The Best Damn Craphouse In The West.

It’s a cliché to say that everything in America is bigger and better. Well, when it comes to mountain facilities, they are. At least, they are in Snowbasin mountain resort.

Without wanting to single any one nation out, such as France. Were you to go to a European resort and enjoy a spot of refreshment on the piste, then require a modicum of relief before resuming on your merry (literally) way, you might find yourself in a European style ‘pissoire’. We've all been there, but for those not fortunate enough to have sampled the delights of these establishments let me set the scene.

Firstly, one is greeted by a smell that one would usually associate with far more temperate conditions than those found at the top of a frozen alp. Then of course there’s the gnomic local type who scowls menacingly at you on the way in. He will demand at least a euro for the honour of utilising his little hole in the floor, hit or miss. There may be washing facilities, but they will be ice cold and lack any soap or drying equpiment.

If you suddenly decide you need another little post-repast trickle before leaping into the unknown once again, the resident cave dweller will demand a further deposit into his little saucer, which, for appearances he keeps sprinkled with a smattering of five cent coins in an attempt to make you feel guilty.

Contrast this then with the opulence pictured above. Free to use, spacious, marble floored, oak panelled tinkle-emporiums. A host of private booths for the weary boarder to relax in. Scented air conditioning that removes any beastly malodorous residue. The washrooms, replete with fresh soap, warm water and full size polished mirrors for which to adjust the look before returning to the excellent dining rooms above and what’s this? hand towels, tissues and moisturiser. It's all to much.

Why can’t every hillside chop houses be this nice? Thank you Snowbasin, it’s been a pleasure.

* the picture above is by design limited to an unused section of the toilet facilities, for reasons of taste and decorum.

p.s. The resturants have chandaliers.

Rhodri.