Traversing is the name of the game at both areas, and both have a signature route that takes you to the goods. The High T off the Collins lift at Alta takes you to fabled runs such as Alf’s High Rustler, West Rustler and Eddie’s High Nowhere. At Snowbird, the Cirque Traverse off the tram accesses the Cirque, Restaurant Chutes and Dalton’s Draw. But these aren’t the only times you’ll be hitting moto gaps and sidestepping. Alta’s

Devil’s Castle and Snowbird’s The Bookends are also noteworthy. If you’re willing to kick a few steps, the options get even better. A 10-minute booter off the tram leads to North Baldy, arguably the best big-mountain contest venue in the country.

The true glory of AltaBird, however, is the snow. Even during last year’s drought, when locals were ready to slit their throats, snowfall in Little Cottonwood Canyon was on par with what other Western resorts claim as all-time conditions. Each averages 500 inches a year, so even on a year that’s 20 percent below average, you’re looking at 400.

WHAT'S NEW: Last winter Snowbird opened the Peruvian Tunnel, also called the Bass Hole after resort-founder Dick Bass. The tunnel, burrowed through Hidden Peak just below the summit, and the Peruvian quad chair that feeds it, was built to allow intermediates easier access to Mineral Basin. The benefit for experts is shorter tram lines, as anyone not heading to the Cirque or Baldy can grab a quicker ride on the chair. It also allows the resort to open Mineral on windy days when the tram may be shut down—thus preserving access to Alta.

INSIDE LINE: If it’s storming and you’re staying in the valley, get up really early. On heavy snow days, the highway will often close at 6 a.m. for avalanche control. If you have four-wheel drive and hit the canyon before then, you can make it up unimpeded. Then hit the Gold Miner’s Daughter for breakfast and wait. You’ll not only miss the traffic, but should the road slide and trap the hoards at the mouth, you’ll have a few hours of uncrowded freshies.