Beaver Mountain
Encyclopedia
Beaver Mountain is a ski area in northern Utah
, opened in 1939 and located near the summit of Logan Canyon
in the Bear River Mountains
. While smaller and less developed than a number of Utah ski resorts, Beaver Mountain is very popular with residents of nearby Logan
, Utah State University
, the surrounding Cache Valley
and the Bear Lake
region, including the southeastern corner of Idaho
.
The slopes of the mountain are predominantly east-facing, and it receives somewhat less snowfall than those resorts facing west. Since it does not currently employ snowmaking
equipment, the ski area is entirely dependent upon the (usually) ample natural snowfall, and therefore often opens several weeks later than most other resorts in Utah. "The Beav" is located 27 miles (43 km) northeast of Logan, just a mile (1.6 km) off of US-89, the Logan Canyon
Scenic Byway, a national scenic byway
. The Idaho border (42nd parallel) is less than 3 miles (5 km) north.
and snowboarding
are the most popular activities, there is a dedicated area for Nordic
(cross-country)
skiers near the base.
The Beaver's Face Lift (double) serves only intermediate and advanced runs. The first chairlift on the mountain, it was originally opened in late 1961.
Harry's Dream Lift (triple) was a double chair from January 1970 until March 2006. Already slated for replacement, a failed bearing closed the lift for the balance of the season. Over the summer and fall, the entire lift was replaced by a more modern triple chair for the 2006-07 season. Harry's Dream terminates near the summit of Beaver Mountain, with fabulous views of the surrounding countryside. All types of terrain served are served by this lift, which also provides the only way to access the base of Marge's Triple Lift (q.v.). The lift is named after Harold Seeholzer, the founder of the ski area who died of cancer in April 1968.
Marge's Triple Lift provides access to a half-dozen intermediate and advanced runs, as well as the larger of two terrain parks on the mountain. Marge is the daughter-in-law of the founder, married to his second son, Ted. The couple has owned the area since 1997; Ted was previously the general manager and Marge handled ticket sales.
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, opened in 1939 and located near the summit of Logan Canyon
Logan Canyon
Logan Canyon is a canyon that cuts its way through the Bear River Mountains, a branch of the Wasatch Range, in northeastern Utah. The canyon is popular for both summer and winter activities, especially rock-climbing, hiking, camping, fishing, snowmobiling, and skiing, at the Beaver Mountain ski...
in the Bear River Mountains
Bear River Mountains
The Bear River Mountains are located in northeastern Utah and southeastern Idaho. One of the mountains' sinks recorded the lowest temperature in Utah on February 1, 1985, at , which is also the second-lowest temperature ever recorded in the contiguous United States. U.S...
. While smaller and less developed than a number of Utah ski resorts, Beaver Mountain is very popular with residents of nearby Logan
Logan, Utah
-Layout of the City:Logan's city grid originates from its Main and Center Street block, with Main Street running north and south, and Center east and west. Each block north, east, south, or west of the origin accumulates in additions of 100 , though some streets have non-numeric names...
, Utah State University
Utah State University
Utah State University is a public university located in Logan, Utah. It is a land-grant and space-grant institution and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities....
, the surrounding Cache Valley
Cache Valley
The Cache Valley is an agricultural valley of northern Utah and southeast Idaho that includes the Logan metropolitan area. The valley was used by 19th century mountain men and was the site of the 1863 Bear River Massacre.-History:...
and the Bear Lake
Bear Lake (Idaho-Utah)
Bear Lake is a natural freshwater lake on the Utah-Idaho border in the Western United States. It is the second largest natural freshwater lake in Utah and has been called the "Caribbean of the Rockies" for its unique turquoise-blue color, the result of suspended limestone deposits in the water...
region, including the southeastern corner of Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
.
The slopes of the mountain are predominantly east-facing, and it receives somewhat less snowfall than those resorts facing west. Since it does not currently employ snowmaking
Snowmaking
Snowmaking is the production of snow by forcing water and pressurized air through a "snow gun" or "snow cannon", on ski slopes. Snowmaking is mainly used at ski resorts to supplement natural snow. This allows ski resorts to improve the reliability of their snow cover and to extend their ski...
equipment, the ski area is entirely dependent upon the (usually) ample natural snowfall, and therefore often opens several weeks later than most other resorts in Utah. "The Beav" is located 27 miles (43 km) northeast of Logan, just a mile (1.6 km) off of US-89, the Logan Canyon
Logan Canyon
Logan Canyon is a canyon that cuts its way through the Bear River Mountains, a branch of the Wasatch Range, in northeastern Utah. The canyon is popular for both summer and winter activities, especially rock-climbing, hiking, camping, fishing, snowmobiling, and skiing, at the Beaver Mountain ski...
Scenic Byway, a national scenic byway
National Scenic Byway
A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for its archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and/or scenic qualities. The program was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often...
. The Idaho border (42nd parallel) is less than 3 miles (5 km) north.
Beaver Mountain Facilities
Facilities at Beaver include a day lodge with grill restaurant, a full-service ski rental operation and a ski shop. While alpine skiingAlpine skiing
Alpine skiing is the sport of sliding down snow-covered hills on skis with fixed-heel bindings. Alpine skiing can be contrasted with skiing using free-heel bindings: Ski mountaineering and nordic skiing – such as cross-country; ski jumping; and Telemark. In competitive alpine skiing races four...
and snowboarding
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the U.S.A...
are the most popular activities, there is a dedicated area for Nordic
Nordic skiing
Nordic skiing is a winter sport that encompasses all types of skiing where the heel of the boot cannot be fixed to the ski, as opposed to Alpine skiing....
(cross-country)
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
skiers near the base.
Beaver Mountain Lifts
The Little Beaver Lift (a double chair) serves primarily beginner terrain. Runs originating from the top of the Little Beaver Lift include "Little Beaver," "Tiny Tim," and access to the "Goat Trail" cat track, from which access can be had to the "Beaver Face Lift" and "Harry's Dream Lift," further up the slope.The Beaver's Face Lift (double) serves only intermediate and advanced runs. The first chairlift on the mountain, it was originally opened in late 1961.
Harry's Dream Lift (triple) was a double chair from January 1970 until March 2006. Already slated for replacement, a failed bearing closed the lift for the balance of the season. Over the summer and fall, the entire lift was replaced by a more modern triple chair for the 2006-07 season. Harry's Dream terminates near the summit of Beaver Mountain, with fabulous views of the surrounding countryside. All types of terrain served are served by this lift, which also provides the only way to access the base of Marge's Triple Lift (q.v.). The lift is named after Harold Seeholzer, the founder of the ski area who died of cancer in April 1968.
Marge's Triple Lift provides access to a half-dozen intermediate and advanced runs, as well as the larger of two terrain parks on the mountain. Marge is the daughter-in-law of the founder, married to his second son, Ted. The couple has owned the area since 1997; Ted was previously the general manager and Marge handled ticket sales.
External links
- Ski the Beav.com - official site
- Ski Utah.com - Beaver Mountain