There is always a certain excitement as one steps on the Tram at Snowbird on a powder day, which are never too few nor far between. It is not uncommon to have 24 inches of blower pow sitting untouched below you as the crowded box of anticipation and chatter moves up the cable to the top of the mountain. The Tram, along with 500 inches of annual snowfall and 3,240 feet of vertical drop are only a few of the perks from riding in Little Cottonwood Canyon. The ‘bird’ is littered with huge rocks, bowls and technical lines that will force you to wipe the drool from your little baby face the first time you set eyes on it.

In 1965 Ted Johnson, who was working at the Alta Lodge, purchased the deed to the Black Jack mining claim at the base of the Peruvian Gulch and dreamt of creating a way to ski and access the terrain just down the road from Alta. Soon after his purchase Johnson would meet Dick Bass, who at the time was working with Vail and Aspen. The two combined their visions and began work on creating a year round resort that incorporated the brilliant terrain in and around the Gulch and Gad Valleys.

Snowbird opened it’s terrain in January 1972 and continues to be the destination for locals and visitors alike. Today snowboarders, skiers and freeheelers all share the epic natural terrain as well as the rails, jibs, and jumps of a well maintained terrain park. Along with the recreational riders on the mountain, several ski and snowboard competitions come to Snowbird each year including the US Freeskiing Nationals, which has become one of the premiere events in the world for big mountain skiers to test their skills and go big.

It is apparent that Snowbird is focused on continually improving their mountain and making the terrain available for all types of snow sliders that wish to spend their time in Little Cottonwood Canyon, something that their neighbors have yet to offer. So wipe that drool off your face and start schralping some pow at The Bird!