Greg, I envy you. Utah is great. Our family used to ski Alta every year way back when. Awesome. Started out skiing on the wall of the Cuyahoga River near Cleveland, moved UP to Ellicottville, NY, Moved even UPPer to Boyne Mtn, MI, the way UP to Vermont's Mt Snow, Jay Peak, and Stow, Then WAY WAY UP to the ALPS, and finally alit at Alta. At last I found perfection.
Can't beat the Rockies.

On straps, when I was living in Vail I was an Apres Ski Entertainer. At the time I was doing a solo. On the way down the mountain to go to work I caught an edge, put my hands out to help break the fall, and whap, there went the thumb. The left thumb.., the one used on the frets of the guitar.
Taped it up, took lots of pain pills, but couldn't stop tears running down my cheeks, So, spent the hours singing sad folk music. It seemed to work. Everyone thought I was really emotional. ha ha
Rick