SALT LAKE CITY — Skiers and snowboarders boarded Utah Transit Authority ski buses in record numbers last month, using the option to access the slopes and take advantage of several big powder days.
Nearly 65,000 boardings were recorded on UTA ski buses in December 2015, the highest number of December ski bus boardings in more than 10 years.
“I’m pleased that so many people are riding ski buses instead of driving up the canyons,” Jerry Benson, UTA’s interim president and CEO, said in a statement. “Ski buses play a critical role in reducing canyon congestion and helping alleviate crowded resort parking.”
Ski service to Park City and resorts in Big and Little Cottonwood canyons started on Dec. 6, followed by Sundance and Weber County resorts on Dec. 19. This year, riders can utilize new ski bus amenities such as a heated ski shelter outside Snowbird’s Cliff Lodge, a shelter at the Park & Ride lot at 8200 S. Wasatch Blvd., and an upgraded shelter at the Park & Ride lot on 6200 S. Wasatch Blvd.
Ski buses were also outfitted with new ski and snowboard organizers custom designed by UTA employee Tyler Judd.
Ski bus service to resorts in Big and Little Cottonwood canyons has been in place for more than 30 years. Service expanded to Sundance in 1996, Park City in 2011 and Weber County in 2013.
In the statement, Bill Humphreys, UTA operations supervisor, said on high-traffic days, UTA ski buses are often among the first vehicles up the canyons, as the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Utah Department of Transportation hold other traffic back to ensure that ski buses can get resort employees to their posts in time to open ticket offices, run the lifts, staff restaurants and operate other guest services.