably accesses the gnarliest terrain. snowbird has awesome terrain everywhere, just keep your eyes and mind open and don't be afraid to explore. hope you have fun!
Dec 11 2012 11:09AM
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bdowning
Posts: 1630 - Karma: 243
I appreciate all the solid responses. Does Snowbird have back country access like JH?
Dec 12 2012 9:08AM
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BskiP
Posts: 1369 - Karma: 223
they actually have teleports that transfer you to different portals of mordar, where you can meet up with the price of persia and conquer levels 5-7, before coming back to the mystic portal of tramdockia to save the princess of 4500 S and state. her name is bambi.
Dec 12 2012 4:23PM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3597 - Karma: 3,895
http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7661505/dawn-patrollers
Dec 12 2012 10:20PM
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CB_Radio
Posts: 197 - Karma: 39
If your looking for some fun the bird does offer guided tours that will take you through alta and over to solitude and Brighton all in one day. I highly suggest the tour before attempting it alone though.
Dec 19 2012 1:39AM
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ectreeskier11
Posts: 697 - Karma: 366
do you actually know how to use a beacon if the need should arise? or do you just wear one in hopes that if you get buried patrol will come to save your ass? sounds like you think you're hot shit but check the attitude at the door. snowbird will kick your ass if you're not careful, i've learned that the hard way multiple times. don't expect shit from locals but ride the lifts be friendly, and make conversation and MAYBE you'll get lucky. if you follow the wrong person though, you may get very unlucky.
Dec 20 2012 1:48AM
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bdowning
Posts: 1630 - Karma: 243
Your videos are part of the reason I'm so pumped for Snowbird. Sorry if I rubbed you the wrong way, was just looking for solid insight.
Dec 20 2012 9:26AM
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ectreeskier11
Posts: 697 - Karma: 366
i'm lucky to be able to ski after the shit i've been through. it's not worth risking your well being to do stupid shit on a vacation to utah. come out, ski some pow, whatever, just remember when you're out there that shit can hit the fan in the blink of an eye. some jackasses almost got killed skiing just outside the rope at the mellowest resort in the area, canyons, yesterday. a friend of mine just broke his femur and ended his season on saturday, all it took was a little pow slash and a clipped rock and his season's over before it even started. i wish someone had been as fucking blunt with me when i moved out here.
Dec 20 2012 7:06PM
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currentwestman
Posts: 3292 - Karma: 330
youre right, i don't get over there much. so i guess pretty much both websites are useless for people trying to get advice/suggestions about their trip. which is a shame, helping out one kid isn't going to ruin anyones pow day. people are way nicer on the mountain than over the internet so my advice to meet people when youre here still stands to OP.
Dec 26 2012 12:48AM
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9101 - Karma: 65,216
I think that youd reach terminal velocity this way, bonus points if you take it straight across and hit the wave in reverse without speed checking, theres about a 70 percent chance youd make it back to the tram dock with this method
SkiBum.Pipeline. Straight line it.
Jul 10 2019 1:16PM
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