Do your part and practice Your Responsibility Code: Stay in control. People ahead have the right away. Stop in a safe place for you and others. When starting downhill or merging, LOOK UP HILL and yield. Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment. Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails. Know how to use the lifts safely.

This is Week #20 and our final report of the season for the 40th year of SNOSHU'S TRAKS RESORT REPORTS on April 6, 2004. Please check the end of individual reports below or click on link to verify resort closing dates. From Thanksgiving to Easter this report is gathered every Tuesday and updated on Thursday or when major changes occur. A few resorts prefer you call them direct to get their up to the minute conditions. We will continue to cover their events and activities. Check out some of the highlights below. Just click on the resort name at www.snoshu.com to link to their web site or call the reservation phone number listed.  To receive a weekly report, please send your e-mail address to: snoshu@reno.quik.com with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.  

ASPECTS & ALTITUDE! Understanding the ASPECT or a slope's exposure to the sun and maintaining ALTITUDE makes spring skiing and riding even more enjoyable. Beautiful spring weather doesn't mean you have to put the skis or board away. Just get to the slopes when they open and follow the sun.  Overnight freezing temperatures allows the snow to "set-up". Start on the southern or eastern aspects/exposures first and you might find "corn" snow that you can cut like butter even early in the day. Then follow the sun as it hits the north and west exposures in the late morning and afternoon to avoid over soft snow. As the temperatures rise stay high on the hill and use any upper mountain lifts available to avoid the highly traveled runs to the lodge. You can always cut out mid-afternoon for a round of golf or a bike ride and get the best of both worlds...two recreation seasons in one day. 

Know Your Responsibility Code: Stay in control. People ahead have the right away. Stop in a safe place for you and others. When starting downhill or merging, LOOK UP HILL and yield. Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment. Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails. Know how to use the lifts safely.  Look before you leap and use a spotter in the terrain parks to make sure the "coast is clear". 

GENERAL CONDITIONS IN THE WEST  (As of Tuesday, April 6, 2004):


Wow, we're talking about spring snow at most resorts but folks in Taos, New Mexico and parts of Colorado have been finding freshies the past few days.  Most higher elevation Sierra and Wasatch (Salt Lake City) resorts received a few inches of new snow at the end of last week and should see some scattered showers over the next day or two.  Freezing temperatures overnight are gracing most of the areas so the snow will turn to corn, not mush!

UTAH

DEER VALLEY: In full spring swing with a base of 64" and 19 lifts in operation.  Five of 6 bowls and 79 trails are open with 46 runs freshly groomed. Take a novel and useful gift home for friends and family from the Deer Valley Signature Stores; seasonings, sauces, even cookie mixes. Plus there are some great deals on gourmet snacks for your day on the slopes-on sale right now. You'll can feel the Olympic pride as you enter the resort, ski the runs the 2002 Olympians did for the mogul and slalom competitions- if they're in use for an event, you'll be able to get right next to them. Buy three nights and receive the fourth free in select condominium through 4/11 at The Lodge at Stillwater; upon availability, with no other offers and some restrictions apply. First Tracks, groomed-run skiing tour provides private, early lift access and guided skiing from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. from the Wasatch lift, on a pre-arranged basis. Tours must be scheduled at least 10 days in advance. Minimum ski ability level is Intermediate. For additional information and pricing contact the Group Sales Office at 800-424-3337 or 435-645-6510, or via e-mail at sales@deervalley.com. Fireside dining at Empire Canyon Lodge every Thursday night. Call (800) 424-DEER or (435) 649-7374 or visit www.deervalley.com for details and reservations. Closing date April 11.
SNOWBIRD: The tram and 8 lifts scheduled to operate today, wind and weather permitting, accessing all runs on the mountain including the connection to Alta available from 9a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. Average base depth is 100". When it freezes overnight try Mineral Basin on the (south) backside for some great corn snow in the morning. The upper northern exposures are the place to spend the afternoon. Easter Activities and Gigantissimo Race on Apr. 10-11. North American Gelande Championships on Apr. 16-18; after a 20-year absence gelande jumping is back and viewable from the base of the mountain, bring your lawn chairs and enjoy beer garden and food served slopeside. Finals April 18. InSpring Bike Boards2 Jib Jam on Apr. 24-25. For more information call (801) 933-2100 or visit www.snowbird.com. Tram scheduled to operate through Memorial Day. 
PARK CITY: Base of 78" at Jupiter Peak and 52" mid-mountain. 13 lifts and 84 runs, 4 terrain parks and the superpipe are scheduled to open. The Red Bull Blade Raid on Apr. 9-10 features the world's top parachutists negotiating the course around "airblades" (large flags and never touching the ground. For the latest snow report or reservations call (435) 649-8111 or visit www.parkcitymountain.com.
THE CANYONS: Average base depth is 64". Today 9 lifts take you to 51 trails. 180 Energy Drink Spring Concert Series on Apr. 10 with "The Marshall Tucker Band".  All shows are FREE WITH A LIFT TICKET or purchase "Show Only" tickets for $20. "Show only" tickets must be purchased in advance at Orions Music, 1400 Snow Creek Drive, Park City and at Orions Music, 2110 South 1100 East, Salt Lake City. Children 12 and under are free. All shows are from 3:00pm to 4:30pm.
Call (435) 615-3456 for reservations or visit www.thecanyons.com. 
IDAHO
 
