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Utah Resorts Remain Closed as Record Snow Totals Top 800 Inches

This article originally appeared on Ski Mag

Utah’s Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons remain closed for consecutive days as of April 5 due to avalanche hazard, mitigation, and slide debris clearing. Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, and Solitude resorts are also closed, and backcountry travel is not recommended as avalanche danger is high on all aspects.

Season snow totals at Snowbird have topped 808 inches Wednesday as the latest storm brought 67 inches of snow to the Little Cottonwood Canyon--with more on the way throughout the day. The storm broke Snowbird’s all-time snowfall record of 783″ (set in 2010/11) on April 4.

Snowbird and nearby Alta, which has reported 874 inches of snow this season, remain under Interlodge by order of the marshall. Only emergency personnel are permitted to be outside any buildings.

According to the Utah Department of Transportation, due to slide-offs and increasing avalanche hazards, there is no estimated time for reopening either canyon. Numerous large avalanches have come down in Little Cottonwood Canyon, and mitigation continues.

In Big Cottonwood Canyon, storm totals have hit 80″, bringing Brighton’s snow totals to 850 and 779 inches at Solitude--both record highs.

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