The Best Day to Ski In Utah
If there’s flexibility in your ski travel dates, consider midweek.
Driving up Little Cottonwood Canyon at 10 a.m. on a Monday for a three-day staycation at the luxe Snowpine Lodge, my husband and I wonder at the natural beauty that sits at the very edges of downtown Salt Lake City. The snow is coming down—again—adding another powder-filled layer to the ski runs and hiking trails tucked throughout this long, steep road that ends at Alta Ski Area. The one thing we don’t see much of is other skiers on their way up the canyon.
While there’s never really a bad time of season to ski in Utah, we’ve cracked the code on which days we can maximize our moments on the mountain. You’ll rarely find an issue mid-morning on a Monday, Tuesday or any other weekday anywhere in Utah, even after a massive storm has washed over the Wasatch Front. This is just one of the joys of midweek skiing. Along with several other advantages, it might make you rethink the timing of your next ski or snowboard vacation.
Ease of Access
Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons—home to Solitude, Brighton, Alta and Snowbird resorts—each feature a scenic byway that stretches from Salt Lake City’s Eastern Bench up into the Wasatch Mountains. The canyons welcome Utah’s deepest deposits of The Greatest Snow on Earth®, with Alta averaging over 548” annually. From downtown Salt Lake, it’s about 30 miles to the tops of the canyons, where the resorts reside. On a weekday, you’re likely just a 40-minute scenic drive to the slopes.
*Caveat: Winter Break in late December, Presidents’ Week in late February and Spring break in early March are popular times to ski throughout the week.
Make your visit to Alta Ski Area even more magical on a weekday when the slopes are less crowded and the powder feels weightless.
Families can teach their kids to ski without the rush of weekend skiers, making for a more relaxed and memorable experience.
From the first chair lift to the last run, Snowbird offers the perfect playground for skiers to challenge themselves.
Fewer Lift, Lunch and Lesson Lines
One of the best reasons to ski midweek is that Utah resorts have fewer guests and, as a result, shorter lift lines. You can check lift wait times for Deer Valley and Snowbird live online to compare. With no waiting, skiers can do “Hot Laps” around Deer Valley, bouncing from Sterling to Quincy and Northside lifts until their legs beg to stop and take a break at Cushing’s Cabin for some turkey chili and hot cocoa, asking themselves, “Where is everybody?”
Although the skiers that are there may be zipping around wearing radiant smiles and shouting, “WooHoo!”—the atmosphere at Utah resorts is much more relaxed midweek. Fewer people are waiting for tickets, rentals or even lunch.
As we did during my recent staycation, after a morning sweeping Alta’s Supreme to Wildcat, skiers can leisurely ride the Snowpine lift (alongside the tow row at Alta) and slide into a seat at The Igloo, a new giant dome on the patio of Snowpine Lodge with floor-to-ceiling views of High Rustler and, arguably, the best Elote Potato in the West. Relax. Enjoy the food. Enjoy the view. Decide whether to go back out or get a day pass for the Stillwell Spa and hang out in the hot tub just steps away.
Reduced crowds at resorts also mean fewer guests taking ski and snowboard lessons. (Read: Ski Lessons in Utah) Mountain school availability is exponentially greater midweek versus weekends or holidays*. Also, with more people enrolling in morning half-day lessons, it’s not uncommon to find a Wednesday afternoon group lesson that results in one-on-one instruction (at the reduced group rate). Midweek is also when some of Utah’s most popular specialty clinics, such as Snowbird’s Women’s Camp, offer terrific options for solo or group travelers.
With less skiers on the mountain, you can spend more time enjoying the resort's beautiful lodges and amenities.
Women skiers can take their skills to the next level with their dedicated Women's Camp and weekly coaching sessions.
Soak in the hot tub at Snowpine Lodge surrounded by stunning mountain views.
Less Money
Midweek skiing in Utah can also cost less. Some resorts, like Brighton, Snowbird, Brian Head and Nordic Valley, offer dynamic pricing, making their online lift tickets cheaper Monday through Friday. Also, paid parking reservations are not required Monday through Thursday mornings (except holidays) at Brighton and Alta, and Monday–Friday at Powder Mountain.
Pro Tip: Tickets at Nordic Valley start at $19.
Even getting here is often cheaper midweek. Flights to and from Salt Lake City International (SLC) and other airports are traditionally less expensive on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Pro Tip: Make money midweek by playing “Mountain Time Arbitrage,” whereby East or West Coast workers use the Mountain Standard Time Zone (MST) to plan their ski [cough, cough], remote work day. When Boston clocks out at 5 p.m., skiers and snowboarders at Brighton (3 pm MST) can start their twilight pass (good for any four hours after 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. Monday–Saturday).
Because of the number and accessibility of Utah’s 15 ski and snowboard resorts, there are numerous ways to enhance the experience. Skiing midweek is one of the easiest. But we didn’t head up Little Cottonwood Canyon for a midweek staycation just to lay down lines. We went to reconnect with nature and each other, and that’s simpler to do when there is less stress and fewer people. Lift lines don’t obscure the expansive mountain views. Clatter and chatter above are replaced by the swish and crunch below our feet. We can hear the horned owl, see the porcupine and feel our partner’s warmth. We smile…on a lift we have all to ourselves. See you next Monday!
Tips for When You Can't Ski Midweek
Weekends and holidays are often the only time many of us can hit the slopes. Fortunately in Utah, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy a great ski day without spending all your time in traffic or lift lines.
Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time on the mountain:
Arrive a little later. Many powder seekers hit the resort first thing. If you can reserve a parking spot in advance, then you can time your arrival after the traffic has settled down. Plus, the last hour before the ski lifts close is often the least crowded time to ski and ride.
Explore different lifts. Many resorts have one or two popular lifts that get all the action. Look at the trail map and find less-obvious lifts that access similar terrain. Often, these can be your secret weapon for finding uncrowded runs.
Ski during the lunch rush. Most people break for lunch around noon. This can be the perfect time to grab a few fast laps while everyone else is warming up inside.
Consider night skiing. If your preferred resort offers it, night skiing can be a fantastic way to enjoy the mountain with smaller crowds and a unique atmosphere.
By thinking creatively about your ski day, you can still find plenty of fresh turns and avoid the biggest crowds, even on the busiest days.
Plan Your Utah Ski Trip
Utah's easy access to The Greatest Snow on Earth® allows for more time on the mountain and easier planning.
01
Ski City Downhill + Downtown
Big city amenities support 10 different resorts within an hour of SLC International, which means the best in downhill meets the best in downtown.
Highlights
- Craft coffee, dining and spirits
- Alta Ski Area or Snowbird Ski Resort
- Solitude Mountain Resort or Brighton Ski Resort
- Performing arts, après-ski and live music
02
Weekender Ski Park City
So you've decided to ski in Park City for a weekend. That decision alone will be rewarded with three resorts that eclipse over 9,000 acres of Utah's renowned skiing and riding.
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- Ski City Urban Lifestyle
- Park City Mountain
- Deer Valley Resort
- Park City Experiences
03
3-Day Itinerary: Ski Under the Stars
Trade the daytime buzz for the quiet enchantment of night skiing in Northern Utah's Wasatch Mountains. This three-stop journey reveals the unique nighttime offerings of Brighton, Powder Mountain and Sundance, each nestled within distinct Northern Utah landscapes.
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