Snowbird Ski Resort

http://www.powderhounds.com/site/DefaultSite/filesystem/images/USA/Snowbird/Overview/01.jpg
Snowbird is famous for its abundant falls of dry powder snow | Photo: Snowbird Resort
Snowbird is famous for its abundant falls of dry powder snow | Photo: Snowbird Resort
Snowbird aerial tram | Photo: Snowbird Resort
Snowbird aerial tram | Photo: Snowbird Resort
Snowbird is a huge ski area with diverse terrain | Photo: Snowbird Resort
Snowbird is a huge ski area with diverse terrain | Photo: Snowbird Resort
Snowbird village area is quite small with only a couple of hotels
Snowbird village area is quite small with only a couple of hotels
Mineral Basin at Snowbird is like a ski resort in its own right | Photo: Snowbird Resort
Mineral Basin at Snowbird is like a ski resort in its own right | Photo: Snowbird Resort
Snowbird is also family friendly with beginners slopes | Photo: Snowbird Resort
Snowbird is also family friendly with beginners slopes | Photo: Snowbird Resort
The off-piste at Snowbird is phenomenal | Photo: Snowbird Resort
The off-piste at Snowbird is phenomenal | Photo: Snowbird Resort
Snowbird at night | Photo: Snowbird Resort
Snowbird at night | Photo: Snowbird Resort
Snowbird has some of the steepest terrain in Utah but there is also plenty of intermediate terrain
Snowbird has some of the steepest terrain in Utah but there is also plenty of intermediate terrain
The Cliff Lodge Spa at Snowbird | Photo: Snowbird Resort
The Cliff Lodge Spa at Snowbird | Photo: Snowbird Resort
The powder at Snowbird can get deep | Photo: Snowbird Resort
The powder at Snowbird can get deep | Photo: Snowbird Resort
Everyone hits the aerial tram at Snowbird on a powder day to get the goods
Everyone hits the aerial tram at Snowbird on a powder day to get the goods
Dry powder and sunshine at Snowbird | Photo: Snowbird Resort
Dry powder and sunshine at Snowbird | Photo: Snowbird Resort
The Inn at Snowbird is the budget option for lodging | Photo: Snowbird Resort
The Inn at Snowbird is the budget option for lodging | Photo: Snowbird Resort
Deep deep powder at Snowbird | Photo: Snowbird Resort
Deep deep powder at Snowbird | Photo: Snowbird Resort
The terrain at Snowbird has some great pitch for those that love steep
The terrain at Snowbird has some great pitch for those that love steep
The village at Snowbird
The village at Snowbird
Snowbird famous powder snow | Photo: Snowbird Resort
Snowbird famous powder snow | Photo: Snowbird Resort
The Inn at Snowbird is ski-in/ski-out
The Inn at Snowbird is ski-in/ski-out
Cliff Lodge at Snowbird is the luxury lodging option | Photo: Snowbird Resort
Cliff Lodge at Snowbird is the luxury lodging option | Photo: Snowbird Resort

Snowbird Ski Resort

Readers Ratings

Snowbird

Snowbird4/522
Snowbird4 out of 5 based on 22 reviews
  • Recommend
    86%
  • Would Revisit
    91%

Snowbird Ski Resort Utah

Snowbird Ski Resort is an amazing playground for all powder hounds. Snowbird Utah is world renowned for the abundance of light dry Wasatch powder that falls, with an impressive average annual snowfall of 500 inches (12.8 metres).

With steep, challenging and interesting terrain, Snowbird Ski Resort is a “must do” experience for any expert skier or snowboarder. The local hard-core skiers and boarders tend to have a bit of attitude, but the snobbery is probably excusable considering the amazing skills of the regulars that ski Snowbird.

