Utah Resort Report Winter 2012-13 

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Summer has drawn to a close on the Wasatch Front, welcoming crisp temperatures and opening the door for Old Man Winter. In his absence, what’s happened with your favorite Utah resort, your bottomless powder provider? With 14 resorts in Utah, we took some time to check in with each one and find out what’s new.

Alta Ski Area
Top of Little Cottonwood Canyon—45-minute drive southeast of Salt Lake City
Highway 210, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Alta, 801-359-1078, Alta.com

Adult Day Pass: $75

Adult Season Pass: $1,199

What’s New:
Celebrating its 75th anniversary, Alta will screen vintage ski footage, sponsor historic talks and cap it off with fireworks Jan. 15. Also, a new office at the Wildcat Base will streamline season-pass operations inside its eco-friendly, LEED-certified building.

Beaver Mountain
Logan Canyon—Two-hour drive north of SLC
40000 E. Highway 89, Garden City, 435-753-4822, SkiTheBeav.com

Adult Day Pass: $45

Adult Season Pass: $545

What’s New:
This summer, the country’s oldest family-run ski resort installed a new drive wheel on Marge’s Lift for smoother, quieter rides. Also, new paint on lift houses freshens up the resort’s look, and some road improvements make the drive a bit easier.

Brian Head
Near Parowan—Four-hour drive south of SLC
329 S. Highway 193, Brian Head, 866-930-1010, BrianHead.com

Adult Day Pass: $49

Adult Season Pass: $499 (before Nov. 6, 2012)

What’s New:
This year, the highest ski resort in Utah offers a Buddy Pass season-ticket program so couples and ski buddies can save cash when purchasing passes together.

Brighton Resort
Top of Big Cottonwood Canyon—35-minute drive southeast of SLC
8302 S. Brighton Loop Road, Brighton, 801-532-4731, BrightonResort.com

Adult Day Pass: $64

Adult Season Pass: $949

What’s new:
The Brighton crew spent this summer clearing out brush and deadfall to help improve the resort’s legendary tree stashes. For the kiddies, a new ski-school yurt provides a neat lunch area for more privacy and increased safety in the busy base area. And, as always, the park crew built a new fleet of features for creative jibwork.

Canyons Resort
Park City—35-minute drive east of SLC
4000 Canyons Resort Drive, Park City, 435-649-5400, CanyonsResort.com

Adult Day Pass: $105

Adult Season Pass: $1,449

What’s New:
This winter, Canyons Resort introduces the Ultimate Mountain Experience, a program that pairs skiers and riders with former Olympians and U.S. Ski/Snowboard Team members. The training sessions and multi-athlete fantasy camps are only for ability levels intermediate and above. Don’t worry; professional après activities follow each session.

• COURTESY TOM KELLY
• DEER VALLEY'S DALY CHUTE

Deer Valley Resort
Park City—35-minute drive east of SLC 2250 Deer Valley Drive South, Park City, 435-649-1000, DeerValley.com

Adult Day Pass: $102

Adult Season Pass: $1,810 (before Oct. 31, 2012)

What’s New:
The new Mountaineer Express high-speed detachable quad chairlift replaces the old Deer Crest chair to increase uphill capacity at this luxury resort. Other improvements include a remodeled Snow Park restaurant, a heated patio at the Empire Canyon Lodge and new low-energy air-water guns for snowmaking.

Eagle Point Ski Resort
Near Beaver—Four-hour drive south of SLC
150 Southwest Village Circle, Fishlake National Forest, Beaver, 435-438-3700, SkiEaglePoint.com

Adult Day Pass: $50

Adult Season Pass: $369 (before Nov. 1, 2012)

What’s New:
This Tushar Mountain treasure will be open Thursday to Sunday all season, every day from Dec. 21 to Jan. 6, and on Monday holidays. In January, Eagle Point offers free lift tickets on Thursdays. On Fridays, the resort includes a $15 gas card with a full-price lift ticket. Plus, all California residents ski free all season long.

Park City Mountain Resort
Park City—30-minute drive east of SLC

1345 Lowell Ave., Park City, 435-649-8111, ParkCityMountain.com

Adult Day Pass: $96

Adult Season Pass: $850

What’s New:
The My Pass, My Way program at PCMR lets folks build their season passes the way they want them, with or without underground parking, Fast Tracks access, night skiing and other options.

Powder Mountain
Ogden Valley—One-hour, 25-minute drive northeast of SLC
8000 N. 5100 East, Eden, 801-745-3772, PowderMountain.com

Adult Day Pass: $65

Adult Season Pass: $765

What’s New:
This winter, PowMow is offering a $395 season pass to military personnel, law-enforcement officers, firefighters and teachers to thank them for their service. In the park scene, a Candy Land-themed Neff Land will provide a one-of-a-kind terrain park experience, while the “I Ride Park City” freestyle camps and new mini-park will cater to the newest up-and-comers.

Snowbasin Resort
Ogden Valley—One hour north of downtown
3925 Snow Basin Road, Huntsville, 801-620-1000, Snowbasin.com

Adult Day Pass: TBA (was $72 for 2011-12)

Adult Season Pass: $669

What’s New:
The Discovery Plus Pass includes three free days of skiing at Sun Valley, summer gondola access and no blackout dates. On the mountain, a new Bison X snowcat and two new builders ensure skiers and riders never get bored lapping Snowbasin’s prodigious park and pipe.

Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort
Little Cottonwood Canyon—40-minute drive southeast of SLC
Highway 210, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Snowbird, 801-933-2222, Snowbird.com

Adult Day Pass: TBA (was $78 for 2011-12)

Adult Season Pass: $1,199

What’s New:
A brand-spankin’-new Little Cloud high-speed quad chairlift will cut ride times in half to ensure less time in the clouds and more time in the white room. Also, the completely remodeled Aerie restaurant welcomes a new chef and menu to please palates.

Solitude Mountain Resort
Big Cottonwood Canyon—30-minute drive southeast of SLC
12000 Big Cottonwood Canyon, Solitude, 801-534-1400, SkiSolitude.com

Adult Day Pass: $72

Adult Season Pass: $999

What’s New:
This winter, Solitude’s popular mid-week season pass will include Fridays. For $499, skiers and riders can lap their secret stashes Monday through Friday and leave the weekends for the tourists. Also, 1,700 feet of snowmaking pipe on Wall Street will enhance early-season skiing off the Apex lift.

Sundance Resort
Provo Canyon—One-hour, 15-minute drive south of SLC
8841 N. Alpine Loop Road, Sundance, 866-259-7468, SundanceResort.com

Adult Day Pass: $54

Adult Season Pass: $585

What’s New:
A new chairlift and ticket booth at Sundance Resort means direct access to the mountain from the upper parking lot as well as a quicker route to the back mountain. Also, the lift features a mid station for endless terrain park laps and permits increased snowmaking to help improve park features.

Wolf Mountain
Ogden Valley—One-hour, 15-minute drive north of SLC
2400 N. 3500 East, Eden, 801-745-3511, WolfMountainUtah.com

Adult Day Pass: $31

Adult Season Pass: $184

What’s New:
With new ownership, management and snowmaking, Wolf Mountain continues its mission to get Utahns skiing and riding. The Get On Board Package includes three lift tickets and three lessons for $250. Upon completion of the lessons, the participant (age 8 and up) gets a free season pass. An After School Program is also available.