Where to Book Snowbird Ski Resort:
Snowbird Ski Resort
Snowbird Ski Resort supplies gnarly terrain, powder days, convenient access, and busy weekends.
Snowbird Utah is located in Little Cottonwood Canyon in the Rocky Mountains, continuing to be in the running for the top ski resort in North America. The resort is known worldwide for its famed fluffy, dry powder and how steadily it falls throughout the season. The “Birds” steep skiing gets talked about because, uh…it’s steep and steep the whole time.
Snowbird Ski Resort is relatively crowded, especially on weekends, because it is accessible from Salt Lake City and its international airport. The facilities at Snowbird Utah hold all that one desires during a ski vacation, including retail shops, ski and snowboard rentals, fitness centers, and a spa. There are also plenty of restaurants and bars at the hill to appease your après-ski cravings.
Things we like:
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Powder galore, the light, fluffy kind Utah is famous for
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Convenient access, being 30 miles away from Salt Lake City International Airport
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Gnar steeps that challenge the best skiers and riders
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Accredited ski school with private ski school learning area
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Designated public beginner terrain marked off for safety
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Plentiful bars and restaurants
Things we don't like:
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It has limited beginner terrain
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The resort does not have a gas station nearby
Where to Book Snowbird Ski Resort:
Snowbird Ski Resort
- Chairlifts: 14 lifts (1 tram, 6 hi-speed quad chairs, 4 double chairs, 3 surface lifts)
- Vertical: 3,240 ft (988 m)
- Avg. Snowfall: 500in
- Season: Mid-November through May
- Runs: 140
- Beginner: 11%
- Intermediate: 26%
- Advanced/Expert: 66%
- Kids Ski School: yes
- Accommodations: yes
- Daycare: yes
Resort
Utah is renowned for its powder days. Something distinctive about Snowbird is the countless powder days; there seems to be a dusting every morning. Instead of getting several feet at one time, which of course it does that too, it mostly gets a few inches of perfect light dry powder falling at night-time consistently throughout the whole season.
Unlike that heavy wet powder that falls in buckets at resorts like Mammoth and Palisades in the Sierra Nevadas, the Bird has ideal powder conditions. So, almost every day of the season can be the best ski day ever at Snowbird, and they average an abundant 500 inches of snow a year.
The Little Cottonwood Canyon, where Snowbird and Alta Ski Resort reside, has natural resources and beauty that have been sought after for years. The Canyon started in 1896 after a soldier mined for silver, becoming one of the largest producers of silver ore in the Wasatch Mountains.
It was not until 1970 that Snowbird Ski Resort was underway. It was Alta Lodge manager Ted Johnson’s idea. Ted partnered with oilman Dick Bass to launch the three lifts, one aerial tram, the Snowbird Center, and the Lodge at Snowbird. Not until 2014 did new ownership get passed to businessman Ian Cumming.
Since the ownership transfer, Snowbird Ski Resort has implemented a new power system that allows it to operate almost entirely independently of the traditional grid. They also strive to improve infrastructure, activities, and ski operations.
One may assume the 2,500 skiable acres of the Bird is small, but the 3,240ft vertical is not. Something cool about this mountain is that it is consistently steep from top to bottom and has challenges for all its riders.
The majority of the hill is for intermediate riders and above. The Bird offers incredible expert riding opportunities in the Cirque Traverse with radical chutes and powder-filled bowls. Other experts may seek out Chamoniz or Bassackwards. If you want to ski between the trees, the glade skiing in Gad Valley and Peruvian Gulch is fantastic. Or maybe you are an intermediate skier looking to enjoy the scenery; head to Chip’s Run for stellar views.
Beginners should stick to the Baby Thunder Learning Area.
Visitors have the option to buy single-day, multi-day, or season passes. With an Ikon Pass, you can ski for up to 7 days at The Bird.
Getting There
Getting to Snowbird Ski Resort is relatively seamless. Snowbird Utah earned a gold medal for easy access by Ski Magazine. Salt Lake City is 29 miles away from Snowbird Ski Resort. Sandy is a suburb of SLC and the largest, closest city 4 miles away. It is necessary to travel through Little Cottonwood Canyon to arrive at Snowbird.
Flying into Salt Lake City International Airport is accessible with minimal layovers. It is the hub for Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection, SkyWest Airlines, Ameriflight, Western Airlines, Alpine Air Express, and Delta Air Lines-Northwest Airlines merger. Upon entry, Canyon Transportation will happily get you to Snowbird safely with a 4×4 vehicle.
