Build your Snowbird Ski Trip
Learn more about Snowbird
- Great challenging terrain for intermediate and expert skiers
- Connected to Alta (only good if you're a skier)
- Efficient lift system and long ski seasons
- Not suited for beginners along with limited dining, nightlife and lodging options
Overall
Visit Snowbird, and you’ll quickly learn why so many professional freeriders and extreme skiers call it home. The terrain is as rugged as you’ll find anywhere so even the most experienced shredders will get a rush going down challenging lines. And let’s not forget about the snow! In a normal year, Snowbird and its neighbor, Alta, get 500 in of the “greatest snow on earth” dumped onto the highest resort terrain in Utah. The mountain gets the lion’s share of the magical stuff and can sometimes get twice as much snow as nearby resorts in a single storm! The trees, bowls and chutes will hide these powder stashes for days, just waiting for you to draw your lines.
Mid- February to early March
FLY TO
Salt Lake International Airport
SHUTTLE TO
Snowbird (45 minutes)
Base of Snowbird (Walk)
- Made up of four resort owned lodging including one ski-in/ski-out
- Great for skiing at Alta
- Small convenience store
Base of Alta (1-2 mi)
- Neighboring ski resort with five convenient lodges
- Great for skiing at both mountains
- Breakfast and dinner included
Between Alta and Snowbird (1-2 mi)
- Condos and vacation rentals
- Lack the convenience of prepared meals at Alta
- Easy access to the slopes
Salt Lake City (25-30 mi)
- Cheaper and wider selection of lodging options than Snowbird
- Convenient base for skiing at other resorts
- Small risk of road closure due to heavy snowfall
For beginners
Although over a quarter of the Snowbird mountain is rated for beginners, the easy terrain isn't very accessible for the inexperienced and the progression to more advanced terrain is abrupt. If you're a never-ever, give Alta or Park City a shot instead!
More beginners tipsFor intermediates
There's plenty on offer for intermediates across the resort but more adventurous skiers and snowboarders should check out the Mineral Basin. Our pick would be Lupine Loop into Bassanova then take the Path to Paradise to Junior's Powder Paradise. Snowbird has some intense yet wide blue runs, surrounded by black diamond terrain and stunning views of the Wasatch Range!
More intermediates tipsFor experts
From steeps and chutes to trees and bowls, Snowbird is truly an expert's playground. Hoop's is our winner here; it's a black diamond off the Knucklehead Traverse that's also north facing on the upper mountain so the pow there stays fresh late into the season.
More experts tipsFind freshies
Few people head out to Little Cloud and Gad 2, making them perfect for finding the fresh stuff, even days after a storm. Be sure to also check out the powder bowls of Mineral Basin!
Ditch the crowds
Queues for the aerial tram begin at 8.30am, so either get there at 8:00am or take the Peruvian lift for some superb skiing at Peruvian Gulch or continue into the tunnel through to the Mineral Basin (backside) area.
Non skiers
The small town with limited options at Snowbird could leave non-skiers rather bored here. However, there are loads of attractions in Salt Lake City, just 30 to 45 minutes away.
Families
If you have inexperienced beginners in your family, Snowbird might not be the best resort as the beginner terrain is quite limited. Additionally, getting to and from lodging and parking isn't easy either. The town of Snowbird is also small with limited dining and shopping.