Family and Budget Guide to the One and Only Ski City: Salt Lake
Salt Lake City isn't your regular ski town. It's the only Ski City. With world-class amenities and 10 resorts within an hour of Salt Lake City International Airport, a trip to Ski City can satiate any skier's or snowboarder's bucket list. Best of all, it's family-friendly and budget-friendly. See what makes Utah one of the best ski destinations in the western U.S. for families on a budget. (Read: Top Ski Towns in Utah)
The Family-Friendly Advantages of Ski City
Easy Airport Access: Reach world-class slopes within an hour of landing.
4 Big Mountain Resorts: Explore Alta, Brighton, Snowbird and Solitude.
Après & Downtown Culture: Enjoy kid-friendly dining, museums and holiday light displays.
Olympic Legacy Sites: Ice skate or try curling at the Utah Olympic Oval.
Budget-Friendly Pass Deals: Save with passes like the Ski Utah Passport and Salt Lake Ski Super Pass.
Alta Ski Area
Photo: Scott Markewitz
Alta: For Skiers Only
Alta, a skier's paradise, receives 548 inches of snow per year on average. This powder capital offers challenging terrain as well as great beginner and intermediate skiing options with five lifts accessing 118 runs. With a 2,538-foot vertical drop, you'll find plenty of elevation to get your laps in alongside astonishing Wasatch views.
Lodging & Accommodations
Ski-In/Ski-Out Lodges: Iconic spots like the Alta Lodge, Rustler Lodge and the Peruvian offer cozy fireplaces, gathering spaces, and package deals including breakfast and dinner.
Vacation Rentals: Homes and condos available with convenient shuttle service directly to the lifts.
Budget-Friendly Options: The least expensive options near Alta's slopes are typically dorm-style rooms at the Peruvian Lodge or Goldminer's Daughter.
Base Camp Access: Additional lodging options are located at the base of the Cottonwood Canyons in Cottonwood Heights.
Dining: Options range from savory burrito bowls to quick coffee stops to fine dining at the Collins Grill with memorable 4-course meals.
Brighton Ski Resort
Photo: Jay Dash
Brighton: Family-Friendly Resort
This family-friendly ski and snowboard area is a great place to learn the sport and many locals take their first laps at this resort. With mellow runs and a friendly attitude, Brighton is one of the best family Salt Lake City skiing destinations in the area, frequently drawing younger skiers and snowboarders and families. The 77 runs are accessed from nine different lifts and you'll enjoy 1,745 vertical feet of exploration. The park and super pipe area has 40 rails and boxes, a booming sound system and a 350-foot-long super pipe that's 15 feet deep to practice tricks and catch a little air. Night skiing lets you explore after the sun goes down with 200+ acres of lighted runs.
Lodging & Accommodations
Cabins & Home Rentals: Cozy private cabins and vacation home rentals located directly in the base area.
Brighton Lodge: A 20-room base-area lodge where children under 10 stay free.
Silver Fork Lodge & Restaurant: Big Cottonwood Canyon's only bed and breakfast, located three miles down the road with convenient shuttle service.
Dining: Molly Green's Tavern and places to grab a burger and some nachos. Three miles down the road is the shuttle-served Silver Fork Lodge and Restaurant, Big Cottonwood Canyon's only bed and breakfast.
Snowbird
Photo: Scott Markewitz
Snowbird: For the Adventurers
Absorb Snowbird's extraordinary views as you take the Aerial Tram to the 11,000-foot top of Hidden Peak for 3,240 vertical feet of steep chutes, deep bowls and North America’s only ski tunnel — a 600-foot underground conveyor belt to access Mineral Basin. Don't worry, beginners, intermediate skiers and boarders will find plenty of mellow terrain here too. Take a mountain tour, go snowcat skiing in the Upper American Fork Canyon, go snowshoeing or take a snowmobile tour. With all of these options, there’s something for everyone to create special memories to value for a lifetime.
Lodging & Accommodations
Condos & Mountain-Side Lodges: Experience mountainside lodging just steps away from world-class ski terrain including the Lodge at Snowbird, Inn at Snowbird and iconic Cliff Lodge.
Dining: A variety of dining options from a casual cafe to quick bites and high-alpine cuisine with floor-to-ceiling mountain views.
Solitude Mountain Resort
Photo: Courtesy of Solitude Mountain Resort
Solitude: Skiing, Snowshoe Trails & Campfires
The whole family will enjoy this 1,200-acre resort with 82 runs to explore. Between eight lifts and a 2,494-foot vertical drop with six percent beginner runs, 43 percent intermediate, and 51 percent advanced/expert terrain, everyone is welcome at Solitude Mountain Resort. Spend some peaceful time on 10 km of snowshoe trails or cross-country skiing on 20 km of trails at the Nordic Center. Solitude maintains a European-style village with great accommodations and activities to explore.
Lodging & Accommodations
Alpine Village Lodging & Condos: Lodging options include hotel rooms at The Inn and private condominiums. Guests can enjoy convenient ski-in/ski-out access alongside slopeside amenities like outdoor heated pools, hot tubs and direct proximity to village dining.
