Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Northern Utah received snow after weeks of record December heat, delighting skiers.
- Visitors like the Voetbergs from Chicago are thrilled with the fresh snowfall.
- UDOT plans to address ski traffic with more buses parking and possible toll roads.
LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON — After weeks of waiting, winter finally showed up in northern Utah.
Snow fell overnight Friday in the mountains, bringing smiles to skiers, snowboarders, and anyone who's been watching the forecast and hoping for a change to what has been a record-setting December for heat.
For many visitors, the timing of the storm couldn't have been better.
"It's so nice," said Kent Voetberg, who traveled from Chicago with his family for a ski vacation. "It looks like winter is finally here."
The Voetberg family had been checking Utah's forecast daily before and during their drive to Utah, worried they might miss out on the state's "Greatest Snow on Earth."
"We were checking it every day, trying to see if there was any snow coming at all," said Brie Voetberg. "Thankfully, today we got some."
Earlier this week, the family arrived to unusually warm temperatures and bare slopes.
"We got here, and it was 60 degrees down in Salt Lake," said Kent. "We skied for the last two days, and it looked just like a desert. So we are very, very happy to have snow."
They're not alone.
Little Cottonwood Canyon was packed with skiers and snowboarders Saturday morning, ready to hit the slopes full of fresh snowfall.
Locals were excited too, though some admitted the dry start to winter had one small benefit.
"I've been pretty happy that the traffic had been moderate with the low snowfall," said Davin Grapentine, who lives in Salt Lake City. "But it's definitely nice to get some precipitation and get out skiing finally."
Of course, a weekend powder day means plenty of traffic, especially in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.
The usual winter line of cars up the canyons was back.
It is an issue the Utah Department of Transportation has been working on.
"In the past 10 years, it's gotten very pronounced with the advent of the Ikon Pass and these kinds of multi-resort passes," said UDOT project manager Devin Weder.
UDOT's long-term plans include more frequent bus service, additional parking, and even the possibility of toll roads to encourage carpooling and bus use during peak winter days.
"This has been demand that has existed for decades," said Weder.
The first phase of those improvements is still about two years away.
Until then, drivers should expect busy roads on popular ski days, especially after a fresh storm.
For visitors like the Voetbergs, though, the traffic is a small price to pay.
"Just really looking forward to carving some tracks today," said Brie.
And with more snow in the forecast, many skiers are hoping this storm is the start of a much better winter season.
"We have faith it's coming," said Kent. "We are excited."
