The Salt Lake City Ski Resorts.
Alta is considered by many people to be the premier
resort in the country for some of the finest and most consistent snow.It gets
approximately 500 inches of snow per year. Although there are some beginner
runs Alta is geared more towards the intermediate and advanced skiers. No
snowboarding is allowed and Alta also limits the number of skiers so that
it is not overcrowded. If some members of your party don't ski you can leave
them to snowboard at Snowbird and contact them by wireless or cell phone on
the way down. There is a nursery available at Alta.
www.altaskiarea.com phone 801 359-1078
Snowbird has a larger expanse of ski and snowboard
terrain than Alta and like Alta gets 500 inches of snow. Snow conditions at
the bottom will not be as good as Alta. Snowbird allows snowboarding and does
not restrict the number of people using the slopes. The lifts are fast and
there are normally very short lines at the bottom of the lifts. There can
be a back up where there are paths leading to the bowls that have to be traversed
on the way down. Kids under 12 ski free with the purchase of adlt tickets.
They cater to Adapted Skiing for people with disabilities and have a nursery
available.www.snowbird.com phone 800
385-2002
Brighton also gets about 500 inches of snow. It allows
both skiing and
snowboarding and the runs are easier than Alta and Snowbird. It is best for
groups where the participants are at different skill levels. There are nice
views from the top of the mountains. Brighton has half pipes and a terrain
park set up for snowboarders. In sunny weather Clayton Peak runs can get icy
in the morning and late afternoon. Brighton is an excellent value for ski
and snowboard lessons and for families in general. It links the lessons with
lift tickets on some of the runs and children under 10 and adults over 70
ski free.www.skibrighton.com phone
800 873-5512
 Scott's friend Jim in the powder at Solitude  Scott at Solitude Photos provided by Scott Wragg |
Other Ski Resorts near Salt Lake City
 Scott and his son at Deer Valley  Scott's son in the Moguls at Deer Valley Photos provided by Scott Wragg |
These resorts can be reached from Salt Lake City in about 30 minutes and from the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon in Sandy in about 45 minutes. Snow fall ranges from 300 to 350 inches for these resorts and the temperatures are higher during the ski season than the resorts already mentioned which accounts for the snow quality being better at the Salt Lake City resorts. These resorts have the longest vertical drops after Snowbird. The Olympic Park for alternative winter sports activities is located nearby. www.thecanyons.com phone 888-CANYONS, www.parkcitymountain.com phone 800 222-7275, www.deervalley.com phone 435-649-1000
Powder mountain and Snowbasin
These resorts are about 45 minutes North of central Salt Lake City and are not really close together.They are about 1 1/4 hours away from Sandy or the bottom of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Snowfall varies from 500 inches at Powder Mountain to 400 inches at Snowbasin. The snow is excellent and the lifts are reasonably priced. Snowcat skiing is available at Powder Mountain. Most of the runs at Powder Mountain are for beginners and intermediate level skiers and snowboarders. snowbasin has good vertical drop with more intermediate and advanced runs. The Olympic Downhill and Super G were held here. www.powdermountain.net phone 801 745-3772, www.snowbasin.com phone 801 399-1135.
