Utah is geographically set up for the greatest snow on earth. The desert state has the perfect moisture content in the snowflakes that fall from the sky.
In fact, the snow is so light and dry it’s often impossible to make a snowball. Add an average of thirteen metres of snowfall each season and it is easy to see why so many powder hounds descend upon the state each winter.
Did we mention easy access to and from Salt Lake City International Airport which is a mere forty five minutes from most ski resorts so you can ski on the same day you land.
Most skiers know Deer Valley thanks to Stein Eriksen and now most also know Park City thanks to Vail Resorts combining the Canyons and Park City Mountain Resort to create the largest ski resort in the USA. But did you know that Utah has twelve other world class resorts?
Here’s 10 to get you salivating.
Deer Valley
There’s luxury and then there’s Deer Valley. You won’t lift a finger at this skiers only resort where the customer comes first. Dedicated ski valets will carry your skis and practically ski for you if need be. With over 2000 acres of skiable terrain pretty much evenly split between beginner, intermediate and advanced, Deer Valley literally has something for everyone. Try the complimentary S’Mores at the Montage fireside every afternoon, ski in to the St Regis for a hot chocolate or chow down on the famed Stein burger at Stein Eriksen lodge.
Park City
The biggest ski resort in the USA, Park City Mountain has over 7300 acres of skiable terrain across 17 mountain peaks, 14 bowls, 2 halfpipes including a super pipe, 6 terrain parks and half the resort dedicated to intermediate with another 40% for expert. There’s a chairlift direct into Park City town which is only half an hour to Salt Lake City airport.
Alta
Known as ‘the skiers mountain’ due to the incredible steeps and deeps the mountain’s 2200 acres of terrain offers in Utah’s famed Little Cottonwood Canyon. Alta rocks the snow world with an average of fourteen metres of snowfall per season, 617 metres of vertical rise, 116 dedicated runs divided between 25% beginner, 40% intermediate and 35% advanced.
Snowbird
Snowbird boasts Utah’s longest ski and snowboard season from mid November to May. You can ski Snowbird and Alta on one lift pass (unless you’re a snowboarder, then you can just ride Snowbird). Expect one aerial tram, 10 chairlifts including six high-speed detachable quads and four doubles (most with arm and leg rests) plus two conveyer lifts all set up to access 2500 acres of skiable terrain on 169 dedicated runs divided between 27 percent beginner, 38 percent intermediate and 35 percent advanced and expert.
Brighton
Brighton is Utah’s only resort that can boast that 100% of its 1050 acres of skiable terrain is accessible by high speed quads. That means more time on the snow! The resort shares lift passes with Solitude and also has the most night skiing terrain in Utah with 22 runs on 200 acres of lit acres.
Solitude
If you love tree skiing then you’ll love Solitude’s Honeycomb Canyon, Headwall Forest and Evergreen areas. The resort has 1200 skiable acres with 77 runs that serve up some seriously impressive terrain for intermediate to advanced and expert skiers. Don’t forget the lift pass also accesses Brighton.
Sundance
This intimate resort owned by Robert Redford exudes artistic charm. Expect 450 acres and 45 runs from beginner to advanced. There’s even a winter zip line so you can soar above Mount Timpanogos.
Powder Mountain
Powder Mountain is big, 7000 acres of big with 2800 acres of lift accessed terrain, another 1200 acres of terrain accessed by the Powder Country Shuttle, 3700 acres of snow cat skiing and 1000 acres of guided backcountry. Phew! That’s a lot of thigh burn. Oh, and the 144 runs on the lift accessed terrain is divided between 25% beginner, 40% intermediate and 35% advanced.
Beaver Mountain
‘Ski the Beav’ has a cult following of those who love hidden gems far from the madding crowds with no lift lines and lots of local charm. Beaver Mountain isn’t as big as its Utah siblings (828 acres) but it does have 48 runs divided into 25% advanced, 40% intermediate and 35% beginner so it’s great for the leisure ski family.
Snowbasin
Snowbasin Resort is one of the oldest continuously operating ski areas in the nation. Ever since the first hearty skier schussed down the slopes in 1940, people from all over the United States have come to enjoy the powder snow and majestic mountain scenery. Expect 106 trails designated as 10% beginner, 60% intermediate, 30% advanced.
Brian Head
Brian Head boasts the highest base elevation in Utah so you know the snow is going to be super dry. 71 runs are split between 30% beginner, 35% intermediate and 35% advanced across 650 acres of skiable terrain. You’ll find Brian Head four hours from Salt Lake City, which means you’ll also find dedicated skiers and boarders who like peace and powder.
The deal
Convinced that Utah is for you? You can thank us later but in the meantime check out these cool deals from Ski Max Holidays to ensure you get the best bang for your Utah buck including this one –
SKI Park City from $1739*pp for 7 nights!
INCLUDES 1 FREE NIGHT ACCOMMODATION!
· 7 nights twin share in a Hotel Room at Park Station
· 6 day Lift Pass valid at Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley.
SKI Solitude from $2165*pp for 7 nights
· 7 nights twin share in a North Studio Room at The Inn at Solitude
· 6 Day Ski Lake Ciy Super Pass valid at Snowbird, Alta & Solitude
SKI Deer Valley from $3145* pp for 7 nights
INCLUDES 5 DAYS OF FREE LIFT PASSES PER PERSON!
· 7 nights twin share in a Studio Room at the Chateaux Deer Valley
· 2 FREE Lift Passes for 5 days per person – valid at Deer Valley and Park City Mountain Resort
