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After moving to Utah seven years ago, I slowly got into skiing and have checked out each of the Utah Ski Resorts. Before moving here, I had skied twice. In Virginia. But once I moved out here, I took ski lessons. And now for your background, I am currently an average-ish skier that is comfortable on Blues, Double Blues, and most Black Diamonds. However, Double Black Diamonds cause moderate panic. If you want to use your epic pass in Utah, your Ikon pass in Utah, or you just want to visit for a few days for some of the greatest snow on earth, here is a review of the best skiing in Utah.

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began, ski resort policies have shifted. Some require reservations, etc. Please check the resort website as well as local Utah guidance before making your trip to Utah.

Utah Ski Resorts

Utah is one of the best ski destinations in the US. The Utah ski resorts are spread out all over the state with the majority concentrated relatively close to Salt Lake City. Each of the ski resorts is designated by a gold star. We will cover each of the ski resorts by location.

Park City Skiing

At approximately 40 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport and even closer to downtown Salt Lake, Park City is one of the most popular ski destinations in Utah. There are 4 Park City Ski Resorts and each will offer something a little different depending on what you are looking for. However, if you are looking for the best amenities outside of the actual mountain, look no further than Park City.

Park City Main Street has restaurants, bars, and shopping. The Park City hotels offer spas, nice restaurants, and incredible après-ski. If you are planning your trip with family or people who don’t absolutely love spending every open moment on the slopes, choosing one or several of the Park City Utah ski resorts will insure a great vacation.

The area around Park City has a lot of hiking trails. If you are looking to experience Park City nature in a different way, here are some winter hiking tips. Park City is also not far from Midway, Utah which has a lot to do in the winter including an Ice Castle and underground hot spring crater. Check out this post for what to do in Midway.

Note: If you want to do things besides skiing while you are in Utah, check out this post on 13 Things to do in Salt Lake City in the Winter.

Park City Mountain Resort

Ski: Yes
Snowboard: Yes
Season Pass: Epic Pass

Park City Mountain Resort was opened in 1963. Like many of the Utah ski resorts, it participated in the 2002 Winter Olympic games by hosting the snowboarding events and the men’s and women’s alpine giant slalom events. In 2014, Park City Mountain Resort was purchased by Vail Resorts and it was combined with the neighboring Canyons Resort via a Gondola creating the largest lift-served ski resort in the United States. Because of this affiliation with Vail, it is an Epic Pass Utah ski spot.

Park City Mountain Resort has a variety of green, blue, black, and double black ski runs. This makes it a good option for groups when skiing ability is variable. Park City also has a terrain park. Due to the size of the resort, it is fairly difficult to get from one side of the mountain to the other in one day.

The first year I moved to Utah, we got an Epic Pass to ski both Park City and Canyons. Probably like you, I had heard a lot of hype about Park City prior to moving out. But after becoming a “local”, I realized while Park City is cool, there is better skiing in Utah.

Canyons Resort

Ski: Yes
Snowboard: Yes
Season Pass: Epic Pass

If you read the above history about Park City Mountain Resort, you know that Canyons is now technically combined with Park City Mountain Resort to make one massive mountain. Canyons Resort opened in 1968. It then was purchased in 2013 by Vail Resorts and merged with Park City Mountain Resort the following year.

If you have an Epic Pass, Park City and Canyons are the best place to ski in Utah. Because of the sheer size of Park City and Canyons which are now connected, it is fairly difficult to get from one side of the mountain to the other in one day. Therefore to fully enjoy this resort, it’s best to dedicate at least one day to each side.

Deer Valley

Ski: Yes
Snowboard: No
Season Pass: Ikon Pass, Deer Valley Season Pass

If you are into celeb-spotting, fancy treatment, and groomed runs, Deer Valley is your spot. I appreciate nice things myself, but I can’t help but roll my eyes occasionally while visiting Deer Valley. In the 2002 Winter Olympics, Deer Valley was the site for the freestyle moguls, aerial, and alpine slalom events.

For those not used to skiing in powder, Deer Valley is known for grooming their runs more than other parks. And on “powder days” it is not usually as powdery at Deer Valley as they don’t get quite as much snow as the other mountains in the area.

Deer Valley does not allow snowboarders but it is an Ikon Pass Utah destination. I probably would not have visited Deer Valley without them joining with Ikon. The ski lifts can be a little frustrating in Deer Valley as often there are parallel options that seem a bit duplicative. However, they are manned by attendants who will brush the snow off of them before you sit down. Pinkies up.

Woodward Park City

Ski: Yes
Snowboard: Yes
Season Pass: Monthly membership

As the newest winter destination in Utah, Woodward Park City is more of an adventure destination than a ski resort. For those that have visited Utah previously, Woodward Park City took over the old Gorgoza Tubing Hill. Woodward Park City has a lot to offer from a terrain park and tubing, in addition to indoor activities.

Opened in the 2019-2020 season and closed early due to the COVID-19 pandemic (along with the rest of the resorts in Utah), this location was the first that I checked out for the 2020-2021 season. I’m not big on the terrain parks so we went tubing instead.

