Utah Ski and Snow Sports

Utah is home to 14 world-class ski & snowboard resorts, 11 located within an hour of Salt Lake City International Airport. Collectively, Utah's resorts are home to over 26,000 skiable acres of the most accessible terrain in North America. With an average of 500 inches of the lightest, driest powder snow blanketing its pristine slopes each winter, Utah is known worldwide for the Greatest Snow on Earth®! Because most of Utah's resorts lie in such close proximity to each other, it's easy for visitors to ski several resorts during one vacation. Whether you're a novice or an expert looking to ski immaculate, corduroy-groomed slopes or bottomless, deep powder, Utah resorts offer it all. For more information on Utah ski areas, please visit www.skiutah.com.

Northern Utah Resorts

The majority of Utah's ski resorts are found in the Wasatch Mountain Range, which runs north-south for about 160 miles from from near Utah's border with Idaho to Central Utah. The Wasatch Mountains are considered the western-most range of the Rocky Mountains, and the eastern boundary of the Great Basin region. Their position near the Great Salt Lake, as well as being the first major mountain range between the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and the Rocky Mountains are key to understanding why the Wasatch Mountains are consistently blessed with the Greatest Snow on Earth®! Along with some of the greatest average annual snow totals in the country, the Wasatch Area ski resorts are some of the most easily accessible. From the Salt Lake City International Airport, you could be skiing or snowboarding seven world-class ski resorts in about a half-hour drive!  

Salt Lake City Area Resorts

Alta Ski Area

With its first lift opening all the way back in 1939, Alta is one of the oldest ski resorts in the United States. It represents a strong tradition of skiing culture, and prides itself as being one of only three skiing-only resorts remaining in the country. More than 500 inches of average annual snowfall grace its 2,200 acres of fantastic terrain and scenic beauty. The mountain boasts 2,020 vertical feet, which begin at its base elevation of 8,530 feet to its summit at 10,550 feet.

Well-known as a family-friendly mountain resort, 40% of its terrain is ideal for beginner and intermediate level skiers. Advanced and expert skiers will find endless, exciting steeps to satiate their appetites for great snow and exciting runs all day long.

For more information on Alta Ski Area, please visit www.alta.com.

Brighton Resort

Opening its first rope-tow in 1936, Brighton Resort is Utah's first ski resort. It has maintained a low-key style with some shopping, dining, and lodging, but with a noticeable emphasis on its great skiing and snowboarding trails. Brighton Resort is truly a local's favorite. Its varied terrain is blanketed by an average of more than 500 inches of average annual snowfall and is complemented by easy access to loads of amazing backcountry terrain, which has been showcased in countless ski and snowboard videos and magazines.

At 8,755 feet above sea level, Brighton Resort has the highest base elevation of any of the Salt Lake City area ski resorts, which ensures abundant, high quality snowfall. With a summit elevation of 10,750 feet, the mountain rises 1,750 vertical feet. The mountain spans over 1,050 acres and is suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.

In addition to Brighton's several terrain parks and halfpipe, it offers 200 acres of night skiing from 4-9 PM, M-Sat.

For more information on Brighton Resort, please visit www.brightonresort.com.

Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort

Rising 3,240 vertical feet to its summit at 11,000 feet above sea level, Snowbird is one BIG mountain. It's well-known by expert skiers and snowboarders across the globe for its untamed, wild terrain full of bowls and chutes, and steep runs that seem to endlessly unfurl themselves. Catch the Bird (local's nickname for Snowbird) on a powder day and you are in for a treat. Snowbird's aerial tram zooms skiers and snowboarders to the top of Hidden Peak, nearly 3,000 vertical feet, in just ten minutes. 

After a few trams runs, you'll likely find yourself in the tram plaza just trying to catch your breath. Here is a place where you'll discover that you are spending a lot more time on (or under) the snow than you are on the chairlift.  

On an average season, Snowbird's 2,500 acres of terrain are covered beneath 500+ inches of snow. While Snowbird is well-known for its steep, challenging terrian, beginners and intermediates will also find plenty of terrain they can enjoy. Snowbird's season can sometimes stretch as late as the 4th of July.

After an exhilarating and exhausting day on the slopes at Snowbird, the iconic Cliff Lodge awaits for rest, relaxation, food, drink, and entertainment. The views from your room will be breathtaking. There are three fine dining options availabe, including the Aerie, Snowbird's flagship restaurant, which offers a lounge, sushi bar, and live music . In addition, the Cliff Spa is one of the finest of its kind in the US.

For more information on Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, please visit www.snowbird.com.

