Hi everyone!
As some of you may or may not know, snow skiing in Utah, as well as all the other outdoor activities, is the main reason we moved to the area in 2017. After 7 seasons out West for Christian and 4 for Helon, we have great advice on where to go, when to go, and what to do when it comes to skiing and snowboarding.
Before we get started, let’s understand the layout of the Salt Lake Valley and Wasatch Mountains.
- BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON
solitude ski resort
brighton ski resort - LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON
snowbird ski resort
alta ski resort (ski only, no snowboarders allowed) - You might notice there are A LOT of ski resorts in Utah. If you are planning on staying in the Salt Lake area, then the 4 resorts listed above will be your go-to destination
*Park City / Deer Valley will be covered in a separate post.
BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON
SOLITUDE SKI RESORT
Solitude is the first ski resort you will pass driving up Big Cottonwood Canyon (in my opinion the prettier drive of the two cottonwood canyons). One downside to Solitude (new since the 2019/20 season, Solitude is the only ski resort in the area where you have to pay for parking.
4+ occupants $5
3 occupants $10
2 occupants $15
1 occupant $25
If you stay at The Inn at Solitude or Solitude Mountain Resort Lodging parking is complimentary. Also, if you have an Ikon Pass or any of the cottonwood resort annual passes you can ride the UTA Ski Bus from the base of Big & Little Cottonwood Canyon for free.
Essentially, Solitude is trying to endorse car sharing / carpooling or using the UTA Ski Bus. If you want to use the bus and do not have any of the above call 801.743.3882 for current UTA Ski Bus rates.
The cost for a lift ticket varies on the time of the year you are coming and if you buy online or wait to buy a pass at the ticket window. My recommendation would be to buy your lift ticket online which typically gives you a discounted price.
We personally have not boarded at Solitude because we are pretty loyal to Brighton (covered next). Our Brighton annual pass did cover free days at Solitude, but for some reason we never made it to Solitude for the day. Either way, I have heard nothing but great things about Solitude and I know quite a few skiers who love to go to Solitude.
Visit Solitude’s website by clicking the link below.
BRIGHTON SKI RESORT
Okay, I might be biased, but Brighton is our favorite ski resort of the four discussed in this post. Brighton is absolutely fantastic for beginners to the most advanced skier/snowboarded.
You want tree runs? Got it. You want more than one terrain park? Got that too. You want back country? Yep. You want great views? Amazing. You want night skiing? That’s a bonus. You want a restaurant/bar with no kids? YASSS. You want to feel like a local? 100% go to Brighton. Please do not get your feelings hurt if locals give you a bit of a hard time if you do not want to share a lift on a powder day or look like a total jerry. We understand everyone is a beginner at some point!
Brighton is a bit of snowboarder haven, but there are plenty of skiers too. Everyone is welcome! If you are a beginner, I would say stick with the Explorer and Majestic lifts. Once you get your skis under you, head on up Crest Express and Snake Creek. At the top of Snake Creek you will have some beautiful views of the Park City area. Lastly, save Great Western Express with stunning views at the top and Milly Express when you feel very confident on steep terrain.
On a powder day, Great Western and Milly are our go to spots. With so many tree runs and cliff jumps even on a busy day you feel totally alone on the mountain. Again, these are advanced runs and once you drop in, it is SO IMPORTANT that you know where you are going to come out on the mountain.
After a long day of skiing or needing a beer break, head to Milly’s Chalet (21+). Milly’s is the A frame between Majestic and Crest Express. You will find an awesomely rustic bar/restaurant that is as cozy as can be and my favorite place to hang out when I need a break. Fun story – I found out I was pregnant the morning we were heading up to Brighton to ski with my parents. I was an absolute mess aka incredibly moody, emotional, and morning sickness. Once we got up the mountain I refused to join everyone on the mountain, my dad guessed I was pregnant because I was acting SO WEIRD, and I spent the entire day in Milly’s sipping on water, a bit of hot chocolate, and snacking on anything that didn’t make me want to vomit. I was happy as can be while everyone enjoyed the day skiing! I seriously love Milly’s.
