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Back to (Visit) Utah '10 Trip Report

Trip Summary

After spending several months suffering through a Massachusetts winter with its bitter cold, stinging wind, and subpar skiing opportunities, I decided to book a trip back to Utah to visit friends and ski a couple days. Being back in Utah felt so good. I was very excited to be back there. It still feels like home. Aside from a wind/dust storm that caused my take-off from Salt Lake International Airport to be somewhat terrifying, the weather was superb: 70 in the valley, 60 at the base, 30 at the summit, and with good snow all around from a storm that had dropped 14 inches a few days earlier. Overall, the trip was short, but very sweet. I got to see a lot of good people, and I got to have a couple good spring ski days.

March 27, 2010

The flight to Salt Lake City from Boston was the most smooth airline flight I think I've ever taken. I arrived in Salt Lake City in the mid-morning. The views flyig into the airport were amazing. Of particular interest was the way some leftover clouds from a recent storm had evaporated off the tops of the Wasatch peaks.

First I had to take care of some administrative issues, such as claiming my bags, getting my rental car, eating a late breakfast at Denny's (of course), and checking into my hotel.

The weather was spectacular--sunny and getting warmer. Up in the mountains an epic bluebird powder day was happening. I could've gone skiing for half a day, but I decided it was better to reconnect with whomever didn't mind my company.

In the early afternoon I headed over to Steve's. He barbecued some chicken for us for lunch, and then we threw the football around for a while. It was indeed good to be back.

I capped off the day with a drive up into Big Cottonwood Canyon. I was dead tired, but I couldn't resist. The sunset was amazing from the canyon as I drove back down to my hotel in Midvale.

Feels Good to Be Back

ALTA, UT; SNOWBIRD, UT — A great ski day with Steve that included some excellent runs inbounds at Snowbird and a hike to ski Mount Baldy's Main Chute.

(more coming soon)

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The Last Day of the Ski Season, Already?

ALTA, UT; SNOWBIRD, UT — Fresh tracks in the East Castle area of Alta Ski Area.

In the evening after skiing, I went over to Paul and Kim's for a few hours. It was great to see them.

(more coming soon)

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

March 30, 2010

After packing my things, I drove my familiar route to my old job. Instead, I only met my former co-workers at Five Guys for lunch. We talked for a couple hours, and it was great to see Jared, Wesley and Jonathan.

After lunch, I followed them back to the office and said hello to many of my other former co-workers.

After those meetings, my trip concluded, and I headed back east to Boston. I took off from Salt Lake City in a wind/dust storm and landed in a monsoon in Boston. In between wasn't so great either as this flight was the only one I think I've ever been on that flew through clouds the entire length of the "cruising" portion of the flight.

Despite the travel adventures on the way back east, this trip was an overwhelming success.