- Utah's warm fall challenges early ski season plans despite skier enthusiasm.
- Beaver Mountain Ski Swap attracts hundreds with 15,000 items for sale.
LOGAN — Utah's unusually warm fall could challenge some early ski season plans, but that hasn't stopped hundreds of winter sports enthusiasts from flocking to the Beaver Mountain Ski Swap in Cache Valley.
The annual event, held at the Cache County Fairgrounds, runs through Saturday and features roughly 15,000 items for sale, from skis and snowboards to boots and gear, all offered by individual sellers and about 10 vendors. And 20% of proceeds benefit the Beaver Mountain Ski Patrol, the largest all-volunteer ski patrol in the country.
Despite sunny skies outside, the mood inside is all about winter.
"It starts to get people excited for the snow starting to fall," Amy Hansen, a member of the Beaver Mountain Ski Patrol said. "We're all ready for the cold weather to come and for that sweet powder to come."
Others said the event helps them mentally shift into ski mode, even if the slopes aren't ready yet.
"This is kind of the event that turns my mind to skiing and starting to think about the excitement," Mike Christensen, an attendee and ski patrol member, said.
Related:
Utah's record warmth to give way to valley rain, mountain snow
Record warmth is set to give way to a mix of valley rain and mountain snow, snapping a dry stretch that has already delayed the openings for Utah's ski season.Beaver Mountain is unique among Utah resorts because it relies entirely on natural snowfall. So far, there's no base and no snow in Logan Canyon. Other Utah resorts are busy making snow and still aiming for opening days later this month. Solitude is targeting Nov. 19, while Brian Head, Park City Mountain and Alta are looking at Nov. 21 — though Alta said that could depend on what this weekend's storm delivers.
For now, it's a waiting game. Many skiers and snowboarders are hoping the incoming cold front will flip the switch on winter.
"It's kind of crazy. I feel like it's been fluctuating up and down the past few weeks," Zach Schwager said. "But I feel like we're going to get some cold weather soon. So I'm really hoping so we can start the ski season."
The Beaver Mountain Ski Swap runs until 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and until 6 p.m. Saturday.
