A Guide to Salt Lake City’s Ski Resorts
Table of Contents [Show]
Salt Lake City is home to KÜHL headquarters for a reason. Aside from making mountain gear magic in our offices and warehouses, the terrain that engulfs the city is an absolute must-see for outdoor enthusiasts, especially skiers and snowboarders.
With eight ski resorts within an hour's drive from the city center, your options for ski and snowboard trails are nearly endless. Whichever mountain you choose will offer a unique and exciting experience. Riders rejoice!
Alta
Alta is renowned for its fresh powder, with an average of about 500 inches of snowfall a year. This makes sense, as the resort sits atop a mountain 4,000 additional feet above the city below. With rugged ski terrain ideal for experts, there’s an Alta saying that goes, “if you can ski here, you can ski anywhere.”
Highlights
- Expert terrain
- Higher elevation, meaning better powder
- Skiers only
Brighton
Brighton is a favorite among locals for the friendly, laid-back atmosphere. There’s typically a younger crowd here, dominated by snowboarders. The moderate terrain is ideal for beginners and intermediates, although there are still options for experts. Brighton also offers night skiing, an exciting thrill for those who have never tried it. Read our Night Skiing 101 blog so you can be fully prepared. As one of the more affordable, yet still shred-worthy, resorts, you really can’t go wrong checking out Brighton.
Highlights
- Night skiing
- Down-to-earth vibe
- Affordability
Deer Valley
This is a large, luxury resort, perfect for families or those looking to stay in posh accommodations. Tucked in the Wasatch Mountains in a historic mining town, Deer Valley offers 21 chairlifts covering a wide array of ski-only terrain, mostly focused on beginner and intermediate terrain. This probably isn’t the spot to shred double blacks all weekend, but if you want a high end vacation involving world-class grooming and lavish dining experiences, give Deer Valley a try.
Highlights
- Luxurious hotels
- Experiential dinners
- Skiers only
Park City
Known for being the country’s largest lift-served ski terrain resort, Park City is optimal for those in search of a full-day of riding followed by a wine-and-dine experience. The resort’s 43 chairlifts cover terrain that is mainly intermediate, although there are plenty of runs for every skill level. Park City has an allure that brings in lots of tourists, so it’s one of the more crowded resorts in the area.
Highlights
- Largest ski resort in the United States
- Impressive amount of intermediate runs, perfect for groups
- Lively historic town for après-skiing
Powder Mountain
Powder Mountain is all about low skier density! This means the resort offers almost 8,500 acres of in-bound terrain, but restricts the number of daily lift tickets to 1,500. A little more than an hour outside of Salt Lake City, you’ll be able to explore pristine snow without the crowds. Powder Mountain also offers snowcat rides and buses that drop you off in “Powder Country.”
Highlights
- Limited crowds
- Further from the city
- Snowcat rides available
Snowbird
Popular among more experienced skiers and snowboarders who crave steep terrain and double blacks, Snowbird offers an array of high-speed chairs, with 10 total chairlifts, as well as its iconic Aerial Tram. There are still plenty of runs friendly for newbies, with approximately 65% of the park covered in beginner and intermediate terrain. Snowbird also has North America’s only ski tunnel, Peruvian Tunnel. The conveyor belt allows riders easy access to the other side of the resort’s mountain, also known as Mineral Basin. Located just below Alta, Snowbird has some of the best powder in the area.
Highlights
- Nation’s only ski tunnel
- Great powder with base elevation at almost 8,000 feet
- Take a ride to the resort summit on the iconic Aerial Tram
Snowbasin
One of the oldest continuously running ski resorts in the country, Snowbasin has been a favorite among those looking to get a taste of classic dining, high-end lodges, and varied terrain since 1940. During the 2002 Olympics, Snowbasin hosted the downhill and slalom events, meaning you’ll have the opportunity to ride world-class terrain.
Highlights
- Olympics held here in 2002
- One of the oldest ski resorts
- Luxury facilities
Solitude
Solitude is one of the more remote resorts about 40 minutes away from Salt Lake City and sees fewer crowds. The resort offers 77 designated runs that cover 1,200 acres, making it one of the smaller resorts on the list. Don't let the size fool you; Solitude features an enticing array of runs for every level, as well as the option to go snowshoeing on select trails.
Highlights
- Tucked away from the city
- Snowshoeing
- Three bowls to ride
Shop Our Winter Wear!
Planning a ski trip? Our clothes are made with top-tier materials, and at the right price point, for the athletic adventurer in all of us. Shop some of our collections below!
Featured image - Snowshoeing at Solitude Nordic Center by Nils Rasmusson.