Just like Solitude, lift ticket prices vary depending on the time of the year and if you buy online. See their website for up to date pricing.
LOCAL ADVICE:
Brighton is so chill, which is one of the many reasons it is our favorite place to go. The parking is free at 95% of the resort, and really no matter where you park it is a good spot. Either way, you can go to their website to find more details on parking if you want to reserve a spot for a fee. When we do not want to spend the money in the restaurant or cafeteria, we bring a cooler with beers and food to take breaks at the car. You will see loads of people doing this, and some people bring little stoves and grill out. It’s an amazing atmosphere, unless you prefer the big time ski resorts in Utah like Park City, Canyons, and Deer Valley (again, will be covered in a separate post).
Visit Brighton’s website by clicking the button below.
LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON
SNOWBIRD SKI RESORT
Snowbird is easily our second favorite ski resort and the first resort you will spot heading up Little Cottonwood Canyon. Snowbird is not for the faint of heart and not the best for a beginner. The mountain is steep and truly for an intermediate/advanced skier.
If you are an advanced skier/snowboarder and here on a powder day, head straight to the back bowl via the aerial tram or the little cloud lift. It is a powder paradise (where the cover picture of this post was taken). Again, NOT a place for a beginner.
However, if you are between a beginner/intermediate level, there are some places you can go on the mountain and feel safe and comfortable. I would try sticking to the following lifts and green or blue runs:
- GAD2 | GADZOOM | MID GAD | WILBERE
If you are dying to see the views at the top of the mountain, which are incredible, you can ride the tram up and ride the tram back down. The views are stunning and they have a great restaurant at the top of the mountain.
Visit Snowbird’s website by clicking the button below.
ALTA SKI RESORT
Okay. Honestly. I have never been to Alta because I snowboard. Again, no snowboarder’s allowed!!! However, I have always heard amazing things regarding Alta, the terrain, snow, and overall experience. It is actually my dad’s favorite place to ski. Alta and Snowbird are connected, so if you ski you can switch between the two resorts – similar to Canyons and Park City.
One downside I have heard is that Alta is outdated, but that is part of the resort’s magic – it is not owned by the near monopoly that is Vail resorts (nothing against Vail at all! Some of our favorite places to snowboard in Colorado is Vail, Beaver Creek, and Crested Butte, all Vail owned).
All four resorts reviewed in this post are smaller and have a very local feel. It creates an awesome experience, and it is very different from the big time ski resorts you might visit at other destinations.
Visit Alta’s website by clicking the button below.
LOCAL ADVICE
- If it is a powder day (snowed ATON, as in 8″ or more) be prepared for the traffic getting into the canyons to be crazy busy. Leave earlier than you think you should and make sure your car is prepared: all wheel drive (or) 4×4 with snow tires. Please do not be the one on the road slipping everywhere and putting yourself and others in danger. Also, be prepared for the canyons to close late morning or mid day for avalanche control.
- If you want to make a full day out of skiing that is great! However, if it is a regular day and has not snowed in a while, wait until noon for it to warm up, get a great parking spot, and you will be golden for a great day on the slopes. Unless you are an early bird and want fresh corduroy then you do you!
- If you need gear there are many Christy Sports in the area. This will most likely be cheaper than renting gear at the resorts. Just an FYI. I know I was a local and have all of my own stuff, but I was usually the one searching for deals for friends and family who came to visit. The closest location to Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons is the location off of Wasatch Blvd. Click the button below to see their multiple locations and rental rates.
Now you have the 411 on where to ski and snowboard in the Salt Lake City area! I did not include Park City / Canyons / and Deer Valley for a reason. The four resorts mentioned above are in a way hidden gems, where the locals go, and honestly just so, so much better. Don’t get me wrong, we have skied Park City and Canyons plenty, yet enough to know the snow is better on the Salt Lake side of the Wasatch Mountains, and don’t worry, I won’t get all scientific on it, just trust me!
All the love,
