Utah is the land where powder dreams are made. If you’re looking for the best of the best once borders open and it’s safe to travel, there’s no going past a state that is so confident about the quality of their snow that they’ve trademarked it The Greatest Snow On Earth®.
Imagine 13 plus metres of snow per season, so dry and light that you might not be able to make a snow ball – but you will be able to explore all kinds of terrain and 15 world-class resorts. The adventures also don’t end on the slopes, with so many national parks nearby, along with old-school ski towns and a rich mining history to explore.
It’s just a case of choosing what kind of Utah suits you best, so step on up and choose from below.
Big mountain vibes
If you’re craving the steep and deep to be found in North America, there’s no going past Little Cottonwood Canyon, home to Snowbird and Alta.
Both resorts receive an average of fourteen metres of snowfall per season, with 800 plus metres of vertical at Snowbird and 617 metres of vertical rise at Alta. If you’re an expert you’re well catered for with 55% of Alta terrain dedicated to you, making for some seriously challenging chutes and bowls to get the legs shaking.
Alta is for skiers only, but you can also access the just as big mountain terrain at neighbouring Snowbird for snowboarders and skiers, via a gate that joins the two.
You’ll find both resorts in Little Cottonwood Canyon, a powder Mecca that lures massive dumps of snow. Consider it a pilgrimage for all powder lovers.
Plus you can access Alta, Snowbird and nearby Solitude and Brighton on the Ski City pass.
Glamour schusses
If you want boujee, there’s no going past skiers-only Deer Valley.
Think ski valets to unload your skis at their curbside valet; complimentary s’mores by the fires every afternoon at Montage Deer Valley; ski in ski out après at the Stein Eriksen Lodge; and post-ski tipples in a luxury yurt which offers up bottles of vintage champagne alongside black truffle popcorn and fur blankets by the fireplace.
That’s not where the benefits of Deer Valley end. The skiing, as you might expect, is also world-class; 2000 acres of terrain, six bowls and 103 runs accessed by 21 chairlifts.
Plus you have Park City Mountain just moments away, the largest ski resort in the country, with 400 runs in total to explore when combined with Deer Valley.
Intrepid snow travellers
The adventurous traveller wants to go off the beaten track for something unique – enter Brian Head Resort.
It’s the backdrop that does it; vibrant red rocks that pay homage to the nearby national parks of Zion and Bryce Canyon. And once on the slopes, you’ll find a relaxed, budget-friendly experience, with no lift lines and Utah’s highest base elevation, along with 71 runs to explore across two connected mountains.
If you like stars, this resort is for you – both the real and the imagined. The resort is five minutes from International Dark Sky Park© Cedar Breaks National Monument, meaning the night sky viewing can’t be beat; plus it’s only a three-hour drive from the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas for when you’re ready to get back into a whole other world.
Terrain park lovers
If your friends can’t get you off the park features on any given day, you can’t go past Woodward Park City.
This world class terrain park resort loved by Winter Olympians and X Games medalists (hello, Scotty James) offer up a state of the art network of terrain zones with everything from beginner to expert areas for freestyling, all of which encourage intuitive growth and safe progression.
The adrenaline doesn’t stop on the terrain park slopes, either; indoor and outdoor facilities for skateboarding, BMX, scooter, parkour and cheer are also available year-round, plus snow tubing on the longest lanes in Utah.
Family friendly powder style
Powder Mountain offers up family-friendly with a difference. As the numbers are capped to 5000 skiers per day, it very much feels like you have the entire mountain to yourself; and what a mountain it is.
The views are incredible, the terrain is varied for all levels, the lift tickets are well-priced and the most experienced skiers of the family can supercharge their day with snowcat assisted laps up to the expert terrain off Lightning Ridge or Raintree, with single rides available to purchase.
Kids will love the upside-down nature of the two upper parking areas requiring you to ski down to the chairlift, along with the secret jumps hidden through the trees, offering up a serious dose of adventure.
Heber Valley, hidden gem
There’s so much to be discovered at the mountain towns in Heber Valley, just minutes down the road from Park City and only 45 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport.
Once a sleepy community of livestock ranches, it’s now transformed into a variety of world-class luxurious experiences. Expect the famed Ice Castles each winter plus geothermal hot springs with caves for stand up yoga and a brand new ski resort on the way, Mayflower Mountain, featuring six lifts and over 1000 skiable acres.
Ready to go? Click here to get planning your next Utah holiday.
MEET the team from Utah at the Snow Travel Expo in Sydney and Melbourne this May.
