Test report Snowbasin

In Snowbasin, located above Huntsville, were the olympic winter games 2002 took place with the men´s and women´s downhill races, you have very good runs and facilities for a perfect ski day. From the base station you can take either directly the modern high speed eight person gondola Needles Express or the high speed quad John Paul Express up into the extensive ski resort of Snowbasin. From the top station of the John Paul Express you can take the short tram Mt. Allen, also called Olympic Tram, up to 9350 ft. Here was the start of the men´s downhill races during the olympic games and you have also a nice view to the Great Salt Lake and the valley of Salt Lake City. The runs from here are very steep and advanced and you can ski or ride over to the double diamond runs John Paul, Allen's Peak or No Name through the forest and through much deep snow back to the base station. From the very modern and maintained John Paul Lodge at the top station of the quad there are some groomed and intermediate runs to the Needles Express gondola and back to the valley. Since 1998 you can take the eight person gondola Needles Express within shortest time to the Needles Lodge. Somewhat parallel to it there are the triple chair lifts Porcupine, Middle Bowl, Wildcat and Becker, with which you can also reach the Needles Lodge, but you have to change the chairs. These triple chair lifts open up runs of all degrees of difficulty and in such a way you can ski or ride the run on the mountain you like and you have not to ski down always back to the valley. Via the run Strawberry Traverse or the run Bear Springs from the top station of the Becker triple chair you can ski over to the high speed eight person gondola Strawberry Express where you will find wonderful runs. With a difference in height of scarcely 2400 ft. there are a lot of intermediate to advanced runs at the Strawberry Express. However at this lift you could spend one day long, without driving a run twice. There are also many possibilities to ski or ride into the deep snow. Back to the other lifts and to the base station you can change either in the upper third via the Dan's run, or you must slide over a long way, called the Penny Lane, starting in the lower third of Strawberry Express. These are the only two possibilities to go back from Strawberry Express. Very recommended are the modern and very maintained restaurants in the ski resort and at the base station. Here is also a sport shop, ski rental and Après ski where you can either relax in the lodge at the open fire-place with live music or have a seat on the very beautiful terrace with view of the runs and you can enjoy your beer or a drink. Here in Snowbasin are the most appealing and cultivated restaurants in ski resorts in the completely USA, even the way to the toilet is an experience - between wood, golden taps and open fire-places you will find the toilets...