Solitude Mountain Resort

If one was to describe Solitude's personality type, they might use a description, such as, "well-adjusted," or, "balanced." While this mountain is in no short supply of wide-open bowls and steep chutes, 50% of the terrain is rated as intermediate. It really does offer a nice mix of terrain for people of all abilities and a slow, laidback atmosphere. Aptly named, "Solitude Mountain Resort," this mountain is a place to ski or snowboard, be relaxed, and stand in minimal lift lines, or more likely, none at all.

Like the other Salt Lake City Area Resorts, Solitude receives 500+ inches of average annual snowfall. From an elevation of 10,035 feet, at the mountain's summit, to its base at 7,988 feet, is a well-rounded mix of beautiful terrain, from perfectly groomed gentle cruising runs and gladed tree runs, to wide open bowls and steep chutes in its Honeycomb Canyon area. For adventurous skiers and snowboarders, Honeycomb Canyon conjures the feeling of a true backcountry experience within the resort's boundaries.

Solitude provides lodging, fine dining options, and apres-ski in its European-styled pedestrian area called, "The Village." Adventurous diners who are up for a five-course meal prepared right before their eyes could choose to take a 3/4 mile snowshoe or XC ski journey to, "The Yurt."

For more information on Solitude Mountain Resort, please visit, www.skisolitude.com.

Park City Area Resorts

Canyons Resort

With 4,000 acres of skiable terrain, which includes 182 trails and 19 lifts, including two gondolas, Canyons Resort is Utah's largest ski resort. The resort encompasses eight peaks and 3,190 feet of vertical rise. Everything from steep bowls and chutes, glades of aspen and pine, six curvy natural halfpipes full of unexpected features, a terrain park with more jumps in one run than any other in Utah (1.1 miles of them), and immaculate groomers in a truly beautiful setting are found at Canyons. To top it off, on an average season, Canyons Resort receives more than 350 inches of light, dry Utah powder, the Greatest Snow on Earth®!

In 2010, Canyons implemented major upgrades to the entire resort. Two new high-speed quads were added, including the Orange Bubble Express, the first chairlift in North America with heated seats. The resort offers many fantastic dining options, including, "The Farm at Canyons," which was named the best new restaurant in Utah in 2012. The luxurious lodging Canyons come with beautiful views of the surrounding Wasatch Mountains.

After arriving at the Salt Lake City International Airport, you could be skiing or snowboarding epic Utah powder at Canyons Resort in just 30 minutes! In addition, being situated just four miles from Old Town, Park City, an excellent apres-ski experience is almost guaranteed!

For more information on Canyons Resort, please visit www.canyonsresort.com.

Deer Valley Resort

Quality of service, flawless amenities, and don't forget fantastic skiing - these are just a few of the reasons why Deer Valley Resort, located just minutes east of Park City, has been named the #1 ski resort in North America by the readers of SKI Magazine five years in a row. Deer Valley is "committed to providing a level of care rarely found at a ski resort, delivering classic, consistent and quality service both on and off the mountain."

Since 1981, Deer Valley has guaranteed its customers a ski experience like no other. Whether it is capping the amount of skiers on mountain, offering fantastic food, providing luxurious lodging options, or those flawlessly maintained runs, skiing at Deer Valley means your interest in having the best ski vacation possible is being looked out for.

Featuring 21 lifts, 100 runs, and 3,000 vertical feet of varied terrain, Deer Valley's skiable acreage has excellent fall lines, manicured glens of aspen, all with that famous Utah powder! For more information on skiing at Deer Valley go to www.deervalley.com.

Park City Mountain Resort

In 2002, Park City Mountain Resort set the stage for the Olympic Winter Games' alpine giant slalom and snowboarding halfpipe events. Park City offers 3,300 acres of skiable terrain for skiers and riders of all abilities. Spread over eight peaks, including nine bowls, whether you're interested in skiing beautiful, wide open runs, or carving powder snow on its bounty of off-piste terrain to challenge and thrill the most advanced of skiers and snowboarders, Park City has something for everyone.

Attracting top pro skiers and snowboarders from around the world, Park City's terrain parks have often been considered some of the best in the country. Throughout each season, they are host to instructional camps and competitive events. The Eagle Superpipe, with its flawless 22 foot transition, is one of the most perfectly engineered in the world.

Old Town, Park City is at the immediate base of Park City Mountain Resort. After your 30 minute drive or shuttle from the Salt Lake City International Airport, you could be easily walking from your lodge to the lift each morning. Alive with shops, restaurants, and lively après ski options, Park City is the perfect setting for a complete ski vacation.

For more information, visit www.parkcitymountain.com.

