Ski Resorts across Utah
By Lynn Blamires Content Writer for My Local Utah
The ski season is a big deal in Utah. We have light powdery snow that is ideal for skiing. We have several ski resorts in both northern and southern Utah. We even have the phrase “Greatest Snow on Earth” printed on our license plates. Here is a brief look at some ski resorts around the Beehive State.
Perched high upon a stunning location at 9,100 feet in the Tushar Mountains, Eagle Point Resort is Southern Utah’s steepest and deepest ski and snowboard resort. The resort averages 350 annual inches of snow across 650 skiable acres and drops over 1500 vertical feet. Eagle Point offers five lifts and 39 runs with a variety of skiing and snowboard adventures.
Canyonside Lodge Bar & Grill with its high ceilings and rustic mountain ambiance serves casual and fine dining with live music on weekend evenings. In the heart of the village is plentiful ski-in/ski-out lodging.
Eagle Point is a scenic 17-mile drive from downtown Beaver. It is located about three hours south of Salt Lake and three hours north of Las Vegas. Their website is EaglePointResort.com.
Nordic Valley is nestled deep in the heart of the Wasatch Mountains just a few miles from the restaurants, entertainment, and accommodations in Huntsville and Ogden. It is famous for being family-friendly and one of the most affordable of all the resorts. Nordic Valley was named one of the best downhill training ski areas for the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Famous for its night skiing, Nordic Valley has over 80 percent of the mountain under lights. The resort offers 39 runs on over 121 skiable acres serviced by five lifts. The average snowfall is 300 inches and the base is located at 5,400 feet. Visit their website at NordicValley.ski.
Park City Mountain is one of the largest ski resorts in the United States. It is located in the heart of Park City, Utah, and is only steps from historic Main Street. The resort offers 7,300 skiable acres, 330 trails, 43 lifts, 3,200 feet of vertical drop.
The average snowfall is 360 inches and the base is located at 6,400 feet. Park City Mountain offers a variety of choices for great food and drink both on the mountain and off. An extensive variety of lodging can be found in Park City. Learn more at: ParkCityMountain.com.
With nearly 8,500 acres of skiable terrain, Powder Mountain is another one of North America’s largest ski resorts. Nine lifts provide access to 154 runs with a vertical drop of 2,519 feet. The average snowfall is 500 inches and the base is situated at 6,900 feet. The lifts give access to a relatively small portion of the total terrain. Snowcats take you to vast areas of untouched powder.
Powder Mountain offers accommodations on the mountain including cabins, townhomes, chalets, condos, and individual homes capable of housing up to 15 guests. Mountain eats include a pizzeria, a cantina serving Mexican cuisine, a cafeteria, and The Powder Keg, which features gourmet burgers, wings, and salads.
Their Golden Anniversary Celebration will occur on President’s Day, February 19th this year. The 50th birthday will be celebrated with live music, tasty food, and activities on the mountain. More information will be announced on their website: PowderMountain.com/50th/.
Snowbasin Resort is an all-season recreation resort, tucked behind Mt. Ogden in Huntsville, Utah. When the season changes, the resort offers summer activities on Saturdays and Sundays, including the popular Blues, Brews & BBQ free summer concert series. Enjoy award-winning cuisine including a scenic gondola ride to the top of the mountain for dining with spectacular views and magnificent day lodges. Lift-served mountain biking, hiking, and mini-golf are also a part of the mid-year activities.
When Snowbasin does put on her winter attire, the mountain comes alive with the activity of another season. Averaging 300 inches of snow annually and 10 lifts that take you to a choice of 107 runs offering 3,000 feet of vertical drop, it is easy to see why it was chosen as a venue for the 2002 Olympics. It is one of the oldest continuously operating ski resorts in the nation. Their website is Snowbasin.com.
Located six miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon, Snowbird has one of Utah’s longest ski seasons with an annual average of 500 inches of snow. Spread over 2,500 acres, the resort has a wide variety of terrain for everyone to enjoy. The base is located at 7,760 feet with 13 lifts to take you to 168 runs ranging from wild to mild and a vertical drop of 3,240 feet.
In addition, Snowbird offers opportunities to explore the backcountry via heli-skiing, snowcat skiing, and snowmobile tours. Four lodges nestled in Snowbird’s pedestrian village provide guests with easy access to the facilities. Heated outdoor swimming pools and hot tubs set the stage for viewing the surrounding snowcapped granite peaks. With over 15 restaurants and eateries, the variety is sure to please. Visit their website at: Snowbird.com.
Located in one of the snowiest canyons in North America, Solitude Mountain Resort features over 1,200 acres of skiing, including access to some of the most exciting off-piste terrain in the country. A variety of lodging options are available in Solitude’s charming village, along with an array of delectable dining choices both on and off-mountain. With the lodge located at about 8,000 feet, Solitude has eight lifts that will take you to 82 runs with a vertical drop of almost 2,500 feet. Visit their website at: SolitudeMountain.com.