If you are driving, make sure to check Snowbird’s traffic and road conditions information via their Mountain Report. Due to abundant and frequent snowfall, the Utah Department of Transportation often enforces a Traction Law in Cottonwood Canyons.
The Traction Law requires all vehicles to have traction devices or 4WD. Before you drive out to Snowbird Ski Resort, fill your tank with gas, as there are no gas stations up Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Parking at Snowbird is relatively easy and plentiful. There is the opportunity to buy a Preferred Parking Pass at Snowbird, but it should be done a year in advance. Don’t worry; there is free parking at Snowbird Ski Resort.
However, a recent trend in ski resorts, like at Palisades, is making reserving parking spots mandatory. Snowbird Ski Resort does not require parking reservations, but it does make your trip run smoothly. Parking reservations at Snowbird can be done online.
Carpooling is strongly encouraged by Snowbird. If you carpool with 4 or more people, you can park in designated spaces in prime locations. Carpooling on high-traffic days also qualifies you to win prizes through Canyon Carpool Club.
Accommodations
Snowbird Ski Resort has 4 ski-in/ski-out lodging options at the mountain’s base. Choose from standard hotel rooms, condo-style accommodations, or executive suites. Booking through Snowbird unlocks discounts. The 5th night of your stay is free at Snowbird’s lodging options, and kids 12 and under get to ski free every night of their stay. Ikon and Mountain Collective pass holders will get discounts on lodging.
The Cliff Lodge is a luxury hotel located at the base of Snowbird. Prices will be on the steeper side, just like the ski terrain. Reserve your stay in advance, especially if you plan to visit on a weekend. If this isn’t nice enough, The Cliff Club is an individual section of The Cliff Lodge that features private balcony hot tubs.
To relax after dropping a money bag, The Cliff Spa is ready to pamper you after a day of ripping. However, there are additional fees to access the Spa, but it features a heated rooftop pool, hot tub, yoga studio, fitness center, and 30 treatment and salon services.
For guests not wanting the spa treatment, there is a heated outdoor pool and two hot tubs. The Cliff Lodge also contains a few dining options. Oh, and there is on-site ski rental and repairs for your convenience.
A more affordable accommodation is The Lodge at Snowbird; weekend reservations fill up fast, so book in advance. These are condominium accommodations with a balcony and a mountain view. And for those looking for a first chair, The Lodge is a short walk to the ski lifts.
Perfect for families, weddings, or large groups, there are room options capable of sleeping up to 14 guests. Additional features include a heated outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, fitness center, restaurant, and 2 meeting rooms.
If you’re looking for a more private setting with less interference from staff and guests, The Inn will be your choice. Here, you can enjoy “The comforts of a home.” From single bedrooms to studios and lofts, there are units capable of housing 2 to 10 people.
The units at The Inn are individually owned; the owner will accept guests’ reservations after the owner’s vacation days are accounted for. There is no restaurant, but there is a bar, fitness center, outdoor heated pool, hot tub, and steam room. 24/7 front desk service is conveniently established here.
The Iron Blosam is another quaint condominium lodging option, with a quick walk to the ski lift but further away from the Snowbird Center. These accommodations are rented out on VRBO or Snowbird’s reservation website, and rooms fill up fast. A heated outdoor pool, indoor hot tub, workout facility, saunas, steam room, restaurant, and on-site massages are offered at The Iron Blossom.
If you choose to stay in Salt Lake City, the Cottonwood Connect offers a ski shuttle from the city to the slopes for $10 a person. It is necessary to make a reservation to use this shuttle service.
There is also a bussing option. If you’re staying on the hill and want to travel to the city, or vice versa, Utah Transport Authority (UTA) provides the Ski Bus, which services Little Cottonwood Canyon, where Snowbird is nuzzled. The bus is free for Snowbird season pass holders. Visit rideuta.com for the Ski Bus information and fares.
Snowbird offers a shuttle service on the hill from the Snowbird Center to other parts of the resort.
Facilities
Snowbird Center is the main hub at the primary base area of Snowbird Ski Resort. Restaurants, bars, retail shops, information desks, ski schools, and ticketing services reside here.
The on-mountain facilities are standard ski resort buildings with more of a utilitarian take on architecture. The lifts at Snowbird are relatively modern; most of the lifts are high-speed with leg rests. The ski and snowboard rentals are plentiful, with high-quality equipment for all skill levels and ages.
If you are afraid you’ll get lodging without a place to dip, fear not. There are heated pools and hot tubs at every lodging option. Fitness centers are also distributed to each lodging option. So no matter where you stay on the hill, you will have a pool and a gym.
