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BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON -- The ski season here in Utah is beginning to wind down, and it's no secret we haven't seen as much snow this year as we have in the past.
Brighton Ski Resort up Big Cottonwood Canyon is still open for skiers, but it and several other resorts have announced their closing dates. Most are looking at mid-April.
"Our resorts are closing pretty much where they usually do," says Jessica Kunzer, with Ski Utah.
Even though the resorts are doing their best to stay open for as long as they can, the snow hasn't really been falling as much as it has in years past.
"It hasn't been a banner snow year for us by any means. We're a little bit below average," Kunzer says.
Ever optimistic, though, the way Utah's ski resorts are looking at it, this year's below-average snowfall is still better than anywhere else. Solitude's Nick Como says we've been spoiled in years past.
2009-2010 Utah Ski Resorts Closing Dates
| Resort | Closing Date |
|---|---|
| Alta | April 18 |
| Beaver Mountain | March 28 |
| Brian Head | April 18 |
| Brighton | April 18 (weather permitting) |
| The Canyons | April 11 |
| Deer Valley | April 11 |
| Park City Mountain Resort | April 11 |
| Powder Mountain | April 11 |
| Snowbasin | April 18 |
| Snowbird | Memorial Day Weekend (conditions permitting) |
| Solitude | April 18 |
| Sundance | April 4 |
| Wolf Creek Utah | Closed March 15 |
"When you get kind of used to counting in the 600 and 700 [inches], sure, 400 doesn't seem like a lot, but it's a lot of snow," Como says. "Our base is in the 70 and 80 inches, and that's phenomenal."
"Snowbird has got over 600 inches the last two years, and we average about 500 inches. This year, we're right around 375. We're certainly down compared to the last few years," says Snowbird spokesman Jared Ishkani.
Still, Snowbird is trying to stay open through Memorial Day, and one or two more snow storms could get them to their 500-inch average.
"Last year, the end of March, early-April, we had a tremendous storm that dropped about 130 inches in 10 days," Ishkani says.
But no matter how much snow falls, Utah's ski resorts still say it's the "Greatest Snow on Earth."
"A bad year in Utah is a great year anywhere else," Kunzer says.
"Skiing in Utah is unforgettable every year, no matter when you do it," Como adds.
E-mail: acabrero@ksl.com
