Left to right: Peter Emmel, Dave Gang, Jim Lawrie, Sandy Dunlap, Scott Reeves, Rich DuMoulin, and Dave Dibelius
While this isn’t the first time the Western Ski Trip has visited Alta (the last time was in 2003), this was the first time in 26 years we didn’t rent a house for the event. Instead, we stayed at the Goldminer’s Daughter Lodge. The GMD offers a number of advantages including proximity to the Collins Base lift (50 yards from the back door of the lodge), breakfast and dinner included in the room price (no meal planning or prep; no need to find a restaurant), and each individual or pair is responsible for making their reservations (no more worrying about who’s going to have to bail after a house is rented). Jim Lawrie, who has been organizing the trip for the last 10 years, no longer has to worry about the complex logistics of organizing the trip. Guys, we’re going to Alta and staying at the GMD. End of planning! See below for instructions for making your reservation for next year’s (2026) trip.
A great time was had by all. It snowed about 80″ the week before we arrived, and skiing was great. It was a little warm in the middle of the week so the snow on the bumps got a little crusty (who skis bumps at our age anyway?). The weather was great including several bluebird days. Everyone loved the GMD rooms, and the food was generally excellent. Apres ski was enjoyed in the GMD saloon where snacks and libations were featured. As we sat enjoying our snacks and beverages, we were regularly entertained and awed by the people skiing the High Rustler, about 500 yards of bumps on very steep terrain.
Participants included many regulars: Dave Dibelius, Rich DuMoulin, Sandy Dunlap, Peter Emmel, Doug Herscher (Peter Emmel’s stepson), Jim Lawrie, Scott Reeves and one new face (Dave Gang); Rusty Martin and Paul Schweizer skied with us for a couple of days and joined us for dinner one evening.
Speaking of planning, we’re returning to Alta next year, 2026 and are again staying at the GMD. The dates are Sunday, February 22 through Friday, February 27. You’re welcome to arrive early, stay late or join us for just part of the week. It’s entirely up to you. For $25 (non-refundable) you can tell the GMD you want to reserve a room for the dates above. In the comments section of the reservation detail page, make a note of the type of room you want and be sure to include “Dartmouth Class of 1968 group.” Use this link, GMD, select Book Now > (enter your arrival and departure dates and the number of people) then > Check Availability > in the Prebook section, read the information and then select > Rates > ignore the “only 3 left” note then select > Reserve (enter your reservation details; don’t forget to enter room type and our group name in the comments section) and select > Make Reservation at the bottom of the page. That’s all there is to it! We look forward to seeing you next year.
This you must see! Last summer Alta installed a new avalanche control system along the Baldy Peak ridge. The system consists of about 10 towers on the tops of which sit a box in which are placed 12 explosive charges that can be remotely deployed. The towers are reloaded by helicopter. Sandy took many great photos of the explosive charge boxes and a video of the helicopter reloading one of the towers (scroll to the lower half of the gallery and look for Sandy’s photos). Learn more about the Wyssen Avalanche Towers at Alta and about how the towers function.