SUN VALLEY, ID: Today Baldy will have 7 chairs and the Kinderspielplatz tow in operation accessing 64 open runs with 27 freshly groomed. Base depths are 49" on top, 36"mid-mountain and 30" at base lodge Halfpipe is open. Dollar lifts and Nordic track are closed for the season. KIDS STAY & SKI FREE through end of season (one child per paying parent, two children per unit).  WAP enabled cell phone users, visit wap.sunvalley.com for the mountain report on your cell phone. Call 622-6136 for info. For current update call the snow phone line at (800) 635-4150 or visit www.sunvalley.com. Closing date is April 18. 
MONTANA

BIG MOUNTAIN, MT: Today 6 lifts are in operation to take you to 76 runs on a base of 75 "at the summit and 35" at village level. Annual Furniture Race on Apr. 10. Nordic Center has closed for the season. Summer operations will begin in June 5.  All season passport sale on now through May 15. Call direct for condition and reservations at (800) 858-3930 or visit website at www.bigmtn.com. Closing date April 11.
WYOMING
 
GRAND TARGHEE, WY: Monday through Thursday this week there will be 3 lifts in operation with Sacajawea lift opening this  Fri-Sun. Base depths are 65" mid-mountain and 43" at lodge level. Enjoy complimentary mountain tours everyday at 11:00 at the top of Dreamcatcher Chair. Nordic Center has 15KM of trails available. Cardboard Box Derby on Apr. 10.  Super Snow Guarantee- if at all dissatisfied; return your ticket with one hour of purchase and receive a voucher for another day during the current season. Call (800) 827-4433 for details on snow conditions. Visit www.grandtarghee.com for details.  Closing on April 11.
JACKSON HOLE, WY: Closed for the season on Apr. 4. Area has tram, gondola and 10 lifts accessing 96 runs when 100% of the  terrain is open. Nordic Center (now closed) offers 12KM of trails. For information call (303) 739-2770. Reservations Call (800) 443-6931 or visit www.jacksonhole.com. 
NEW MEXICO

TAOS, NM: Base depths are up this week after 20" of new snow in the past 5 days. Base is 75"at the top of Lift #7 and 63" mid-mountain. 11 lifts are in operation today to access 81 runs with 14 beginner runs, 17 intermediate runs, 26 advanced runs and 24 expert runs open.  Access available from 5th Chute to Kachina Peak on the Ridge. Terrain Park is open with free Solomon Demos on the weekends. Ski until the end of this season when you buy your Millennium Pass for 2004-05, on sale now. Name the new terrain park and win a pair of Solomon skis. Tubing 5-7 PM on Strawberry Hill - nightly. Web address is www.skitaos.org. For reservations call (800) 776-1111. Call (800) 992-7669 for more information.  Closing date April 11. 

