Powder Mountain Ski Resort
Skiing in Utah's Eden

Image: Travel Utah

Why Powder Mountain
Belongs on Your Short List

If you ski or ride for space, snow, and a mellow vibe, Powder Mountain Ski Resort (“Pow Mow” to locals) is your mountain. Spread across the ridgelines above Ogden Valley, Powder Mountain covers one of the largest footprints in the United States. 

It is the largest ski resort in Utah by total acreage. ​To clear up any confusion, Park City Mountain Resort is the largest ski resort in Utah based on skiable acreage. This was achieved by combining Park City with The Canyons. 

Powder Mountain takes pride in its intentional, no-mega-pass, limited-ticket model, which keeps lift lines short and powder stashes alive for days. Official resort materials list about 5,000 in-bounds skiable acres with over 360 inches of average annual snowfall.

Counting lift-served plus guided/backcountry zones, the total skiable acres balloon to 8,000+. This is easily accessible terrain in one of North America's largest ski areas. Powder Mountain beckons to powder hounds. 

Location and How to Get Here

Powder Mountain Ski Resort sits above the towns of Eden and Huntsville in Ogden Valley. They are located about 60–75 minutes north of Salt Lake City (traffic and weather dependent). The last climb up SR-158 is steep … a 14% grade.

On storm days, you’ll want AWD/4WD, snow-rated tires, or chains to comply with UDOT’s traction rules. Fly into SLC, rent a car, or base in Ogden and ride up after breakfast. 

Image: Travel Utah

What Matters For Your Day

• In-bounds skiable terrain: 5,000 acres of skiable terrain (patrolled)
• Total accessible terrain: 8,000+ acres (mix of lift-served + guided/cat/backcountry)
• Vertical drop: up to 3,380 feet (top of James Peak to Paradise base)
• Named runs: 160+
• Public lifts: 5 (plus surface lifts)
• Average annual snowfall: 360’’+
• Night skiing: Sundown area, 4:00–9:00 p.m. most nights with park laps under the lights
• Ticketing model: capped day & night tickets. No mega passes (buy ahead for best price) 

The Vibe at Powder Mountain Ski Resort

Powder Mountain leans into an old-school, uncrowded ski industry experience. It offers expansive acres of terrain, a local community feel, and a focus on genuine skiing/riding over flash. 

That approach includes capping daily tickets (the resort has publicized limits for years) and opting out of Epic/Ikon. This helps keep powder from getting skied off by 10 a.m.

If your ideal Utah day is lap after lap with minimal queuing, this is your spot. Fewer skiers means you’ll sometimes find untouched corduroy lingering well past the first chair.

Image: Travel Utah

Where to Point Your Tips

• Timberline/Paradise: Classic, open bowls and long cruisers. When grooming is on point, these laps feel endless. Great for confident intermediates stacking vertical with almost no lift lines.

• Hidden Lake: High-alpine feel with broad aspects. On bluebirds, the views stretch forever. Duck into spaced trees after a storm for chalky turns that linger. On-mountain dining is conveniently located for easy pit stops.

• Sundown (and night skiing): Friendly fall-line for progression by day. At night, it transitions to a fun, low-stress session with 8 trails and a terrain park under the lights, running until 9 p.m.

• Lightning Ridge & beyond (cat-assisted laps): Buy a single-ride cat to the top of Lightning Ridge. Then choose lines that feel backcountry-big with a resort-day rhythm. It’s the signature “Pow Mow” upgrade when the snow stacks. 

Why The Snow Stays So Good
at Powder Mountain Ski Resort

Up here, the storms hit cold. The average annual snowfall of 360"+ lands on terrain that spreads riders out - translation: refills and leftovers. 

Independent roundups sometimes show different long-term averages. Mountain microclimates and measurement windows vary, but the on-snow reality is consistent. Powder sticks around, and acres of terrain keep it that way. 

