Powder Mountain Info?

[peterslovo]

I'm visiting PoMo in February this year - never been there before - actually this will be my first trip to UT. Was wondering if anyone had any info on what's good to hit there? I've heard the backside is great (you can pay $7 for a cat ride up there, then take a bus back), but really don't know much else other than it's relatively mellow... for difficult terrain, snowbasin is the answer.

What runs are good for trees at PoMo?
Is it as uncrowded as they say?
Can you skin up to access the 'cat only' bowl and also the backside? Or is it cat only?
Is all 5500 acres avy-controlled?
Is it all open for bc skiing?
Is it a good idea to wear the beacon and bring probe/shovel and all bc gear even if we ski 'at the resort'?

[TheDingleberry]

Is it a good idea to wear the beacon and bring probe/shovel and all bc gear even if we ski 'at the resort'?

Heh...JONG.

Beacons are good.

[peterslovo]

no shit sherlock...
you gotta realize you don't wear beacons here in the east at the resorts.
having never been there, i'm just looking for some advice.

[tywhy]

powder mountain rules! you're going to have a blast. It really is super uncrowded. I'd wear your beacon and take your bc gear with you since all the OB stuff is so accesible from the lifts.

The cat skiing and the backside where there's a bus to bring you back are two different areas. And yes, you can skin the cat track up the same place people pay 7 bucks for, it's not really very far at all. You don't even really need to skin, it's super easy to boot it since it's a cat track.

The place is mellow, but not so mellow that it's boring, there's some really great stuff to hit. I don't know any trail names or specific trees to hit, check out a trail map for the general gist of things and just go explore.

[Buzzworthy]

James Peak is the skin you will want to do. Yes, it is bit more mellow, but you will find untrracked all day 3 days after a storm. Tons of tree runs, just gotta poke around. Our resident expert would be Lumpy for Powmow. PM him, he would be happy to give you the low down.

Check this out too, just stumbled across today:

http://www.powmowtours.com

Gives you more beta. I would not pay personally, but I am in touch with one of their guides for work purposes, so I am trying to get work to send a few of us on this tour for Avalance Forecasting and more. Can't hurt to ask and my proposal is really good.


And yes, it is that uncrowded. No lift lines ever each time I have been.

Some of us Utards where beacons in bounds, bring it just in case, can't be too safe. Again, the slopes are not as steep as LCC or BCC, so less slide activities, but be aware.

edit: The links on powmowtours is good stuff.

[peterslovo]

tywhy + buzzworthy - thanks great info. i will also follow up as you recommend...

can't wait...

[TheDingleberry]

no shit sherlock...
you gotta realize you don't wear beacons here in the east at the resorts.
having never been there, i'm just looking for some advice.

Ha! A sensitive Jong eh? Well Jong, If you plan on crossing ropes a beacon will do you no harm.

[1sunburst]

PowMow is my home turf for skiing. Lots of acreage, trees and no glam you will find down south. Shoot me an email for details or if you want to ski when you get here. It is a great place!

Ivan