Snowbird Ski Resort Utah
Snowbird Ski Resort is an amazing playground for all powder hounds. Snowbird Utah is world renowned for the abundance of light dry Wasatch powder that falls, with an impressive average annual snowfall of 500 inches (12.8 metres).
With steep, challenging and interesting terrain, Snowbird Ski Resort is a “must do” experience for any expert skier or snowboarder. The local hard-core skiers and boarders tend to have a bit of attitude, but the snobbery is probably excusable considering the amazing skills of the regulars that ski Snowbird.
Pros and Cons of Snowbird Utah
Pros
- Mother Nature usually blesses Snowbird Ski Resort with large volumes of snow. Often there is abundant powder everywhere for the taking.
- Utah’s claim of having the “Greatest Snow on Earth” is really true at Snowbird, and the quality of the powder is enhanced due to the high elevation.
- The resort has a long season that generally goes from mid November through to May.
- It is a decent sized resort providing lots of terrain variety, and the inter-connection with Alta is a major bonus (if you’re a skier).
- Snowbird has great in-bounds steeps for experts, some of which are fabulously terrifying.
- The off-piste terrain for advanced riders is also diverse and exceptional.
Cons
- A Snowbird ski vacation does not cater to those looking for economical lodging, although there are affordable lodging options off-mountain.
- This is not the best resort for beginners and low-end intermediates, but on the plus side, beginner packages are very inexpensive.
- Powder days are very common at Snowbird, but a downside is that skiers from Salt Lake City flock here in hordes. If you want to get any freshies, assertiveness and dodging ability is required at both the top and bottom of the aerial tram. Canyon road traffic can also be very problematic.
Pro or Con Depending On Your Perspective
- Snowbird Utah is accessible off the Ikon Pass which has increased the crowds a little more.
Snowbird Ski and Snowboard Terrain
Statistics for the Snowbird ski resort include 3,240 feet (987 metres) of vertical, 2,500 acres (1,012 hectares) of skiing terrain, and 169 runs serviced by 11 lifts, one of which is the famous Snowbird tram.
The trail breakdown is 27% beginner, 38% intermediate and 35% advanced/expert. However the statistics aren't enough to describe how good the
Snowbird skiing terrain is for experienced riders. Famous for deep powder and steep chutes, bowls and trees, Snowbird Utah is a dream for experts. Everywhere is a potential line, and that includes the many small cliffs for hucking.
Alta Snowbird
Skiers can use a joint lift pass to also access
Alta ski resort. The combined Alta Snowbird resorts provide 5,100 acres – one of the largest ski areas in the USA. The resorts are joined at Sugarloaf Pass and accessed via high-speed quad chair lifts from both Alta and Snowbird Ski Resort. The only downside is that Alta is snowboard free, which may be a plus for skiers who are wary of snowboarders.
Where is Snowbird UT?
Snowbird Utah is in the Little Cottonwood Canyon of the Wasatch mountain range in the Rocky Mountains. It is 29 miles (47 km - 45 minute drive) from Salt Lake City International Airport with plenty of flights from major U.S. cities.
Snowbird travel is easy because airport shuttles are readily available. Snowbird Resort is one mile down the canyon road from
Alta ski resort.
Snowbird Lodging
Snowbird lodging is available on-mountain within four “lodges” (aka hotel condo buildings). The
Cliff Lodge is a fabulous hotel that is conveniently ski-in ski-out via a beginners’ run and has extensive facilities such as a day spa, outdoor swimming pools and hot tubs, and childcare.
The Lodge at Snowbird offers retro chic hotel rooms and condos.
Snowbird Accommodations Listings
Alternatively you can stay “next door” in
Alta lodging and ski, drive or get a shuttle to Snowbird. A much cheaper option is to stay in Salt Lake City or nearby suburbs such as
Midvale or
Cottonwood Heights and get a bus or drive to Snowbird.
The Village
The small pedestrian village of Snowbird UT is not really a village in the truest sense. There’s no little main street where you can stroll along and visit the shops, restaurants and bars. Rather, the village is made up of several concrete avalanche-proof buildings, which are more sensible than most Alta buildings that are mostly made of wood!
The buildings are from a 70s time capsule. They are not particularly pretty on the outside, but with the dramatic backdrop of the mountains, the village looks rather striking, and many of the interiors are fantastically funky retro.
There is a limited nightlife and bar scene, some restaurants, several shops, and there is not much to do besides the skiing and snowboarding.