Lack of snow could delay Utah ski season

SALT LAKE CITY — It's hard to ski without snow. Some Utah resorts may not open this week as planned.

"We don't need a huge miracle," said Connie Marshall at Alta in Little Cottonwood Canyon. "But we do need a couple of substantial storms."

Alta received 54 inches of snow in October, but much of it has melted. It got 4 inches Sunday night. Next door, at Snowbird, Saturday's opening day may be postponed.

"We're just going to watch the weather for a while," Laura Schaffer said.

At Park City Mountain Resort, Friday's start likely will be put on hold. Recent overnight temperatures have been too warm to make snow, but that could change this week.

"We won't open unless we have good conditions for our guests," spokeswoman Paula Fabel said. "We'll keep our fingers crossed and hope for snow."

Solitude in Big Cottonwood Canyon will open Friday as announced. Three runs have enough manmade snow.

"A dry spell like we're having right now is not unprecedented," spokesman Dave DeSeelhorst said. "We just hope it translates into an early and wet winter."

Snowbasin Resort, east of Ogden, is sticking with a Thanksgiving Day opening.

"The weather pattern is looking good for colder temperatures. Our snow-making magicians are right on it," Mary Rowland said.