SNOWBIRD, UTAH - Thanks to a record-breaking snow year, Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort is aiming to extend weekend winter operations through the Fourth of July, conditions permitting. This would mark the third time in the resort's 40-year history the season has closed on July 4, matching the 1995 and 2005 record. The extension would also mark 202 days of skiing at Snowbird this season, surpassing the 2005 record of 201 ski days.
"Most people who have seen how much snow is still up here know this was an easy call, but it's still very exciting for our guests who started skiing in November and will still be on the slopes in July," said Dave Fields, Vice President of Resort Operations.
As of today, the resort has received a year-to-date total of 760 inches of snowfall, beating the average annual snowfall by 260 inches, and breaking the previous snowfall record set in 1984 by 72 inches. This season's total snowfall, roughly 63 feet, is nearly 10 times taller than NBA star LeBron James. Currently, the mid-mountain snowpack stands at 177 inches deep.
The Little Cottonwood Canyon resort will remain open for skiing and riding on weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as well as Memorial Day and the Fourth of July) from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., so long as conditions and weather permit. Snowbird recommends skiing and riding for advanced to expert ability levels. Conditions will be re-evaluated continuously, with updates on snowbird.com. Tickets will be sold at the reduced rate of $64.
To commemorate the occasion, Snowbird is holding a T-shirt design contest. The winner of the contest will have their design printed on an anticipated 1,000 shirts to be sold at the resort on the Fourth of July weekend. The winner will also receive a Spring Season Pass to Snowbird for the 2011-2012 season. Submissions must be sent to info@snowbird.com, by June 17, in vector format.
Snowbird will hold its third annual Brewfest on Father's Day weekend, June 18 and 19, with more than a dozen local breweries serving samples of Utah's finest beer, along with live music and food. A special Father's Day barbecue will take place on Sunday, June 19. Summer activities are anticipated to kick off on June 18 (weather permitting).
For more information, contact Snowbird Communications Manager Emily Moench at (801) 891-3496 or emoench@snowbird.com. You can also follow Snowbird at www.facebook.com/snowbirdUT or www.twitter.com/snowbirdski.
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