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KilaTsunami
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Going to the Canyons, fill me in!

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+[wall.e]+
Posts: 1928 - Karma: 18
So like the title says, I'll be taking a trip to the Canyons and I am super stoked because it will be my first time in Utah.

But I am coming from the EC, and without any other knowledge than looking at the trail map, I don't really know where I should be skiing for the best snow, best runs, etc, etc...

So anyone who knows the Canyons or has been there and knows some good spots/runs, fill me in? +K!

Stoked to go!
Jan 16 2011 9:08PM
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spaustin889
Posts: 166 - Karma: 13
its a big place, you probably wont be able to ski all of it in one day. Spend a few there and maybe just section off the mountain for each day. I've only been there once, so maybe someone else will have some imput
Jan 16 2011 9:10PM
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84891jnf92048
Posts: 11552 - Karma: 2,550
ski 9990.

hike off the top of the lift, reach the saddle, and then go left/back. fun bowl.

also, canis lupus. scurry shit, its basically skiing in a huge riverbed.
Jan 16 2011 9:11PM
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tinkytwinky
Posts: 2450 - Karma: 1,566
9990 is the best lift for sure, the terrain acess from there is crazy and most of the runs from there are like bc runs by themselves. i went there when there was 3 feet of fresh, best time skiing ive ever had
Jan 16 2011 9:22PM
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84891jnf92048
Posts: 11552 - Karma: 2,550
also off 9990, traverse a pretty good way to the right off the lift, skiers left. you will get into some bigger trees, some sick shit in there. watch for a gnarly cliff though, shits doable, but ragged if you dont see it.
Jan 16 2011 9:41PM
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+[wall.e]+
Posts: 1928 - Karma: 18
Sounds sweet. I will be there for four days worth of skiing, so I amped to check out as much terrain as I can. My dad is going with me too (he's 55 and probably a type 2+ skier) so hopefully he's up to a little more challenging terrain than groomers.

Any more suggestions?
Jan 16 2011 10:13PM
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84891jnf92048
Posts: 11552 - Karma: 2,550
take the time to drive into either big or small cottonwood canyon. i suggest big cottonwood, and hit up brighton if you want both good park and sick terrain. nobody is ever there, even on the nicest pow days, and the terrain is REAL sick, plus LOTS of tubes in the park.
Jan 16 2011 10:28PM
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intifada
Posts: 931 - Karma: 263
Don't go out of bounds off of 9990 that shit isnt controlled and slides all the time.
Jan 16 2011 10:49PM
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84891jnf92048
Posts: 11552 - Karma: 2,550
even just to the left off of the lift? that bowl area?
Jan 16 2011 10:50PM
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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,549
To the left is still in bounds. I ski it without BC gear, but just know how to deal your shit. Its pretty open, but the trees under 9990 (lift) are pretty thick, so be careful.

Also: know how to find a ski in pow/
Jan 16 2011 10:53PM
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john.stossel
Posts: 943 - Karma: 5
we got a time share there i love it. the park gets worse every year, they used to have a badass (fucking badass) true table, i dont know why they stopped building it. but yea i was there when 5 snowboarders died in the backcountry so give utah some respect
Jan 16 2011 11:01PM
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+[wall.e]+
Posts: 1928 - Karma: 18
Haha, I would welcome that issue. The only times I've lost my skis under the snow this year is under scrub brush in the woods. We just barely got a decent base here at Stowe, but there is some gnarly shit under the snow still.

I'll be sure to hit up 9990 lift then and stay in bounds because I don't have any BC gear. I think my dad wanted to check out PC, but I would love to go to Cottonwood Canyon.
Jan 16 2011 11:01PM
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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,549
Just tie some construction tape to your ski, then tuck in your boot.

And do both, how long are you here for?
Jan 16 2011 11:03PM
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gr4
Posts: 1499 - Karma: 945
super condor chutes off the left side on the lift are fun. theres a few cliffs in there that are fun to hit.
Jan 17 2011 1:02AM
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jh15111
Posts: 31 - Karma: 24
Several weeks without snow isn't the time to be skiing the canyons; sun baked crud.... i suggest any other mountain in that area or big or small cottonwood canyon. Also the cottonwoods may actually have gotten some good snow on the last storm rather than the 1-3 inches the park city area got.
Jan 17 2011 1:11AM
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intifada
Posts: 931 - Karma: 263
nah man the bowl to the left when you're getting off the lift is out of bounds, you have to go through a gate to get to it. You can see slide debris in there all the time.
Jan 17 2011 1:36AM
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bdubs
Posts: 117 - Karma: 28
This.

