That You Were Never The Same?
Ski Utah’s Solitude Mountain Resort
in 2025–2026
Why Solitude Mountain Resort
Belongs on Your Short List
If you’re hunting for that “Utah powder without the rush” feeling, Solitude Mountain Resort delivers. Tucked up Utah’s Big Cottonwood Canyon, Solitude skis bigger than its footprint: 1,200 skiable acres, 82 named runs, and a reliable 500" average snowfall.
Add lift access to the famed Honeycomb Canyon that makes advanced skiers and riders grin like kids. What you won’t find much of is frantic energy and clogged walkways.
What you will find: a compact Solitude Village, crisp high-elevation snow, and a mountain that rewards both efficient carving and full-send exploration.
Size and Vibe
Among Utah ski resorts, Solitude Mountain Resort hits a sweet spot. It’s smaller than mega-resorts like Park City Mountain in terms of acreage. Even so, its upper-mountain bowls, trees, and Honeycomb Canyon lines ski like a much larger playground.
With eight chairlifts (including Summit Express and multiple high-speed quads) and a vertical drop of 2,494 feet, you can stack meaningful laps without feeling like you’ve run a marathon between lifts.
Because it’s only about 30 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City, Solitude is an easy access add-on to a fly and ski weekend or a complete ski vacation anchored in the valley. The mountain village setting has its own very unique vibe.
Best Places to Stay at Solitude
Image - Travel Utah
Fast Facts
- Skiable acres: 1,200
- Runs: 82
- Lifts: 8
- Vertical: 2,494 feet
- Average snowfall: 500 annual inches of snow (according to the resort)
- Access: Big Cottonwood Canyon (SR-190). 30 min from SLC.
- Vibe: relaxed village, serious skiing. Less scene, more snow.
- Terrain: 1,200 acres of skiable terrain. Marquee Honeycomb Canyon access.
- Elevation: 7,994’ base; 10,488’ summit; 2,494’ vertical
- Passes: Ikon Pass destination. Solitude season pass for unlimited locals’ access
- Lessons & rentals: Moonbeam Center hub
- Après: The Thirsty Squirrel. Village dining headliner Honeycomb Grill
- Nordic: Solitude Nordic & Snowshoe Center - 20 km classic & skate
- Summer: lift-served mountain biking, hiking, village events, & spa
- Nearby: Brighton Ski Resort is just a short drive (actually a few minutes) up the road. Downtown Salt Lake City is 30 minutes away.
Getting Here, Parking & Transit
If you fly in, you'll land at Salt Lake City International Airport. From Salt Lake City, point your vehicle up SR-190 into Big Cottonwood Canyon. Winter traction rules can kick in during storms.
For the 2025–2026 season, Solitude requires parking reservations on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays until 11:00 a.m. Lots open at 7:00 a.m.
Parking is free after 1:00 p.m. Midweek parking is free this season. Solitude and Ikon Pass holders can ride the UTA Ski Bus at no charge - a great call on powder Saturdays.
Day skiers should generally park at Moonbeam Center (tickets, rentals, food). Solitude Village parking prioritizes lodging and village guests.
Image - Travel Utah
How to Ski or Ride Solitude Like a Regular
Moonbeam Center → Apex pod (warm-up & flow): Start at Moonbeam Center and lap groomers to get your legs under you. There are plenty of green runs nearby for those of lesser skill.
Then connect to Apex for slightly longer fall lines. On high-pressure mornings, you’ll often find untouched corduroy for the first few laps.
Summit Express → Honeycomb Canyon (the calling card): From the top of Summit Express, gates drop you into Honeycomb Canyon - Solitude’s signature zone. Expect a “mini backcountry” vibe: bowls, ribs, chutes, and trees that hold soft snow days after a storm.
Confident intermediates can pick mellow entries; expert terrain off the upper ridge lines (including Fantasy Ridge and friends) is serious. Treat it with respect and heed patrol signage.
Eagle/Powderhorn side (steeps & chalk): Stick to the trails by the Powderhorn lift - they stay steadily steep, and the wind often smooths the snow there so it feels firm, consistent, and confidence-building. The resort has invested in lift upgrades (including Eagle to a modern six-pack), increasing lap efficiency across the central ridge.
Sundown laps & low-key park features: Solitude keeps it classic: smaller terrain parks and natural features, with a long-standing local mantra that “the mountain is our terrain park.” In the right light, side hits and gullies turn into a playful progression zone.
Snow Quality & Best Conditions
Thanks to elevation and canyon orientation, Solitude Mountain Resort's snow stays cold and dry much of the season. Storms frequently arrive stacked. That high-elevation snow clings to shaded aspects, so powder lingers to provide the great skiing for which Utah is known.
On warm days, follow the sun - east in the morning, south at midday, west in the afternoon so the snow softens nicely. On windy days, choose slopes protected from the wind so the surface stays smooth.
These are all reasons why Solitude’s 1,200 acres feel bigger than the number suggests.
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Lift
Tickets, Ikon Access,
and Season Passes
Solitude Ski Resort is a full Ikon Pass destination. The resort removed blackout dates for Ikon Base and Base Plus in the 2024–25 season. It has positioned itself as a friendly home base in Big Cottonwood Canyon for Ikon travelers.
Solitude season pass holders get unlimited access and a suite of perks. Day tickets are always cheapest when bought online in advance.
