The waiting game is officially over, folks! If you were stressing about the slow start to the season in Utah, you can finally breathe easy—and maybe choke on some powder while you're at it.
After a pretty dry and sketchy start to the winter, the powder faucet has finally turned on in the Beehive State. We are talking about a serious reset here. Since Christmas, the storm door kicked open and dropped about five feet of snow on Utah's resorts. That is 60 inches of the good stuff in just a couple of weeks!
Why This Matters
Let's be real—early season was looking a little gnarly (and not in the good way). We were seeing a lot of exposed rocks and "low tide" conditions that had me keeping the rock skis in the rotation way longer than I wanted. But this storm cycle is a game-changer.
Five feet of fresh isn't just about a couple of sick days; it's about building the base we need to open up the big terrain. Those jagged sharks lurking under the surface are finally getting buried, and we are starting to see the true potential of the Wasatch emerge for the 2024 season.
Gear Up for the Deep
With totals like this, you absolutely cannot be riding skinny skis unless you want to spend your day trenching instead of floating. It is time to bring out the wide boys.
If you are looking to upgrade your quiver for these deep days, I'm super stoked on the Atomic Bent 110 Skis. They are playful, surfy, and absolutely crush it in soft snow. If you want something that charges a bit harder through the chop once the fresh is tracked out, check out the Rossignol Sender Free 110.
Also, storm riding means flat light. Do not be that guy squinting through a dark lens. Grab a pair of Smith I/O Mag Goggles with a low-light lens so you can actually see where you are sending it.
The Outlook
The vibe in the lift lines has done a complete 180. The stoke is high, the legs are burning, and winter is fully back in business. Just remember, rapid loading of new snow on a weak early-season base can spike avalanche danger in the backcountry, so if you are ducking ropes (where permitted) or heading out of bounds, check the forecast and stay safe.
See you in the white room!
Source: Powder.com
