Mother Nature Delivers The Alta/Snowbird Trip

By Chris Campbell

Forty lucky winners took a gamble on Mother Nature and headed out to Utah for an early season ski trip in December. Although things weren’t looking great a week before the departure, everyone did their best snow dances and were rewarded with snow starting as we drove up Cottonwood Canyon and continuing for the next 48 hours! We received over 39 inches of wonderful white powder which allowed the resorts to open more and more terrain for us to enjoy. And enjoy we did!

The beautiful accommodations at the Cliff Lodge were everything they boasted. The rooms, individual ski lockers with boot and glove dryers, pools, hot tubs and spa were exceptional. Several lounges, restaurants and shops were conveniently located right in the hotel and the Snowbird Center right next door offered even more variety.

Friday we had a continental welcome breakfast followed by a day at “The Bird.” Most folks chose to ski the remaining three days at Alta where they opened up more lifts and runs as the white stuff kept coming down. Some of our group rented “fat” skis and really enjoyed the powder skiing. The Tram opened at Snowbird on Sunday and Monday and offered breathtaking views and lots of great skiing and snowboarding – right, Eric?

The whole group enjoyed a happy hour with drinks and lots of tasty hot appetizers at The Tram Club on Saturday night. Their staff took great care of us and made sure we had a good time. Everyone enjoyed other group gatherings at lunches, après-ski and dinners at some of the local clubs and restaurants. Sushi or Kobe burgers, anyone?

As all great vacations seem to come to an end too soon, this one did also, and a happy, tired gang packed up early Tuesday, posed for a group photo and head for the airport. If you talk to the lucky 40 who gave themselves this early holiday gift, I don’t think you’ll find many who regretted taking this bet. WOW! What a way to start the ski season!