Our third straight ski day in Utah was to the Canyons, Utah’s largest resort and by far the most commercial. Going to the Canyons is like skiing in luxury. They have heated seats and orange bubble wind shields and a new Gondola and beach chairs and gourmet food, etc, etc, etc. You see people skiing in fancy non-ski brand clothing and donning furs. It was full up swanky.
Benton had a set of friends Alex and his gf Sam who had previously worked with him and Triina in Teullride, and was currently working and skiing at the Canyons. He was able to hook us all up with ticket deals and show us around the mountain
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We had a pretty large group, 3 ladies (me, Briana, and Sam) and 4 dudes (Grant, Benton, Alex, and Kyle); one completely full gondola. Benton and Grant had loaded their coats and backpack with the couch surfing gifts we had brought (aka full-strength PBR) with the intention of doing a beer lift. This meant that the party started right at 10:30am.
I on the other hand, had an unsettled stomach from all the greasy food we had had the night prior and had to sit out the warm up round. I relaxed for a run in the warm morning sun and then was ready to go when everyone came down for the next lap.
The Canyons isn’t as challenging of a mountain area as all the ones we had skied earlier in the trip. This seemed to be a more up-scale family resort, so there were large sections of blue and green runs that the black diamonds would frequently meet up with. However for day 3 of Utah skiing, it was nice to have shorter difficult runs with less difficult areas to rest in before finding another black diamond run and continuing to the lift.
Everyone was in full ski party mode with the beers going fast and after lunch a resupply expedition had to be sent back to the car to restock. The sun had warmed the snow to ‘fat kid snow’ (snow that is so heavy, only the fat kids who have a lot of mass can go down fast) several mogul runs and I attempted to play ski instructor and try to give some pointers to the Sam and Briana since they were relatively new skiers and I was too tired and stomach weary to do the hike with the guys. Grant broke his pole on the bubble chair and went to the lodge to get a new one, so he missed out on the hike as well. Sam, Grant, and I finally met up for a final few runs before closing the day down and everyone returning to the base.
Note: When guys say they are doing a tree run, do not follow them. They are NOT doing a tree run. They are really just taking a leak by a tree. This is quite the disappointment when you follow them and expect there to be a great tree run with hidden powder. slightly annoying but moreover awkward. . . . . .
Since we were in Park City, the only ski town in Utah, the gang headed out for drinks and appetizers. We got a giant pot of fondue and whiskey drinks at the High West Distillery -the locally made whiskey and vodka saloon, which was once again swanky since the hostess hassled us about having to order food if we sat in the large room. That and they might be full up with reservations for the evening. This was ironic because the waitress explained to us how they had a special license that allowed them to only serve beverages if that is what patrons wanted. I’m pretty sure we were simply harassed because we all looked like ski bums and were not wearing dead animals on our coats. While the fondue was delicious, it was decided a more chill bar was more our style and we found a more accommodating place that had both pool and beverages. Note: as we left there were several empty tables around us. . . . so much for all those reservations they might have. . . .
The following bar was perfect. O’Shucks Bar and Grill was a dive bar complete with peanut shells you got to thrown on the floor. We dominated the pool table before
growing hungry and needing to get food at another bar. There we took over the pool and dart areas while everyone chowed down on burgers, wings, and pulled pork sandwiches and tried the Wasatch brewery’s selection of ales (including the favorite Polygamy Porter -Why have just one? Bring some home for the wives).Everyone left satisfied and full and ready to sleep after a successful day of skiing. I believe everyone was tuckered in by 9pm. This is how most hardcore skiers judge a good day: Ski hard, party hard.
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