Week 12 in series on Utah's signature ski runs.
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Signature run — Lue's
The signature run is Lue's, which was named after one of the resort's founders — Luella Seeholzer. Lue's was added to the ski area in the mid-1980s and was a great addition to the resort. The run is approximately 1,500 vertical feet of fantastic fall-line skiing. With its east-facing aspect, the snow is always good and cold. The top 500 feet is the steepest section at around 35 to 38 degrees. It's one of the steepest runs at Beaver Mountain. Following this section the run mellows a bit. There are two small roller-type sections where the pitch lessens, followed by steeper sections. Near the bottom of the run it turns slightly to the right with the fall line and merges with the Gentle Ben runout near the bottom of the mountain. It is a black diamond run and is rarely groomed, with the top section never seeing a snowcat. The continuous fall line with brief lulls in the pitch are very popular with skiers and snowboarders alike. Visitors from other resorts in the state rate it among the best mogul runs they have skied. Lue's is accessed from the top of the mountain via the Harry's Dream triple chair. It begins slightly below the top of the mountain. Riders briefly intersect D-Street before veering left into the upper section of Lue's.
No. 1 run — The Ridge
The Ridge begins at the top of Beaver's Face lift and travels 1,200 vertical feet down the mountain. This run passes under both the Harry's Dream and Beaver's Face lift. It is cruising skiing and boarding at its finest. The Ridge is an intermediate run and faces northeast ensuring good snow conditions and coverage. The pitch is very consistent and does not leave the fall line. It's often said that it seems like a man-made ski run because the topography is so perfect, but it is a very natural part of the mountain. Near the bottom of The Ridge there are several choices to ride to the base of the mountain, depending upon the destination. The Ridge can be accessed from both the Harry's Dream triple chair as well as the Beaver's Face double. From Harry's, riders need to go down D-Street to the top of the Ridge. This combination is 1,600 vertical feet of fall-line cruising. From the Face lift, riders can start right into The Ridge. For corduroy lovers, it doesn't get any better than this.
Top 10
1. The Ridge; 2. Stan's Bonanza is an advanced run accessed from Harry's Dream lift, is one of the steeper runs groomed and was named after Stan Chipman, a member of Beaver's ski patrol; 3. The Stump is an intermediate run accessed off Harry's Dream and Beaver's Face lifts and is a great cruising run that parallels The Ridge; 4. Gentle Ben is a beginner run accessed from Harry's Dream lift, is over 2.5 miles long and is unique in that it is a wide-open, groomed, beginner run from top to bottom; 5. The Face is an advanced run accessed from Harry's Dream and Beaver's Face lifts and is a steep, sustained run that goes under the lift in full view of passengers; 6. Sunshine is a beginners run accessed from Marge's triple lift and is a very aesthetic run that sits along the top of a ridge and offers views of both sides of the mountain; 7. Harry's Hollow is an advanced run accessed from Harry's Dream lift and is another of the test runs going under the lift; 8. Lone Pine is an advanced run accessed from Harry's Dream and Marge's triple that requires a short hike to the knob accessing some great north-facing powder skiing; 9. Spring Road is an advanced run reached off Harry's Dream and Beaver's Face lifts and is an old road used in the past for water supply but is now a skate trail used by skiers and snowboarders to get back to the lift and access bowls, chutes and gladed powder skiing; 10. Redtail is an advanced run accessed from Marge's triple and is a great run with challenging fall lines, a steep pitch at the top and a more gentle section at the bottom.
HISTORY
Beaver Mountain is probably one of the few resorts left in the country that is completely family owned. The area was founded by Harold "Harry" and Luella Seeholzer back in 1938, who, it was reported, "were looking for a fun winter recreation for their children and friends." A surface tow was soon installed, and Beaver Mountain became a labor of love for the family. At one point, the family planned to install a lift from bottom to top. Before the lift, called "Harry's Dream," could be completed, however, Harold died of cancer. At the time, his son Ted and his wife, Marge, stepped up and became general manager. Today, their two children and spouses — Travis and Cristy Seeholzer and Jeff and Annette West — are also involved in the ski area. It was at this point the Seeholzers started what they called their "second careers," which involved expanding and improving the area. In 2002, Marge's triple chairlift was installed.