Ski Resorts

Downhill

Alta- Located in Little Cottonwood Canyon Alta has the most consistent snow in the world- 500 inches of powder each year. Have 4 expert only ski runs (35%), as well as intermediate (40%) and beginners (25%). No fancy resort but maintains charm of its original opening in 1938. No snowboarding. A 2020 ft vertical drop!  Alta also limits the slopes to 10,750  an hour so it won’t be over-crowded. Least expensive at $42 for an all day ticket, $33 half day.  Seniors 80 and over ski free.

Brighton- Located in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  Great place for beginners- children 10 and younger ski free.  Brighton has lots of ski school programs and offer group and private lessons.  Offers all types of terrain- Beginner 21%, Intermediate 40%, and Advanced 39% .Snowboarders allowed. Prices are $41 for all day, $35 half day.  Over 70 and children under 10 ski free. Nigh skiing and snowboarding available for $25.

Snowbird- Located in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Biggest and most developed ski resort with loges, restaurants and an aerial tramway. Similar to Alta in its difficult runs with 3 double black diamond.  Has 3,240 feet of vertical drop it has the longest ski hills serviced by lifts in Utah.  Snowbird has 40% advanced, 30% intermediate, and 25% beginning.  Snowboarding is done at the Little Cloud Run and at the half-pipe on the “Big Emma” run.  An all day pass is $57, half day $48, Without the tram half price is $41, Children under 12 ski free. Seniors are $37 for lift only and $45 for chairlift and tram.  Snowbird has over 200 instructors that will do group and private lessons.

Solitude- Located in Big Cottonwood Canyon. New restaurants and lodge has been built there. 450 inches of annual snowfall leads to varying terrain with 20% beginner, 40% intermediate, and 30% advanced. All day pass is $45, half day is $39, Children under 10 and adults 70 and over ski for $10.  Ski rentals and lessons are taught.

The Canyons- Located in Park City. The newest resort in Utah with 6 new lifts. The area has 2,700 acres of skiable terrain with a snowmaking capacity of 150 acres. Has a number of snowboarding terrain parks (one which is lighted at night) for jumps, moguls and other tricks. The resort has 300 inches of snow annually and has 20% beginner, 40% intermediate, and 40% advanced.  A full day pass is $64, half day is $51, An all day lift pass for a child is $38, and a child’s half day pass costs $18.  If you are over 65 you can ski all day for $38.  Ski school offered.

Deer Valley- Located in Park City. Most expensive and fanciest resort in Utah. Service is great and the snow is carefully groomed. The lodge restaurant has fine dining and casual options. Deer Valley receives 300 inches of snow annually and has 15% beginner, 50% intermediate, and 35% advanced. Snowboards are not allowed. Hosted the slalom events at the Olympics.  An all day lift pass is $69, a half day is $48, all day lift passes for children 12 and under are $38, for 65 and older you pay $40 for full day and $32 for half day.  Ski school offered and large rental store.

Park City Mountain Resort- Located in Park City. The largest ski resort in Utah in terms of skiable terrain and lift capacity. Receives 350 inches annually but it has $10 million in snow making equipment that help it match the Cottonwood resort.  It has 16% beginner, 45% intermediate, 39% expert. Snowboarding allowed.  The site of the snowboarding and some slalom events at the Olympics. A full day pass is $69, half day $48, Children 12 and under are $38, for full day and $30 for half. 65-69 are $31 for half day and $38 for all day, 70 and over are free. Offers skiing and snowboarding lessons including intermediate lessons to help in carving turns.

Downhill

Soldiers Hallow- Site of the Olympic Cross Country events. 7 ½ mile track is laid out on golf course during the winter.  CC skiing, snowshoeing, tubing are popular.  Cross skis are available for rent at the golf course pro shop. Costs $12 for full day and $8 for half.  Plus a $5 per vehicle charge.  Has 90 miles of separate snowmobiling trails. Officially part of Wasatch Mountain State Park.

Mountain Dell- A golf course the rest of the year but  turned into CC course in winter. Between 5-10 km of groomed track. No snowshoeing on groomed track but other places to explore. Off of 1-80 and Parley’s Canyon.

Solitude Nordic Area- Between Solitude and Brighton. 20 km of groomed track for CC skiing and snowshoeing. Beautiful scenery and has 30% beginner, 60% intermediate and 10% advanced.  An all day pass is $11, a half day is $8, Kids 10 and under and seniors 70 and over ski free.  Rentals and lessons available.

White Pine Touring Center- Located in Park City golf course in the center of town. 18 km of groomed track. 60% beginner, 20% intermediate, 20% expert. An all day pass is $14, half day is $8, children 6-12 are $6, children under 6 and seniors 65 and over ski free. Ski rentals and lessons are available.

Skiing information gained primarily from the Insiders Guide to Salt Lake City by Virginia Rainey and the Frommer’s Utah guide.