Utah has it all, from expensive resorts to small local hills with only day-use amenities, hundreds of hectares of skiable terrain, large mountains, and everything in between. In comparison to other ski destinations, Utah might be a very reasonable option.
Salt Lake City is the heart of Utah skiing. While no ski resorts are located directly in the city, eight of Utah’s greatest ski resorts are within an hour’s drive. Park City, located approximately 40 minutes outside of Salt Lake City, is a major ski town with Park City and Deer Valley ski slopes right on its doorstep.
While Utah skiing has some of the most demanding courses, it’s also a terrific area to learn to ski or snowboard, with a variety of terrain suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.
Park City
This enormous resort has it all, from terrific slopes (with 330 routes spread across more than 7,300 acres) to a really lovely mountain village suitable for unwinding after a long and intense day. When you’re ready to change out of your ski boots for regular boots and take a trip down Main Street, you’ll find a lovely street lined with businesses and a vibrant après-ski scene. Later, enjoy a free ski tour of the town’s mining heritage, where you’ll see antique mining structures strewn across the resort.
Park City is one of the country’s largest ski resorts, with a lot more to offer than just skiing. Park City Mountain and Park City Canyons, the resort’s two ski areas, offer varied but largely intermediate terrain. Its Old West mining town features a plethora of winter attractions, as well as a never-ending supply of entertainment and eateries. Sleigh rides and the Alpine coaster are available in town, and tubing and bobsledding are available at Utah Olympic Park, which is only a short drive away. Because it is a popular destination for families and large parties, the resort can draw large crowds.
Snowbasin
Family-friendly Snowbasin, located less than an hour north of Salt Lake City, has 3,000 acres of large mountain skiing with 106 tracks and 11 lifts reaching 3,000 vertical feet. The 2002 Winter Olympic Men’s and Women’s Downhill, Combined, Super-G, and Paralympic races were held at Snowbasin, which has been inviting skiers since 1940.
Snowbasin isn’t only for experts: it’s an all-around resort for all abilities, with 50% of the trails rated as intermediate. Their three terrain parks are also suitable for beginners and intermediates. Littlecat, Blue Grouse, and Orson’s are three excellent terrain parks, each catering to different levels of boarders and freestylers.
The hill is dominated by blue and black slopes, which include everything from steep tree runs to open bowls and groomed lines. Green streams flow down the mountain’s lower slopes, eventually reaching the main base lodge. Nine lifts, including a gondola and a tram, are strategically spaced across the mountain, and lift lineups are uncommon.
The restaurants and day lodges are stunning log structures with lofty ceilings and wooden beams, massive stone fireplaces, walls of windows, and massive chandeliers.
Alta
Alta is a skiers-only resort, so unless you’re a snowboarder, you’ll be able to enjoy all of the resort’s famous steeps, chutes, and tree runs. However, there is terrain for all levels, and the mountain has a welcoming atmosphere. Alta bills itself as a’ski area,’ not a resort, so there aren’t many restaurants, retail, or après-ski options. With only two base areas connected by a transfer tow, the base is relatively small. The Wildcat base location is closer to advanced trails, while the Albion base area is closer to beginner-friendly terrain. You can upgrade to the AltaBird pass and ski across to neighbouring Snowbird if you want additional skiing.
The five lodges at the mountain’s base provide easy access to the slopes, with some even including meals. There are additional condos in the resort’s vicinity that are only a few minutes’ drive from the slopes. Stay in Salt Lake City if you don’t mind the commute and want to save money on lodging. It’ll take you 30 minutes to get there, but you’ll have more nightlife, dining, and shopping alternatives.
Snowbird
With steep terrain and world-class powder that typically lasts into May, Snowbird is definitely for the daring. Mineral Basin, on the mountain’s backside, is home to all of the snow bowls, chutes, and cliffs. It boasts some unusual lift systems, including an aerial tram that runs directly to the summit and a tunnel with a conveyer belt that connects the two mountain sides. There are a few restaurants and pubs, but Snowbird’s base area is primarily made up of a few hotel structures. Skiers can use the AltaBird pass to gain access to Alta, which has superior beginner-friendly terrain.
At the mountain’s base, there are four hotel options. The Cliff Lodge is located near the Aerial Tram and the beginner’s area on the resort’s west end. The other three lodges are closer to the lifts and more centrally positioned in the base area. Between Snowbird and Alta, there are condos that are just a 5-minute drive from the slopes. Salt Lake City hotel is just a 30-minute drive away and offers a variety of dining, shopping, and nightlife opportunities.