Created by Robert Redford, Sundance Mountain Resort is situated near 5000 acres of protected wilderness at the base of 12,000 foot Mt. Timpanogos.
Mountain recreation includes skiing, snowboarding, night skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. With an annual average of 300 inches of snow, the lodge is located at 6,100 feet and features eight lifts that will take you to 50 runs with a vertical drop of 2,150 feet.
Sundance’s rustic mountain cottages on the mountainside offer a mountain loft, mountain suite, Sundance suite, studio, or standard room. There are also homes available.
Sundance features dining in the Tree Room and the Foundry Grill. The Sundance Owl Bar stars the original 1890’s Rosewood bar that was frequented by Butch Cassidy’s Hole-in-the-Wall gang, which was moved to Sundance from Thermopolis, Wyoming.
When the resort is not under a blanket of snow, hiking, biking, and horseback riding along with year-round world-class fly-fishing on the Provo River are offered. Utah’s longest zip-line has been added with a dizzying drop of 2,100 feet. Visit their website at: SundanceResort.com.
Woodward Park City is a year-round action sports destination that offers a fully integrated campus made up of a 66,000 square foot sports hub and more than 60 acres of action sports and mountain parks. Indoor and outdoor facilities for skateboarding, BMX, scooter and parkour are available year-round.
Lift-accessed snowboarding and skiing are available during the winter with mountain biking available during spring, summer, and fall. Woodward Park City offers snow tubing on the longest lanes in Utah.
The compact ski area is 60 acres with four lifts, 11 runs, and 150 inches of annual snowfall. Located at 6,463 feet dining is available at the Hive Cafeteria or the Grind Café. For more information, visit their website at WoodWardParkCity.com.
Alta is an independent ski area and has been family-owned since 1938. Proud to be a ski area and not a ski resort, it is nestled at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon deep in the Wasatch Mountains. Alta is known for its deep powder skiing. With an annual snowfall average of 540 inches, powder days are a way of life. Snowboarding is not allowed at Alta.
Located at 8,530 feet, Alta features six lifts and 118 runs with a vertical drop of 2,614 feet. The skiable area is 2,538 acres. Dining facilities on the mountain include a restaurant, a café, two grills, a bar, and a coffee shop with more choices at the base. Website – Alta.com.
Beaver Mountain has 828 skiable acres containing well-maintained slopes with northeastern exposure, perfect for catching morning rays. Located near the summit of Logan Canyon in the Bear River Mountains at 7,100 feet, the resort receives an annual average of 400 inches of snow, has six lifts and 48 runs with a drop of 1,700 feet.
The Beaver Mountain Grill serves some breakfast items, great soups, sandwiches, and the legendary Big Beav Double Bypass Burger. Visit their website at SkiTheBeav.com.
Brian Head Resort is located high in the red rock mountains of Southern Utah at 9,600. With an average of 360 inches of annual snowfall, 71 runs, and 650 acres of skiing, Brian Head Resort is a top Southern Utah ski destination.
In addition to Brian Head Resort’s 71 runs and progressive terrain parks, there are additional winter amenities and activities in the area, including snow tubing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. Dining, shopping, and day spa amenities are just down the street in Brian Head Town. Their website is BrianHead.com.
Brighton is known as a family-friendly resort with kids 10 and under able to ski free of charge. The terrain is well suited to snowboarders, which explains why it is a favorite. Brighton is one of the few resorts that offer night skiing.
It gets 500 inches of snow annually and it has a nice mix of green, blue, and black runs. There are 66 runs serviced by seven lifts on 1,050 acres with a vertical drop of 1,875 feet.
The 20 room Brighton Lodge offers comfortable hotel-style accommodations including a continental breakfast. Dining on the mountain includes a full-service bar and grill, a cafeteria, and a place to get a burger and relax. Find more information at BrightonResort.com.
Cherry Peak, 15 miles from Logan, opened on the 21st of December. Utah’s newest resort has four lifts servicing 20 runs on 200 skiable acres. They feature a five-lane tubing hill, a large night skiing area, and ice skating. You will find dining on the mountain at The Peak Grill.
The resort base is at 5,775 feet with an average annual snowfall of 322 inches and a vertical drop of 1,265 feet. Visit their website at skicpr.com.
Tucked away in Park City, Utah, Deer Valley Resort is one of the premier ski destinations in the United States. The resort base is located at 6,570 feet and offers 21 lifts that access 103 runs over 2,026 acres with a 3,000-foot drop. Snowboarding is not allowed at Deer Valley.
Deer Valley offers luxurious amenities such as ski valets, groomed-to-perfection slopes, on-site childcare, and gourmet dining in three-day lodges. Local Vacation Planners are available to customize your ideal vacation. Visit their website at DeerValley.com.