I’m not sure if it was the timing of when we went (the day after Thanksgiving) or just the nature of the setup, but each run took approximately 20 minutes from the bottom between the magic carpets and the lines. And since you aren’t really using much effort to ride down in a tube (as opposed to skiing or snowboarding where it’s more of a workout), you can get pretty cold. For the full review of snow tubing at Woodward Park City, check out this post.

Cottonwood Canyons

The Cottonwood Canyons are made up of two canyons: Big Cottonwood Canyon and Little Cottonwood Canyon. If you are researching Utah ski resorts in the spring, summer, or fall, it may appear that the ski resorts in Park City are a quick 15 minute drive from the Big Cottonwood Canyon ski resorts. And this is true, some of them share the same mountain peaks. However, access to the Cottonwood Canyons comes from the Salt Lake Valley in the winter and the road that connects over to Park City closes in the winter (Guardsman Pass). This means that the drive between Park City and the resorts is actually just under an hour. While this isn’t far, traffic can get intense heading up the Cottonwood Canyons, especially on powder days.

Brighton Resort

Ski: Yes
Snowboard: Yes
Season Pass: Brighton Season Pass, Ikon Pass

As the very first ski resort in Utah and one of the first in the United States, Brighton Resort was started in 1936. Located in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Brighton is a snowboarders paradise. While I have visited this resort plenty (and am a skier), I sometimes feel a bit out of place at Brighton on skis vs a board. Brighton is a chill atmosphere and you get a much more low key vibe here versus anywhere else.

Brighton’s amenities are more limited but also cheaper than the majority of the other Utah ski resorts. If you’re looking for no-frills, this might just be your choice. Another unique feature of Brighton is the night skiing access. This goes until 9pm Monday thru Saturday. Not all of the lifts are open at night but Brighton has the most available acreage open for night skiing in the state. It’s a lower cost to visit Brighton for night skiing and still a really fun experience.

Solitude Mountain Resort

Ski: Yes
Snowboard: Yes
Season Pass: Ikon Pass

With unlimited days available on the Ikon Pass, Solitude Mountain Resort became a lot more popular in the past few years. It’s a bit smaller than its neighboring ski areas. And it also has a higher proportion of beginner and intermediate slopes than the surrounding ski resorts as well. Located in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Solitude Mountain Resort is likely the closest to downtown Salt Lake City depending on traffic.

Solitude Mountain Resort also operates a nordic center, so if you want to try your feet at another snow sport, consider spending some time here. Solitude Mountain Resort was started in 1956 and owned by Alterra Mountain Company who also owns Deer Valley.

Because of the unlimited number of days available on Ikon Pass, we have probably spent the most time here versus any of the other Ikon Pass Utah destinations. With the increased popularity came new paid parking options, although you can park on the main canyon road for free (just be sure not to park on the white line or you will get towed).

Alta Ski Area

Ski: Yes
Snowboard: No
Season Pass: Ikon Pass, Alta-Bird Pass

When you ask a Utah local about the best Utah ski resorts, undoubtedly Alta Ski area will be mentioned. Located in Little Cottonwood Canyon, it only allows skiers. Those who snowboard will have to go next door to Snowbird. Because of the location within the Utah canyons, Alta routinely gets the most snow and powder of any of the Utah ski resorts.

If you are an east-coast skier, prefer groomed terrain, or easier green or blue runs, Alta is probably not the best place for you. It is known for some of the more challenging in-bounds ski areas of the world. That being said, if you want to ski at what is considered one of the best Utah ski resorts, Alta is your place. If you want to ski at Alta, check out this link for discounted lift tickets.

Snowbird

Ski: Yes
Snowboard: Yes
Season Pass: Ikon Pass, Alta-Bird Pass

If you read everything about Alta and decided you had to visit but you are a snowboarder, Snowbird is the place for you. However, unlike Brighton Resort, you will still fit in even if you are on skis. Snowbird is next door to Alta in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Together, Alta-Snowbird have consistently been rated in the Top 5 Ski destinations in the US and North America according to Ski Magazine, Skiing Magazine, Outside, and ZRankings.

Snowbird usually has one of the longest seasons in Utah closing around Memorial Day but sometimes being open (with limited lifts) as late as July. Snowbird operates a high capacity tram, similar to the one at Jackson Hole if you are familiar. This is a great experience to ride the tram in the summertime as well for the views from the top of the mountain without the effort coming from a hike. If you want to ski at Snowbird, check out this link for discounted lift tickets.

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Skiing near Provo

Depending on where you are staying, you could incorporate a visit to Provo fairly easily. Sundance Resort is about an hour south of Salt Lake City and about 45 minutes from Park City.

Sundance Resort

Ski: Yes
Snowboard: Yes
Season Pass: Sundance Season Pass

Although this resort is listed by itself, it is located only about an hour away from Salt Lake City near Provo. You have likely heard of Sundance Resort before from the Sundance Film Festival. This festival happens annually in January and takes place in Park City, Salt Lake City, and of course the Sundance Resort.

