Land Swap Could Bring More Development At Flaming Gorge Reservoir

Flaming Gorge Reservoir is a popular boating water in NE Utah. It is the main attraction in a huge national recreation area where development has been limited and there are few spots offering public services.

The Utah portion of the reservoir is located in Daggett County. County commissioners there are seeking a trade involving state and federal lands to allow more development on the southern end of the lake. They are focusing on the Mustang Ridge area. A development there could enhance the public experience at the reservoir while bringing needed tax revenue into the county.

The proposal is controversial, of course, because some oppose any new development in the National Forest surrounding the reservoir.

The Deseret News has this article describing the proposal. Below are excerpts.

"The Mustang Ridge site received unanimous approval as the site having the most visual appeal and other development benefits needed to capture the attention of developers and investors," the group's report said.

The five other sites surveyed, in order of rank, were: Linwood Bay, Lucerne Valley, Red Canyon, Cedar Springs and Sheep Creek.

The proposal under consideration would involve SITLA trading out about 200 acres of its property within Forest Service boundaries in exchange for like-value land around Flaming Gorge. The state agency would then hold onto the property for lease to a private developer for the construction of a resort or other project.

Moab Skinny Tire & Jeep Festivals

Moab will become very busy during the next few weeks as some of its biggest annual festivals take place. Some of the biggest are mentioned below.

Moab Skinny Tire Festival, March 10-13

This festival features fully supported out and back routes daily from Moab to world class destinations such as the Colorado River Corridor, Dead Horse Point State Park, and the coveted supported ride through Arches National Park.
- Website

Easter Jeep Safari, March 31-April 8

Easter Jeep Safari consists of trail rides, mostly day long trips, departing from Moab throughout this week long event. The Red Rock 4-Wheelers of Moab officially runs approximately 9 different trails every day, with "Big Saturday" culminating in the largest ever single trail ride departure happening - around 30 groups line up in down town Moab to head off in every direction for 30 different trails! Note: This massive week-long event is one of the largest events of the year for Moab. Please make your camping/lodging reservations as early as possible!
- Website

Moab Arts Festival, May 26-27

20th Annual Moab Arts Festival at Swanny City Park on Memorial Day weekend. Saturday from 10am to 8pm and Sunday from 10 am to 6pm. Free admission!

Contact phone number: 435-259-2742
- Website

Free admission to National Parks

National Park Week will be April 21-29. During that time there will be no entrance fees at National Parks, National Monument and other national properties. Many parks will offer special events. Camping, boat launching and other fees will sill be accessed.
- Website

Visiting The Sun Tunnels

I just returned from a visit to the Sun Tunnels, a funky artistic work out in the middle of nowhere, just west of the Bonneville Salt Flats. The tunnels are large concrete tubes positioned so they align with the sun - two tubes line up with the rising or setting sun during the summer solstice, two line up for the winter event.

Utahns in general are not aware of the Sun Tunnels - they are not a local attraction. But there are people who seek out this kind of art and the tunnels are visited by people from around the county - even some from around the world.

Each tube is 9 feet high and 18 feet long. They contain holes drilled in patterns depicting some star constellations. They were created by artist Nancy Holt in 1976.

The tunnels are located near the Utah/Nevada line about 45 miles north of Wendover. If you want to see them drive I-80 to the Wendover area and then take Exit 4 for the Bonneville Salt Flats Speedway. The road heads north on the edge of the Salt Flats. Follow it for about a half mile, to the point where the main road takes a sharp turn to the right. A road signed as the "TL Bar Ranch Road" forks left at that point.

Zero your odometer and follow the TL Bar Ranch Road north for 45.5 miles. The road is paved for the first few miles. It then turns into washboardy gravel and then dirt. It is graded and you can usually drive it in a family car. However, during storms it may become muddy and travel may be difficult.

The area gets light snow. I visited during late February and the road was dry and in good condition.

The road crosses Leppy Pass and then descends into a large valley. It crosses the eastern foothills of Pilot Peak and then passes the TL Bar Ranch. The ranch is a prominent landmark and easy to identify. You will also see a few other ranches but in general the area is very remote. I did not see another vehicle during my entire trip.

At about 45.5 miles you will see a dirt road that heads right. From that point you can see the tunnels down in the valley, if you look closely. Turn right onto that road and follow it for about 2 miles, then turn right again and follow a spur road to the tunnels.

