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COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — Drivers in Big Cottonwood Canyon reported traffic delays and limited parking the first few days of 2022 ski season.
Solitude and Brighton resorts opened early, after recent storms brought heavy snowfall to the mountain areas. Skiers reported a steady line of cars that led to more long lines of people at the two resorts.
"Everyone's psyched to see the new snow, everyone's stoked," skier Quin Taylor said.
Snowboarder Aiden Hascall said people were anxious to get up the lifts.
"The lines were just crazy," he said.
At times, the wait started closer to the base of the canyon.
The Utah Department of Transportation shared pictures on social media of near-capacity roadside parking. The post warned drivers not to park downhill, or in "No Parking" zones.
#RoadUpdate 👋 #SR190 travelers! Roadside parking near the resorts is near capacity. Please do not park in "No Parking" zones or on the downhill/north side of the road. If you do park roadside (uphill/south side), please find the white line and park behind it! pic.twitter.com/rdWeKOaU8q
— UDOT Cottonwood Canyons (@UDOTcottonwoods) November 11, 2022
"I know that down by Brighton, every once in a while, you get like 100 cars there and they'll give everyone a ticket," Hascall said.
UDOT also reminded early season skiers to park behind the white line and be prepared for downhill delays.
Resorts also posted that their parking lots were full by mid-morning.
Our parking lot is full! Please plan your trips accordingly, we usually have spots open around 2pm. @UDOTcottonwoodspic.twitter.com/aQnY5BewVK
— Brighton Resort (@BrightonResort) November 11, 2022
Hascall said more people should carpool. He said he lives near the University of Utah, and would like more public transportation options to get to the resorts.
"I think our first effort should be to improve our bus system," he said. "I think we should have more bus stops and more direct routes up the mountains."
Hascall said the higher he climbed up the road, the more crowded it got.
"Once we got down to Donut Falls, it got pretty congested," he said.
Taylor said he avoided the bad delays by using strategy on the slopes and on the roads.
"Just get up early, get after it. Don't be slacking," he said.
