Ski resort of the week: Snowbasin

History: Interestingly enough, it was Alf Engen, who was instrumental in the discovery of Alta, who recommended building a ski area in Wheeler Basin, the current location of Snowbasin. At the time he was working as the U.S. Forest Service's recreation adviser. The road to the ski area was started by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the city of Ogden. The city fathers agreed it was a great location for a ski area, and to start things off they held a naming contest for the newly designated area. From more than 1,100 entries, Snowbasin was selected. Snowbasin officially opened in 1940 after the road was completed, with two rope tows up Becker Hill, site of the current Becker chairlift. After one change in ownership, Earl and Carol Holding purchased the troubled ski area in 1984, along with the Earl Miller Ski School.

The Holdings turned the ski area around, making major improvements in lifts and slopes and lodges. Between 1998 and 2002, improvements included two eight-passenger gondolas, one high-speed detachable quad, one jig-back tram and 55 miles of snowmaking, which gives the ski area the most expansive snowmaking capacity in the world. Other improvements included building the much-needed access road connecting Snowbasin to the Trappers Loop highway, which cut travel time and improved access.

The resort also built a number of new buildings, including the John Paul Lodge, Needles Lodge, Earl's Lodge and the Grizzly Center, all of which are considered among the most elegant found at any ski area. Snowbasin also successfully hosted six of the alpine events — men's and women's downhill, super G and combined — during the 2002 Winter Games, as well as the alpine events for the Paralympics.

What you know: Snowbasin's base elevation is 6,400 feet and the summit elevation at the top of the Mount Allen Tram is 9,350 feet. There are, in fact, five peaks along the ridges of the resort — Strawberry, De Moisy, Needles, Mount Ogden and Allen's.

The Grizzly Center is a full-service rental shop, children's ski school, season private locker room, state licensed day care and ski shop. Young and old alike have discovered the Krazy Kat Terrain Park located at the base of the mountain. There is also the Apex Park, located off the Porcupine lift, which offers even more features. The Superpipe located at the base of the women's downhill finish pitch, near the base of the resort, is the only pipe in Utah to boast its own surface tow lift. A pass for the surface tow is only $20.

Along with alpine skiing, the resort has more than 26 kilometers of machine-groomed cross country trails that are available at no charge.