Snowbasin Resort

Big Mountain Skiing Without
Big City Hassle

If you like big mountain skiing without big city hassle, Snowbasin Resort is your kind of place. Positioned above Ogden Valley, Snowbasin mixes 2002 Olympic downhill steeps with long, groomed cruisers and some of the most elegant lodges in ski country.

It’s an easy day trip from Salt Lake City but it skis like a destination. How about 3,000 acres, 3,000 feet of vertical, 13 lifts (including two gondolas and the Allen Peak Tram), and consistently excellent grooming backed by modern snowmaking.

Location and Getting Here

Snowbasin sits 45 minutes north of Salt Lake City. Or about 50 - 55 minutes from the airport in typical winter conditions. Drive I-15 to US-89. Then take UT-167/Trappers Loop to the base.

The resort emphasizes easy access and offers the most free parking of any Utah resort. Even better, no reservations are required.

UTA runs winter ski buses from Ogden and Davis County. Snowbasin season-pass holders receive a free UTA ski bus pass during the ski season. That’s pretty cool. 

Mountain Stats at a Glance

• Skiable terrain: 3,000 acres
• Vertical drop: 3,000 feet
• Base elevation: 6,450 feet. 
• Summit: 9,465 feet
• Lifts/trails: 13 lifts|115 runs
• Average snowfall: 325”
• Signature lifts & zones: Needles Gondola, Strawberry Gondola, John Paul Express & Allen Peak Tram

The Vibe at Snowbasin Resort

Locals come for the snow and grooming. Visitors remember the lodges. Earl’s Lodge, Needles Lodge, and John Paul Lodge are famously upscale.

Think chandeliers and Carrera marble. Yes, the bathrooms have a reputation of their own. It’s a refined base-area experience paired with a very athletic mountain.

Terrain Breakdown

• Needles - Classic Snowbasin. Immaculately groomed blues and blue-blacks that fall for thousands of vertical feet. It’s home base for many intermediates with fast laps off the Needles Gondola.

• Strawberry - Big-sky feel on the resort’s far side. Expect expansive bowls, wind-buffed chalk, and long, leg-burning groomers when it’s freshly tilled. Visibility can be variable on storm days. When it’s clear, this is some of Utah’s best high-speed cruising. Access via Strawberry Gondola.

• John Paul/Allen Peak - The north end is the athlete’s playground. Ride John Paul Express. Then hop the Allen Peak Tram to the Olympic start for sweeping 360° views. Also direct access to the Grizzly (men) and Wildflower (women) downhill courses from the 2002 Games. Steeps, chalky faces, and consequential lines abound. Strong legs required.

Snow and Grooming

With roughly 325” of annual snowfall and one of the most advanced snowmaking systems in the region, Snowbasin keeps the corduroy crisp even in lean periods.

When storms line up from the west and northwest, Strawberry and John Paul fill in beautifully. In extended fair-weather periods, Needles gets groomed every day maintaining reliably good conditions.

Lessons, Rentals, and Family Notes

Snowbasin’s Snowsports School caters to all levels. It provides strong children’s programming. It even includes adult private lessons for confident intermediates looking to tackle John Paul or dabble in trees.

If you want to learn more see the resort “Guide” page for where to start by ability.

Rentals, demos, and retail are centered around the Grizzly Center at the base. This makes it handy for quick swaps as temps and snow change.

Photo - Travel Utah

Lift Tickets and Passes

• Ikon Pass: Full Ikon Pass holders get up to 7 days at Snowbasin with no blackout dates. Ikon Base Plus includes 5 days with blackouts. Standard Ikon Base does not include Snowbasin.

• Mountain Collective: 2 days included at Snowbasin Resort. Plus 50% off additional days.

• Snowbasin Premier/Platinum passes: Best for locals and frequent visitors. Some tiers include Ikon Base/Ikon benefits through Sun Valley-Snowbasin partnerships. Check the season-pass page for current perks.

Photo: Travel Utah

Dining and Après

Snowbasin’s food scene has a reputation for standing out in Utah ski country.

• Earl’s Lodge (base): a multi-station servery for breakfast and lunch. Plus Cinnabar for elevated gastropub fare and après.

• Needles Lodge (8,700'): sweeping views and “The Overlook” full-service bar. Recent upgrades improved speed of service.

• John Paul Lodge (9,000'): dramatic setting beneath Mt. Ogden with easy access to the tram and race courses.

On busy days, look for the resort’s outdoor slopeside quick-serve spots near Earl’s, Old Day Lodge, and Strawberry base to skip lodge crowds.

Lodging

There’s no slopeside lodging at Snowbasin because it’s on U.S. Forest Service land. Most guests stay close by in Huntsville or Eden (Ogden Valley). Or down in Ogden (about a half hour away).

Ogden offers a lively historic-district scene on 25th Street. The resort’s lodging hub points you to nearby options and local visitor info.   

Getting Around and Parking

Snowbasin consistently touts free parking with no reservations. A rarity in modern Utah.

Lots are large and well-signed. Arrive early on weekends and holidays for the shortest walk or use carpool-priority areas.

The resort also coordinates with UTA for winter bus service from Ogden and Davis County. This service typically runs from early December through mid-April.

Check the current year’s dates and routes.

Photo: Travel Utah

Best For

Snowbasin is best for intermediates who love fast groomers and vertical. Needles and Strawberry are made for you.

Advanced & expert skiers and riders can chase challenge days on John Paul/Allen Peak, especially when chalky and cold.

Foodies who appreciate a nicer lodge experience will love Snowbasin Resort. Yes, those chandeliers are real.

When To Go

Storm cycles bring deep days on Strawberry and into John Paul’s bowls. Plan for wind holds on the exposed side if a big system is roaring.

Bluebird high-pressure stretches are Snowbasin’s calling card. Expect hero grooming, wide trails, and sustained fall line.

Spring is underrated. Enjoy long, sunny laps on Strawberry with excellent mid-day corn when temps cooperate.

Photo: Travel Utah

Summer at Snowbasin

Snowbasin doesn’t go quiet when the snow melts. You’ve got more than 26 miles of hiking and biking trails to explore plus scenic gondola rides that make the views effortless.

Families can add a round of mini golf, while early birds can roll out a mat for mountaintop yoga (if you’re into outdoor yoga). Weekend afternoons bring live music.

Needles Lodge is an easy pick for lunch with a panorama of the area as a view. Summer also means festival season.

Think the crowd-pleasing Blues & Brews and a lively Oktoberfest. You can plan a day on the trails and stay for the party.

Insider Tips

Warm up on Needles. Then head to Strawberry late morning once the light is good. Save John Paul/Allen Peak for when legs are firing.

Bus it on weekends if storms blow in and snows are heavy. Skip base-area traffic and get dropped close to Earl’s.

Lunch with a view at Needles’ The Overlook. Then finish with après at Cinnabar before a final groomer back to Earl’s.

Snowbasin Resort History

Snowbasin Resort opened in 1940 as "Ogden's Winter Playground."

When Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, Snowbasin was the home of the men’s and women’s downhill, super-G, and combined.

Ride the Allen Peak Tram to stand right where the world’s fastest skiers launched. A pretty special nod to Snowbasin’s pedigree.

Snowbasin Resort
3925 E Snowbasin Road
Huntsville, UT 84317
Website: https://www.snowbasin.com/

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