When a spa day calls your name, The Cliff Spa will take care of you/ There are 30 services available. Yoga classes are also available at The Cliff Spa. There is a fee to enter the Spa; you must be 16 years or older.
Shopping at Snowbird Ski Resort is relatively limited but with an abundance of value. Most retail shops in Snowbird Center supply customers with winter apparel, accessories, and equipment.
The Wings Snowbird Logo Shop has Snowbird-specific logo clothing. Another good option to buy ski and snowboard gear is Christy Sports. The only retail shop not located in Snowbird Center is Cliff Sports, which supplies high-end ski and snowboard gear in The Cliff Lodge.
There are two locations to get groceries and snacks. General Gritts is a grocery store located in the Snowbird Center. You will find fruits and vegetables, liquor, snacks, and a full-service deli here. Another option is Center Sundries, also in the Snowbird Center. Center Sundries is a U.S. Post Office with gift shop vibes; it has t-shirts, souvenirs, snacks, soft drinks and beer, and postcards.
Families and Kids
All skill levels can benefit from a lesson at Snowbird’s ski school. The children’s programs at the ski school are designed to be engaging and rewarding. Lessons are best to be scheduled in advance to ensure a spot. Safety is the school’s top priority, and they even have a designated “Mountain School Learning Area” specifically blocked off for clients.
The “Baby Thunder Learning Area” is looker’s left of Baby Thunder Lift and is perfect for the kiddos. It is well protected by fences and slow-down signs, designed to keep a beginner rider safe.
If you want to keep the kids safe while you go ski the epic steeps, the learning area is ideal for safe, fun ski laps. Thunder Tube is also available to the public, a beginner surface lift that transports you a short way up the hill. The Thunder Tube is best for small children or timid first-timers.
If the children want to do something besides snowboarding or skiing at Snowbird, the Summer is full of activities. The Alpine Slide, ZipWhipper, bungee jump, ropes course, Mountain Coaster, and tubing are just a few of the thrill-seeking activities available at Snowbird.
Licensed daycare is offered year-round at the Bird. The name of the childcare center is Superior Child Care. The daycare is located on the first level of The Cliff Lodge at Snowbird Ski Resort. 4 hours goes for $135, and full-day prices go for $195. They offer 3 nutritious meals, quality care, sledding adventures, and crafts. Children 2 months to 12 years are welcome. Hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
For Beginner Riders
Snowbird Ski Resort is not known for its beginner terrain. However, the beginner areas are cautiously marked off for rider safety, and beginner trails lead from one side of the mountain to the other. 38 of the 140 runs are for beginners, called “Green Runs.” There are 53 intermediate or “Blue Runs.” The beginner area open to the public is named “Baby Thunder Family Area,” accessible from the Baby Thunder Lift.
Snowbird’s ski school is PSIA-AASI accredited with world-class lessons. Group and private lessons and specialty clinics like women’s camps are available. Taking a class for first-time skiers and snowboarders is strongly encouraged. The ski school has a designated teaching zone called “Mountain School Learning Area,” used only by the ski school and its clients.
Rental shops are abundant at Snowbird. Find ski and snowboard rental shops at Snowbird Center, The Cliff Lodge, and Creekside Lodge. Rental shops also carry helmets to rent, which are strongly encouraged to wear.
For Routine Skiers
Routine skiers at Snowbird will be pleased with the commuting options Snowbird offers its visitors. Routine skiers that want to be closest to Snowbird Ski Resort will want to stay in Sandy, UT, a short 20-minute drive. Commuters can take the Ski Bus or the Cottonwood Connection shuttle. Driving is also possible, and a preferred parking pass is available to the public. Remember that you can park in a designated parking zone if you carpool.
Snowbird Utah has an uphill capacity of 17,400 skiers and snowboarders per hour. Whistler has the most uphill capacity at 36,148 skiers per hour. At Snowbird, there are 10 chair lifts, 6 being high-speed. Snowbird Ski Resort will not be your destination to take hot laps on the weekends. Traveling to the resort on the weekdays is best to get optimal skiing mileage for time.
There is backcountry skiing available in the Wasatch National Forest. Snowbird Ski Resort offers guided backcountry skiing for ages 16 and up. There are different backcountry packages you can choose from. It is best to be taken by a guide before you explore the backcountry without a guide. The resort has a backcountry gate. When resorts have backcountry gates accessible from their lifts, it is called sidecountry. Snowbird also offers Avalanche Education, a great way to prevent backcountry expeditions from going wrong.