Deer Valley Resort
With 2,026 acres spread across six mountains, 103 immaculately groomed lines, and 21 lifts, Deer Valley is a luxury ski-only resort. Deer Valley offers a wide range of amenities, including a curbside ski valet, gratis ski and gear storage, and free parking. Free ski excursions with the resort’s Mountain Hosts are available, as are free trials of the latest gear at the Rossignol High Performance Test Center.
The amount of lift tickets sold each day at Deer Valley is limited, so you’ll never feel crowded on the slopes. For an extra cost, you can sign up for the resort’s half- or full-day Ski with a Champion experience if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to glide beside an Olympian.
Go out with an Olympic athlete to hone your skills, or take a complimentary ski trip to familiarise yourself with the mountain and learn about its history. Later, leave your skis in the resort’s complimentary ski storage and go directly to supper or a drink without worrying about where to keep your gear.
Sundance Mountain Resort
Actor Robert Redford purchased the land in 1969 and established this resort south of Salt Lake City. With 450 acres and 42 slopes, the ski hill is small by Utah ski resort standards, but it offers a full variety of black, blue, and green runs, as well as first-class service and amenities, including a ski school.
Enjoy a supper in the Tree Room, where you’ll be surrounded by Native American art from Redford’s personal collection, or go on a winter ZipTour, which will take you 65 miles per hour over Mount Timpanogos for an unrivalled sensation. Sign up for a free mountain tour to learn the ins and outs of the slopes, or try night skiing before bed (a large portion of the mountain is open for skiing many nights each week).
With wooden and log-style accommodations and restaurants, the resort has a basic, rustic charm. The scenery is breathtaking, and the mood is quaint to say the least.
Powder Mountain
Powder Mountain is the farthest away from Salt Lake City on this list, but its massive terrain may be worth the trek. With the greatest skiable terrain in North America and daily ticket sales limited to 1,500, you can expect an uncrowded experience. Although the backcountry area served by snowcats is geared toward the more experienced, there are trails for everyone. Powder Mountain does lack restaurants, housing, stores, and off-slope activities, so if that’s what you’re looking for, this isn’t the place for you.
The resort’s lodging options are limited, however there are ski-in/ski-out cabins in the Lefty’s Canyon area. Small communities like Wolf Creek and Eden, which are about a 15-20 minute drive away, have more lodging alternatives. Eden has a limited amount of dining alternatives, although Ogden, roughly a 30-minute drive away, has a plethora of restaurants and shopping.
Solitude Mountain
It’s a peaceful spot near the end of Big Cottonwood Valley, with 80 runs and three bowls spread out over 1,200 acres, as the name says.
This mountain resort, which was founded by a uranium mining entrepreneur in the 1950s, offers 1,200 acres and 80 varied slopes for skiing and snowboarding.
For those seeking a challenge, this is one of Utah’s top ski resorts. While there are some beginner trails, this mountain is better suited to intermediate and advanced/expert skiers and snowboarders (90 percent of the trails are rated intermediate or advanced/expert). Again, wide-open intermediate and novice runs dominate, while those searching for more of a challenge can find it in Honeycomb Canyon. When you’re not skiing, take a walk along the resort’s Nordic paths, which cover more than 12 miles of wintery isolation. Skiing is free for children under the age of four.
Brighton
Brighton is roughly 45 minutes from Salt Lake City, beyond Solitude Ski Resort, up Big Cottonwood Canyon. It’s all about the skiing and boarding at this resort, not the après ski scene. This is a great area to visit for a day on the mountain.
With little over 1,000 acres of skiable terrain and almost 42 feet of snow per season, this mountain appeals to skiers of all abilities. Advanced skiers will find lots of ungroomed terrain and powder, but those who prefer groomers will not be disappointed.
The on-hill equipment is one of Brighton’s key benefits over some of the other mountains in the vicinity. High-speed quads, a triple, and a magic carpet provide access to all of the greatest terrain. This allows you to quickly build up some substantial vertical.
From early December to early March, children under the age of ten ski for free, and night skiing is provided every night of the week except Sundays.
The SolBright Trail connects Brighton and Solitude. SolBright tickets are available for both resorts.