Powder to the Puck: Salt Lake Ski & Hockey Itinerary
Experience the ultimate winter getaway in Salt Lake City. Carve legendary powder in the Cottonwood Canyons by day and catch Utah Mammoth NHL action by night.
In Utah, you don’t have to choose between cheering on your favorite sports team and world-class alpine adventure. Salt Lake City provides landmark establishments, top-rated dining and creative culture, four major professional sports franchises, plus 10 world-class resorts within an hour of its international airport.
Running from October through April, the Utah Mammoth NHL season perfectly mirrors peak winter on the slopes, allowing diehard fans and visiting supporters to carve fresh powder by day and cheer alongside an electric, thunderous crowd in Salt Lake’s Delta Center by night.
Ice Age Roots, Coffee & Mammoth Hockey
10 Miles
Start your morning getting to know Salt Lake City’s caffeinated brew scene, sipping locally roasted espresso against the crisp backdrop of snow-draped peaks. Before the energy of game day takes over, connect with Utah's deep prehistoric roots at the Natural History Museum of Utah. Long before the Utah Mammoth took to the ice, real ice-age giants—like the famous Huntington Mammoth—roamed these exact valleys, leaving behind a rich fossil legacy that shapes the state's modern identity. In the evening, step into the electric atmosphere of the Delta Center downtown to cheer on the Utah Mammoth. The arena's local food scene ensures you won't go hungry, featuring over 30 regional vendors serving up everything from Cubby’s gourmet burgers and J.Dawgs Polish-style hot dogs to Maxwell’s hand-tossed pizza and Hires Big H root beer freezes.
Where to Stay: Salt Lake City
Deep Powder & Alpine Heights
70 Miles
Take the 35-minute drive or hop on the UTA Ski Bus to Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC) for your first taste of Utah’s legendary alpine terrain. Home to Alta Ski Area and Snowbird, Little Cottonwood offers some of the best steep-and-deep terrain in North America. Snowboarders and skiers alike can carve through wide-open powder bowls, conquer sharp chutes, or zip through North America’s only ski tunnel at Snowbird, while pure traditionalists can enjoy Alta’s skier-only slopes and historic runs like High Rustler. At Snowbird, you can refuel at The Summit, a 23,000-square-foot lodge sitting at 11,000 feet atop Hidden Peak, where local-inspired dishes are served with sweeping 360-degree views of the Wasatch Range. After a full day on the slopes, soothe sore muscles in the rooftop hot tub at Snowbird’s Cliff Spa or enjoy "appy hour" cocktails at The Aerie before heading back downtown for fine dining at Valter’s Osteria. (Read: Cozy Salt Lake Dining Spots)
Where to Stay: Salt Lake City
Big Cottonwood Canyons & Fireside Yurt Dining
70 Miles
Head up neighboring Big Cottonwood Canyon (BCC) to explore Brighton Resort or Solitude Mountain Resort. The accessibility and charm of BCC make it a favorite for powderhounds looking for uncrowded runs and diverse terrain. Brighton boasts a deep ski school tradition, expansive terrain parks and the powdery playground of Milly Bowl, while Solitude offers a picturesque European-style village and hidden powder stashes in Honeycomb Canyon. As the sun sets behind the peaks, trade your ski boots for snowshoes and embark on a starlit trek to The Yurt at Solitude, where a multi-course, fireside gourmet meal awaits under the winter sky. If you prefer to stay on the snow, you can strap in for night skiing at Brighton, where 200 acres of lit terrain keep the adrenaline going long past dusk.
