The Problem with the Wasatch

[tirolski]

This is part of what prevents me from attempting to move out west. There's just a lot more competition when it comes to even being able to get to the ski area. At most eastern ski areas, as long as you get there early, you get free and relatively close parking...

I skied to the car most days @ Song.
Parked within <1 min hike to the lift @ Lab.
EZ peazie.
The hills aren’t that high but if ya get some lake effect the snow’s as light and fluffy as the stuff in the Wasatch.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

More than 2/3 of my ski days in SLC were at Solitude back during the DeSeelhorst days. Remember how empty it was, even on weekends? We knew it was going to end sooner or later and that turned out to be 2015:

Solitude, Utah - Lonely at the Top

Solitude, Utah - A decade ago, I earned my season pass to Park City Mountain Resort by skiing visitors around the slopes as a mountain host. One of my colleagues — a gentle

thesnowmag.com

 

[raisingarizona]

Yup. I skied at Solitude in 99/00. It was in December with waist deep snow and ski on chairs. There’s a reason I’m salty and don’t do the crowded ski experience we have today.

Watching climate changes affects on this region is pretty wild. People are still moving here. I get it, it’s an incredible place to live. Or it was. Still is really but the future isn’t looking so good. Not with this kind of population anyways.

The North east may be safe or safer for a while longer but if the science is right where will all of the climate refugees go? If Florida goes under will the tri state area welcome them there? How would that affect the quality of life there? Will New York City stay above the riding ocean? This is going to have impacts everywhere and don’t kid yourself, you’ll feel it out there too.

 

[x10003q]

The 3 current solutions:
1. $595 million Gondola plus snow sheds on the road in avalanche zones - $10.6 million annual operating costs.
2. $510 million enhanced bus service with the addition of a bus lane and snow sheds on the road in avalanche zones - $10 million winter operating costs.
3. Keep the current road - add snow sheds in avalanche zones - tolling and adding buses and limiting cars - have not seen a cost for this. Maybe the tolls will cover the cost.

The Gondola transports 1050 people/hr and the extra bus lane would deliver 1008 people/hr.
The disappearing Great Salt Lake and the lack of water might make this just a planning exercise exercise.

 

[SIAWOL]

This is part of what prevents me from attempting to move out west. There's just a lot more competition when it comes to even being able to get to the ski area. At most eastern ski areas, as long as you get there early, you get free and relatively close parking. As far as the Wasatch goes, they need to either build the gondola or greatly increase bus service in the canyon, possibly with dedicated lanes.

Used the public bus in Jackson for a week a few years ago. Was crowded, but was pretty easy and well managed service. Basically hit the first bus route so it was mostly employees. But would do again without hesitation.

Used bus as well for Lake Louise from Banff so wife could use the car each day. Those were awesome. Full blown charter tour buses so all the gear was loaded below, free, USB jacks, plenty of capacity, and I could doze off for a few on the way home. Taking in the scenery both ways and the level of community stoke to go with it---really cool.

But I hear ya sno---what would get on my nerves would be sitting in the same traffic on a bus as I would in my car. Environmental responsibility aside....there has to be a compelling reason for people to choose the public transit option. Getting to the hill faster than regular traffic is a solid motivator.

 

[raisingarizona]

there's still plenty of ski areas and communities in the west that aren't crowded but they aren't the big, sexy resort areas.

 

[gorgonzola]

when my wife and I travel we always look at places as potential retirement locations and Salt Lake certainly ain't it. Like everyone else we love the snow and terrain as well as the ease of accessibility of airport/lodging/ski. Once you come down out of the canyons though its just gross, sprawl upon sprawl upon sprawl

 

[raisingarizona]

when my wife and I travel we always look at places as potential retirement locations and Salt Lake certainly ain't it. Like everyone else we love the snow and terrain as well as the ease of accessibility of airport/lodging/ski. Once you come down out of the canyons though its just gross, sprawl upon sprawl upon sprawl

 

[Benny Profane]

when my wife and I travel we always look at places as potential retirement locations and Salt Lake certainly ain't it. Like everyone else we love the snow and terrain as well as the ease of accessibility of airport/lodging/ski. Once you come down out of the canyons though its just gross, sprawl upon sprawl upon sprawl

 

[raisingarizona]

And, very bad air. Winter smog is frequent. And now the evaporation of the lake is making the air toxic.
I swear, I'd rather live in Bergen County. Well, no, wait, not really, but, you get the point.

That air trapped in the SLC valley in the winter is already plenty toxic.