Utah Snowpack: It’s (Always) a Good Day to Hit the Slopes
There’s skiing, and then there’s Utah skiing. Once you don boots and boards here, you’ll find the ski resorts in Utah offer up the freshest and loftiest snow. It’s so flufffffy! Whether on a snowboard or traditional skis, it feels like you’re floating down the mountainside — not scraping off barnacles. And then there’s the softer landing — something everyone can appreciate.
Track the Snowpack
Where’s the best snow pillow to plop your skis? You’ll find the latest data on the Utah snowpack on KSL.com. Thanks to strategically placed weather cameras, you’ll see current images from recreation spots across the state, so you know what conditions are like. And how many layers you're gonna need.
Download the KSL.com news app and open the weather menu. It’s the easiest way to see the latest Utah Snowpack totals across the state, in case you’re looking for something deeeep. You can also access the Ski Report for the overall numbers.
- Current snow base
- Snowfall in past 24 hours
- Snowfall in past 48 hours
- How many open lifts
- How many open runs
Use the sites in tandem, and you’ve got yourself an (ice) crystal ball. Or maybe a Magic 8 Ball. “Will shredding be awesome today?” you ask. “Totally!”
Ski Every Mountain
In northern Utah, four of the larger resorts share the love with the Wasatch Benefit Program. When you purchase an unlimited season pass at one — Alta, Brighton, Deer Valley or Snowbird — you get one free day at each of the other three in the program. So you can chase the best snow of the day, if you’re so inclined. Brian Head, Nordic Valley and Sundance also have a ski sharing program.
In addition, several Utah ski resorts offer a discounted rate on the Ikon Pass, good for access to more than 50 resorts worldwide. Park City Mountain participates in the Epic Pass, which includes slope time in places across the U.S. and international destinations.
Each resort in Utah is priced differently, but they all offer unlimited passes — which means no annoying blackout dates. Other perks vary. Most have adjustable rates for the adult season passes, based on the skiers age. All prices included here are for the 2022-23 season.
If you’ve got youngsters, might as well get ‘em started early — a few resorts let them ski for free. If they’re a bit older, sign up for the Ski Utah 4th, 5th and 6th Grade Passport Program. For just $49, your grade schoolers can ski three times at each of Utah’s resorts. Rad. z
Northernmost Exposure
Beaver Mountain | Garden City
You don’t have to be a local to ski at Beaver Mountain, but you might feel like one amidst the seclusion you’ll find there. This resort, about 27 miles east of Logan, has more than 660 acres of terrain that goes relatively untouched. Opened in 1939, it’s been family-owned ever since.
Unlimited adult: $675
Senior: $100
Student: $450
Ages 6-11: $450
5 and under: Free until November 30, 2022, $100 after
Cherry Peak | Richmond
Cherry Peak, located just 15 miles from Logan, has 400 acres for snowboarding and skiing. In the mood for a different kind of adventure? Hit the terrain park’s rail slides and jumps. Or go tubing. Yeah, an unlimited pass actually includes everything. Cherry Peak is part of the Freedom Pass network, which allows you three free ski days at partnering resorts across the U.S.
Unlimited adult: $399
Senior: $229
Student: $299-$329
Ages 6-12: $249
5 and under: Free with paying adult
Powder Mountain | Eden
At more than 8,400 acres, Powder Mountain touts the most skiable acreage of any ski resort in the U.S. You can access all of the pristine snow via 154 runs. It’s the perfect place if you’re a purist: 100% natural snow and a limited number of skiers on the slopes. Passes are capped at 3,000 and sell out quickly, but if you can snag one, you’ll have priority purchasing next year.
Unlimited adult: $1,150
Senior: $65-$870
Ages 7-18: $625
6 and under: $65
Nordic Valley | Eden
Located about an hour from Salt Lake City, Nordic Valley is among the smallest of Utah’s ski resorts. Despite its diminutive size — 450 acres — it’s rarely crowded. And with plenty of gentle learning hills, beginners won’t be intimidated. Not that it’s all easy peasy — it was a training area for downhill skiing during the 2002 Winter Games, after all. The Premier Pass includes five days at Sun Valley Resort, Idaho, and 50% off a day pass at Alta and Snowbird.
Unlimited adult: $875-$1,199
Senior: $925
Ages 13-18: $775
12 and under: Free
Snowbasin | Huntsville
Snowbasin, one of the longest continually operating resorts in the U.S., hosted two downhill courses for the 2002 Salt Lake Games — Grizzly and Wildflower. Not that you need to be a pro to ski here. In fact, there’s a little something for everyone. It has 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, including steep tree runs and wide open bowls.
Unlimited adult: $949-$1,249
Senior: $949
Ages 13-18: $749
Ages 5-12: $499
Fer City Slickers
Alta | Little Cottonwood Canyon
With more than 500 inches of snow each year, give or take, Alta ski area is one of the best spots for powder. Just a short drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon, you’ll find six lifts and 118 runs covering some 2,600 acres. A perk with the pass: free parking reservations on weekends and holidays. Please note, Alta is a skier only resort.
