Snowbird
Snowbird Ski Resort UtahSnowbird is an amazing playground for all powderhounds. It is world renowned for the abundance of light dry Wasatch powder that falls, with an average annual snowfall of 12.8 metres, of if you prefer to talk in feet and inches, an impressive 500 inches (42 ft) of light dry powder.
With steep, challenging and interesting terrain, Snowbird is a “must do” experience for any expert skier or snowboarder. The hard-core skiers and boarders have a bit of attitude, but the snobbiness is probably excusable considering the amazing ability of many of the locals and regulars that ski at Snowbird. They are somewhat humbling to the rest of us mere mortals. Powder days are very common at Snowbird, but the only downside of this resort is that skiers from
Salt Lake City flock here in hordes. If you want to get the freshies, assertiveness and dodging ability is required at both the top and bottom of the aerial tram.
Ski and Snowboard Terrain
Resort statistics for Snowbird include 987 metres of vertical, 1,012 hectares of skiing terrain, 90 runs serviced by 11 lifts, one of which is a tram. However the statistics aren't enough to describe how good the
Snowbird ski area is. Famous for deep powder and steep chutes and bowls, Snowbird is a dream ski destination. Everywhere is a potential line, and that includes the many small cliffs for hucking. There’s also plenty of terrain for intermediates, beginners and families.
Skiers can use a joint lift pass to also access
Alta ski resort. The combined resorts provide 26 lifts in total and 4,700 acres (1,902 hectares) – one of the largest skiing areas in the USA. The resorts are joined at Sugarloaf Pass and accessed via high-speed four-packs from both Alta and Snowbird. The only downside is that Alta is snowboard free, which may be a plus for skiers who are wary of snowboarders.
Where is Snowbird?
Snowbird Utah, is in the Little Cottonwood Canyon of the Wasatch mountain range in the Rocky Mountains. It is 47 kilometres (29 miles - 45 minute drive) from Salt Lake City International Airport with plenty of flights from major U.S. cities.
Snowbird travel is easy as airport shuttles are readily available. Snowbird is one mile down the canyon from Alta ski resort.
Snowbird Hotels and Facilities
Snowbird hotels are available on-mountain within four lodges, or you can stay “next door” in an
Alta lodge and ski, drive or get a shuttle to Snowbird. A much cheaper option is to stay in Salt Lake City and get a public bus or drive to Snowbird. The occasional disadvantage of not staying on-mountain is the road closures for avalanche control on huge powder days.
The pedestrian village of Snowbird is small and intimate. There is a limited nightlife and bar scene, only a few shops, and there is not much to do besides ski, but visitors to Snowbird don’t care because the main purpose for their visit is the fantastic skiing.
Why Ski or Snowboard at Snowbird?
Snowbird is a great ski destination where there is powder everywhere for the taking. Utah’s claim of having the “Greatest Snow on Earth” is really true at Snowbird. Combined with the steeps, some of which are fabulously terrifying, Snowbird is very deserved of the five out of five from the Powderhounds, and various
Best USA Ski Resort awards for the steeps, powder and off-piste skiing.