The most popular time to visit the tunnels is during a solstice - at that time there may b e a small crowd. The area will probably be deserted during other times of the year.

There are no services or facilities at the tunnels or anywhere along the TL Bar Ranch Road. Top off your gas tank before heading up the road. Carry emergency equipment, food and water. During summer the area gets quite hot. During winter days may be mild but nights are bitterly cold.

The Great Basin desert is uniquely beautiful in this area. You'll see rolling hills and distant mountains, with cattle grazing in open rangeland. I enjoyed my visit.

- Dave Webb

Utah's Capitol Called 'Great Place To Walk Through History'

USA Today Travel has this interesting article about capitol buildings in the 50 US states.

Author Jim Stembridge says statehouses are bona-fide tourist attractions - working museums of regional art and history. "They don't have water slides or video games, but they are great."

Stembridge visited all 50 state capitols to research his article. In the article he lists 10 buildings that he considers great. Utah's capitol building in Salt Lake City is listed first. Here's a quote from the article:

Salt Lake City
This statehouse recently underwent a complete renovation, expansion and retrofit, providing protection from earthquakes. Stembridge likes the natural light, new statuary, and visitor center and gift shop. "It's spick-and-span," he says. The interior also depicts historic scenes of Mormon settlement. 801-538-3074; utahstatecapitol.utah.gov

Hogle Zoo Brings Polar Bears, Grizzlies To Utah

Black bears live in remote backcountry areas in Utah but they are very shy and seldom seen. It has been many years since grizzly bears lived in the wild in Utah. In years past, Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City has been home to both polar bears and grizzlies, but both species have been absent recently.

Now the zoo is expanding and building a new exhibit called Rocky Shores, which will house bears, sea lions and seals.

The zoo has arranged to get a polar bear named Rizzo. The YouTube video embedded below shows Rizzo.

KSL TV has this report on the zoo's expansion. Here are excerpts.

Once completed, visitors of the zoo will have opportunity to come face to face with 14-year-old Rizzo, who is being transferred from a zoo in Cincinnati. And when we say a "face to face," we're talking nothing more than a few sheets of glass.

Utah newest animal friends will start moving into their new home this spring, everyone at the zoo will be ready.

"We have a pretty good schedule set up, probably starting in March, bringing the animals in, kind of staggering it a little bit and setting them up in quarantine. As the exhibits become ready, we'll start introducing them into the exhibits."

Monument Valley Balloon Event This Weekend

This is a great time of year to visit Monument Valley. Most days are sunny and daytime temperatures are mild. Nighttime temperatures are crisp. The air is clean and clear and you can see almost forever.

The scenery in the area is stunning at any time of year and the views will be even more interesting this weekend when brightly colored hot air balloons glide above the iconic rock formations.

The Monument Valley Balloon Event runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend. There will be morning launches each day at 7 am and night glow activities Friday and Saturday evenings at 6:45 pm. Shuttles will run from the park visitor center to the launch areas.

Visit Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation for a full schedule of events or call (928) 871-6647 or (435) 727-5874, 5879, or 5870.

Zion Park Climbing Routes Temporarily Closed To Protect Nesting Falcons

Peregrine falcons are nesting on some cliffs in Zion National Park. To protect them, park officials have temporarily closed some climbing routes.

The park provided the information given in this AP news article:

Zion National Park • Climbing routes on some Zion National Park cliffs will be temporarily closed to protect nesting peregrine falcons.

The park is home to a high concentration of breeding peregrine falcons, and park biologists will monitor their nesting activity.

Cliffs that have been closed but are not being used by nesting peregrine falcons this year will be reopened when nest sites have been determined, which is typically by early May.

Cliffs being used as nesting sites this year will be monitored until the chicks fledge, which is usually late July, and then will be reopened to the public.

Among cliffs currently closed are Angels Landing, Cable Mountain, The Great White Throne, Isaac, The Sentinel, Mountain of the Sun and North Twin Brother.

