Pass Go: Making the Most of the Ikon Pass

The Ikon Pass is tailor-made for a ski vacation in Utah. Although you can spend your entire trip at just one stellar ski resort, your Ikon Pass and the accessibility of the Wasatch Mountain Range makes it possible to enjoy all six of Utah’s Ikon resorts.

Written By Paula Colman

A skier making a big turn on a freshly groomed run, leaning into the turn.
Snowbasin Resort   |  Courtesy of Snowbasin Resort

If you haven’t visited before, then you’ll be shocked at how easy it is to get around. Quick geography lesson: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is only 10 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City, 40 minutes to the Cottonwood Canyon resorts, 45 minutes to Deer Valley and within an hour of Snowbasin. Although the area gets a lot of snow, it has a lot of snowplows to keep the roads as clear as possible. In fact, the airport with its sparkling and spacious new terminal has a top on-time record, and schools rarely close due to weather. That said, if you’re a less-confident driver or or new to driving on snow and ice (in winter, Big and Little Cottonwood canyons require snow tires, all-wheel drive or chains), then take advantage of the surfeit of buses, shuttles, and ride shares, including, UberSki to get around the area.

The resorts closest to Salt Lake City are located in Big and Little Cottonwood canyons.

The resorts closest to Salt Lake City are located in Big and Little Cottonwood canyons.

Photo: Angie Payne

A view from Snowbird.

A view from Snowbird.

Photo: Garrett Grove/Visit Salt Lake

Honestly, the biggest decision an Ikon Pass holder will have is deciding where to ski. There are a lot of choices – Deer Valley Resort, Solitude Mountain Resort, Brighton, Snowbasin, Alta Ski Area and Snowbird all accept the Ikon pass (heads up snowboarders — Alta and Deer Valley are ski only). So, the best strategy is to live like a local. Utah locals, even if they have a season pass to a single resort, will chase the powder. If they know a winter storm is coming, they don’t go to Costco to stock up on water; they go to replenish their instant hand warmers, because they don’t want to catch a chill when they’re chin-deep in feather-light snow. Next, they’ll check the Ski Utah snow report for ALL the resorts. Because of geography — mountains, canyons, elevations and, of course, a giant lake — the weather varies among resorts. The explanation is pretty interesting, but you just want to ski. So, check the weather and chase the powder!

Skiing the Cottonwoods

If it’s pounding in Little Cottonwood Canyon (and it often is), then consider spending the night at Cliff Lodge at Snowbird or the swish Snowpine Lodge at Alta in order to be first on the lifts when they open.

The traffic in LCC has increased over the years. So, plan ahead. If you plan to ski on a powder day, and plan to drive up the canyon to Snowbird or Alta, plan to avoid the 8 a.m.-10 a.m. rush hour and, if at all possible, take the bus or carpool. If the Utah Department of Transportation is doing avalanche work on the road, it will typically only open the canyon to traffic after 8 a.m. Eager powderhounds will line up early, but it takes a while to clear the bottleneck. (Read: How to Prepare for Your Utah Ski Vacation)

"Solitude is usually the least-crowded of these resorts, but Utahns will tell you that its Honeycomb Canyon is one of the best areas to ski on a powder day."

Preparing for the Greatest Snow?

View Our Ski Vacation Tips

Ski-Resorts_Snowbird_Markewitz_DSC6756
If you have a snowboarder, then plan a day — or a night ride — at Brighton.

If you have a snowboarder, then plan a day — or a night ride — at Brighton.

Photo: Jay Dash

Locals' Tip: On a powder day, leave by 7 a.m., bring coffee, pastries and the Sunday Times at 8 a.m., or wait until 10 a.m. There will still be plenty of snow. If you’re there later, be sure to check out the après-ski scene at the lodges or, for $50, grab a day pass to Cliff Spa and enjoy a steam, sauna or dip in the Instagramable rooftop hot tub and pool.   

Big Cottonwood Canyon, typically, has a similar weather pattern to Little Cottonwood Canyon, but the topography and vibe among the BCC and LCC resorts are quite different. They all provide world-class skiing though, and your Ikon Pass gets you to all of them. But first, breakfast! Silver Fork Lodge and Restaurant is just before Solitude and provides the hearty fuel beside a warm stone fireplace that you’ll need to ski all day.

Locals' Tip: Solitude is usually the least-crowded of these resorts, but Utahns will tell you that its Honeycomb Canyon is one of the best areas to ski on a powder day.

Bonus Tip: When everything else is tracked out, traverse the sides of the canyon to find the freshies.

Next door is Brighton, full of rich tradition and rad terrain parks. If you have a snowboarder, then plan a day — or a night ride — at Brighton (note, advanced lift reservations are required for Ikon pass holders). This is also the place to bring your sack lunches and drinks, or make friends with a local (not hard in preternaturally-friendly Utah) who has a portable grill for slopeside tailgating. As you’re heading down the canyon, reserve dinner at Saola Restaurant, or stop in at Porcupine Pub & Grill for its microbrew and famed creamy chicken noodle soup.  