Ogden Area Resorts

Powder Mountain Resort

Powder Mountain Resort is a hidden gem. Here's the secret: Powder Mountain receives huge average annual snow totals each year - 500 inches! This is the place to go a week after a storm to ride powder as good as the day it fell. PowMow's (locals' nickname for it) inbounds terrain is just the tip of the iceberg.

While Powder Mountain resort offers 2,800 acres of lift served terrain, it also offers the "Powder Country Shuttle," a converted school bus, to 1,200 acres of steep, tree skiing and snowboarding and 700 additional acres served by the Lightning Ridge Snowcat. To top it off, Powder Mountain offers the Snowcat Powder Safari, another 3,000 acres of pristine bowls, glades, and chutes, as well as the DMI/Wolf Canyon Tours, which accesses an additional 1,000 acres of terrain with 3,000 vertical feet of "wide open bowls, thick trees, and steep chutes." All told, 7,000 acres of terrain are accessible within and/or from Powder Mountain Resort, that's the most skiable acreage of any ski resort in North America.

Ski in/ski out lodging is available at Powder Mountain. At the base of Powder Mountain Mountain Road, in the Eden Valley, there are also many lodging options available, a good choice for skiers and snowboarders wanting to be centrally located between the Ogden Area Ski Resorts.

Just 19 miles southeast of Powder Mountain is Ogden, which offers shopping, fine dining, and lively après ski.

For more information on Powder Mountain Resort, please visit www.powdermountain.com.

Snowbasin

When most people think of a ski vacation in Utah, they tend to overlook a fantastic destination and, for the time being, that's a part of what makes locals want the Snowbasin secret kept. Snowbasin's appeal really comes alive for locals in the know while they are still tearing up fresh powder several days after the last storm. But the cat got out of the bag in 2002, when Snowbasin hosted the Winter Olympic Games' downhill, super G, and combined races.

Snowbasin is a huge mountain offering 3,000 acres of - "Wide-open bowls, gladed runs, manicured groomers, powder stashes days after a storm, and rarely a lift line" - and it's true. The resort has a nice mix of terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. From beautifully manicured groomers to extreme chutes and bowls surrounded by breathtaking scenery, Snowbasin's got it, 3,000 vertical feet of it. On top of it all, the resort is just 36 miles northeast of the Salt Lake City International Airport.

Located just 17 miles from historic downtown Ogden, and being just a short drive from Park City, shopping, fine dining, and lively après-ski is very close by.

When considering your next Utah ski vacation, you might think again!

For more information, please visit http://www.snowbasin.com/.

Wolf Mountain

Wolf Mountain, located in beautiful Ogden Valley, is the perfect place to learn to ski, snowboard, or bring the entire family and enjoy The Greatest Snow on Earth®!

The resort is known for its quality of service and well-groomed runs. The resort offers terrain comfortable for a variety of skill levels - 20 percent for beginners, 50 percent intermediate, and 20 percent advanced. Wolf Mountain also excellent night skiing. Beginners will enjoy the Magic Carpet: "a conveyer belt lift ideal for those learning to ski." Wolf Mountain also has an exciting terrain park called Wolf's Lair, which features over 40 rail and snow features, for those who wish to experience freestyle skiing or snowboarding.

Wolf Mountain has 15 runs, four lifts, on its 110 skiable acres. For more information, go to www.wolfcreekutah.com.

Logan Area Resort

Beaver Mountain

Located in scenic Logan Cayon just mintues from the City of Logan, Beaver Mountain is the northernmost ski area in the state. With its great mix of terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities, Beaver Mountain is a perfect ski area to take the kids. On an average season, Beaver Mountain receives 400 inches of snowfall. Hit "the Beav" on a powder day and you'll be in for some awesome tree-skiing. Terrain park enthusiasts will enjoy the mountain's two terrain parks.

People frequently comment that they appreciate Beaver Mountain's mellow atmosphere and great affordability. A full-day ticket at Beaver Mountain is just $45.00, one of the least expensive ski areas in Utah. En route to Beaver Mountain from the Logan Area, you'll be driving through the scenic Logan Canyon. The natural beauty of the entire Beaver Mountain area is worth the drive alone!

For more information on Beaver Mountain, please visit www.skithebeav.com.

Provo Area Resort

Sundance

Sundance Resort sits in a magical mountainous setting, with the magnificent 12,000 ft. Mount Timpanogos as its backdrop. The resort offers beginner to expert skiing with terrain suitable for all skill levels. Experts enjoy the steep and the deep in wide open bowls and narrow gladed chutes, while all can enjoy our immaculately groomed slopes. Sundance prides itself "on being a place where families gather and hospitality is a way of life." Special kids programs and a variety of activities keep the family entertained are available.