See Islamic Art At 'Beauty and Belief' Exhibit At BYU

A unique art show opens at the Brigham Young University Museum of Art in Provo on Feb 24. It's title: "BEAUTY AND BELIEF: CROSSING BRIDGES WITH THE ARTS OF ISLAMIC CULTURE"

The museum provided this summary: "Renowned Islamic art scholar Dr. Sabiha Al Khemir is serving as Project Director of the exhibition that will feature more than 250 works of art from more than 40 lenders in ten countries and will travel throughout the United States. The exhibition will be on display in the galleries on the main level of the museum."

See the exhibit web page for details.

The Provo Herald has this interesting article describing the exhibit. Here are some excerpts.

Starting Friday and continuing through Sept. 29, “Beauty and Belief” will be hosted in the MOA’s main galleries, inviting local art patrons to experience a close encounter with the artistic culture of a faith that dominates much of the world religious landscape, but has only a very minor presence in Utah Valley.

There’s actually a strong scholarly interest in Islam at BYU — MOA director Mark Magleby said that the university has an ongoing project to translate and interpret historic Islamic manuscripts — and that made Al Khemir feel welcomed as well. “Here is a religious community that is actually inviting and accepting a different way of seeing the world,” she said, “presenting the art of a different culture.

Bruce Guenther, a curator at the Portland Art Museum, where “Beauty and Belief” will eventually conclude its four-city U.S. tour in 2013, said that great Islamic art, like all great art, transcends its origins, whether religious or otherwise. An exhibit like “Beauty and Belief” can connect with even a “curious, questioning or obdurate viewer,” Guenther said. “There is a spark inside the work that speaks to human nature.”

Logan Called Most Underrated College Town In The US

nextgenjournal.com has released this article describing underrated college towns in the US. Logan, home of Utah State University, tops the article’s list as the most underrated town.

Logan is located in beautiful Cache Valley in northern Utah.

The article makes these points about Logan:

More than a third of the population in Logan is between the ages of 18 and 24, which means the town revolves around students.

Local businesses often gives student discounts.

The town as a convenient bus system that provides easy access to campus, stores and attractions.

Logan is home to an ice center that was developed as a training facility for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, as well as a zoo, aquatic center, bowling alleys, rock climbing facility, movie theaters, recreation centers, spas, golf courses, a batting cage, a mall, and a nature center.

Read the entire article.

Utah Shakespeare Festival Is Getting A New 900-Seat Theatre

Below is a news release provided by the Utah Shakespeare Festival, a popular attraction on the campus of Southern Utah University in Cedar City. The expansion should allow the Festival to extend its season and improve productions.

Festival Announces Plans For New Theatre

Salt Lake City (Feb. 16, 2012) – The Tony-Award winning Utah Shakespeare Festival today announced plans to build a $26.5 million Shakespeare theater on the campus of Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah.

Construction of the new 900-seat theater is expected to begin in the fall of 2013 and would be completed by early 2015. Compared to the Festival's existing Adams Memorial Shakespearean Theatre, the new playhouse would allow the Festival to add additional performances, thus increasing the attendance by 25 percent, bringing an estimated 30,000 additional patrons to Cedar City annually.

Fred C. Adams, founder of the Utah Shakespeare Festival, said the Festival boasts an animated history worthy of a great play itself.

"The current theater has been a joy to perform in and has served the actors, directors and patrons well for more than 35 years," Adams said. But as the Festival has grown, we are now feeling a dire need for a larger, more modern facility that includes such creature comforts as public restrooms and a proper backstage area. When completed, this new Shakespeare theater will re-create the charm and intimate environment under the stars that has so thrilled and excited our patrons from across the nation and throughout the world."

Currently slated to take up an area east of Southern Utah University campus on 200 West between Center Street and College Avenue, the new theater will include a retractable roof that will allow expansion of the play season and the potential of year-round usage. It will also offer greater audience amenities, such as public restrooms, ADA accommodations, and heating and air conditioning improvements. Additionally, an incorporated artistic center will provide necessary and functional facilities for a number of artistic, technical, and administrative uses. The Festival currently attracts nearly 120,000 patrons annually, and one in three audience members travel from outside of Utah.

"The addition of the new Shakespeare theatre will not only allow us to increase the size and scope of our programming, but more importantly it will continue to make The Utah Shakespeare Festival and Cedar City among the top destinations in our region for patrons and top tier artists alike," said Festival Artistic Directors David Ivers an Brian Vaughn.