"Big Cottonwood Canyon, typically, has a similar weather pattern to Little Cottonwood Canyon, but the topography and vibe among the BCC and LCC resorts are quite different."

You'll find some perfectly manicured groomers at Deer Valley.

You'll find some perfectly manicured groomers at Deer Valley.

Photo: Scott Markewitz

Deer Valley in Park City

Even if you’re skiing and staying in Salt Lake City — which has budget to five-star accommodations that are a fraction of ski-in options — you should take advantage of all that Ikon Pass has to offer, including multiple ski days at upscale Deer Valley in Park City (note, advanced lift reservations are required for Ikon pass holders). You hear a lot about the great food and service, but Utah locals head here for the powder, especially in the springtime. The trees, bowls and chutes at Deer Valley are terrific. However, because the resort attracts a clientele that is often more concerned with food and service, the best powder stashes are often still untouched at lunchtime. That said, the turkey chili is pretty amazing, too.

Locals' Tip: Stuff snacks in your jacket and ski until 1:30. You’ll avoid the lunch crush, and the runs are empty.

Bonus Tip: If you want to feel like a million bucks off the slopes, then take the free funicular to the Lounge (for families) or Bar (for adults) at the St. Regis next to the Snow Park Lodge and enjoy melted European hot chocolate and other après ski treats with panoramic views. Also, check out the Rossignol High Performance Test Center next to the Empire Canyon Lodge, where you can demo the latest lineup of Rossignol skis free for up to two hours.

Snowbasin Resort

Snowbasin Resort

Photo: Courtesy of Snowbasin Resort

Snowbasin Resort

Snowbasin Resort

Photo: Cam McLeod

On to Snowbasin

Assuming that you want to ski more, Ikon Pass also includes the stunning Snowbasin in nearby Ogden Valley. If you haven’t heard of it (that’s a good thing in the skiing universe), then you might know its Idahoan sister property, Sun Valley. Snowbasin means luxe skiing and fine dining as well as long runs, panoramic views, fewer people and lots of powder. As the venue for the Super-G and Downhill events at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and Paralympics, Snowbasin is a serious mountain that can deliver bunny hills to backcountry. It just also happens to offer five-star service to its guests. To get started, take the toasty gondola in the center of the resort’s six peaks to the Needles Lodge for a gourmet meal. If it’s Saturday morning, then enjoy a yoga class at 9000’. Then, get to business and ski some of the best runs in Utah and the world.

When you’re done, then head down the road to share a burger and your best run of the day at The Shooting Star Saloon, Utah’s oldest continually operating saloon (since 1879). If you prefer premium gin or agave, then try them both at the tasting room at New World Distillery in nearby Eden. On the way, be sure to look beyond the fence posts to spot a few masterpieces painted on the sides of local barns. Later, if the sky is clear, then view the largest canvas — the entire galaxy — at North Fork State Park, one of Utah’s many Dark Sky Parks. Be sure to check the schedule for a Moonlight Glide, a family-friendly nighttime Nordic ski, on solar-lighted trails at the park.

Take a break from skiing (skiing all that powder can tucker you out), and enjoy plenty of other pursuits: ice skating, ice fishing, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing. It’s all nearby. Really tuckered out? Head to the city of Ogden, just minutes from the resort.  On the way, make the kids happy with a stop to walk amongst 100+ dinosaur sculptures built to scale and, then, make them really happy with a scoop of play dough ice cream at Farr’s.

Locals' Tip: Be sure to check out the very best deals on Arcteryx and Solomon gear at Amer Sports Factory Outlet just around the corner. Finish off your day with a stroll among the shops, galleries and, indeed, more restaurants, along Historic 25th Street, the heart of this other epic mountain town.

Snowbasin means luxe skiing and quality dining as well as long runs, panoramic views, fewer people and lots of powder.

Snowbasin means luxe skiing and quality dining as well as long runs, panoramic views, fewer people and lots of powder.

Photo: Courtesy of Snowbasin Resort

About the Author – Paula Colman

Paula Colman is not a professional skier, mountain biker, sommelier or chef, but spends her time pursuing these and whatever else pops up along the way with an inordinate amount of enthusiasm and humor. As a recovering attorney and practicing parent, who has lived in seven states across all four time zones, she landed in Utah over a decade ago and decided that she could study for the bar or learn to ski…hmmm. She now shares her stories about outdoor adventures and entertainments throughout Utah as a regular contributor for Visit Utah, Ski Utah, ApresSkiUtah.com and others and on Instagram at @harpo_utah.

Discover More

Well-prepared travel is responsible travel.

Do your part by planning ahead
Previous Image Next Image