Utah resorts gearing up for another stellar ski season

SALT LAKE CITY — Turning the corner from October into November is a sure sign that another incredible Wasatch winter is on its way.

Utah's 13 ski resorts have been hard at work all summer adding new terrain, on-mountain enhancements, luxury accommodations, programs and packages to complement the destinations' accessibility and 500 annual inches of "The Greatest Snow on Earth?." Entering the 2010-11 winter season, Utah's resorts boast some of the most significant resort improvements in the U.S.

New terrain

The Canyons Resort will add new terrain to the southern end of its resort property. Iron Mountain, adjacent to Dream Peak, will open 300 acres of northwest-facing terrain. Ten runs ranging from intermediate to advanced intermediate will be cut and nearly 300-plus acres of naturally gladed tree skiing will be available. The new terrain brings the resort to 4,000 total skiable acres and makes it the fourth-largest ski resort in the U.S.

Park City Mountain Resort will add three new Adventure Alley runs, allowing intermediates the thrill of skiing or riding through the trees. The resort has also continued to glade Crescent Ridge, enhancing the advanced skiing experience.

Powder Mountain will add 1,000 additional acres of expert chutes and bowls to the 2,000 acres of terrain already in use by the Snowcat Powder Safari. The new area, known as La Plata, is named after a nearby ghost town that was founded in the silver rush of the 1890s.

Additionally, Powder Mountain will offer guests the opportunity to take a guided backcountry tour of Wolf Creek Canyon with more than 1,000 acres of pristine snow that includes wide open bowls, glades and steep chutes.

Snowbasin will add a 22-foot superpipe to its already incredible terrain.

On-mountain enhancements

Alta planted 1,500 trees, 500 shrubs and spread 500 pounds of indigenous mountain flower and grass seeds through its annual environmental vegetation program.

The Canyons Resort has installed North America's first, and one of the most technologically advanced, chairlifts in the world. The Orange Bubble-enclosed quad lift is like riding up inside a ski goggle. It also has heated seats. The new lift increases the uphill capacity from the base by 47 percent, and it whisks skiers to the top in just nine minutes. Additionally, The Canyons is rebirthing its base area by realigning the gondola. Guests at The Canyons can relax and enjoy an apr? ski cocktail on the resort's new apr? ski beach.