Optimism vs. Pessimism: Update on Skiing Private-Public Powder Mountain
For the last seven seasons, I have been part of an all-guys trip to Powder Mountain for a week of old friends camaraderie and skiing. But as the days approached our Feb. 2026 departure, half of our group of twelve backed out because of concern there was no snow in Utah, and also in Colorado.
Conditions were bad enough that Vail Resorts actually was giving refunds to pass holders.
For weeks prior to leaving, I heard from my ski buddy “woe is me, there is no snow! It is going to cost me so much money that I am going to lose.” This is his modus operandi. He has a negative approach towards everything that is happening or is going to happen.
If he is watching his sports team (the Giants or the Yankees) it is always woe is me, they are going to lose through the entire game. He lamented every day, checking weather and ski reports for Powder Mountain giving himself an upset stomach. As others backed out, he worried even more.
Honestly, of every ski trip I have gone on, many in April with marginal spring conditions and others where there were questionable conditions, I have never had one bad enough to quit, even though as you drive up and see grass or rocks and dirt. Always, when we arrived it was always great skiing.
So off we went to Salt Lake City and up to Eden, where we had rented a large 10-bedroom house for all six of us, minus the other six that backed out.
A couple of guys got there early and went up to the mountain to check it out, and returned with a horrible report of so little snow, blah, blah, blah. But we were committed since some of us bought season tickets (which used to be free for 75+, but that’s another story). The season tickets came with eight half-price buddy tickets, which we spread around the to the other guys who were coming.
Time to get to the mountain, usually we are the first ones there, but with the report of lack of snow we took our time, arriving at the Timberline Lodge at 9.30. The parking lot had about 30 cars.
First run down was on fresh groomed snow. Second run down to the Hidden Lake Quad also was freshly groomed snow, as was third run to Hidden Lake. As the day progressed, we still found groomed trails and no bare spots. But off trail they needed the snow because the boulders and trees needed to have cover. Even so, there were people in the trees.
You must remember that Powder Mountain had 9,000 acres of skiable terrain before the new ownership reduced it to about 5,000 due by separating homeowners having their own trails and lifts, and what’s left for us pass-paying non-owners. Even so, 5,000 acres is plenty for anyone to ski.
Since I don’t ski much off-Piste anymore, I had nothing to worry about. Just perfectly groomed conditions all day long. All that worry by the other guys wasn’t worth all the sleepless nights of losing the money due to lousy conditions. Their sleepless nights – not mine.
Along with the fantastic conditions there was no one on the mountain. Even though I had my Ski Guardian safety flag, I hardly used them in the outward position. Because if there were 50 people in the 11 days I skied pass me, maybe ten were close and of those, just four announced on your right or left. That was a record.
The lift line on the Hidden Lake detachable lift was anywhere from nothing to maybe one minute, even on the weekend. Of course, pass holders weekends in February made the crowds even less. That may also have been due to the report that there was limited snow in Utah.
Even though there was a cost to skiing for the senior skier, our peace of mind of being safer was worth every penny that I spent for that season pass. In addition, the mountain has many improvements with new lifts planned, although maybe not for my skiable future, since the expert steep terrain it will access is not necessarily for me. But I was very happy with what we had to ski on, and so were all the guys on the trip.
Too bad for the naysayers, who were out their tickets that they pre-bought and the house cost. They lost out on some of the best skiing this season.
- My 80 Plus Patch and Its Potential - March 19, 2026
- Optimism vs. Pessimism: Update on Skiing Private-Public Powder Mountain - March 5, 2026
- Skiing is Less Expensive Than Other Activities - January 8, 2026
One of my most memorable days skiing was in early April at Killington. Went with my stepson on a warm day wondering how it would be. Honestly, some of the trails had an inch of slush but it turns out you only ski on the top inch! We even had to off skis and carry them over some bare spots. Anyway, we skied and had a blast. The idea that you need 6′ of base is silly.
You are absolutely correct
Great article and perspective.
Thanks Rus, powder is still a big secret.
The lack of snow and closed off-piste areas in late January/early February had people calling PM to Groomer Mountain. :>) We’ve been going to PM last 6 years and this season is the worst as far as powder conditions where we like to frolic in. It happens.
Dan, it may have been their worst seaon, but groomer mountain is and was a delight
I just got back from Deer Valley. The conditions were the worst I’ve ever seen in 50 years of skiing East and West. It was OK the first two days but then it rained and froze and got warm. by Friday, we were skiing on East Coast ice on the edges and what I can only describe as gooey mashed potatoes or clam chowder in the middle.
Pat, we can’t control the weather but we from the east can ski mostly everything. Our 11 days in Utah was perfect. Sorry yours wasn’t as accommodating
If you can ski east mountain conditions you can ski anywhere especially Killington where they make snow and groom until the last flake or ice pack is gone. Go east young man.
Ken, agree eastern skier CAN ski mostly anything
Great article!! I wonder who the Giants/Yankees fan is? He needs to get a life.
Yes he does!!!!!!@ realy just change attitudes
Dan, it may have been their worst seaon, but groomer mountain is and was a delight
I was with Mike and the gang. However Mike and I skied 11 days many were mostly blue bird at 30 degrees. Back in NY it was sub zero many of those days. No lift lines and almost no-one on trials – we felt we owned the mountain! Perfect grooming and no ice or skidding.
Mike I agree that attitude is very important. So is willingness to ski any snow condition. If you are willing to go out and practice in all conditions you will rarely have a bad ski trip. In 1972 I was skiing with Jean Claude Killy in North Carolina on a strip of machine made snow about 3 inches deep when he made a comment to the press when asked about the snow conditions. “If it is white and slick ski on it.” Have a positive attitude about all snow conditions.
Jim, that’s exactly my attitude and lets just keep on going!