Let it snow, Let it snow
Let it snow, let it snow is what Marge Seeholzer’s family wishes. It makes sense. They own Beaver Mountain Ski Resort.
Due to the lack of snow this fall, Beaver Mountain has been forced to prolong their awaited season opening to, “hopefully early December,” Seeholzer said.
Beaver Mountain has been a favorite among many Cache Valley locals since the Seeholzer family first opened the mountain in 1938. The mountain is still family-owned.
Owners Ted and Marge Seeholzer drive almost daily to the mountain from their home in Smithfield. The couple can be found in the ticket office, plowing the parking lot and even unplugging the toilets. They hope to bring their children into the business and continue the family tradition.
Skiers find the 27-mile drive up Logan Canyon much easier than the 127-mile drive to other mountains in Salt Lake Valley. The 16 skiing classes offered during spring semester fill up quickly, Seeholzer said, despite the $168.50 fee attached to the class.
“I don’t mind the drive to Beaver now that they have done all the road improvements up Logan Canyon,” said sophomore Brent Erickson, an engineering major.
Utah State University students have been learning to ski on Beaver Mountain’s slopes for more than 30 years.
“We enjoy the students coming and learning how to ski. It keeps us young to have them around,” Seeholzer said.
Many students feel the same way.
Senior Dave Shelton, a political science major, said, “I love it. It still has the ma and pa hometown atmosphere. It’s not quite as busy as Snowbird and the others. It just fits me better.”
Shelton was echoed by finance senior Jeff Neilsen, who said, “It’s a pretty fun little place. It is a good price for what you get.”
Beaver slopes are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Ticket prices are kept at what most consider a competitive rate. An adult can spend the whole day exploring the 664 groomed acres on Beaver Mountain for $28. Or skip a few classes and ski half a day for $22.
Seeholzer said the family has worked hard to make the slopes accessible and to “offer a good place for people to have a good time.” The resort has four chair lifts and one tow rope.
“I like riding the lifts,” said sophomore Brooke Bybee, a fashion marketing major. “It’s fun.”
So, whether someone is just beginning or has been skiing for years, Beaver Mountain – “the best kept secret in Utah” – just might be the trick to chase those winter blues away.
For a regular 24-hour ski report call 753-4822 or visit Beaver Mountain’s Web site at www.skithebeav.com.
-stephhafen@cc.usu.edu
A Beaver Mountain Face Lift gives skiers and boarders access to more than 10 runs. Beaver Mountain has four main lifts in operation. (Photo by John Zsiray)
(Photo by John Zsiray)