Fifteen ski hills (11 within an hour of Salt Lake City) sprawl across Utah’s topographical wonderland, ready and waiting for winter—and each and every one wants you. This year’s prices, pass benefits and on-mountain offerings reflect the steep competition. What does this mean for 2013-14 Utah shredders? More bang for every single buck (especially if you pre-purchase day passes). So, kick back, keep a weather eye out and let these world-class resorts woo you.
Alta Ski Area
Top of Little Cottonwood Canyon—45 minutes southeast of SLC
210 Little Cottonwood Canyon Road, Alta, 801-359-1078, Alta.com
Adult Day Pass: $79
Adult Season Pass: $1,199
What’s New: Collins Grill and Watson Café support Slow Food Utah, using as many local ingredients as possible. The all-inclusive Alta Sleep-Around grants guests three nights in three lodges (including the newly upgraded Rustler and Snowpine), plus three days of wintery fun (Dec 5-8, $898). Qualifying season-pass holders will get the “Best Pass Benefit in the Wasatch”—aka three free days at Deer Valley, Park City and Snowbird.
Beaver Mountain
Logan Canyon—two hours northeast of SLC
40000 E. Highway 89, Garden City, 435-946-3610, SkiTheBeav.com
Adult Day Pass: $45
Adult Season Pass: $535
What’s New: The Beav spent the summer widening popular Little Beaver beginner runs for all those pizza wedges and adding a few new trails for first-time french-fry tries. A new snow cat guarantees quality grooming, while fresh coats of paint on the lodge, deck and ticket office amp up this family-run resort’s already warm welcome.
Brian Head
South of Parowan—four hours south of SLC
329 S. Highway 193, Brian Head, 866-930-1010, BrianHead.com
Adult Day Pass: $54
Adult Season Pass: $539 ($619 after Nov. 7)
What’s New: Work up an appetite by lapping the new 600-foot tubing hill, then satisfy your hunger at two renovated base lodges boasting nearly unrecognizable restaurants with overhauled, high-quality menus. Then, put those calories to good use on steep turns and steezy terrain park tricks under the bright lights of Blackfoot, the new night-skiing lift.
Brighton Resort
Top of Big Cottonwood Canyon—50 minutes southeast of SLC
8302 S. Brighton Loop Road, Brighton, 855-532-4731, BrightonResort.com
Adult Day Pass: $68
Adult Season Pass: $899
What’s new: Through Nov. 2, Brighton and Solitude are offering a joint no-blackouts season pass called the Big Cottonwood for just $999. A new radio-frequency ID system will let ticket pre-purchasers head straight to the lift line and season-pass holders keep their passes in their pockets. Ladies can lap their jumps and jibs at the girls-only terrain park.
Canyons Resort
Park City—40 minutes east of SLC
4000 Canyons Resort Drive, Park City, 435-649-5400, CanyonsResort.com
Adult Day Pass: $55-$80, depending on month
Adult Season Pass: $709
What’s New: This year’s “Epic” Season Pass (local, restricted version $549) features unlimited access to 26 mountains in four countries (three of them European). To chase even more pow, hook up with heli-skiing Wasatch Powderbird Guides. Track your vert and share the pictures to prove it with the Epic Mix app. Then chill out in ice chairs at the first full season of the Powder Ice Lounge.
Deer Valley Resort
Park City—45 minutes east of SLC
2250 Deer Valley Drive South, Park City, 435-649-1000, DeerValley.com
Adult Day Pass: $108
Adult Season Pass: $2,220
What’s New: The posh resort is keeping it green, expanding use of ultra-low-energy snowmaking guns and purchasing 24 EPA-approved snowmobiles. There’s even a new green run, Gnat’s Eye, on Little Baldy Mountain. Full-season-pass holders will get the “Best Pass Benefit in the Wasatch”—aka three free days at Alta, Park City and Snowbird.
Eagle Point Ski Resort
Near Beaver—three hours and 30 minutes south of SLC
150 Southwest Village Circle, Beaver, 855-324-5378, SkiEaglePoint.com
Adult Day Pass: $25 Thursday & Sunday, $48 Friday & Saturday, $58 holidays
Adult Season Pass: $399 ($489 after Dec. 1)
What’s New: Open Thursday to Sunday and holidays, Utah’s newest resort moved the Little Eagle Lift to the Tushar Ridge to improve access to the steeps. A $25 lift ticket is available to season-pass holders of any other resort, high school or college students, police, firefighters and military personnel, all season long.