If you’re building a multi-mountain trip, the Ikon combo with neighboring Brighton Ski Resort (also on Ikon) is a seamless way to diversify your week.
Best Places to Stay at Solitude Village
Solitude
Village: Where to
Stay, Stroll, and Après
Solitude Village is a small, attractive, and easily accessible community. Everything’s walkable: lifts, rentals, ski school, spa, and food.
The Inn at Solitude sits slopeside with ski-in/ski-out access, an outdoor heated pool, hot tub, and a full-service spa. This is perfect for couples or families who want convenience and a little Bavarian-inspired charm.
Beyond the hotel, you’ll find condos and townhomes that round out a variety of lodging options right in the village.
Eat & drink:
- Honeycomb Grill - sit-down, wood-fired comfort fare steps from the lifts. Check seasonal hours.
- The Thirsty Squirrel - the classic bar for craft pours and ski-story swapping at the end of the day.
- Stone Haus - pizza, sandwiches, and coffee for quick fuel between laps.
- Après tends to be mellow: a round at The Thirsty Squirrel, a village stroll, then dinner after a perfect mountain day.
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Lessons, Rentals, and Family Flow
Moonbeam Center well serves first-time skiers and those seeking a refresher. Tickets, rentals, ski & ride school are all in one place. Book ahead for peak windows and holidays.
If you’re new to Honeycomb, consider a private lesson or a guide-style clinic to refine your skills and learn where (and when) to drop.
Cross-Country Skiing & Winter Extras
Solitude isn’t just lifts. The Solitude Nordic & Snowshoe Center is locaated near the top of Big Cottonwood, between Solitude and Brighton.
It maintains nearly 20 km of groomed trails for classic and skate cross-country skiing. This includes snowshoe loops and fun night events for an ideal active rest day.
Best Hotels in Salt Lake City
Where
to Stay Beyond the Village (and Why)
If you prefer a wider variety of dining options and price points, consider basing yourself in the Salt Lake Valley. Cottonwood Heights provides quick access to the canyon. Downtown Salt Lake City pairs your ski day with bars, breweries, and cultural stops.
It’s a quick 30-minute drive up to the snow with good road conditions. For a multi-resort itinerary, split time with Brighton Ski Resort next door - same canyon, different personality.
When
to Go and How to Time Your Laps
- Storm cycles: If patrol opens it, Honeycomb Canyon is the move - start at Summit Express and watch gate status. On foggy or snowy days, the trails with trees near the Powderhorn lift are easier to see and keep their shape better, so they’re simpler to ski or ride.
- Bluebird high-pressure: Lap groomers off Moonbeam/Apex, then try the ungroomed areas next to the main runs once the sun softens the snow.
- Weekends & holidays: Book parking reservations early or ride the UTA Ski Bus, which is free with Ikon/Solitude passes. Arrive at the opening bell, and you’ll still feel that signature Solitude calm.
A Little History and What’s New
Solitude Mountain Resort's roots stretch back to the mid-20th century, but the modern era accelerated after Deer Valley’s ownership period and subsequent integration into Alterra’s portfolio.
Recent capital has focused on lift modernization (including Eagle’s upgrade to a high-speed six) and improvements that keep you moving toward Honeycomb Canyon faster.
Small changes you feel as bigger ski days.
Summer
at Solitude
When the snow melts, Solitude Bike Park spins chairlifts for mountain biking and scenic rides, with Twilight Nights extending lift hours on select summer evenings.
You’ll find clinics, a growing Gravity Logic-designed network, hiking right from Solitude Village, disc golf, spa time, and easy day trips to lakes and wildflower basins high in Big Cottonwood.
Nearby Attractions
- Brighton Ski Resort - a perfect “neighbor day” for a different feel (also on Ikon Pass).
- Downtown Salt Lake City - add breweries, restaurants, and arts to your itinerary between storm cycles.
- Nordic Center nights - swap laps for headlamp glides and cocoa.
Plan
Like a Pro
- Best home base: Solitude Village for walkability and first chair. Valley hotels/short-term rentals if you want nightlife and more dining.
- Ticket strategy: Buy Ikon or advance day tickets, and keep an eye on Solitude’s deals page. Solitude season pass holders enjoy unlimited access and perks. If you’re skiing 7+ days here, run the math.
- Parking & bus: Weekend/holiday reservations before 11 a.m.; free after 1 p.m. Ride UTA to avoid canyon congestion.
- Where to meet up: Moonbeam Center in the morning. The Thirsty Squirrel is a great place for après. Dinner at Honeycomb Grill.
- Iconic lap: Summit gate into Honeycomb Canyon when patrol drops the rope - thank us later.
Final Take
For travelers with discriminating tastes who value snow quality, innovative layout, and a relaxed, grown-up atmosphere, Solitude Mountain Resort is precisely what the name promises.
It’s big enough to explore, intimate enough to feel like “your” mountain, and close enough to downtown Salt Lake City to fold great dinners and culture into your week.
Between Solitude Village comforts, Honeycomb Canyon thrills, and seamless Ikon Pass access, Solitude is an easy “yes” for your next ski vacation ... or day or weekend ... whether you chase powder, corduroy, or a little of both.
Solitude Mountain Resort
12000 Big Cottonwood Canyon Road
Solitude, UT
Website: https://www.solitudemountain.com/