Pros and Cons of Snowbird Utah

Pros 
  • Mother Nature usually blesses Snowbird Ski Resort with large volumes of snow. Often there is abundant powder everywhere for the taking.
  • Utah’s claim of having the “Greatest Snow on Earth” is really true at Snowbird, and the quality of the powder is enhanced due to the high elevation.
  • The resort has a long season that generally goes from mid November through to May.
  • It is a decent sized resort providing lots of terrain variety, and the inter-connection with Alta is a major bonus (if you’re a skier).
  • Snowbird has great in-bounds steeps for experts, some of which are fabulously terrifying.
  • The off-piste terrain for advanced riders is also diverse and exceptional.
Cons
  • A Snowbird ski vacation does not cater to those looking for economical lodging, although there are affordable lodging options off-mountain.
  • This is not the best resort for beginners and low-end intermediates, but on the plus side, beginner packages are very inexpensive.
  • Powder days are very common at Snowbird, but a downside is that skiers from Salt Lake City flock here in hordes. If you want to get any freshies, assertiveness and dodging ability is required at both the top and bottom of the aerial tram. Canyon road traffic can also be very problematic.
Pro or Con Depending On Your Perspective
  • Snowbird Utah is accessible off the Ikon Pass which has increased the crowds a little more.

Snowbird Ski and Snowboard Terrain

Statistics for the Snowbird ski resort include 3,240 feet (987 metres) of vertical, 2,500 acres (1,012 hectares) of skiing terrain, and 169 runs serviced by 11 lifts, one of which is the famous Snowbird tram.

The trail breakdown is 27% beginner, 38% intermediate and 35% advanced/expert. However the statistics aren't enough to describe how good the Snowbird skiing terrain is for experienced riders. Famous for deep powder and steep chutes, bowls and trees, Snowbird Utah is a dream for experts. Everywhere is a potential line, and that includes the many small cliffs for hucking.

Alta Snowbird

Skiers can use a joint lift pass to also access Alta ski resort. The combined Alta Snowbird resorts provide 5,100 acres – one of the largest ski areas in the USA. The resorts are joined at Sugarloaf Pass and accessed via high-speed quad chair lifts from both Alta and Snowbird Ski Resort. The only downside is that Alta is snowboard free, which may be a plus for skiers who are wary of snowboarders.

Where is Snowbird UT?

Snowbird Utah is in the Little Cottonwood Canyon of the Wasatch mountain range in the Rocky Mountains. It is 29 miles (47 km - 45 minute drive) from Salt Lake City International Airport with plenty of flights from major U.S. cities. Snowbird travel is easy because airport shuttles are readily available. Snowbird Resort is one mile down the canyon road from Alta ski resort.

Snowbird Lodging

Snowbird lodging is available on-mountain within four “lodges” (aka hotel condo buildings). The Cliff Lodge is a fabulous hotel that is conveniently ski-in ski-out via a beginners’ run and has extensive facilities such as a day spa, outdoor swimming pools and hot tubs, and childcare. The Lodge at Snowbird offers retro chic hotel rooms and condos.

Snowbird Accommodations Listings

Alternatively you can stay “next door” in Alta lodging and ski, drive or get a shuttle to Snowbird. A much cheaper option is to stay in Salt Lake City or nearby suburbs such as Midvale or Cottonwood Heights and get a bus or drive to Snowbird.

The Village

The small pedestrian village of Snowbird UT is not really a village in the truest sense. There’s no little main street where you can stroll along and visit the shops, restaurants and bars. Rather, the village is made up of several concrete avalanche-proof buildings, which are more sensible than most Alta buildings that are mostly made of wood!

The buildings are from a 70s time capsule. They are not particularly pretty on the outside, but with the dramatic backdrop of the mountains, the village looks rather striking, and many of the interiors are fantastically funky retro.

There is a limited nightlife and bar scene, some restaurants, several shops, and there is not much to do besides the skiing and snowboarding.
Tours At/Near Snowbird

Cat Skiing Tours

Park City Powdercats - Day Cat Skiing
PARK CITY POWDERCATS
Located near Park City Utah
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Any snowcat skiing is awesome, but cat skiing Utah is phenomenal. Park City Powdercats offer daily tours in the backcounry so you can snort as much Utah powder as you wish! Packages include 8 - 12 epic guided runs, lunch, snacks & use of avo beacon.
Price p/p From price based on per person single day for 2024 season.
Base/invoice currency is in USD ex tax.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 820
View Details
 
See all Cat Skiing tours that visit Snowbird here
200