With the start of the winter snow sports season, BYU students shared their excitement and preparations.
“I watch some sick hype-up videos,” Aaron Gary, a BYU student from Canada, said.
Utah resorts opened in late November and early December. These resorts include Alta, Brian Head, Brighton, Park City, Solitude, Sundance, Snowbasin, and Snowbird.
There are multiple different ski passes students can buy that offer access to different resorts. Some of the most popular passes students purchase are the Ikon, Epic and Sundance passes. These passes offer discounts when purchased earlier in the year; however, students can still get an Ikon pass for $1,450, an Epic pass for $859 and a Sundance pass for $729.
“I get the Epic pass. I grew up skiing Park City,” BYU student Myka Birchall said. “Park City is familiar; I know where I want to go and what runs I want to hit.”
The Epic pass also includes access to dozens of resorts across the U.S., including access to resorts in Japan.
“Whether it’s a trip to Jackson Hole, a trip to Tahoe, maybe even Canada, I think trips is what I'm most excited for,” Ty Gardner, a BYU student, said.
Gary is spending his first winter in Utah since moving from Canada.
“I got an Ikon pass,” Gary said, “I think the skiing’s gonna be better, I think there’s more snow than back home.”
Although Utah declares it has the “Best Snow on Earth,” many students still look forward to traveling during the winter to experience new resorts, new mountains and new snow.
“I’ve skied in Arizona and I've skied in Colorado,” Gardner said, “and I’d say on a good day, Utah has the best snow.”
“I think Utah does have the best snow. I feel like it's softer and there's more of it, so it’s easier to have good powder days,” Birchall said.
Sundance and Ikon passes both hold respective privileges at other resorts within and outside of Utah, adding benefit to those who want to travel to new places to ski and snowboard. The specifics can be found of each passes website.
“Get your pass and get your gear,” Birchall said, “and get excited.”