Winter Storms Bring In Utah's New Year

These early January storms are creating prime skiing conditions with December snow totals nearly 170 percent of average. Weather forecasts suggest more storms coming with as much as 18 inches of additional precipitation before clearing this weekend (Jan. 11). Base depths at some resorts approach the 100-inch mark. "Snowstorms like the ones we've had this past week just go to show what kind of consistent precipitation and snow conditions Park City gets," said Peter Curtis, president and general manager of Park City Mountain Resort. The storms followed an earlier series of snow dumps over the Christmas holiday week, when nearly 50 inches of new snow fell in Utah's mountains, including an incredible 35 inches falling in the Cottonwood Canyons between Thursday, and Saturday Dec. 20-22. A Christmas Eve storm blanketed resorts with as much as 15 additional inches, and sunny skies on Christmas Day created perfect powder skiing conditions for visitors and locals alike. The skiing really is that good.