Where to Stay: Salt Lake City
Explore the City
30 Miles
Round out your winter getaway with a relaxed exploration of Salt Lake City’s creative culture and vibrant neighborhoods. Stroll through the walkable 9th and 9th or Sugar House districts to hunt down colorful street art murals, browse independent boutiques, and enjoy a slow brunch at a downtown café. Craving a little more ice time before heading home? Take a spin on an area ice rink. Centrally located in downtown Salt Lake City, the Gallivan Center Ice Rink shines with holiday lights, crisp outdoor air and the heartbeat of the city. Want to relive some Olympic history? The Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns (used during the 2002 Winter Olympics) offers the opportunity to skate on a 400-meter oval that holds more Olympic world records than anywhere else. And of course, the Utah Mammoth Ice Center in Sandy (the official headquarters for Utah’s professional hockey team) offers community ice skating for visitors looking to skate where the pros train.
Utah Sports
Professional, college and minor-league sports teams in Utah provide year-round entertainment.
Stories to Inspire Your Travel
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A Winter Retreat
Although it is located only a few miles from the urban hustle and bustle of Salt Lake City, the Big Water Yurt feels light years away. Located at the top of Millcreek Canyon, the yurt is open only in winter and the only way to get to it is by ski, snowshoe or fat bike.
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5 Reasons Utah's Weather Guy Loves Spring Skiing
Here’s some of the scientific evidence to support the assertion that spring could be the best time to ski or snowboard in Utah.
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How to Photograph Snowflakes — Nature’s Fleeting Work of Art
Where there’s snow, there’s magic. Snowflake photography offers a microscopic peek at the pristine beauty of nature — whether you’re deep in Wasatch Mountain wilderness or steps outside a Salt Lake City hotel door.
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Best Spots to Get Olympic Spirit
Just because the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games are in the past doesn’t mean that the Utah Olympic spirit is has been snuffed out. Athletes still train here, and ski schools in Utah resorts might be the start of a future Olympian’s career.
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Cozy Salt Lake Dining Spots
Find you perfect après-ski spots to fill up.
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Winter Yurt Dining: A Cozy, Culinary Escape in the Heart of the Mountains
Explore six locations enriched with solitude and winter charm.
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In the Key of Ski
A video tribute to the Utah Symphony musicians finding inspiration and rich notes in the mountains.
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11 More Utah Winter Experiences Outside the Ski Resorts
No matter your level of adventure, you will find good reason to save some time for a day away from the resort.
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Powder Pups to the Rescue
Four furry friends help the Solitude Ski Patrol do their duties.
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A Utah Ski Vacation (or Two) for Less
Shop for ski gear like a local. Get discounts on lift tickets. Learn everything you need to know for a cheap luxury ski trip.
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5 Festive Activities to Brighten Your Utah Ski Holiday
Planning a holiday ski escape to Utah? Here's five festive activities to brighten your travels and raise the bar on holiday spirit.
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Top Ski Towns in Utah
The best ski towns in Utah tout easy access to The Greatest Snow on Earth®, along with lively culture, fine dining and off-mountain activities.
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Golfing Among Dinosaurs and Waterfalls
Explore four unexpected and unconventional golf courses located throughout Utah.
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Salt Lake City: A Place to Play
Utah Symphony musicians say the state's one-two punch of arts and recreation is hard to beat.
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A Mom’s Take On Sharing Skiing With the Next Generation
For many families in Utah, skiing is a way of life that is passed down from generation to generation. A woman expecting her first child reflects on her family’s multi-generational skiing connection to Utah’s mountains and how she will pass down the tradition while living out of state.
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Brian Head to Zion: Your Best Spring Break Ever
Just a few hours south of Salt Lake City, your family can experience two seasons in one trip. From skiing at Brian Head to biking in the desert, this giant playground offers canyoneering, glamping and hiking, all in one unforgettable adventure.
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Best Après Ski Bars in Park City and Beyond
Want to master the art of après? Here’s your guide to the best après-ski bars in Park City and the Wasatch Front.
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Family and Budget Guide to the One and Only Ski City: Salt Lake
With 11 family-friendly resorts nearby, Salt Lake City skiing, dining and entertainment options make Utah one of the best ski destinations in the western U.S.
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A Cauldron of Continuing Olympic Fervor
Since hosting the 2002 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, in many ways the Olympic spirit and world-class athletes that seized Utah have never left.
