COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — After a winter that has felt more like spring, snow is finally falling again in Utah's mountains and skiers couldn't be happier.
Snow began piling up Tuesday at Brighton Ski Resort, bringing a much-needed boost of fresh powder after weeks of dry, thin conditions across the state.
"It's beautiful," said Sheila Butterfield, who was visiting from St. George. "Probably at least a foot or two of fresh powder right now. The snow is still coming." She and her husband, Warren Butterfield, were among several skiers enjoying the changing conditions.
They hadn't planned on getting fresh snow.
"Hey, it's fantastic," said Warren Butterfield. "We're happy to have the powder, and we're happy to have some moisture in the mountains."
Utah's winter so far has been unusually dry, with snowpack below normal levels for much of the season. That's made storms like this one especially important, not just for recreation, but for the state's long-term water outlook.
"It's not just for skiing," said Jace Firth, of Kaysville. "Snowmobiling too. And our summertime is going to need it. We've really been hurting."
Skiers said the conditions finally feel like what they expect in February: colder temperatures, steady snowfall and fresh powder on the ground.
"Very good," said Firth. "Probably the best we've had so far."
And after a season marked by brown mountainsides and lower-than-usual snow totals, many hope this storm is a sign of better things ahead.
"This has been a really weird year," said Warren Butterfield. "It has been horribly bad. We're excited for the moisture."
