Salt Lake City is considered as the epicenter of skiing in Utah. Though there are no ski hills right in the heart of the city, some of the best ski resorts are at the foot of the Wasatch Mountain Range, just within an hour drive from the main city. For an excellent skiing experience, skiers can head to the slopes and get to enjoy the big city amenities on their way to the mountain. The capital of Utah Salt Lake City is the most populated area in the US. In addition to this, it was also the home to the Winter Olympics in 2002.
The storms pick up moisture as it passes over the Great Salt Lake, when this moisture hits against the Wasatch Mountains, it creates the perfect light and skiable powder snow. Skiing near Salt Lake City is widely preferred by the skiers due to the easy access from the city and airport to the top ski spots. The best part that makes Utah the home of ski resorts is its family-friendly ambiance and budget-friendly packages.
As a beginner, you will love Utah in January since it is the best month to learn how to Ski and Snowboard & the Utah resorts offer some of their best deals for families at this time. If you are planning for skiing near Salt Lake City, you should look for resorts that offer unique introductory packages, cheap beginner lift ticket and reasonable gear on rent. The city houses over 150 hotels and 1,000 restaurants. Four of the top skiing resorts you can consider keeping in mind factors like affordability, accessibility and amenities are:
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Some of the best ski resorts near Salt Lake City
Alta
This ski resort has been built especially for the skiers. In this resort, the idea of skiing near Salt Lake City is like a dream come true for any skier as the area experiences, on an average, 550-inch of fuzzy white snow every year. As a power skiing paradise, it offers challenging terrains for both beginners and intermediates. You will get an option to avail 10-lifts for accessing 116 runs. With a vertical drop of 2,020-foot, you get to enjoy Snowcat skiing in the Grizzly Gulch Bowl while as a Nordic skier, you should be ready to experience the 5km of prepared track for skate or classic skiing.
The resort here offers packages that include breakfast and dinner, cozy get-together spaces with fireplaces. Condo rentals are available with convenient shuttle service to the lifts. High-up in the mountains, you have a widespread of dining options, including a fancy night out within your budget. If you are in search of budget-accommodations, then try out the typical dorm-style rooms on the slopes near the Salt Lake Valley.
Brighton
Being just next to the Solitude resort, this can be tagged as a family-friendly resort. It is one of the best options for skiing near Salt Lake City. It is a great place to learn the sports & the beginners can try taking their first laps here. The friendly attitude of the hosts along with the mellow runs makes it the best skiing destinations for families in this area. Most of the young skiers are attracted to this place. It has 66 runs which can be accessed from 6 lifts & you get to enjoy 1,875 vertical feet of exploration. You also get to access the Sol-Bright Pass from here.
The 200-acres of lighted runs allow night skiing even after the sun is down. The base area accommodation includes vacation home rentals and cabins. This 20-room lodge accommodates children under the age of 10 for free. You need to take a shuttle service to go 3-miles down the road where the Silver Fork Lodge and Restaurant and Big Cottonwood Canyon are located to experiment with food.
Snowbird
If you love adventures and want to enjoy skiing near Salt Lake City, then this is the best option for you. It gives you the scope to stay engaged with a bunch of activities. For an extraordinary view, you can take the Aerial Tram up to the 11,000-foot top of Hidden Peak and enjoy the steep, fast and deep runs on the legendary mountain of the Snowbird. Here, you also get to experience the wide-open bowls, fly down the steep chutes or also make your way to North America’s only ski tunnel which is 600-foot underground, to access the Mineral Basin. Even if you are an intermediate skier, you will find plenty of mellow terrain here.
The resort offers a 2,900-foot vertical drop with 168 runs that are evenly spread amidst the beginners, intermediate and expert terrain. Some of the other activities you can indulge in are go snowcat skiing in the Upper American Fork Canyon, take a mountain tour, take a snowmobile tour or go snowshoeing. By offering so many options, this resort helps you to create lifetime memories. Here, you can put up in the condos, the Snowbird Inn or the iconic Cliff Lodge and get to enjoy some exotic mountain dining options.
Solitude
If snowshoe trails, skiing and campfires are things that attract you the most, then you should put up in the Solitude resort. This 1,200-acre quiet and peaceful resort is located in a European-style village that has 66 named runs and three bowls to explore. Here, you get to enjoy 8-lifts and a 2,047-foot vertical drop. You can also spend some serene moments on the 10-km snowshoe trails, cross-country skiing on the 20-km of trails at the Nordic Center or ice skating at the rink with warm fire pits close by. It has its own chairlifts, lodges and more. When you put up here, your experience of skiing near Salt Lake City is bound to be memorable.
Conclusion
There are several other reasons as to why people prefer skiing near Salt Lake City. It has outstanding roads and highways. The traffic in Salt Lake City is much lighter which allows you to reach the resorts in a breeze. The lift ticket vouchers for reaching the Utah ski resorts are also available at discounted rates in most hotels.
Though most of the airline services allow you to carry your ski equipment, which can be bought from Amazon, they charge you extra which sums up to a big amount. But at Utah, you need not carry your own stuff. Everything can be taken on rent that too at an economical price. You can retain the equipment during your entire stay which proves to be really convenient.
Also, when you plan for skiing near Salt Lake City, you need to drink a lot of water before and after skiing, as the weather out there is very dry. It aids you to stay fit and healthy while skiing. Following such small precautions let you enjoy a great stay in and around Salt Lake City.