Although I personally have not skied at Sundance, I visit this location often in the spring, summer, and fall for hiking and it is beautiful. Skiing began in the area as early as 1944 and Robert Redford acquired the area in 1968. It has a lower overall elevation than it’s neighbor ski resorts in the area which makes the season shorter as well. It is my goal to ski Sundance in 2020/2021 and I plan to update this post at that time.

Skiing near Ogden

Ogden is about an hour north of Salt Lake City and home to three of the Utah ski resorts. While these resorts may not be what comes to mind right away when you think of skiing in Utah, they are local favorites.

Snowbasin Resort

Ski: Yes
Snowboard: Yes
Season Pass: Snowbasin Pass, Epic Pass

Snowbasin Resort will always hold a special place in my heart when it comes to skiing in Utah. After my first year in Utah skiing entirely at Park City and Canyons, I got a “Learn and Earn” season pass to Snowbasin. This meant I had to do 3 lessons and “earned” my season pass. These lessons (and the lessons from the next year’s “Learn, Earn and Return” pass) are what made me go from “not really comfortable on blues at all” to comfortable on Blues, Double Blues, and most Black Diamonds.

A local favorite, Snowbasin was opened in 1938 and remodeled for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and the interior is incredibly nice. There is not on-property lodging, rather there are hotels that Snowbasin has a partnership with. Snowbasin recently joined the Epic Pass and the number of days that you can spend there each season is dependent on the Epic Pass level purchased.

Powder Mountain

Ski: Yes
Snowboard: Yes
Season Pass: Powder Mountain Season Pass

Powder Mountain is located near Eden Utah and it is the largest ski resort in the US by skiable acreage with 154 trails, 9 lifts, and 2 terrain parks. It was opened in 1972 and is known for its “family feel” and uncrowded runs.

Although I personally have not yet skied on Powder Mountain it is on my list to visit in 2020-2021. It has both night and daytime skiing and riding,

Nordic Valley

Ski: Yes
Snowboard: Yes
Season Pass: Nordic Valley Season Pass, Power Pass Member

Nordic Valley Ski Resort is a smaller option located up north near Ogden, UT. This is another resort with night skiing and riding – the entire resort is lit up at night rather than just a select few runs.

This is another resort that I have not had the chance to visit myself yet but with its proximity to Powder Mountain, I would like to make a weekend out of it this season.

Skiing near Logan

Beaver Mountain

Ski: Yes
Snowboard: Yes
Season Pass: Beaver Mountain Season Pass, Indy Pass

“The Beav” was opened in 1939 and is located 27 miles northeast of Logan and 3 miles south of the Idaho border. The slopes of the mountain face east, and it receives somewhat less snowfall than those resorts facing west. Beaver Mountain does not utilize snowmaking equipment making the the ski area entirely dependent upon natural snowfall. This means that it often opens several weeks later than most other resorts in Utah.

Cherry Peak

Ski: Yes
Snowboard: Yes
Season Pass: Cherry Peak Season Pass with Reciprocal Days

Cherry Peak is a newer resort in Northern Utah that was opened in 2014. It is smaller than some of the other Utah ski resorts but its proximity to Logan and its snowmaking equipment make it a good option for those up north.

With night skiing and riding, as well as the availability of snow tubing, this resort has a lot to offer. This is one that I haven’t visited personally but I do hope to visit this season.

Southern Utah Ski Resorts

Brian Head Resort

Ski: Yes
Snowboard: Yes
Season Pass: Season Pass, Power Pass

If you are headed to Southern Utah but still interested in skiing, likely your best option is Brian Head Resort. In addition to having the highest base elevation in the state, Brian Head also has snow tubing and terrain parks. This resort opened in 1964 and is 3.5 hours north of Las Vegas and 4 hours south of Salt Lake City. I hope to make it to Brian Head this season.

Eagle Point Ski Resort

Ski: Yes
Snowboard: Yes
Season Pass: Eagle Point Season Pass with reciprocal days.

Formerly known as Elk Mountain, Eagle Point Ski Resort re-opened with a new name in 2010. It is located in Beaver, Utah so it is farther north than Brian Head Resort. This is another resort of my list for this year.

What to Wear to the Utah Ski Resorts

As many of these things to do are outside, you want to be prepared with cold-weather gear: gloves, wool socks. ski pants, and wool layers are a MUST to enjoy your time on the slopes. Below are some of my favorites (and you can see me wearing them in the pictures above):

Utah Ski Resorts

Have you visited any of these Utah ski resorts? Which is your favorite for skiing or riding? Let me know in the comments.

You May Also Enjoy These Posts:

• 13 Things to do in Salt Lake City in the Winter
• Snow Tubing in Park City
• Best Hikes in Utah
• 21 Places to Visit in Utah that aren’t National Parks
• Best Scenic Drives in Utah
• Best Time of Year to Visit Utah
• How to Wash a Ski Jacket

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