A recent economic impact study revealed the Festival generates more than $35 million annually in patron spending and tax revenues. The average nonresident audience member attending the Festival spent $106 per event above the cost of their admission ticket for lodging, transportation, restaurants and souvenirs. The study also indicates that the new theater will increase the economic impact by an estimated $8 million annually by drawing 30,000 additional patrons to Cedar City.

Additional highlights of the Festival include:

• Nonresident patron spending in 2010 totaled over $10 million.
• Audience members in 2011 came from 39 states and nine different countries.
• The Festival generated $1.2 million in state sales tax in the last three years.
• The Festival received the Tony Award for outstanding regional theater in the country in 2000. Only one theater each year is recognized as such.

"The Utah Shakespeare Festival is a multi-million dollar economic engine for the State of Utah that creates jobs, increases tourism, generates tax revenue, and expands cultural opportunities, and we are thrilled to be affiliated with it on our campus," said Michael T. Benson, president of Southern Utah University. "The new theater will ensure the Festival continues to entertain audiences for the rest of this century."

About Utah Shakespeare Festival

The Utah Shakespeare Festival presented its first season in 1962 and celebrated its fiftieth year last summer and fall. The 2012 season runs from June 21 to October 20 and includes Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor, Titus Andronicus, and Hamlet, as well as other classics from around the world: Mary Stuart, To Kill a Mockingbird, Scapin, Les Misérables, and Stones in His Pockets. Tickets are now on sale for the 2012 season at www.bard.org and 1-800-PLAYTIX (800-752-9849).

Sunset Recommends Kayenta In Springtime

In this article, Sunset Magazine recommends visiting Kayenta and its associated Coyote Gulch Art Village during springtime.

Kayenta is located near St George, in SW Utah. It is close to Snow Canyon State Park, which is a favorite outdoor destination during winter and spring. People hike and bike and play in this area year-round and during March conditions become downright delightful.

Among points made in the Sunset article:

• Art galleries are common in this desert oasis.
• During spring, Utah’s red rock country is in bloom.
• The Hollywood movie Electric Horseman was filmed nearby. It starred Robert Redford.

Sunset Recommends
"Gallery hop around the art village: Start at Juniper Sky Fine Art Gallery (851 Coyote Gulch Ct.; 435/674-2306) to shop for paintings, glass, and sculpture by local artists. Other galleries are just steps away: Earth & Light Gallery (435/673-2805) for scenic photography, Datura Gallery (435/674-9595) for jewelry, and Gallery 873 (435/673-6628) for metal art."

The article also suggests a ceramics studio and cafe, along with things to do in the nearby area.

Strengthen Family Bonds On Multi-Generational River Trips

If you have even been on a whitewater river rafting trip you know they are great fun, especially when you are accompanied by close friends or family members. Such trips are great ways to strengthen ties.

Everyone - well, virtually everyone - loves river trips. It is great fun to be on the water. The rapids provide a thrill and the scenery is beautiful. The river carries you away from outside influences, from clients and smart phones and video games. There you are, surrounded by the people you care about, with no distractions.

On the river you depend on each other. Everyone has to pitch in. You have to cooperate.

Those are my thoughts. My friends at Holiday River Expeditions share similar ideas. In this blog they discuss the possibilities of taking a multi-generational river trip. Below are excerpts.

Blood is thicker than water, so goes the old adage, and days on the river with family serves to strengthen the ties that bind even more. This has proved especially true for multi-generational river trips, where interactions and memories from the youngest up to the oldest members are woven into the fabric of the family for many years to come—a legacy in memories.

“In four days, we spent more time together than we have in years together in the summers,” says Tricia Paisley, who celebrated her mother’s 70th birthday this past summer on the San Juan River with her family. “The setting equalized the playing field, everyone wasn’t going separate directions. We were all involved in the same activity and experiencing the novelty of this trip together.” She points out that often the teens separate out from the younger children, but on this trip they were all in it together, with a gaggle of cousins ranging in age from 6 on up to 18.

On a Desolation Canyon river trip, Susan Katz recalls how one of her sons, immersed in “high-powered career mode,” was in “stunned” at first with no email, cell phone, or computer. “But after a day, he was completely relaxed.” She adds, “What I loved about it is you got up in the morning and there was no agenda, you were eyeball to eyeball with family, talking and laughing together while eating breakfast.”