Image: Travel Utah

Lift tickets and Season Passes

Powder Mountain is intentionally independent. You won’t scan an Epic or Ikon here. Instead, you’ll find:

• Capped day & night tickets - buy in advance for price and availability.
• Season passes with no blackout dates, passholder-only weekends, early-access mornings, and buddy tickets at 50% off. Pricing tiers are published on the resort website each fall. 

Powder Mountain Ski Resort opened a new lift, the Lightning Ridge quad, for the 2024-2025 season. It has also made upgrades to the Paradise and Timberline lifts. A new high-speed replacement for Paradise was installed to replace the old fixed-grip quad, reducing ride time.

Pro tip: If you ski more than a week per season, the season pass can pencil out especially with partner perks (free UTA bus pass, OpenSnow) and food/retail discounts. 

Lessons, Guides, and Rentals

First-time skiers and those seeking a refresher can book group or private lessons.

Expert skiers can hire a guide to string together the best snow across a vast area and safely sample hike-to or cat-assisted zones. 

Rentals and demos are available at base locations. Reserve ahead of time for peak windows. 

Image: Travel Utah

Where to Fuel Up

• Timberline Lodge: pizzas, burgers, and a new high-alpine après scene on select Saturdays - DJ booth, fire pits, and a front-row view of the event park.

• Powder Keg: the signature ramen/rice-bowl pub with live music on busy afternoons.

• Hidden Lake Lodge: grab burritos, sausages, and snacks with panoramic views.

• Lucky Slice (rotates seasonally): quick, kid-friendly slices on high-energy days. 

Best Places to Stay in Ogden Valley

Where to Stay – Ogden Valley
Works Well

There’s a growing collection of on-mountain vacation rentals (true ski-in/ski-out or close) plus a deep bench of vacation rentals in Eden and Huntsville. You’ll find townhomes, condos, and luxe homes near Pineview Reservoir. 

For hotel brands, base in Ogden. With a rebuilt yet still historic 25th Street area, dining, Junior A Hockey, and college sports (at Weber State) are still 35-45 minutes drive away. The Visit Ogden site keeps an updated roster of options and specials.  

Best Powder Mountain Escapes

Getting Around and Parking

Park at the main bases that match your day plan. Sundown for night laps and progression. Timberline/Hidden Lake for big terrain circuits. 

In storms, give yourself time to navigate SR-158. The grade plus wind can make the last miles slow. In blizzards, aim for a high-clearance AWD or 4WD. 

Image - Travel Utah

Timing Your Trip

• Storm cycles: This is the powder people came for. Start on Timberline and migrate with wind and aspect. Buy a Lightning Ridge cat if visibility cooperates.

• High-pressure weeks: Hero groomers, big views and the “uncrowded” ethos in full effect. Great for intermediates exploring new zones.

• Spring: Longer days and corn windows. The expansive terrain lets you move around the mountain to ski different slope directions as light, temp, and wind change, so you’re always on the best snow.

Quick Cheat Sheet

• Powder/cold days: hit north- and east-facing. They stay colder and drier longer.

• Warm spring: follow the sun for corn. East in the morning. South late-morning and mid-day. West mid-late afternoon. Avoid the refreezing north until it softens (if at all).

• Windy: choose leeward aspects (opposite the wind) for chalky, smoother snow and less scouring (the wind stripping the snow off the surface).

• Night skiing typically continues on published schedules. 

From Sheep Range to Powder Playground

Powder Mountain began as the Cobabe family’s high-country ranch. In 1972, Dr. Alvin Cobabe opened the resort with the Sundown lift and night skiing. It was lean, local, and full of promise. 

Five decades later, the mountain remains in a state of constant evolution. In 2023, Reed Hastings (Netflix co-founder) invested heavily and later became the majority owner, funding lift and on-mountain improvements.

He publicly committed to keep the experience uncrowded and independent, with public access continuing alongside a private homeowner enclave. 

There's no Vail Resorts controversy here.

Image: Travel Utah

Bars and Dining Nearby

For a low-key, local night, aim for Eden (pubs and pizza joints). Powder Keg handles most on-hill après needs with live music many afternoons. 

You can drop down to Ogden’s 25th Street for breweries, cocktails, and chef-driven spots. Driving the grade late during the winter may not be a wise choice, so the Ogden choice works best if based in the valley. 

