Snowbird

Closed
Meimei Ma
SnowPak Local Insider
Meimei Ma
Pros
  • 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
Cons
  • Not suited for beginners along with limited dining, nightlife and lodging options

Overall

4

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.

Best month to go

Mid- February to early March

Snowbird’s season typically begins no later than early December. Even though Mother Nature delivers an almost unbelievable amount of snow, the ski resort still maintains some snowmaking equipment to make sure they’re able to get some groomers open before the blizzards come. You don’t need to be there that early though. January is when you’ll see a good coverage of snow on the advanced and expert runs at Snowbird. The season lasts as long as there is snow, so it’s common for the lifts to run through late May and beyond. We like to visit mid-February to early March, when there’s plenty of snow and sunshine. That said, if you’re lucky, you can catch a powder storm later in the season and skip the hustle and bustle of the holiday season which means cheaper lodgings. If you find yourself at Snowbird late into the season, follow the sun over the course of the day to find the best conditions.

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

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Base of Alta (1-2 mi)

  • Neighboring ski resort with five convenient lodges
  • Great for skiing at both mountains
  • Breakfast and dinner included

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Between Alta and Snowbird (1-2 mi)

  • Condos and vacation rentals
  • Lack the convenience of prepared meals at Alta
  • Easy access to the slopes

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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

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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 tips

For 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 tips

For 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 tips

Find 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.

Save up to 33% when you book a Snowbird package!

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Snowbird Reviews

Fabulous 4.2 / 5
based on 84 reviews

How well the resort caters for beginner skiers / boarders

Beginners

How well the resort caters for intermediate skiers / boarders?

Intermediates

How well the resort caters for advanced skiers / boarders

Advanced

How accessible and convenient it is to get to this resort from a major destination

Accessibility

Quality of the off-piste terrain

Side/Backcountry

Overall value for money of the resort

Value for money

Quality of lifts, lift speed and lift layout in the resort

Lifts

Quantity and quality of the snow

Snow

How uncrowded is the resort

Uncrowded

Après ski and dining options

Town

Services and facilities e.g. child care, tubing, health care, equipment hire

Facilities

How family friendly is this resort?

Family Friendliness
Good!3.8 / 5Oct 15, 2021
Snowbird ReviewsErik O.
advanced skier
One of the best resorts I’ve ever been to, and my favorite in Utah. This is skiing/boarding at its best. People hear so much about Park City in Utah, but Snowbird blows it out of the water. Unreal terrain, mountains of powder, and a no frills vibe. Locals who really want to ski/board go to Snowbird. Can be crowded driving up the canyon, especially... More
Very Good!4.1 / 5Aug 19, 2020
Snowbird ReviewsTom S.
expert skier
Great snow, great terrain, crowded on weekends. The resort is a short drive from Salt Lake City and is easily accessible for a day trip. Be sure to get there early on heavy snow days, since the road to the resort is often closed mid day.... More
Superb!4.6 / 5Aug 19, 2020
Snowbird ReviewsLuke P.
advanced skier
Nice facilities. Lots of terrain options. Easy to get to but on a good snow day, weekend or Holiday's it's crazy busy. Great connection with Alta for even more terrain.... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Apr 20, 2020
Snowbird ReviewsVaughn T.
expert skier
Snowbird is the best resort in Utah when the snow has dumped, its steep and deep the way I like it. It’s not for novices even though there is some terrain for them. The only place in Utah you can ski over half hour from the top moving at a consistent clip. The true big Mountain experience no flat grade to get stuck in its truly amazing.... More
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Apr 20, 2020
Snowbird ReviewsLisa F.
advanced skier
Definitely my favorite Utah resort. Great black and advanced blue runs, amazing co-ed spa with incredible views, great restaurants and sandwich shops. Great resort, great skiing, awesome amenities, great staff.... More
Very Good!4 / 5Mar 22, 2020
Snowbird ReviewsSab K.
advanced snowboarder
If you are an advanced/expert skier/boarder you will absolutely love this resort. The difficulty of the runs cater to intermediate-advanced skiers. So don’t come here expecting a lot of wide groomed runs! Or for that matter a ski town! Come for the challenging runs and all the fresh powder (even in late March & early April).... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5Mar 22, 2020
Snowbird ReviewsRoger G.
beginner skier
Haven't been in a while but it's great for beginners and advanced and it will be my grandson first time reasonable price and trying to lift his spirit up after losing his grandfather a year ago he was like a farther to him and his grandfather SKIED here so I thought we could make memories they have a friendly staff easy to get to slopes and food ... More
Good!3.7 / 5Feb 25, 2020
Snowbird ReviewsJimmy P.
beginner skier
I was really disappointed that the mountain had so much powder that we had to wait a few hours for it to open. Once it was open nothing was groomed and we had to go through several feet of powder.... More
Superb!5 / 5Feb 20, 2020
ANAndrew N.
expert snowboarder
I grew up learning on Brighton mountain thinking it was amazing. I matured on Beaver mountain in college. However, Snowbird was where I learned what a big boy mountain was all about. I've skied Jackson, Heli skiied Whistler, Slashed Big Sky on 2 feet of pow but I always default Snowbird as my all time favorite. Snowbird can definitely get... More
Average!3.4 / 5Jan 22, 2020
Snowbird ReviewsZackary M.
intermediate skier
The terrain is amazed and there are plenty of great areas to explore. I love how steep the mountain is and how different each of the main areas are. Perfect for experts and those looking to get better!... More