For Snowboarders
Thankfully, snowboarding is allowed here, not at the neighboring mountains, Alta or Deer Valley. Snowbird Ski Resort is more of a steeps to scare the sh*t out of you, not a 10-terrain park to choose from mountain.
There is one park at Snowbird Utah and a well-maintained half-pipe. Access the park from the Mid-Gad or Gadzoom lift; the terrain park resides in Gad Valley.
The Apres-Ski
Snowbird Ski Resort is home to 15 restaurants and 6 bars; there will be something to cure your before/after/during ski cravings. The restaurants are located in the lodging properties and the Snowbird Center. The best après drink stop is The Tram Club, located in the Snowbird Center. It has killer drink deals and is open until 8 p.m.
The Cliff Lodge has a few food and drink options. Stop at The Atrium on Level 1 for your morning coffee and pastries. For an open kitchen and retro vibe, visit the SeventyOne. For some modern-American cuisine carrying local, seasonal, organic ingredients, reserve at The Aerie. The lounges at the last two suggested restaurants stay open until 10 and 11 p.m. for people who want late-night refreshments.
The Wildflower Restaurant is located on the third level of Iron Blosam Lodge. The restaurant serves Italian cuisine and offers a vibrant après-ski scene. It stays open till 9 pm, giving you plenty of time to relax after a long ski day. It is recommended to make dinner reservations. The Wildflower Lounge is the bar attached to the restaurant that is first-come, first-serve. The lounge is cozy with a fire, pool table, and T.V. sports viewing.
The Lodge Bistro is located on the pool level of The Lodge; they serve gourmet French/American cuisine and have a fully stocked bar. This is an excellent place for an intimate date night or family dinner. Making reservations is recommended. The Lodge Bistro Lounge has a bar menu, extensive wine menu, and cocktails.
If you’re looking for a meal on the mountain, The Summit serves satisfying meals at 11,000 feet atop Hidden Peak. Another spot to grab some on-the-ski grub is the Mid-Gad Restaurant; this is a good spot for a filling lunch.
The Bottom Line
Visiting Snowbird, Utah, is easy and worth your while. The terrain is diverse, with incredible steeps, a good beginner learning area, and powder to spare.
If you’re worried the one terrain park will not suffice, there are a good deal of side hits and natural features to get your air-time-stoke up.
There are plenty of places to eat or grab a drink on or off the hill. If you forget an essential winter item, one of the retail shops will surely have a quality replacement.
Whether this is your first ski trip or your family goes yearly in search of legendary ski memories, Snowbird Ski Resort has something for you. The low-density powder will have you dreaming for the next time you visit, so you should make a lodging reservation in advance.
Things we like:
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Powder galore, the light, fluffy kind Utah is famous for
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Convenient access, being 30 miles away from Salt Lake City International Airport
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Gnar steeps that challenge the best skiers and riders
-
Accredited ski school with private ski school learning area
-
Designated public beginner terrain marked off for safety
-
Plentiful bars and restaurants
Things we don't like:
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It has limited beginner terrain
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The resort does not have a gas station nearby
Frequently asked questions
Overall, Snowbird Ski Resort is expensive, as most ski trips are. When totaling up food and drinks, rentals, and lift tickets, the number will be at least in the 4 digits, if not 5 digits for families. If you own your equipment and have a season pass, that can cut down on costs.
There are five individual lodging options to suit your budget desires. The most budget-friendly options are going to be The Inn or The Lodge. You could get a night’s stay at one of these accommodations for $165. If you want to splurge, The Cliff will be your upper-end option with a fancy spa. The Cliff Club is an individual section of The Cliff, with even more excellent rooms and potentially a private balcony hot tub. The cheapest way to visit Snowbird Ski Resort is by staying in Sandy or Salt Lake City and commuting via bus.
Snowbird Utah is not known as a beginner-friendly mountain as its steeps are more discussed. However, 27% of Snowbird’s skiable terrain is for beginners. Baby Thunder Lift services Baby Thunder Family Zone, a dedicated beginner learning area. Something unique about Snowbird Ski Resort is it has beginner traverse runs that can transport you all over the front side of the mountain.
Pretty much any month is great at Snowbird, as it offers year-round adventures from skiing to mountain biking to tram balcony rides and alpine slide.
If you’re inferring which month is best to ski or snowbird at Snowbird, the most epic powder month is usually January. But February and March are close seconds. It is possible to ski into May at Snowbird, so if Spring skiing is your jam, April will be your month.
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