SALT LAKE CITY — Skiers and recreators headed to the Utah mountains to celebrate the New Year were welcomed with several inches of fresh powder Wednesday, while valleys got a mix of snow and rain.
Brighton Resort received 20 inches of snow in the last 24 hours and Solitude was not far behind with 18 inches of fresh powder.
Alta and Snowbasin got a foot of new snow and Sundance got 14 inches.
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Little Cottonwood Canyon was closed early Wednesday morning as crews worked to mitigate avalanche danger.
The canyon was reopened just before 8:30 a.m. and cars lined up early, eager with passengers wanting a taste of fresh powder.
The Utah Department of Transportation warned drivers to be prepared for congestion at the mouth of the canyon and expect uphill travel delays.
Just before noon, officials reported delays for ski buses could stretch from one to two hours due to heavy congestion in the canyon and "multiple" accidents causing standstill traffic.
Officials also reminded that all cars that go up must come down, so be prepared for even more traffic in the afternoon.
Avalanche danger for many Utah mountains was increased to "high" Wednesday morning. Avalanche experts say the continuous snow and strong winds have made for treacherous conditions.
The fresh layer of snow comes as Utahns prepare for New Year's Weekend, heading to the mountains to ring in 2023.
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Meanwhile, Utah valley's saw a mix of rain and snow, making for icy driving conditions.
The stormy conditions are expected to last through Wednesday, with a little break Thursday before more active weather makes its way into Utah over the weekend.
