Utah Travel Planner
- Thinking of visiting Utah? - The very best of Utah, complete with itinerary
- Enjoy the "greatest snow on earth" - A key to all the greatest skiing in Utah
- Historic Utah - A guide to the many historic Utah sites
- Magnificent National Parks - Utah is well known for it's amazing national parks. Read this for more information.
Enjoy the "greatest snow on earth"
Utah is known for producing some of the finest quality snow in the entire world. Professional skiers and meteorologists say unique weather patterns produce a colder, drier powder perfect for downhill and cross-country skiing and snowboarding. In fact, this reputation for awesome snow conditions brought the 2002 Winter Games to Utah. Despite the famed slopes, the ski resorts have managed to remain quaint and welcoming to residents and tourists alike.
Utah's ski industry features some of the oldest and largest resorts in the country. Gigantic resorts such as Park City and Snowbird offer modern facilities, the most runs and unsurpassed nightlife opportunities. While smaller resorts such as Alta, Brighton and Beaver Mountain call back to simpler times when all that mattered was the quality of the ski run. Whether you want to bask in the amenities of the larger resorts or experience a more historical resort, you are sure to enjoy winter in beautiful Utah.
Some of Utah's fine ski resorts include:
Little Cottonwood Canyon - Utah 210 east of Salt Lake City
Alta: At Alta, known as "A skier's mountain", you will find some of the best powder in the world. Beginners and more seasoned skiers alike will find the slopes at Alta a wonderful place to enjoy the snow. There are 115 runs with one terrain park. Alta is one of only two Utah ski areas to not allow snowboarding.
Snowbird: Snowbird is a well-planned modern ski area which features great ski runs, shopping centers, tennis courts, swimming pools, restaurants, spas, bars and more. Some runs range up to 3 1/2 miles in length. About 45 percent of the runs are for experts, compared to only 25 percent of the runs being rated for beginners. Skiers can choose from quad lifts, double chairlifts and the famous Snowbird Tram to access 85 runs, two terrain parks, and one half-pipe.
Big Cottonwood Canyon - Utah 190 east of Salt Lake City
Brighton: This resort has been called "the place Utah learns to ski." The resort, which started in the 1936s, combines the simple charm of yesteryear with high-tech, high-speed quad lifts and t double and triple chairs. About 39 percent of the 66 runs are rated for experts. Brighton also features three terrain parks, two half-pipes, and some of Utah's best night skiing. Trails link the resort with the neighboring resort Solitude.
Solitude: This resort has been compared to a Swiss village, complete with community firepit and ice rink. The resort offers a high-speed quad chairlift, double chairs and triple chairs servicing more than 60 runs and one terrain park. Solitude also has over 20 K of groomed Nordic trails, and many marked snowshoe trails.
Park City ski areas
Only 32 miles from Salt Lake City, Park City was once on track to becoming a ghost town. Today, the city features three of Utah's largest ski areas -- Park City, the Canyons and Deer Valley Mountain Resorts --and some of the most luxurious restaurants, shopping areas and spas in the world. Aside from great skiing, visitors can enjoy a hot-air balloon ride, take a moonlight sleigh ride, go ice skating, enjoy a snowmobile trip and attend the world-famous Sundance Film Festival. In the summer, hiking trails, bicycle trails, golf courses and tennis courts lure residents and tourists to the beautiful area. The area hosted many of the 2002 Winter Olympics competitions. The town also serves as the headquarters for the United States Ski and Snowboard Association and has been the site of numerous World Cup and professional competitions.
Park City Mountain Resort: One of Utah's largest resorts has100 runs, 650 acres of bowl skiing and more than 3,300 acres of terrain. A super-pipe and four terrain parks round out the mountain's options. In addition, the Town Lift runs right from the bottom of Historic Main Street to access mid-mountain. There are runs catering to children and expert skiers alike.
Deer Valley Resort: Located just east of Park City, this resort has been called "the creme de la creme of ski destinations." From the perfectly groomed powder on ski runs to the fine china dishes on which dinner is served in four-star restaurants, Deer Valley provides a luxurious experience. The resort features 17 lifts and one gondola servicing five areas with 91 runs and one terrain park. Deer Valley is the other Utah Resort to not allow snowboarders.