Park City Mountain Resort
Park City—40 minutes east of SLC
1345 Lowell Ave., Park City, 435-649-8111, ParkCityMountain.com
Adult Day Pass: $105
Adult Season Pass: $880
What’s New: Park City celebrates its 50th year of fun, keeping its “Citius, Altius, Fortius” spirit rolling with the U.S. Grand Prix Olympic qualifier. Purchasing a season pass with one add-on (e.g., night skiing) will get you the “Best Pass Benefit in the Wasatch” (say it with me: three free days at Alta, Deer Valley and Snowbird).
Powder Mountain
Ogden Valley—one hour northeast of SLC
8000 N. 5100 East, Eden, 801-745-3772, PowderMountain.com
Adult Day Pass: $65
Adult Season Pass: $695
What’s New: First Timer season passes ($405) are available after five beginner lessons. All season passes score three free days at Taos, Durango and Red ski resorts. There are also special day rates for any Utah resort season-pass holder ($50); skiing on hump day ($42) or mid-week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, $50); or, for college kids, Tuesday or Thursday ($40). Fuel your stoke with fancy new fare at the Powder Keg.
Snowbasin Resort
Ogden Valley—55 minutes north of SLC
3925 E. Snowbasin Road, Huntsville, 801-620-1000, Snowbasin.com
Adult Day Pass: TBA (was $82 for 2012-13)
Adult Season Pass: $899
What’s New: The Adult Premier Pass ($1,149) gets you all the usual bennies plus three days at each at 11 other Powder Alliance Resorts. On-mountain news includes higher snowmaking coverage (over 615 acres), a new Riglet Park and LTR program for wee ones (3-6 years), and a Rossignol partnership to elevate the rental experience.
Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort
Little Cottonwood Canyon—40 minutes southeast of SLC
9600 E. Little Cottonwood Canyon Road, Snowbird, 801-933-2222, Snowbird.com
Adult Day Pass: $92
Adult Season Pass: $1,199
What’s New: A new Gad 2 lift will halve ride times, and Cat Skiing for Nature is expanding its terrain. Snowbird’s Mountain Collective membership grants season-pass holders 50 percent off tickets at six ski areas; become a MC member ($379) for two free days at each. Don’t forget the “Best Pass Benefit in the Wasatch” (three free days at Alta, Deer Valley and Park City). Moms, check out SkiMums, a blog and ski group meant to keep moms ripping.
Solitude Mountain Resort
Big Cottonwood Canyon—45 minutes southeast of SLC
12000 Big Cottonwood Canyon Road, Solitude, 801-534-1400, SkiSolitude.com
Adult Day Pass: $74
Adult Season Pass: $799
What’s New: SolBright, a recently widened all-ability-level trail, links all 3,700 acres of Solitude/Brighton terrain. It’s yours to exploit with the no-blackout-dates Big Cottonwood Season Pass ($999, available until Nov 2). Stop by the new Southwestern-style restaurant for feel-good food like fresh, made-to-order salads.
Sundance Resort
Provo Canyon—one hour south of SLC
8841 N. Alpine Loop Road, Sundance, 866-259-7468, SundanceResort.com
Adult Day Pass: $55
Adult Season Pass: $585
What’s New: Summertime brush-cutting and gladding opened up tree-run terrain around Ray’s Lift and the Flathead area. New punch cards give you one free day for every four, and a VIP pass comes with two buddy passes, line-cutting privileges and resort discounts. New night lights in the terrain park illuminate a few extra boxes and a tabletop.
Wolf Mountain
Ogden Valley—one hour north of SLC
3567 Nordic Valley Way, Eden, 801-745-3511, WolfMountainUtah.com
Adult Day Pass: $35
Adult Season Pass: $330
What’s New: The Wolf is holding it down up north, continuing to keep the snow made, the trails groomed and the park rats happy. With 20 percent beginner, 50 percent intermediate and 20 percent advanced terrain, this resort is a learner’s haven, with plenty of fun runs for the old hats.
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