From Deseret News archives:

Week 6: Challenger is one of state's steepest groomed runs

Published: Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008 12:07 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Solitude Mountain Resort

Week 6 of series on Utah's signature ski runs.

Signature run — Challenger

The run is located at the lowest end of Eagle Ridge. Sitting atop the run, waiting for takeoff, skiers can see the Big Cottonwood Canyon highway a thousand feet blow their ski tips. The run was named for the fact that this is one of the steepest groomed runs in the state. It is also one of the most scenic. For skiers to test their mettle, they ski down the ridge from Eagle Express, linking turns past a large eagle perched atop trail signs. From there they veer to their left, always keeping an eye out for the single-diamond Challenger run. From this point the ridge quickly ends and leads to a steep plunge that makes the heart of even the best of skiers race. With towering pines on either side of the slope, plus a great view down the canyon, this is a run skiers will want to hit the steeps several times a day.

No. 1 run — Honeycomb Canyon/Woodlawn

Story continues below
Honeycomb Canyon is truly an unforgettable experience. This run in the canyon is easily one of the Wasatch Front's most scenic gems, as well as an expert powder skier's playground. Honeycomb can be accessed by intermediate skiers as well. Skiers and snowboarders can disembark from the Summit chair and peer down Honeycomb Canyon's endless rock walls and forested slopes and get ready for 3.1 miles of cruising below these amazing cirques. Woodlawn is a groomed run that winds its way down 2,000 feet to the chairlift neatly tucked away in the bottom of the canyon. It's easy for skiers and boarders to get completely lost in this experience because of the incredible run and spectacular scenery.

Top 10 runs

Recent comments

Ken! You have come along way from your days of being the best bowler...

ski goddess | Feb. 8, 2008 at 11:59 a.m.

That's why they call you Smoke'em Yocum! And please - people should...

SnowDiva | Feb. 8, 2008 at 7:39 a.m.

Wow! That is an amazing picture! Makes me want to ski Solitude!

Powder Prince | Feb. 7, 2008 at 6:43 p.m.

Image

Ken Yocum skis the powder through the trees off the side of the Challenger run at Solitude Mountain Resort. Challenger is Solitude's signature run.

previousnext

Latest comments

@Brother Chuck: nice cut-and-paste. Any thoughts of your own? What you've...

so interesting that no one seems to want to talk about hannity getting caught...

I agree with above comments. Thomas Sowell is undoubtedly one of my favorite...

Is this really a problem that needs a solution? Who has been fired/not hired...

Letters: Commentary ignorant

here we go again another day of pointless accusations and counter accusations.

'They (we) clearly don't accept the homosexual activity.' How does where...

BYU football recruit turning heads

It is sad to see your inferiority complex has risen to such a distasteful...

SLC council OKs gay rights policies

This is clear evidence that 'this' is not practiced in the State of Utah. The...

Government spin for an increasing number of people giving up.

Letters: Obama 'too busy'

MormonDem at 9:50 is EXACTLY correct. The myth that Ronald Reagan pushed...

Advertisements
Advertisement