The Canyons: Located north of Park City, The Canyons is Utah's newest mega-resort and is the state's largest at more than 3,700 acres. The resort offers some of the best powder in the world with little waiting time thanks to eight quads, eight triple lifts, two doubles and a gondola. There are 146 runs, two terrain parks, and six natural half-pipes. Snowboarders also rank The Canyons high on their list of best place to board in the nation.
Sundance: Located off highway 92 in Provo Canyon, this resort is owned by actor Robert Redford. Named after the character Redford played in the movie "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," the resort is also a film and arts center. The resort is described as small, quiet and tasteful and boasts wonderful views of 11,788-foot Mt. Timpanogos. Three lifts lead to 42 trails on about 450 acres. Beginners and experts will find adequate runs at Sundance. The resort also maintains 26K of Nordic trails, and some 20K of snowshoe trails.
Ogden Valley resorts
Powder Mountain: Located northeast of Eden off highway 158. This resort features 86 runs including one of the best night ski runs serviced by chairlifts designed to cover a huge ski area. Resort facilities are located at the top of the ski area. Great views of the sun setting over the Great Salt Lake and the Cache Valley are plentiful from ski areas. In addition to two terrain parks and one half-pipe, Powder Mountain's snowcat, shuttle assisted, and heli skiing, adds 1000's more available acres.
Nordic Valley, recently renamed Wolf Mountian: Located northeast of Ogden on highway 203. This quaint resort is the smallest in the Wasatch Mountains. The resort features 12 runs, all of which are lighted at night. Two double chairlifts also service two terrain parks. The resort is a great place to teach people the art of skiing.
Snowbasin: Located on Utah 167, Trappers Loop Highway, east of Ogden. This resort is the ideal place for the intermediate skier. With 53 runs and a vertical drop of 2,400 feet skiers can enjoy long scenic runs. Snowbasin hosted several events of the 2002 Winter Games and has become one of Utah's super resorts. Two high speed gondolas, a high-speed quad, double and triple chairs and a small tramway transport skiers to some of the best scenery in Utah including great views of the Great Salt Lake and Mt. Ogden. Two terrain parks and a Superpipe complete the options.
Northern Utah resorts
Beaver Mountain: Located on U.S. 89 at the top of Logan Canyon near the Utah-Idaho border. This small family-operated resort features three double chairlifts servicing 30 runs. Beginners to experts will enjoy skiing at the resort. Cross-country skiing opportunities are plentiful thanks to U.S. Forest Service trails near the resort. In addition, Crystal Hot Springs located in nearby Honeyville provide a relaxing way to end a day on the slopes.
Southern Utah resorts
Brian Head: Located south of Parowan on Utah 143. With the alpine atmosphere associated with the state's northern resorts and the scenery of southern Utah, skiers will enjoy the quaintness of this unique resort. Six lifts service 53 ski runs and three terrain parks including paths under 11,307-food Brian Head Peak. On a clear day, skiers can enjoy views of red-rock deserts including Zion National Park.
Elk Meadows: Located east of Beaver on Utah 153. As the newest resort in the state, Elk Meadows offers one of the best "learn to ski" packages for families in the state. Known as a very quiet ski area, the resort sees about 350 inches of snowfall annually. Choose from three double chairs, one quad chair, one poma lift and one T-bar to take you to ski runs suitable for the entire family.
In addition to the above mention of cross-country (Nordic) skiing, numerous opportunities are available throughout the state. In the Park City area, for instance, White Pine Touring, Soldier Hollow (2002 Winter Games Nordic site) and The Homestead in Midway, Beaver Creek on Utah 150, Sundance Resort, Alta and Solitude, all maintain trails for both Classic and Skate skiing, as well as dedicated snowshoeing. In the southern areas, Brian Head, and Ruby's Inn provide extensive Nordic experiences.
For more comprehensive information about skiing in Utah go to www.skiutah.com