Read the entire blog.

See A Dinosaur At Lake Powell And Raptors Throughout Utah

Therizinosaur, Mystery of the Sickle-Claw Dinosaur - that's the name of a exhibit underway at Carl Hayden Visitor Center in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The visitor center is adjacent to the dam at the bottom of Lake Powell.

The exhibit runs through March 4. It provides an opportunity to explore the fascinating history of the 91 million year old featured dinosaur, which was found near Big Water, Utah.

The exhibit is free. The visitor center is open daily. More information.

Raptors In Utah
The Federal Bureau of Land Management is looking for volunteers to help count raptors in Utah.

As part of the annual Raptor Inventory Survey in northern Utah, volunteers will spent two field days per month March though July in a specific monitoring areas. Volunteers need to have binoculars, a GPS unit and an email address. Experience is not required.

See this website or call 801-977-4300 for more information.

New York Times: 36 Hours In Park City

The New York Times has this interesting article describing one writers experience spending 36 hours in Park City. The guy has some insights that others can use to enhance their visits, whether they are skiing at the local resorts or just enjoying the town’s ambiance. Below are excerpts from the article..

TO ski or not to ski. That’s the luxury of Park City, Utah, the rare ski resort that offers lively diversions on and off the slopes.

But its best asset may be location: Park City is 30 minutes from Salt Lake City and a short hop to several of the most popular slopes in the Rockies.

As dusk shrouds the Wasatch Range, the Old West-style storefronts of Main Street light up with the hubbub of shoppers and après-skiers.

One of the underappreciated things about Park City is that the entire town is practically ski in/ski out. A triple lift on Main Street whisks riders to the Park City Mountain Resort…

fter an exhausting day of skiing, there’s nothing like soaking half-naked with a bunch of tipsy strangers. That’s the idea anyway at SkyBlue, the rooftop bar at the Sky Lodge, Park City’s hippest hotel..

See how the pros do it. Built for the 2002 Winter Olympics, the vertiginous Utah Olympic Park (3419 Olympic Parkway; 435-658-4200; olyparks.com) remains an active training center for Olympic-class skiers.

Entrance Fees Waived At Glen Canyon, US National Parks

The will be no entrance fee at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area on Feb 14, in celebration of Arizona’s centennial. Lake Powell is the primary attraction within the recreation area. More information.

“Visitors are reminded that if their stay goes beyond the February 14 fee-free day they will need to pay the appropriate fees. The fee-free day applies only to regular park entry fees. It does not include boat, camping, or program fees.”

Several no fee days are scheduled at US National Parks during 2012. Entrance fees will be waived at national parks, monuments and recreation areas on these dates:April 21-29 - National Park Week

• June 9 - Get Outdoors Day
• September 29 - National Public Lands Day
• November 10-12 - Veterans Day weekend

Camping fees and other fees will still be in effect. Read more details here.

Stunning Photos Of Utah's Landscape And Night Sky

The Daily Mail out of the UK has this photo essay showing incredible photos of Utah's landscape and night sky.

Here's the headline: A galaxy not so far away: Salt Lake City photographer captures spectacular images of our own Milky Way arched over the pillars and canyons of Utah

The images show many iconic scenes from our national park, specifically Bryce Canyon and Arches, plus one showing the Great Salt Lake Desert. In addition, the article includes two shot in nearby Grand Teton National Park.

"Photographer Royce Bair uses digital cameras and what he describes as a 'copious collection of portable incandescent and flash lighting equipment' to capture his unique views of the night sky over Utah's spectacular canyons."

I wish I could embed the images here - they really are stunning. But that would draw copyright problems. Click to the article, it is worth a look.

- Dave Webb

Utah Olympic Anniversary Activities And Memories

Utah is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, with activities spread throughout the month.

Tomorrow, Feb 8, there will be a Relighting the Cauldron ceremony at 6:30 pm at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The ceremony will be brief and it is open to the public.

See this website for a complete list of activities related to the anniversary celebration.

Utah’s Office of Tourism is sponsoring an Olympic Memories campaign, collecting people’s recollections. Watch the office’s Facebook page for details about the event. Here’s what they posted today:

Tomorrow we are launching a fun campaign for the 10 year anniversary of the 2002 Olympics. Share your Olympic Memories right here on our Facebook page and you could win a prize. We got some excellent prizes lined up: ski passes, gift bags & tickets to events. Tell your friends and family to jump on board tomorrow and celebrate with us!!!

