Unlike in the Alps, inter-connecting Canadian and US resorts with one another, even when they share a common boundary, is very rare. Alta and Snowbird in Utah, Stowe and smugglers' Notch in Vermont are among the very few examples.
But now long, long discussed plans to interconnect seven ski areas in Utah look like they just might happen. A press conference due to be staged later today is due to set out the possibilities. That's a milestone in itself as while the idea has long been quietly talked about in darkened room, an official state ski tourism body has never before come out and said in public that it was in favour and drawing up plans.
The idea is of course first and foremost commercially sensible. The combined area would be by far the largest in North America, taking Whistler Blackcomb's long held title there, and would be one it would be difficult for other regions – where ski areas are mostly more widely dispersed – to attempt to emulate.
Despite staging the winter Olympics in 2002, Utah lags way behind other major US skiing nations, most notably Colorado which draws in around three times as many skiers.
Leaks in advance of the press conference which takes place at 9pm tonight, UK time, indicate that the plans have been quietly discussed by the seven resorts for some time and involve connections across private land – this could be crucial as it may mean it can happen quite quickly without the need for length enquiries that would be required if US national forestry land were involved.
The seven areas include the three Park City resorts of Deer Valley, Canyons and Park City Mountain Resort (PCMR), pictured above, along with Alta and Snowbird (which as mentioned are already connected) along with Brighton and Solitude.
The list includes two of the three resorts in the US (and possibly the world) that still ban snowboarders from their slopes – Alta and Deer Valley. It also includes two resorts currently in a legal dispute over land rights – neighbours PCMR and canyons, the latter now run by Vail Resorts.