Unlimited adult: $1,099-$1,599
Senior: $50-$1,199
Ages 7-17: $449-$719
6 and under: $99
Brighton | Big Cottonwood Canyon
At the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, Brighton Resort has 1,050 acres of skiable terrain accessible from five lifts. You can zip to the tippy top with the whole family in tow on Brighton’s quad high-speed chairlifts. Or leave the kids home for the evening and go on a date night skiing. An unlimited pass includes a UTA Ski Bus pass and three free days of skiing at all Boyne Resorts in the U.S.
Unlimited adult: $799-$1,099
Senior: $799
Ages 7-18: $149-$529
6 and under: $40
Snowbird | Little Cottonwood Canyon
Snowbird is nestled in the granite mountains of Little Cottonwood Canyon, with 144 trails. There’s a fairly even distribution of difficulty among the runs, making it a good choice if you’re with skiers of different ability levels. The unlimited season pass includes a UTA Ski Bus pass and five days of skiing at Sun Valley.
Unlimited adult: $949-$1,249
Senior: $949
Ages 5-18: $499-$749
4 and under: $39
Solitude | Big Cottonwood Canyon
Solitude Mountain Resort is known for its steep skiing and deep snow. Only 10% of its runs are beginner friendly — but how far do you really want to roam from the bunny hill as a newbie? There are loads of black diamond and double black diamond runs. Definitely not for bunnies. The unlimited pass includes the Ikon base pass, giving you access to Snowbird and Brighton, as well as 45 other resorts worldwide.
Unlimited adult: $919
Ages 13-22: $709
Ages 5-12: $359
4 and under: $99
Luxury Elevations
Deer Valley | Park City
Deer Valley has 103 runs on more than 2,000 skiable acres. Sorry snowboarders, it’s just for skiers. Deer Valley earned some international cred during the 2002 Olympics, when it hosted the alpine slalom events, the freestyle aerials and the knee-bouncing moguls. With a season pass, you’ll get access to those same slopes 30 minutes before anyone else on six select days — two each in January, February and March.
Unlimited adult: $3,145
Senior: $2,355
Ages 13-22: $1,945
Ages 5-12: $885
4 and under: $215
Park City Mountain | Park City
There’s plenty of space to share at Park City Mountain, with more than 300 runs on 7,300 acres. There are runs for all skill levels, although half are rated expert — this is where future Olympians come to play. Hit the terrain parks for jumps, ramps, half pipes, jibs and rails. The Epic Pass — only available through the first weekend in December — also includes access to 30 other resorts in the U.S. and Canada, including Vail and Breckenridge, Colorado.
Unlimited adult (ages 13 and up): $949
Ages 5-12: $467
Utah college student: $439
Utah student 13-18: $393
Woodward | Park City
This isn’t your typical ski resort in Utah. Woodward Park City is a mecca for extreme sports enthusiasts — from beginners to pros. There’s skiing, snowboarding and tubing in the winter, and a skatepark, parkour, biking, trampoline and tumbling year-round. An all-access membership pass includes indoor and outdoor facilities, while Mountain Park membership includes only outdoor ones.
Unlimited adult (age 6 and up): $149 per month (four month minimum)
Mountain Park (ages 7 and up): $99 per month (four month minimum)
Sundance | Provo Canyon
Sundance Mountain Resort may have been founded by a movie star, but it has more to offer than good looks. Although the splendid scenery doesn’t hurt. It’s a small, family-friendly resort. There are 42 runs over 450 acres, including both groomed slopes and wide-open bowls. Reciprocal pass benefits include three days of skiing at both Brian Head and Nordic Valley, as well as eight other locations around the West.
Unlimited adult: $849
Senior: $350
Ages 13 to grade 12: $499
Ages 6-12: $399
5 and under: Free
Down South
Brian Head Resort | Brian Head
Southern Utah sunshine pairs well with a white landscape at Brian Head Resort. It’s the highest base elevation of the Utah ski resorts and covers some 650 acres. There are 71 runs between two connected mountains. Purchase the Power Pass for unlimited access to Brian Head, Nordic Valley and seven other resorts, from Oregon to Texas.
Unlimited adult: $875-$1,199
Senior: $925
Ages 13-18: $775
12 and under: Free
Eagle Point Resort | Beaver
The second highest base elevation in Utah, Eagle Point Resort is only open about 65 days a year — on weekends from mid-December through March. But you’ll spend almost all of your time actually skiing, because lift wait lines are basically non-existent. Eagle Point is part of the Freedom Pass network, so you will also get three free days at Cherry Peak.
Unlimited adult: $449-$599
Senior: $429
Ages 7-17: $299
6 and under: Free
Get Out
Check on the Utah snowpack to make your plans, stuff your pockets full of fruit cake and head for the hills — it’s powder stompin’ time. Ready for a more extreme adventure? Learn about places to go backcountry skiing, heli skiing and kite skiing on Utah.com.