The Office of Tourism is inviting people to share stories, photos and videos, and will award prices daily.

Kanarraville Will Be A Star During May Lunar Eclipse

There will be a nearly total lunar eclipse on May 20, and the tiny community of Kanarraville is being touted as one of the best spots in the US to view the phenomenon. Kanarraville is located just south of Cedar City in southern Utah.

Southern Utah is famous for its "dark skies." Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks and Natural Bridges have low light pollution and so the stars are exceptionally bright. Those popular sites often host star parties and other astronomical activities. The clear skies are expected to add to the attraction drawing eclipse watches.

The Standard-Examiner newspaper has this article about Kanaraville and the lunar event. Below are excerpts.

"I heard of the concept two years ago," said Bonnie Oldroyd, a public relations specialist for the Cedar City-Brian Head Tourism Bureau. "I thought, 'What the heck is astro-tourism?' I did some research and found out we have astro-tourism."

Defined simply as traveling to study astronomy and observe the sky, astro-tourism has been a staple of Iron County for years, Oldroyd said, citing the annual Bryce Canyon National Park Astronomy Festival, stargazing parties at Cedar Breaks National Monument and the solstice events at Parowan Gap as examples.

Kanarraville, with a population of approximately 300 people, will rely on Iron County public safety workers to help deal with the traffic and safety for the estimated 5,000 tourists expected to descend on the town, Oldroyd said.

"The sweet-spot viewing area will be south of town in Iron County, so we are working to get parking and transportation to the area," Ence said. "We are also asking private land owners to help by offering parking or viewing areas on their land."

US News Names Best Hotels In America, Utah

Three Utah hotels are on a new list of the best hotels in America, as judged by travel.usnews.com.

The Utah hotels listed are:

• 16. Stein Eriksen Lodge; Park City, Utah
• 84. Grand America Hotel; Salt Lake City, Utah
• 121. The St. Regis Deer Valley; Park City, Utah

US News gives this introduction: “There are legions of guidebooks, magazines, and websites aimed at helping you find the best hotel. Some rely on in-house experts while others gather guest reviews. To compile the U.S. News list of Best Hotels in the USA 2012, our editors analyzed recommendations across many of these sources. Using this approach, we found the hotels that consistently come out on top.”

See the entire list.

The magazine also listed the best resorts in Utah. Here’s their top 10. See their full Utah list.

• Stein Eriksen Lodge
• The Grand America Hotel
• The St. Regis Deer Valley
• Sundance Resort
• Goldener Hirsch Inn
• Montage Deer Valley
• Waldorf Astoria Park City
• The Sky Lodge
• Amangiri
• Hotel Park City

Winter Hikes In Capitol Reef National Park

Southern Utah mountains received heavy snow from a storm just now leaving the state. Brian Head Ski Resort received 14 inches of new powder. Next week the area is expected to dry out and warm up. Overall, this winter has been mild and next week will feel almost spring-like at lower elevations in the southern half of the state.

Conditions should be excellent for hiking in our national parks.

Capitol Reef offers some of our best opportunities for winter hikes. It is a favorite destination this time of year. It offers a variety of terrain, from mountain slopes to arid desert. The lower, open areas in the park are very inviting right now.

Here is an interesting article with photos showing some hiking opportunities in the Capitol Gorge area in the park. Some of the photos are stunning.

This article talks about a trail called “The Tanks,” which is a spur off Capitol Gorge. The Gorge and its spur trails can be hiked many winter days, but may have water, mud or ice at times.

To reach the area you follow the scenic drive down from the park Visitor Center. It is always smart to stop at the visitor center and get info on current conditions.

The park’s Scenic Drive is a great winter destination in its own right. It is beautiful year-round.

4 Feet in 4 Days - Ski Utah Video

Utah received heavy snowfall last week, and more in coming during the next few days.

SkiUtah.com posted the video below on youtube to show that we now have excellent conditions. Below we give Ski Utah's intro text and then the video clip.

What a great 4 days to be a Utah skier or snowboarder. From one end of the state to another we got dumped on. Check out the action in this new video shot at Snowbird, Solitude, and Powder Mountain.