Snowbird Resort

Photo: Travel Utah

Steep & Deep - Pure Wasatch

Snowbird Resort is where Utah’s reputation for “steep and deep” is earned day after stormy day. Located near the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon, Snowbird pairs big-mountain terrain with a serious vertical drop and a nature-powered snow machine that averages 500 inches a year.

In some years … like two years ago, how about more than 800”? When the northwest flow lines up, this place becomes a powder playground. And the legendary tram keeps you lapping the goods.

Photo: Travel Utah

Overview of Snowbird Resort

If Alta is the old-school neighbor next door, Snowbird Resort is the high-octane cousin who shows up with a brand-new wax job and a grin. The mountain skis big: bowls, chutes, trees, wide-open faces, and long groomers that actually are long.

The base scene is compact and convenient. Multiple lodges cluster around the Snowbird Center so, even on storm days, you’re never far from warm, dry gear or a hot lunch. On bluebird days (clear, sunny days), you’ll ride to 11,000 feet and stare straight across the central Wasatch.

It’s dramatic. And addictive. I’ve been at the top during the summer and that was spectacular. You can see seemingly forever in every direction. When the tram is readying to go back down, there’s a tendency to want to wait for the next one and stay longer.

Photo: Travel Utah

Mountain Stats & Snow

• Skiable terrain: 2,500+ acres
• Vertical drop: 3,240 feet
• Base/summit: 7,760' / 11,000' (Hidden Peak)
• Average annual snowfall: 500"+
• Lifts/runs: 14 lifts, 149 named runs
• Ability mix: 8% beginner, 26% intermediate, 66% advanced/expert

These are the numbers that matter to skiers who come to Snowbird Resort.

Translation: huge laps, legit pitch, and the kind of seasonal snow total that keeps the refill days coming. Night skiing? Not here.

Snowbird focuses on the daytime show. Brighton Resort … next canyon over … offers skiing at night and does it well.

The Tram: Snowbird’s Soul

Snowbird’s iconic Aerial Tram is the heartbeat of the mountain. In 2022, the resort unveiled brand-new cabins. They boast floor-to-ceiling windows for panoramic views, glass floor panels, and even a rooftop balcony used in summer for one-of-a-kind sightseeing rides.

It’s the only tram of its kind in the U.S. and a worthy ride even if you’re just heading up for lunch at 11,000 feet. Ski days feel different when the first thing you do is float 3,000 vertical feet straight to the summit.

Photo: Travel Utah

How The Mountain Skis

Snowbird is divided into two main drainages … Peruvian Gulch and Gad Valley … plus the high alpine around Little Cloud and Mineral Basin on the sunny side.

On storm days, Gad stays chalky and loaded. On bluebird days, Mineral Basin is an all-morning magnet. Groomers like Chip’s Run seem to go on and on.

When ski patrol drops the rope after control work, laps off Cirque Traverse or Road to Provo deliver the kind of face-shot skiing (snow facial) you’ll replay all year.

Pro tip: follow the sun and wind. This mountain rewards people who read aspects and move with the conditions. Check the Lift & Trail Report before you drive up.

Photo: Travel Utah

Lessons, Programs & Progression

This isn’t just an experts-only hill. The Mountain School at Snowbird runs private and group lessons for every level, including kid-specific programs, teen clinics, and adult workshops designed to build confidence in variable snow and steeper terrain.

Book early around holidays and mid-winter weekends. Prime slots fill fast at Snowbird Resort. (Details and current pricing are live on Snowbird’s site - link below).

Dining On-Mountain & Après

• The Summit (Hidden Peak, 11,000’): This is Utah’s highest restaurant with big views and quick, fuel-up fare - rotisserie, pizza, soups, salads. On those perfect bluebird days, it’s tough to leave.
• The Aerie (Cliff Lodge): It has a modern American menu, a wine list with depth, and a sleek lounge. A great date-night cap to a storm day.
• SeventyOne (Cliff Lodge): A playful 1970s-vibe grill and lounge - burgers, classics, and a casual scene. How do I know it’s a 1970’s vibe? I’ve been around that long and that’s when I first started going to Snowbird Resort.

There are more cafés, coffee spots, and bars around the Snowbird Center but these three can anchor most trips.

Lodging: Slopeside & Simple

You can sleep within steps of the lifts at Snowbird Resort:

• The Cliff Lodge: The flagship. Ski-in/ski-out, on-site restaurants, Cliff Spa with a rooftop pool/hot tub, and floor-to-ceiling canyon views. Main line: 801-933-2222. We always look for deals on Booking.com. Great deals can be had in the off-season.
• The Lodge at Snowbird: Condominium-style rooms a short walk from the Tram. Balconies, mountain views, and kitchens in many units.

