This July Fourth, celebrate on skis

There, on the Plaza at Snowbird this weekend, will be those people decked out in shorts, T-shirts and sandals sitting around one of the square tables soaking up the sun and watching the Tram leave port . . . carrying, of all things, people wearing ski boots, long pants, gloves and holding skis.

Oh, yes, despite the 90-plus-degree weather and the rising hype for the July Fourth holiday, Utah is still in the 2004-05 ski season.

And could be, right up to the lighting of the fireworks on the Fourth.

Utah's best ski season has now turned into Utah's longest ski season.

While people are lined up to ride the Alpine Slide at the base of the mountain, skiers are stepping into bindings and skiing off the top of Hidden Peak and down in to Little Cloud bowl.

It stands to reason. Utah had tons of snow this past winter. More than 600 total inches at some resorts. And, it kept snowing and snowing and snowing.

The last snow covering was officially measured on June 12. One skiing acquaintance called to tell me, no, make that to gloat, on that day that he was there, on the hill, and was, skiing in June, on what he called "January-like snow."

Those who were on the mountain that day talked of light powder blowing about and of having to wear a parka, hat and warm gloves.

It has been, as I've said before, one of those great ski seasons — lots of snow, deep powder, no lift lines and no telling when the snow will melt.

There is still more than 100 inches of snow caking the upper reaches of the resort.

Early today, Bob Bonar, president of Snowbird, and a group of invited guests, including Kip Pitou, president of Ski Utah and Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, will ride to the top of the resort, assess conditions and decide whether to extend the season to July Fourth.

At this point, said one Snowbird observer, it looks good . . . . "There's still more than nine feet of snow on the runs and good skiing."

Snowbird officially opened Nov. 5 of last year. Whatever the decision, whether to close on Sunday or stay open another week, it will be the resort's longest on record.

If it closes Sunday, it will have been open for 198 days. If it closes on July Fourth, it will have had skiers on its slopes for 201 days. (Since early-May the resort has been operating only on weekends.)