Utah lives up to its “Greatest Snow on Earth” epithet by offering some of the best skiing conditions in North America (and maybe worldwide). Learn which resort is right for you with this list of the state’s best places to ski.
Alta
Proudly billing itself as a ski area instead of a ski resort, Alta is a mountain where quality conditions take precedent over amenities. About 550 inches of snow fall here each year—the most in the state—making for the deep powder that attracts ski purists from around the world.
Vintage touches abound at Alta, which has been independently owned since 1938. Snowboarders aren’t allowed, and you’ll even find some old-school two-seat chairlifts. At Alta, it’s all about the skiing. And with 2,200 acres of skiable terrain, there’s plenty to be had, particularly for advanced skiers, for whom 55% of the mountain is set aside.
Brian Head
At 9,600 feet, Brian Head boasts the highest base elevation of ski resorts in Utah. Spanning two peaks (Giant Steps and Navajo), the resort comprises 74 trails, three of which are debuting in the 2024-25 season as a part of a completed $1.4 million upgrade.
The 74 runs across 650 skiable acres offer something for every level of rider. With snow tubing and night skiing as options here, Brian Head is a great destination for families. As you enjoy all the mountain has to offer, take a moment to appreciate the scenic red rocks, which constitute Cedar Breaks National Monument, in the distance.
Brighton
Located above Salt Lake City in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Brighton is a laid-back resort famous for its ski and snowboard school. Learn the basics with the mountain’s instructors, then test your newfound skills at any of Brighton’s many beginner runs.
Brighton’s 66 trails crisscrossing 1,050 acres of skiable terrain also include options for intermediate and advanced riders. In 2024, the mountain expanded its night-skiing options to encompass 30 illuminated trails. Meanwhile, a terrain park and jumps appeal to snowboarders.
Deer Valley
A resort in every sense of the word, Deer Valley prioritizes service. A valet will unload your equipment from your car, and a six-person enclosed chairlift is expected to open for the 2024-25 season.
Also opening this season are 300 new skiable acres, adding to the more than 2,000 already available. With its many groomed runs, Deer Valley is a great destination for beginner and intermediate riders. Its ski school, led for decades by an Olympic gold medalist for the giant slalom, is considered among the best in the country. When you get tired, a wide variety of restaurants and cafes are nearby to provide sustenance.
Park City
Utah’s No. 1 overall ski resort is the largest ski area in the United States. The host of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, Park City attracts travelers from around the world with its 7,300 skiable acres. Part of the attraction is also the notable convenience factor—Park City is located only 35 minutes from an international airport (Salt Lake City), a rarity for a world-class ski destination.
Intermediate riders will feel most at home here, as nearly half of the 348 trails are rated blue. Beginner and advanced skiers will find plenty to enjoy as well, though, as will snowboarders. If you’re a movie lover, be sure to plan your trip for January, when the annual Sundance Film Festival is in town.
Snowbasin
Similarly close to Salt Lake City International Airport, Snowbasin is often overshadowed by its larger neighbors. Through expansions and improvements over the years, however, it has grown from a local favorite into a destination that’s been chosen as the venue for the alpine skiing competition in the 2034 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Snowbasin currently boasts 106 trails, which offer something for skiers of all levels. Beginning in 2025-26, a detachable quad will enable 1,800 riders each hour to reach the top terminal in only six minutes.
Snowbird
Like its Little Cottonwood Canyon neighbor Alta, Snowbird is never short on snow during the winter—500 inches fall here annually. With the deep powder and challenging terrain, Snowbird is best suited for advanced skiers, as well as for intermediate riders looking to up their skills.
A favorite among locals, Snowbird maintains 10 chairlifts and a tram, the latter of which ascends 2,900 feet in approximately eight minutes. Can’t decide whether to visit Snowbird or Alta? Experience both with the Alta-Bird Pass.
Solitude
The SolBright trail connects Brighton with its Big Cottonwood Canyon neighbor Solitude. Like Brighton, Solitude is a laid-lack resort, and at one time you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone but locals here.
While still a local favorite, Solitude does draw more out-of-towners than it once did. Fortunately, despite the increased attention, it’s never crowded. Deceptively large, Solitude has 82 runs across 1,200 skiable acres, each of which is far more than you’d expect when observing the mountain from its base.
Sundance
A feeling of blissful isolation permeates this tiny resort town thanks to the 500 acres of protected wilderness that surround it. Nature also shows itself in the form of the 12,000-foot Mount Timpanogos, which serves as a stunning backdrop. Originally owned by actor Robert Redford, the resort gave its name to the film festival that now takes place every winter in nearby Park City.
As for the resort itself, Sundance attracts visitors with a mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced runs. Prices for one-day passes begin at $129, but skiers can purchase an S-Card ahead of time for only $99.