Ski Resorts in Salt Lake City, Utah

Alta, Brighton, Solitude and Snowbird make up the star studded ski resorts in the Salt Lake City area. They have some of the best (and some of the gnarliest) skiing Utah has to offer!

Pros

  • Receives 500 in of ‘The Greatest Snow on Earth’ on average per year, more than Colorado
  • Fly and ski on the same day – all resorts 45 minutes from the airport
  • Exceptional extreme skiing at Alta and Snowbird

Cons

  • Not ideal for early season skiing, lower elevation and not as cold as Colorado
  • Fewer household names than Colorado

Getting there

  • Fly into Salt Lake City International Airport: it’s the closest and most convenient airport to the resorts in Salt Lake City.
  • Best way to resorts from Salt Lake City International Airport is to take a shuttle bus. If you are planning to visit other resorts in Utah, consider renting a car. Top tip: If you are staying in Salt Lake City, the Utah Transit Authority’s Ski Bus is a convenient and affordable option for going to and from the resort. All resorts are 45 minutes drive from the airport.

This no-frills ski area in Little Cottonwood Canyon is one of the best ski resorts in Utah, serving up tons of light and fluffy powder and world-class extreme terrain. The only thing Alta doesn’t serve is snowboarders and much nightlife.

One of the oldest ski resorts in the US, Brighton has a strong local following thanks to its good mix of terrain, reliable snowfall, cheap lift tickets as well as fewer crowds compared to nearby Snowbird. On the downside, the family-friendly resort is relatively small compared to other resorts in the area and has a short vertical drop.

If the “no friends on a powder day” rule applies to you, then Solitude is your resort. The mountain is known for its crowd-free slopes across its mid-sized terrain and serves up a variety of runs. Since being acquired by the very posh Deer Valley, there have been upgrades to its lodging and service.

Home to freeriders and extreme skiers, the gnarly terrain and masses of top-notch powder here is what Snowbird is famous for. It’s also well-known for its long season, which sometimes lasts into the summer! Another best ski resorts in Utah, a ski vacation to Salt Lake City wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Snowbird.

StatResorts
Best for BeginnersBrighton
Best for IntermediatesSolitude
Best for Advanced and ExpertsSnowbird, Alta
Best for All-rounderSolitude
Highest Summit ElevationSnowbird
Highest number of runsSnowbird
Largest ski areaSnowbird
Highest number of listsSnowbird