Townhomes & Luxury Private Rentals: Spacious, multi-level residences and European-style accommodations make for a perfect weekend ski getaway.
Dining: Enjoy a full range of dining experiences from a multi-course dinner at The Yurt and European comfort food at St. Bernard's, to wood-fired American fare at Honeycomb Grill, Himalayan curries at Roundhouse and other casual slope-side bites for the whole family.
"With world-class amenities and 10 resorts within an hour of Salt Lake City International Airport, a trip to Ski City can satiate any skier's or snowboarder's bucket list."
Stay, Play & Dine Downtown
Staying in Salt Lake City gives you easy access to over 150 hotels and a wide array of other lodging and dining options along the I-15 corridor of Salt Lake County. Or stick to downtown to enjoy an impressive performing arts portfolio, established breweries, a burgeoning craft cocktail scene and great cultural experiences. (Read: Destination Ski City: Culture Élevé)
Navigate the city via public transportation to visit:
Cultural Highlights: Live theatre, performing arts and local craft breweries (Read: The Best Restaurants in Salt Lake City). For a sweet drink to warm the little ones after fun in the snow, check out our hot cocoa crawl itinerary.
Family Outings: Family-friendly ice skating at Gallivan Plaza, holiday light displays at Temple Square, City Creek shopping and Utah Jazz games at the Delta Center.
Free Fare Zone: Visitors to downtown may ride TRAX light rail and buses for free, including between the family friendly ice skating of Gallivan Plaza, the lights of Temple Square, City Creek shopping, and the Delta Center where the Utah Jazz play, and near the children's museum, Discovery Gateway. (Read: Digging Salt Lake City for 48 Hours)
Downtown Salt Lake City offers an impressive performing arts portfolio, established breweries, a burgeoning craft cocktail scene and great cultural experiences.
Set against the Salt Lake City's foothills, the Natural History Museum of Utah contains exhibitions exploring over 150 years of Utah's ancient past.
Alongside its brews, A. Fisher Brewing Company features rotating food trucks, making it a great place to spend an afternoon or evening.
Don't Miss Ski City's Museums & Entertainment
In addition to Salt Lake City skiing, you'll find entertainment galore with world-class amenities and great options for the whole family.
- If you're seeking more outdoor adventure, head out on snowshoes, cross-country skis, or snowmobiles to explore the Wasatch Range, hop on a snow tube, or lace up your skates for some time out on an ice rink. (Read: 10 New Things To Do This Winter)
- The Utah Olympic Oval is the headquarters for the U.S. Olympic Speedskating Team and it offers a wide array of cool ice options from public skating to curling classes for adults and kids ages eight and up. The Olympic Oval is part of a comprehensive Gold Medal Experience that Utah offers, extending 45 minutes north to Snowbasin and 30 minutes east to Park City.
- Spend a day indoors at one of the many museums the area has to offer, including the Natural History Museum of Utah, where you can explore everything from dinosaurs to gems to ancient history and the wonders of the sky, and the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum with 60,000 square feet of fun and interactive hands-on exhibits.
- The Leonardo will engage the whole family with its fascinating blend of science and art, or you might bundle up and see what Red Butte Garden has to offer in winter.
- During the holiday season, Salt Lake City's top tourist attraction, Temple Square, lights up with more than 800,000 Christmas lights.
Discounts & Deals
A big part of what makes Utah home of the best family ski resorts is its affordability:
Ski Utah Passport: 4th, 5th, and 6th graders nationwide can ski or ride 3 days at each of Utah’s 15 resorts for just $69.
Salt Lake Ski Super Pass: Unlocks discounted lift tickets to Alta, Brighton, Snowbird, and Solitude.
Ski Utah Yeti Pass: Gives frequent skiers 1 lift ticket to each Utah resort for less than you’d pay for a single season pass. See more Utah ski deals.
Seniors and military members: Reduced price passes at select Utah resorts.
See more beginner and kid ski deals.
Your Utah Family Winter Adventure
Salt Lake City is the ultimate "Ski City" for families.
Highlights
- Skiing The Greatest Snow on Earth®
- Ice Skating
- Snow Tubing
- Natural History Museum of Utah
- Explore Utah's Olympic Legacy
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
Winter Beyond the Slopes
Utah's winter offers magic beyond skiing. Enjoy a five-day itinerary featuring snowshoeing, tubing, ice skating, spas and cozy bookshops for a perfect non-ski winter vacation.
Highlights
- Salt Lake City
- Natural History Museum of Utah
- Snowbird
- The Cliff Spa
- Solitude Mountain Resort
- Homestead Crater
- Park City
- Woodward Park City
Powder Dreams
A three-day ski vacation itinerary with quick access to some of Utah's best ski resorts for fresh powder.
Highlights
- Cottonwood Canyons Skiing
- Snowbird's Cliff Spa
- Ogden Valley
- Dream Ski Vacation
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Utah's Kid Ski Culture
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Utah’s Factory-to-Slope Culture
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Why Ski School Isn't Just for Beginners: 8 Reasons to Book a Lesson
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