2004 DTR - Powder Mountain, Utah

Our plan was to visit Brighton, a place that has always been good to SNOWBOARDER Magazine and a place that has some of the most inviting natural jumps and cliffs around. This was not to be, though, due to and incident the previous day involving the RV. No big deal really, and now we do know the clearance is a strict 10ft 8 in, so we had to cancel. Sorry Brighton, see ya next year. During our downtime in Joseph's Headquarters, otherwise know as Salt Lake City, we kept hearing about this place just to the north of us called Powder Mountain. Everything anyone had to say about it was great. As fate would have it, we were not scheduled to be in Wyoming for another three days so I figured, I like powder, I like mountains, we're there!

For anyone who likes to ride for the sake of riding itself, for anybody who still does it for themselves and for those of us who don't need the circus sideshow that snowboarding can sometimes be, you need to visit Powder Mountain. This is the place, it's that simple. Here's the deal: When the only tracks you cross are your own, when the snow stays good for weeks on end, when the locals take you straight to the goods, and when your face hurts from too much smiling, then you have found it. Just don't tell anyone.

This is one of the few mountain resorts that has yet to be corrupted by the mega-corporation takeovers that have poisoned some of our favorite places. I have never felt so welcome as I did here. Our guide was Dave Jessup, head of the snowboard park. Dave is evidently the smartest person I have ever met, his winters are spent in Powder Mountain and he passes the summer months in Figi. This rough life seems to have affected his attitude because he felt it necessary to take us straight to the goods. I am not going to give it away but I have received conformation from the crew that this has been our favorite place to ride so far. Between the uncrowded slopes, the hospitality, and the powder, I will say this is one mountain that should make its way to the top of your to do list.

On a side note: I am learning to live with a parasite. It's not all bad, having a gutworm, yet it does get a little spendy. See, now I am feeding two instead of one. If she doesn't eat every 2-3 hours I am instantly reminded with cramping or other, more intimate forms of discomfort. What's more is I have good reason to believe she grabs all the good stuff first leaving me mere scraps. Greedy bitch.

SNOWBOARDER Magazine's Best of Powder Mountain:
Instant Winner: Friendliest Employees
Easiest Backcountry Access
Strong Contender: Best overall place to ride