time to put those skis away

After 199 days, the Utah 2009/2010 ski season has come to a close.  We stopped skiing in April - prompting a Porcupine bartender to recently scold us for not heading back out for the May storms - but Snowbird, amazingly, just shut down its last lift this past weekend.

It was an odd season, apparently - not usual in terms of snowfall: there was hardly any early snow; then it was quite cold (for here) and a lot of snow; then in March, there wasn't any new snow (except for down south) and it was pretty warm; then April brought a bunch of snow, which was awesome; and then May brought a TON more snow.  But what did we know from normal Utah years?  We still thought it was excellent.  Anytime I get to ski in snow up over my waist is excellent.

We haven't bought next year's season passes yet but we've at least narrowed the field down to two resorts: Alta or Solitude.  H is pulling really hard for Alta - amazing terrain, mellow vibe, no snowboarders, cool reputation - and I like it too, although there's quite a lot of traversing required.  My only hesitation with Alta is that Little Cottonwood Canyon tends to close for avalanche control more often - and then what do you do?  Solitude has solid terrain, especially back in Honeycomb Canyon (except for that flat run-out), has no crowds whatsoever and Big Cottonwood Canyon Road rarely closes.  We'll see.  Plenty of time for debate.

Where are you skiing next winter?