Mountain Layout—Snowboarding

Snowbasin | Powder Mountain

Snowbasin—Mountain Layout
Snowbasin has every aspect of riding one could ask for, from steep chutes and natural halfpipes, to perfect groomers and epic tree shots. This is a big and diverse mountain, and at least two or more days are recommended to ride and experience it all.

On the far south side is the 2,400-vertical-foot Strawberry Express gondola. Depending upon closures, hikes up the south and north ridges are possible. These areas are for experts only, and a mistake here could be serious. From the top of the lift there is only one intermediate run down, Elk Ridge. However, as it winds down the mountain, more options become available. Off to rider’s right, advanced ridges and sub-ridges finger their way down to the base. One notable run is Gordon’s. This may be the perfect natural halfpipe. It snakes its way down the mountain for more than 1,500 vertical feet and has sharp bends that create awesome hips with ideal landings. To rider’s left, wide-open intermediate groomers go to the base of Strawberry or back to the resort base area.

The Needles Express gondola takes riders 2,500 vertical feet up the mountain. A look at the trail map on the way up is not a bad idea since this area is so immense. Watch out for the flat spots here that are un-doable on a board. Another good natural halfpipe is off of the Utah Express run. This area contains mostly southerly facing aspects with dense scrub oaks and aspens, and northerly facing aspects with more open fir trees, so choose lines accordingly.

The northern end of Snowbasin is accessed by the John Paul lift. Climbing another 2,400 vertical feet, this quad leads up to the Mount Allen Tram, which leads to the start of the 2002 Olympic Men’s Downhill course. The view and terrain off the tram are amazing. It is all above treeline and is recommended for advanced riders only.

A great option from the top is to take the main groomer down the ridge to No Name Peak. This will require a little skating and a 10–15 minute hike, but it will be worth it. From the top of No Name, get ready for a steep, consistent pitch of 2,800 vertical feet to the bottom. The lines of choice are Wheeler’s or Shooting Star. This entire area eventually funnels into a giant natural halfpipe, which is a bonus after an already epic line.

Going rider’s right off the John Paul quad will lead towards a selection of smaller ridges. Wildflower Downhill, Grizzly Downhill and Hollywood are the runs to check out, but these are all considered advanced, so be prepared. Going rider’s left off the Hollywood run heads to a large section of double-black-diamond trees. Really steep and consistent lines are found throughout this part of the mountain.

Another thing that makes Snowbasin unique and alluring is that it's fairly isolated and relatively unknown. Compared to some of the other resorts around Salt Lake City that get tracked out in minutes, Snowbasin can provide fresh lines days after a storm. So check it out before everyone else does.

Snowbasin—Parks and Pipes
Snowbasin has two terrain parks and one superpipe. Off the Little Cat double and on the Powder Puff run is the Krazy Kat Park. This park has a few features, such as several boxes, rails and tabletops. It is also possible to hit this park from other lifts and it can provide some enjoyable hits after a 2,500-vertical-foot run from the Needles Express lift.

The other park, Apex, is a sweet little set up off the Porcupine triple lift. It has a variety of unusual rails and boxes, notably the Teeter-totter and the Loch Ness rail. A spine and a number of tabletops are scattered through this park and the varied options create a decent flow descending this section.

Right under the John Paul lift is the 340-foot superpipe with 17-foot transitions. On Fridays through Sundays a tow rope runs so you can lap the superpipe.

Snowbasin Terrain Park Web page

Powder Mountain—Mountain Layout
Powder Mountain was the first Utah resort to allow snowboarding. Snowboarding here is more of a carving and freeriding experience. Some of the steeps that skiers climb to are beyond the comfortable reach of many snowboarders, however the super steeps off the Paradise lift and the drop through the trees down Powder Country will raise anyone’s adrenaline.

Powder Mountain—Parks and Pipes
There is an advanced terrain park with tabletops, handrails, a spine hit, a quarterpipe and a 400-foot-long halfpipe in the Hidden Lake area. Another terrain park designed for riders just learning is on the Drifter Run near the Sundown lift.