Will-dabeast vs The Big "Animal" (Marshal Mtn.)

I started my way up Marshal Mountain at 4:45pm, the snow was hard on the packed down areas, which I enjoyed as I passed the removed terrain park. From there, I went straight to "Easy Up". I took that trail for a bit and removed a lot of exposed rocks that would easily be hit if someone were skiing down. I then traversed to the main trail by the ski lift so I could see what the snow conditions were truly like. It was colder than a witches tit, my toes went numb early on the ascent. This was a good sign for Utah like, powder.

I found there was 3" of powder before you hit the 2" of base. I followed a nice skin track up for a while. On the way up I noticed the mountain bike trails' are still visible. Be careful at Marshal, the MTB berms are still major obstacles, meaning the snow has not filled them in yet. Either get speed and jump over them or go slow, bend your knees and ease into it.

Once I got past the MTB trails, the powder got deeper to 4" and the base improved to 3". I would recommend skiing skiers left as it is not churned up too much, compared to the right side. I made my way up to the Halfpipe. I was severely disappointed, as I hoped to hit some fun tricks and get some air on my way down. I decided another time, the snow will come, and I will be ready, just not today. I proceeded up to the Mid Way hut and started hearing rumbling in the trees nearby. I was not sure what it was so I proceeded to the top, as one would. I felt if I got up that far, I should at least make it all the way. The sunset was beautiful, quiet for while. Until something rustled a tree nearby.

I was startled. I'd assumed I was the only one up there. Maybe it was a bird just nesting in a nearby tree. I wasn't entirely convinced though. As the darkness caved in, I heard some heavier noises and limbs breaking. Definitely not a bird. I figured I was facing a much larger animal, and decided it was time for my descent.

I quickly got ready for downhill travel and started my way down. The snow was great where people have not yet skied, a nice 4" of powder to turn on without hitting the ground. I hit some turns where others previously hit and definitely scraped some ground. I made it down to the green trail that surpasses the lift-line and took a break.

I stood here for a while, enjoying the very last light of the sunset and the fact that I was the only person that I know of on Marshal Mountain. In this quietness, I heard the big animal again. This time it was a lot closer, in the 100 foot range. I looked everywhere and the noise stopped. I got really really scared, but I was also very curious to see what other life was following me as I skied down. I thought it was my deer friends. Stopping for a moment in the silence, I tried to listen again. I heard it climbing a tree to left me, it sounded very close (like 50 feet). I looked up and could see nothing, so I went closer to where I saw a calf-like figure, that was staring at me. I took off, no hesitation, I just went. I skied like the powder was ice, carving on what "can't be carved on", I did it. To have an "animaI" look straight into your eyes, is a different feeling. I do not know what I saw, but I definitely know it was not deer and never want to see it alone again. The figures eyes pierced me, it is still stuck in my mind as I write this article.

I recommend to not tour solo at Marshal Mountain, as a friend might have better judgement than you do, on what to do. Two is always better than one. Stay safe and good luck out there.

(Ski Conditions: Very nice skiing where others have not skied. If you ski where others have, it will definitely suck. The Halfpipe is not covered yet, lots of dirt, lots of rocks. Ski racer entrance jump is very sketchy (going to build a jump onto the rail soon).

- Will The Ski Guy

Pictures down below.