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Looking for ski resorts near Salt Lake City? These ski resorts have everything you’re
looking for and more! Make sure you check out these options.
When it comes to skiing in Utah, Salt Lake City is considered to be the gateway city to some of the best ski slopes in the state. There happen to be several ski resorts within an hour’s drive of the city, where each one is unique in what they offer, along with the thrilling activities that your family can enjoy while you’re visiting.
These are a handful of ski resorts near Salt Lake City that you need to check out.
Note: Please verify pricing and health protocols with each resort before visiting.
Best Ski Resorts Near Salt Lake City
It can be overwhelming to decide which ski resorts to visit when there are so many close to Salt Lake City. To help make your decision, we have put together this list of some of the best Salt Lake City area ski resorts, with information on pricing, activities, and more.
Be sure to check out the details and our “best for” section of each resort when deciding where to hit the slopes this winter near Salt Lake City.
1. Alta
Since 1938, the Alta ski resort has become a popular skier-only mountain, but surprisingly, it’s not typically overly-crowded. Its terrain provides more of a thrill for intermediate and expert skiers, and at the same time, has slopes that are suitable for beginners as well.
The only complaints that you may hear about this fabulous resort are the lack of lodging, shopping, and the nighttime atmosphere in the area. To solve this, most of Alta’s visitors simply drive over to Salt Lake City to find what they’re looking for.
Distance from Salt Lake City
The ski resort is only 32 miles, or a 40-minute drive to the Salt Lake City International Airport. It doesn’t get much closer than that!
Ski Resort Day Visit Pricing
Online day passes for adult skiers range from $104 to $141 depending on peak season and $50 to $71 on children. But if you wait to get your tickets at the window, you’re looking at anywhere from $129 to $149 for adults, and $65 to $75 for children depending on peak season.
Ski Resort Season Pass Pricing
An adult season pass at Alta will cost you $1,499 plus tax. Military, seniors 65+, along with 18 to 25 year olds will cost $1,099. Children’s passes vary from $109 to $699 +tax depending upon age.
Lodging
You will find a handful of different lodging options that are available at Alta’s base, including luxurious condos, beautiful homes, chalets with excellent views, log cabins, and of course, several mountain lodges.
Available Activities
While it may disappoint some of you that snowboarding is not permitted on the mountain, there are still other activities that you will enjoy. Some of them include ski racing, backcountry skiing, birding on skis, and a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter skiing opportunity.
Dining Options
Whether you’re high up on Alta Mountain, or down at its base, there are dozens of food options, from casual to fine-dining restaurants, as well as pubs and saloons where you can grab a snack, drink, or a warm hearty meal.
Best Ski Resort Near Salt Lake City For…
Alta is especially known as a skier-only mountain, which also has access to Snowbird with the Altabird Pass.
2. Brighton
Of the ski resorts on our list, Brighton is probably the most affordable and family-friendly of them all. That’s because children 10 and under can ski for free! While it may be smaller than some of the other ski resorts in the area, it’s typically less crowded. You’ll discover that there are 4 distinct sections of the mountain, providing beginners and expert skiers with different terrain for you
to take depending on your ability.
Distance from Salt Lake City
Brighton Ski Resort is located about 35 miles from the Salt Lake City International Airport, which is about a 45-minute drive.
Ski Resort Day Visit Pricing
The day prices for lift tickets has not been released yet for the 2021-2022 season. There are several options for tickets, and we hope to add the information soon. Check the Brighton Ski Resort website for the most up-to-date information.
Ski Resort Season Pass Pricing
There are a number of different season passes to choose from at Brighton. Adult season passes start at a base price of $949 and go up to $1,549 for their platinum season pass.
Lodging
At Brighton, there are many affordable lodging locations, including The Brighton Lodge. Down at the base there are even more options, like the Silver Fork Lodge and Restaurant, the Cottonwood Lodging Company, the Powderhorn Lodge at Solitude Mountain Resort, amongst several others.
Available Activities
Besides skiing, the resort also provides night skiing, snowbiking, and chances for wildlife viewing. During the summer months, hiking, mountain climbing, biking, and fishing are a few others.
Dining Options
A few of the restaurants in Brighton include Alpine Rose, The Blind Miner Cafe, Molly Greens, Milly Chalet, and The Brighton Store. Though some visitors may say that the dining options in the area are simply okay, you do have the convenience of them being more affordable.
Best Ski Resort Near Salt Lake City For…
Brighton is connected to Solitude and is considered to be a laid-back mountain skiing experience.
Brighton also has a net-zero emissions goal by 2030 which you can learn more about here.
3. Deer Valley
At the Deer Valley ski resort, you certainly get what you pay for. It’s a world-class luxurious resort that has well-groomed ski slopes, while also providing its visitors with outstanding lodging and customer service.
Although there is not much of a nightlife atmosphere, the town of Park City is not far from there and is exactly what you’re looking for. If cost is not a huge concern of yours, Deer Valley is an excellent resort that provides its visitors with shorter lines along with everything being top-notch.
Distance from Salt Lake City
Deer Valley is only about a 45-minute drive from the Salt Lake City International Airport, or roughly 38 miles.
Ski Resort Day Visit Pricing
Adult day passes start at $229 for ages 13-64. Children ages 1 through 4 cost $45, while youth ages 5 to 12 start at $142.