Get some cardio training in before showing up to the 9990 hike. It's pretty difficult coming from the EC, but well worth it. I spent 2weeks there and hiked 9990 for 90% of the trip. Don't look up and just count your steps, it will make it more interesting...

To the left of the hike is where Kris Ostness shot a huge gap for the movie flying circus. Mike wilson did his wilson flip there and shot it about 120 feet. Redic... I got to see them build it in 2001, it was pretty insane at the time.

There are a few fun cliff bands in there, iirc not much more then 20ft...

Also, if you go to the right, there is a bowl next to the Red Pine Chutes. It's OB for a reason (avy prone) but on a low risk day the snow in there is amazing... I got one of my best waist deep lines in there just along the ridge line before getting into the bowl (much safter then in the bowl).
Jan 17 2011 10:29AM
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andrewmeehan
Posts: 765 - Karma: 364
its raining right now, at my house, and i live across the street from the canyons. so if there is any snow in a few days i will let you know.
Jan 17 2011 10:32AM
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juanborlando
Posts: 3598 - Karma: 2,539
i suggest lapping canis lupis all day long. best trail on the mountain
Jan 17 2011 10:33AM
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juanborlando
Posts: 3598 - Karma: 2,539
and i do not suggest going out of bounds without knowing what youre doing. at least go with someone that knows about the danger
Jan 17 2011 10:35AM
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wootang
Posts: 284 - Karma: 404
+1 for Murdoc off the top of condor. Get yer hikin shoes on and enjoy.
Jan 17 2011 11:08AM
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+[wall.e]+
Posts: 1928 - Karma: 18
I'll be there for about a week in early March, dates aren't exactly set yet, but just solidified the plan to head out. Hopefully gets pounded with some more snow!
Jan 17 2011 7:38PM
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+[wall.e]+
Posts: 1928 - Karma: 18
Also, being a b/c noob, do you need a transceiver to get through the gates? Like off the top of Condor for access in the Murdock bowl?
Jan 17 2011 7:45PM
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J-Evs
Posts: 6387 - Karma: 1,615
whats the overall snow situation
Jan 17 2011 7:47PM
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gr4
Posts: 1499 - Karma: 945
bad. wet and heavy. we need a storm soon.
Jan 17 2011 7:50PM
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+[wall.e]+
Posts: 1928 - Karma: 18
bump
Jan 18 2011 8:53AM
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skiblandford
Posts: 1503 - Karma: 2
ive only been there twice but its a great mountain, just watch out when i was there people were stealing skis and boards i guess like any mountain. i dont think i used a trail map except figuring out how to get back to the base. overall its a good mountain and you can get bored of it, its huge great runs anywhere and everywhere. good glades and pow runs if you get there when its snowing like me. have fun
Jan 18 2011 9:36AM
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wootang
Posts: 284 - Karma: 404
You don't need BC gear to ski Murdoc. Most of the hike-to terrain off the top of 9990 is not controlled, but they bomb the shit out of the Murdoc area as it is technically still in bounds. It gets skied a lot more, but the hike is gnarley enough to keep it pretty fresh. We were there 4 days after the most recent storm (about a foot of pow) over new years. It was still nice and fresh.
Jan 18 2011 2:38PM
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+[wall.e]+
Posts: 1928 - Karma: 18
Can anyone tell me how long the hike is to the top of Murdock? I assume its just a bootpack up the ridge line, correct?
Jan 30 2011 2:27PM
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wootang
Posts: 284 - Karma: 404
Yeah its a short, steep bootpack up a 40+ degree slope. The total vert is about 800 ft so its enough to get your attention. If your quick you can probably bang it out in about 25 min or so.
Jan 31 2011 3:46PM
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chickenwang
Posts: 5639 - Karma: 40
it better start snowing damn soon
Jan 31 2011 4:43PM
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