Salt Lake City, Utah, is a skier’s city. Several world-class ski resorts are within a relatively short drive from the city, making for easy access to excellent conditions during the winter months.
I’m a lifelong skier, and I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to ski all over North America and other parts of the world. I’ve visited the Salt Lake City area numerous times and have skied many of the resorts around the city.
This post will highlight the best ski resorts near Salt Lake City. I’ll provide you with some vital information to help you know more about each destination while also highlighting what they are best known for.
Let’s get started.
Contents
1. Park City
- Resort Website
- Opening Day: November 20 (Average)
- Closing Day: April 11 (Average)
- Best Known For: Extensive terrain, amazing snow conditions possible, world-class amenities
Park City is one of the top skiing destinations in the US and gets the top sport for the best ski resort near Salt Lake City. This resort is under an hour’s drive from the city, which means you can be skiing the same day you fly in if you are visiting.
The resort has a world-renowned reputation for good reasons. It is one of the largest ski resorts in the US and offers 7,300 acres of skiable terrain. That means you can find any type of terrain you want to explore when you ski here.
Park City, and the Salt Lake City area in general, are also known for having excellent snow conditions and reliable snowfall during the winter months. You always have a good chance for a powder day, and fresh tracks can almost always be found.
And while the skiing can be unreal, the amenities in the area are also top-notch. Park City has an enormous variety of lodging options to please just about everyone. You can stay at 5-star resorts or find a budget rental to save you some cash.
There is also a lot of great food to eat on the mountain while you ski, and plenty of restaurants line the town’s streets near the base of the resort. If you want to rent gear or take a ski lesson, that’s easy to do as well.
Park City doesn’t have the most beginner-friendly terrain, but you won’t find any experienced skiers complaining about all it has to offer. It’s a great ski resort and one of the best you’ll find anywhere in the world.
2. Snowbird
- Resort Website
- Opening Day:
- Closing Day:
- Best Known For: Deep powder and lots of it, late-season skiing, proximity to the city
Snowbird is another one of the top ski resorts near Salt Lake City, and this destination is even closer than Park City. The resort is only about 27 miles away from the city center, which will take you about 40 minutes to drive to if the traffic isn’t backed up.
In addition to being easy to get to, Snowbird also has a serious reputation for getting good snow. The resort averages over 500 inches of snow every season. That means you always have a good chance for powder, which is alluring to nearly every skier.
When the snow starts to fly, you can expect some of the best conditions possible, and you’ll want to be sure to have your powder skis tuned up and ready for action. Powder days are great everywhere, but at Snowbird, you can really take advantage of deep snow.
The resort also boasts five world-class lodges that give skiers of all kinds cozy and comfortable accommodations. These cover a range of styles and budgets, so you can go all out or find something a little more affordable.
Snowbird is a fully equipped resort, so you’ll have excellent ski lessons and rental equipment readily available to push your skills to the next level or help you learn something new. There is also a lot of good food.
It is an expensive resort but compares to similar locations across the western US. But you’ll want to purchase your lift tickets ahead of time or buy a pass to save cash and help cut the costs of your ski trip here.
3. Alta
- Resort Website
- Opening Day: November 22 (Average)
- Closing Day: April 20 (Average)
- Best Known For: Technical terrain, backcountry access, laid back old school vibe
Alta is the best ski resort near Salt Lake City for advanced and expert skiers who love technical terrain. This location is packed full of incredible runs and backcountry access that can challenge even the most skilled skiers out there.
Alta is my favorite place to ski in Utah and is easy to get to, being just over an hour’s drive away from Salt Lake City. It can take a bit longer if the snow is falling, but that means the skiing will be even more epic.
You can expect fantastic skiing conditions here nearly all season long, and the resort averages 550 inches of snow every season. That means there are many powder days to take advantage of and a possibility of fresh tracks almost every day.
There are ski lessons available here and some dining options on the hill. There isn’t a lot of beginner terrain, but even though it’s a mountain better suited to advanced skiers, you can still learn a lot while skiing here.
The only downside of skiing Alta is that you won’t have as many amenities here as other larger resorts near Salt Lake City. But if you care more about epic skiing and great conditions than creature comforts, this destination is highly recommended.
4. Deer Valley
- Resort Website
- Opening Day: December 4 (Average)
- Closing Day: April 17 (Average)
- Best Known For: Not being crowded, upscale accommodations and amenities
If you are looking for upscale accommodations, great skiing, and no crowds near Salt Lake City, Deer Valley is well worth checking out. It’s a great ski resort under an hour away from the city and has a reputation for good snow and great amenities.
Deer Valley limits the number of skiers that can access the runs each day. This means the crowds are always down, and you won’t need to wait in the lift line long to take advantage of good snow.
The lodging and dining here are unreal, and you can find some seriously world-class accommodations that will have you living in the lap of luxury. That means excellent service as well.
The downside to being more upscale and fancy is that Deer Valley is pretty expensive. This isn’t a budget-friendly location, which can put it out of reach for families or any skier on a budget.
Additional Tips for Skiing in Salt Lake City
If you want to save some money on your ski trip to this area, consider staying at a hotel or rental home in the city rather than at the resort. You’ll have to drive a little more, but you can save quite a bit by finding more affordable accommodations.
You can also get rental gear or other equipment in the city rather than at the resorts listed here to save money to put to use towards other ski-related items or activities.
Final Words
All of the resorts listed here are right around an hour or less from the Salt Lake City area. Whether you live in the city or are just visiting, this gives you easy access to some of the best skiing in North America.