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE: 

SIERRA-AT-TAHOE: Snow depth at 8800-foot elevation is still 9 feet 2 inches with 3foot 10 inch base at 7300-foot level. Today 85% of the terrain, two terrain parks, superpipe (cut on last night) and halfpipe (cut on Apr. 3) are accessible by 5 of 10 lifts in operation.  26 runs are freshly groomed. College Week tickets only $35 with current college ID through April 9. Easter Festivites on April 11. Enjoy remainder of the season with Spring Fling Pass for only $89. Turn in your ticket today for a $30 credit on the spring pass or next year's Double Whammy Pass for only $279. Get lift tickets for only $39 through end of season with a voucher from local ski and snowboard shops in Northern California and Nevada.  Snowshoe area open daily, tubing closed for the season. For current snow conditions call (530) 659-7475. General information, call (530) 659-7453 or visit www.sierraattahoe.com. For a free ride (shuttle) call (530) 541-7548. 
HEAVENLY: Average base is 48". Call (775) 586-7000 for details or visit skiheavenly.com on the web. 
KIRKWOOD: For more information call (209) 258-6000 or visit www.skikirkwood.com. Conditions call  (877) 547-5966.
NORTH TAHOE/TRUCKEE

NORTHSTAR-AT-TAHOE: 12 lifts in operation today over a base of 82" on upper-mountain and 34" at lower-mountain level. 70 runs are open with 50 freshly groomed, plus two terrain parks featuring 23 jibs and 18 jumps and Magic Moguls course. Open superpipe was cut on Apr. 6. Banked wall pipe off Gulch is available. Telemark Clinic on Apr. 9. Reggae Brewfest on Apr. 10. Easter Festivities on Apr. 11. Earth Day Celebration on Apr. 18. Nordic Center hosts 25KM of groomed track on a 36" base. Double Whammy Pass on sale for next year - includes Sierra at Tahoe for only $279, some restrictions apply. Monday-Friday bring any season pass and get a $30 lift ticket. College Week through Apr. 9 with discounted tickets for college students. Tubing closed for season. For ski conditions call (530) 562-1330 or visit www.skinorthstar.com  Projected closing date April 18.
SODA SPRINGS: Base depths of 9 to10 feet with 3 lifts in operation daily.  Area offers lift rides for skiing, boarding, tubing, sledding and snowshoe trails for only $24 for adults, $16 for teens and $10 for kids.  Kids under 7 and over 70 years ride free. Enjoy a day of snow tubing with the family.  For more information call (530) 426-3901 or visit www.skisodasprings.com.
BOREAL: 9-10 foot base with 5 lifts in operation until 4:30 p.m. daily.   30 trails, terrain feature and superpipe, plus a kid's terrain park available. Friday lifts are only $10 for students with valid college Free lifts for children under 4 and adults over 70. iRide Pass - buy any 2 days and get the third day FREE! Just pick up the card for free online or at any point of sale at Boreal. Use your card when making other purchases at the resort and be entered to win free stuff and the more you spend, the more chances to win.  Night skiing/riding closed for the season. For more information call (530) 426-3666 or visit www.borealski.com.
HOMEWOOD: Base of 80" on upper slopes and 38" below. Today 59 runs are available for only  $25 (Mon-Thurs.) with 33 runs freshly groomed. 100% of the terrain is accessible by the 5 (of 8) lifts in operation. Easter Eggstravaganza on April 10 - find the golden egg, win a midweek season pass. 2004/05 Season Pass sale is back at same $99.00! College students pay only $15 Mon-Fri with valid student ID.  Ski or ride for two consecutive days for only $20/day. Learn to ski or ride package only $55. Ski report at (530) 525-2900. Main resort phone is (530) 525-2992 or visit www.skihomewood.com. Tentative closing date April 11. 
MT. ROSE: Today 4 of 6 lifts in operation to access 100% of the mountain's terrain on 43 trails. Base depths are 116" on top and 32" on lower slopes. Terrain Park and halfpipe are open. Great time of year to take the little ones to the slopes, ask for Runs and Roses Package - 2 adults + 2 kids only $96. Access resort through main lodge as East Bowl lodge and parking lot are closed.  Daily specials on non-holidays include Bonus Mondays lifts only $10 with redemption of past weekend all day lift ticket, 2 fer (price of one) Tuesdays, Ed Wednesdays ($19 for students), Ladies Day ($19) on Thursday. Ride from Reno on the Shuttle; call (775) 331-1147 for reservations. Call (800) 754-7673 or (775) 849-0704 or visit www.skirose.com for details. Projected closing date April 18.
SUGAR BOWL: Snow depths of 110" at the 8383-foot elevation and 72" at 6883-foot base. 5 lifts scheduled to operate today accessing 76 runs, two groomed terrain parks and the superpipe.  Lift tickets only $40 on Sugar Bowl Core Value days. Kids 12 and under ski/ ride free with McSki Program. For more information call (530) 426-1111 or visit www.sugerbowl.com. Projected closing date is April 25.
ALPINE MEADOWS: 141" base at mid-mountain 8637-foot elevation and 76" at 7000-foot base. 12 lifts in operation for only $39 all day! Superpipe and terrain park open.  Kids terrain park open on Tiegel lift. Community Benefit Day on Apr. 9- tickets only $20. King & Queen of the Sierra with Big Mountain Comp on Apr. 10 and Slopestyle on Apr. 11. Spring Fling Pass on sale April 1-16, only $99 gets you the rest of the season and full ($99) credit towards 2004/05 season pass. Lift tickets ONLY $39 full day, EVERYDAY, purchase in advance on-line at www.skialpine.com  (for a specific day) or at REI (good any day).  Kids under 6 ride free with paying adult. For conditions call (800) 441-4423. For lodging call (800) 949-3296. Special tickets and direct information call (530) 583-4232. 
SQUAW VALLEY: 18 lifts scheduled to operate with a base of 138" at 8200-foot level and 32" at 6200-foot elevation. Lagoon and Spa open. Snowphone Hotline (530) 583-6955. Resort information at www.squaw.com 
MID TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
 
MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN: Base of  7-12 feet. Superpipe, Super-Duper-Pipe and Terrain Parks are open including new Canyon Lodge Pipe. All major lifts and gondolas scheduled to operate today. In full operation the area has 10 express chairs, 10 standard chair lifts and 2 surface lifts plus 2 gondolas to sweep you all over this aptly named "Mammoth" mountain. Value Pass for 2004/05 Season has sold out. Midweek and full price passes available June 26. Easter Egg Hunt and Pond Skim with live music at Canyon Lodge on April 11. USSA/FW Championships on Apr. 17-22. Play the Mammoth Ford Free Ride Giveaway at www.mammothmountain.com. Prizes include a weekend get-away, season pass and a Ford F-150.  Call 800-MAMMOTH or visit the web for reservations and information.  Call (888) 766-9778 for current conditions. 
JUNE MOUNTAIN: Base depths are 4-7 feet. Today all 6 lifts are in operation. Superpipe and three jib and terrain enhancements are available including the Wallride. Call (888) JUNEMTN (888-586-3686) or visit www.junemountain.com. . Closing date- April 18.
BEAR VALLEY: Today 7 of 10 lifts in operation accessing 100% of the terrain on a base of 7 feet on top, 6.5 feet at main lodge and 4 feet at Grizzly.  Beginning terrain park open. Nordic Center has 38.5 KM of track with 25 trails, closing date for Nordic center is Apr. 11. Easter Sunrise Service and Egg Hunt on April 11. Reggae on the Mountain on April 17.  Beginner Bargain for only $99, three days on the mountain with a beginner ticket for use beginner lifts, ski or snowboard equipment rental, and a group lesson, ages 13+. Purchase 2004-05 season pass at great savings now and use it now through the end of the season. All passes include discounts on lessons, food, daycare and more. Best savings if purchased by April 11. Call (209) 753-2301 for details or visit www.bearvalley.com. Projected closing date is April 18.
COLORADO

TELLURIDE: Closed for the season. During operations the area has 16 lifts, 84 alpine trails with 3,530 foot vertical drop from the 12,260-foot summit. 30KM Nordic trails. For lodging reservations call 866-287-5016 or book vacation packages at www.tellurideskiresort.com or visit www.telluridemtnlodging.com. Conditions call (970) 728-6900. Closing day was April 4. 
COPPER MOUNTAIN: 4" new snow in past 24 hours with 7" from recent storm. Base depths are 61" upper-mountain and 52" mid-mountain. Today 15 lifts access 94 runs and the Catalyst Park Terrain Park.  For lodging or resort information log onto www.ski-copper.com or call (800) 458-8386.
VAIL: Average base depth of 40". For snow report or reservations call (888) 605-7587 or visit www. snow.com  
BEAVER CREEK: Average base of 58". KEYSTONE: Average base of 44". BRECKENRIDGE: Average base of 46". For snow report or reservations call (888) 605-7587 or visit www. snow.com  

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