Ski Resort Season Pass Pricing
Adult season pass prices (23-64 years old) start at $2,550, but after the October deadline, they go up to $2965 per person. Children 5 to 12 will start at $715 and go up to $830 following the deadline. Young adults (13-22 years) are $1,575 and $1,890 following the October deadline.
Lodging
Whether you’re looking to stay in a private home, or in a luxurious hotel that comes with all the amenities, Deer Valley has got you covered. Lodges at Deer Valley, Arrowleaf, Silver Baron Lodge, and the luxury Montage Deer Valley hotel will all make for a wonderful vacation.
Available Activities
A few of the activities that your family can enjoy at Deer Valley include skiing, snowmobiling, horse-drawn sleigh rides, dog sledding, shopping, and more.
Dining Options
For the most part, the dining that you will find in Deer Valley is considered 5-star, but if this is a problem, you still have the option of heading over to Park City for more options.
Best Ski Resort Near Salt Lake City For…
This resort is known for its 5-star service and its well-groomed runs, along with its fabulous ski-in/ski-out lodging that’s available. It’s also a ski-only resort, and snowboarding is not permitted. If you are looking for a luxury ski resort, this is it.
4. Park City
Park City ski resort just so happens to be the largest ski resort in the entire United States. But it’s not just its sheer size that makes this resort so special. The area receives a consistent amount of snowfall each and every year that’s both soft and powdery.
There’s also all kinds of attractions, entertainment, and great places to eat to keep your party busy. Maybe the only drawback to this amazing resort is that it can draw some pretty big crowds at times.
Distance from Salt Lake City
Park City is conveniently located only 37 miles outside of Salt Lake City International Airport, which is about a 45 minute drive.
Ski Resort Day Visit Pricing
The resort offers a day pass that starts as low as $70 to $91 a day per adult, and $47 for children ages 5 through 12. Be aware that their website does mention that pricing will go up on November 21.
Ski Resort Season Pass Pricing
Park City offers an epic local pass that starts out at $619 for adults and $321 for children, only excluding holidays. Their epic pass provides visitors with unlimited access, regardless of any holidays they may be visiting on.
Lodging
Depending on your situation, Park City has all kinds of lodging opportunities available for you.
Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly place to stay, or something a little more luxurious, they’ve got you covered. Park City Mountain Village, Canyons Village, and Historic Main Street are just a few great destinations that offer comfortable lodging.
Available Activities
Besides skiing and snowboarding, you will also discover that they provide sleigh rides, snowmobile tours, historic mountain tours, and plenty of places to shop in the area.
Dining options
Legacy Lodge has 3 restaurants that provide different dining options, including Legacy Cafe, Jupiter Java, and Legends Bar & Grill. Keep in mind that two of them require reservations so plan ahead of time. There is plenty of other restaurants nearby as well.
Best Ski Resort Near Salt Lake City For…
Park City is an ideal ski resort for families and larger parties.
5. Snowbird
Bordering the Alta Ski Resort, Snowbird provides not only a longer winter season, but more of a thrill for intermediate and expert skiers due to its challenging terrain. It also happens to be the highest ski resort in the state.
That being said, it’s not a great choice as far as ski resorts are concerned if you still consider yourself a beginner.
While this world-class 4-season resort does not have stores or nightclubs at its base, you will still find a number of different lodging options available there and a few restaurants and bars in the village. But if your main focus is the snow, Snowbird is a great skiing destination.
Distance from Salt Lake City
The ski resort of Snowbird is located 32 miles from the Salt Lake City International Airport, which is about a 40 to 45-minute drive.
Ski Resort Day Visit Pricing
If you’re just interested in going for the day, their pricing ranges from $130 to $165 for adults depending on whether it’s peak season or not. For youth ages 7 to 12, pricing is between $65 and $83 based on when peak season is, and seniors tickets (+65 years) are anywhere from $110 to $140.
Ski Resort Season Pass pricing
Season pass pricing for adults at Snowbird starts at $1,399 (+$269 for Ikon Base). Young adults (18-25), seniors (+65), past and present military men and women will start at $1,079, teens at $699, and children ages 7 to 12 will cost $439.
Lodging
There are around 882 rooms available in the Snowbird area, with The Inn, Iron Blosam, The Cliff Lodge, and the Lodge at Snowbird being some of the most popular places to stay. If the nightlife atmosphere is important to you, lodging somewhere in downtown Salt Lake City would be the way to go.
Available Activities
Some of the popular activities in Snowbird include skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and shopping close by. During the summer months, hiking, river rafting, rock climbing, and horseback riding.
Dining Options
Snowbird has 17 restaurants in the area to choose from, whether you’re in the mood for a burger and fries, or a fancy sit-down restaurant that comes with a scrumptious meal menu.
Best Ski Resort Near Salt Lake City For…
Again, this ski resort is ideal for intermediate and expert skiers that’s main focus is hitting the snowy slopes.
Salt Lake City is not far from several great ski resorts in the area that each provide their visitors with unique skiing opportunities. Whether you consider yourself a beginner or an expert, or if you plan on taking the whole family and need a resort that’s reasonably priced, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for from this list.
Which of these ski resorts near Salt Lake City are you planning to visit? Did your favorite not make our list? Leave a comment and maybe we will add it.
Also be sure to check out our list of best ski resorts near Boise Idaho.