Prefer city amenities? Downtown Salt Lake is less than an hour down the mountain (conditions depending) with plenty of hotels and dining. You’ll need an early start for powder days.

Octoberfest at Snowbird

The original story of Oktoberfest began in celebration of a Royal Bavarian Wedding in 1810. To honor his upcoming autumn marriage and dedicate it to the fall harvest, King Ludwig I called for a state fair in Munich.

What would help make the celebration merrier? Beer of course. Beer just happened to be that area’s most famous product. Oktoberfest has been held annually there ever since.

As you can read on the Snowbird Resort website … at least before it went through one of its many revisions … two men dressed up in leather lederhosen in 1983 and came to Snowbird to play their accordions and sing in their native German tongue.

The magnificent towering mountains of Snowbird, now so famous throughout the world, reminded them of home. Their celebration caught on and it became a yearly event. Winter comes early at Snowbird so it is usually one of the last events before the snows of winter.

This 13-day celebration, in late August and early September, has become one of Utah’s largest festivals. It has been voted one of America's 10 Best Oktoberfests by Men's Journal Magazine.

You’ll find a festive gathering where attendees enjoy German food, music, dance and beer. 70,000 people come up the canyon every year to enjoy it.

We’ve been up several times even renting a condo and staying for a couple days. It always seems to be held a little earlier than it should be as it seems to me that it should be held in … October.

Getting Here, Parking & The Ski Bus

Snowbird was opened in 1971. It sits up near the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon (SR-210) just below its little sister Alta. In storms, the canyon goes to 4WD/AWD or chains required and there can be intermittent and even frequent closures for avalanche mitigation.

If driving, plan ahead and reserve parking on peak days via the ParkWhiz system. Snowbird Resort uses dynamic pricing and allows refunds in the app up to 7:00 A.M. the day of.

Transit is a great option: the UTA Ski Bus 994 runs from TRAX in Sandy to Snowbird and Alta during the winter season. Schedules are typically posted each fall.

UTA has also piloted dedicated Canyon Services (CS1/CS2) routes to support Little Cottonwood. Check UTA’s page for current timetables before you go.

Tickets & Passes

Day tickets are dynamic (buy online in advance to save). If you’re a pass rider, Snowbird is on both Ikon and Mountain Collective:

• Ikon Pass: 7 combined days between Snowbird and Alta with no blackouts. Ikon Base includes 5 days at Snowbird with blackouts.
• Mountain Collective: 2 days included, plus 50% off additional days. Lodging deals often stack with this pass at Cliff Lodge or The Lodge.

Snowbird often has the longest ski season in Utah. Spring laps and a May closing aren’t unusual when the snowpack is deep. Watch the conditions and the calendar. You might squeeze in a bonus trip.

When To Come

January-March is prime time at Snowbird. December can deliver also. April is the sleeper for crisp corn in the morning and occasional fresh-snow top-offs.

On peak weekends, go early and consider the bus or carpool to dodge parking stress. Locals live by this rule: “Right storm, right canyon.” Little Cottonwood with a northwest flow? Set your alarm.

Quick Facts

• Location: Little Cottonwood Canyon (SR-210) east of the extreme south end of Salt Lake City
• Snow: 500"+ average, cold and dry. 800+” two years ago.
• Vertical: 3,240'
• Acreage: 2,500+
• Summit: 11,000'
• Lifts/Runs: 14 lifts / 149 runs
• Night skiing: none
• Passes: Ikon & Mountain Collective partners
• Tram: New cabins with glass floor panels. Rooftop balcony experience in summer
• Parking: Advance reservations via ParkWhiz on peak days. Refundable until 7:00 a.m. day-of
• Transit: UTA Ski Bus 994 (seasonal) plus Canyon Services routes (check current schedules)

Final Thoughts

Snowbird is a skier’s mountain with a friendly base and a big personality. The terrain is honest. The storms are generous. And the tram sets the tempo for your day.

If you’re building a Utah trip around one marquee experience … something that feels distinctly Wasatch … this is it. Come ready to move with the weather, and you’ll understand why so many people never get Snowbird out of our system.

Snowbird Resort
Snowbird Center: 9121 E Snowbird Center Dr, Snowbird, UT 84092
Cliff Lodge: 9320 Cliff Lodge Drive, Snowbird, UT 84092 • (801) 933-2222
Website: https://www.snowbird.com/

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