Best Hotels in Ogden, Utah

Summer at Powder Mountain

Powder Mountain Ski Resort isn't only for the ski season. When the snow melts, Powder Mountain transitions to hiking and mountain biking. 

Expect lift-free, high-alpine loops, cool temps, and big-sky sunsets over Ogden Valley. The resort also features an open-air art museum on the mountain.

It offers large-scale pieces tucked into ridgelines and meadows for a different kind of wander. Down the hill, Pineview Reservoir offers beaches, paddling, and fishing for rest days.

Check the Powder Mountain website for special events that are often held during the summer. 

Interesting Places to Visit Nearby

• Snowbasin Resort: Olympic-class steeps and luxury lodges. Perfect for a contrasting day trip.
• Historic 25th Street in Ogden: galleries, bars, and restaurants in red-brick buildings.
• Causey & Pineview Reservoirs: quiet coves, wildlife, and glassy mornings in the summer.
• Golden Spike National Historical Park: a worthy detour if you’re road-tripping through Northern Utah. It’s about a 1 ¼ - hour drive, so it’s not really close. 

Image: Travel Utah

Itinerary Ideas for a
High-End, Low-Stress Getaway

Three perfect days:

​Day 1: Fly into Salt Lake City International Airport. Check into a vacation rental in Eden. Enjoy warm-up laps on Sundown. Then an early Powder Keg dinner. 

Day 2: Full day on Timberline/Paradise. Grab tacos at Hidden Lake. Then a sunset soak back at the condo.

Day 3: Book a guide and a Lightning Ridge cat to stitch together premium aspects. Spin a few night laps if legs allow before heading out. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is Powder Mountain, really? In-bounds/patrolled terrain is 5,000 skiable acres. Counting lift-served plus guided/backcountry zones, total accessible terrain exceeds 8,000 acres, the most in the U.S. 

Is Powder Mountain on Epic, Ikon, or Indy? No. The resort is proudly independent and keeps crowds down by capping the number of daily tickets. 

What’s the snow like? Cold and dry, with 360"+ average posted by the resort and big storm cycles that land right on the Powder Mountain Ski Resort terrain. 

Is there night skiing? Yes. Sundown runs 4:00–9:00 p.m. most nights in season with a small terrain park lit up for evening laps. 

Where should I stay? On-mountain vacation rentals for ski-in/ski-out convenience. Or in Eden/Huntsville for value, variety, and easy dining. 

Visit Ogden lists options valley-wide. Like most of Utah's ski resorts, there is mountain luxury real estate available for rent or purchase. See the recommendations on this page.

How gnarly is the drive? The final climb up SR-158 averages 14% and can be slick. Bring AWD/4WD with proper winter tires or chains when it’s dumping. 

Quick Reference

• Vibe: uncrowded (even on its busiest day), authentic, somewhat off the beaten path. Another Utah powder haven.
• Vertical: to 3,380’
• Lifts: public 5 (+ surface)
• Snow: 360”+ average (resort figure)
• Night skiing: yes (Sundown, 4:00 - 9:00 p.m.)
• Cat access: Lightning Ridge single-ride cat (when operating)
• Season passes: independent, no mega passes. Perks include buddy tickets, early access & passholder weekends.
• Good for: intermediates and advanced riders who value powder and space; families who want minimal lift lines; destination travelers who prefer vacation rentals over large hotels; essentially, for those seeking just about any ski experience. 

Final Take

For a picky traveler… in the best possible way … Powder Mountain Ski Resort delivers what the Utah ski scene promises but can’t always guarantee: room to roam, powder that lasts, and a mountain that still feels like a mountain.

All in a major ski resort. With a public-private model that works for Powder Mountain's leadership, it lives up to its reputation.

If your dream trip is huge acreage, small-town ease, and a resort that’s happy to be somewhat off the beaten path, set your compass for Powder Mountain.

Powder Mountain
6965 E Hwy 158
Eden, Utah
Website: https://powdermountain.com/