What makes Sundance truly special are its classic amenities, including the Bearclaw Cabin, with its incredible 360-degree views of the Uinta Mountains and Utah Lake. At the resort base, kick back at the world-famous Owl Bar, or dine at the luxurious Tree Room. The resort also has night skiing and a full-service Nordic Center with daily groomed trails for cross-country enthusiasts.

Sundance Resort has with 42 runs, four lifts, and 2,150 vertical feet, on 450 acres of snow-smothered terrain. For more information, go to www.sundanceresort.com.

Southern Utah Resorts

Brian Head

What makes Brian Head Resort unique? First of all, it is the only Utah resort set in the spectacular red rock grandeur of Southern Utah. Also, it sits atop a high mountain range within close proximity to two national parks (Zion and Bryce), Cedar Breaks National Monument, and it is only 3 hours from the lights of Las Vegas! Brian Head also has a relaxed atmosphere, modern accommodations, and great mountain biking ATV'ing in the summer!

Recently, Brian Head Resort was deemed the only ski/snowboard resort in the U.S. to be a "Top 10 Getaway for Family Travelers" by the Family Travel Forum. Brian Head Resort is open for snowboarding, snow tubing, skiing, and other great winter activities from mid-November until mid-April.

Brian head features 65 ski trails, 8 lifts, and 650 acres of available terrain. Each of the resort's two mountains bases has full-service lodge facilities. For more on skiing scenic Southern Utah at Brian Head Resort visit them at www.brianhead.com.

Eagle Point

In December of 2010, Eagle Point Ski Resort opened, welcoming skiers and snowboarders to its inviting runs in the Tushar Mountains east of Beaver, Utah. The resort features extensively renovated lodges, reconditioned lifts, and an unique, intimate atmosphere.

"We wanted to create a place that would offer more than just great skiing," said Shane Gadbaw, Eagle Point's CEO. "Our goal is also to be family friendly, deliver outstanding dining, amenities and service, and appeal to those who might be looking to get away from the crowds."

Eagle Point has 36 trails that are a mix of beginner, intermediate, and expert terrain, with a half-pipe and significant backcountry opportunities, all taking advantage of an average snowfall of 400 inches per year. Eagle Point is a 3.5 hour drive from Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, and 6-8 hours from Southern California and Phoenix. With quick access from I-15, many of the region's national parks and popular attractions are within a day's striking distance.

For more information visit www.skieaglepoint.com.

Winter Recreation and Fun

For those who love tubing, check out: Snowbasin in Ogden Valley, (888) 437-5488, Soldier Hollow in Heber Valley, (435) 654-2002, and Gorgoza Park, just off of I-80 near Jeremy Ranch, (435) 658-2648. These facilities provide some of the most exciting tubing for family fun. Soldier Hollow and Gorgoza Park are lighted for night tubing.

The Heber Valley Railroad, (435) 654-5601 or (801) 581-9980 (Salt Lake City), chugs through the Heber Valley on weekends, November through March, with a special Polar Express during the holiday season. You can't beat the winter scenery framed by puffs of steam from the great iron horse engines of yesteryear. Reservations are required.

Central Utah

Scofield State Park is a 2,800-acre lake just east of the city of Scofield near the northern edge of the Manti-La Sal National Forest. Park facilities close in late autumn, but in winter, the area functions as a base-camp for cross-country skiing, snowmobile treks, and it is a popular ice fishing area.

Skyline Drive Snowkiting Area up Fairview Canyon is a great spot for snowkiting with plenty of deep snow, steep slopes, and open bowls. No need for a ski lift or resort as your snowkite will pull you uphill and downhill at varying speeds, www.sanpete.com.

Located in the beautiful Fishlake National Forest, Fish Lake offers ice fishing for Mackinaw, Brown, and Rainbow trout, as well as groomed and off-road snowmobile and cross-country skiing trails.

With its awe-inspiring amphitear of snow-rimmed hoodoos reflecting bright hues of orange and red, and intensified by crisp, white snow, Bryce Canyon National Park is a wonderful destination for snowshoeing. At the park visitor center, snowshoes are loaned free on a first-come, first-served basis.

National Ability Center

The National Ability Center based in Park City, offers over twenty adaptive sports opportunities for people of all ages with both physical and developmental disabilities. Program offerings include downhill and cross-country skiing, as well as racer training. With the use of specially-designed adaptive equipment, participants and their families are taught at all skiing levels.

Contact: NAC, PO Box 682799, Park City, UT 84068, voice/TDD, (435) 649-3991, http://www.discovernac.org/.

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