Nearby Winter Resorts
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Snowbird Ski Resort
Snowbird boasts the longest ski season in Utah, often opening before Thanksgiving and staying open through Memorial Day. The resort's generous season means more time on its award-winning terrain, which includes 140 runs spread across 2,500 acres and 3,240 vertical feet.
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Solitude Mountain Resort
They say Solitude isn't just a name, it's a promise. It's crazy to think that peaceful seclusion is possible, with 1,200+ skiable acres, 82 runs, 2,494 feet of vert and the canyon's average 500 annual inches of snow. Nevertheless, solitude is very much a reality.
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Brighton Ski Resort
Located at the very top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, Brighton averages over 500 inches of snow a winter. The resorts well-balanced 1,000+ acres features 66 runs, three terrain parks and 1,875 feet of vert, all accessible from five high-speed quads.
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Alta Ski Area
Nestled near the top of one of Utah's best canyons, Alta is a storied paradise for skiers. Even riders leave their boards at home for a chance at the 2,600+ acres of Alta's renowned slopes featuring 118 runs.
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Woodward Park City
Woodward Park City is Utah's first all-in-one action sports mountain center, just 25 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City.
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Park City Mountain
Park City Mountain is one of Utah’s world-class ski resorts, with over 7,300 acres of winter fun and countless things to do off the slopes.
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Deer Valley Resort
Deer Valley Ski Resort is a skier’s paradise with superb guest services, luxury amenities and impeccable trail systems. Come winter or summer, slopeside fun abounds.
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Snowbasin
Boasting world-class snow, lifts, dining and more, Snowbasin is just under an hour from SLC International Airport and 30 minutes from the vibrant city of Ogden.
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Sundance Mountain Resort
Rustic, elegant and handmade are some of the words that capture the feeling of Sundance Mountain Resort. This log cabin-esque skiing resort that Robert Redford built is only an hour from Salt Lake International Airport.
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Nordic Valley
Discover what Nordic Valley, the budget-friendly ski resort near Odgen, has to offer. The valley feels wonderfully secluded and offers the best of The Greatest Snow on Earth® at a budget-friendly price.
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Powder Mountain
Powder Mountain superlatives include "terrain for days," "massive," "super fun" and "more than 360 annual inches of snow." Powder Mountain is located about 60 miles north of Salt Lake City International Airport.
Things To Do in Salt Lake in Winter
Ice Skating
Ice skating is a favorite winter activity among Salt Lakers. Channel your inner figure skater as you race and twirl around the rink. The Gallivan Center, an outdoor skating rink, falls within the free-fare zone of Salt Lake's public transportation. This means on chilly nights families can opt for a short ride on the TRAX light rail from this popular rink to Salt Lake City's top tourist attractions: Temple Square, the Delta Center (home of the Utah Jazz and Utah Hockey Club) and the Gateway Mall, which houses the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum, the Clark Planetarium and Megaplex Luxury Theatres.
You've probably heard that Utah is home to The Greatest Snow on Earth®, but you may not have realized Utah is also home to "The Fastest Ice on Earth" thanks to the Utah Olympic Oval. More than 100 world records in speed skating have been claimed at the Olympic Oval. While you may not set out to beat those records, your family will love spreading out across its massive ice rink during public skating hours, available most evenings and Saturdays.
Temple Square
Utah’s most visited attraction, Temple Square hosts beautifully landscaped gardens and historic sites that will give you a window into the traditions, history and founding of Utah (Read: Temple Square: The Geographical and Musical Heart of Salt Lake). Each winter, the grounds are lit up with more than a million Christmas lights, making it one of Utah’s most adored spectacles. (Please note: Due to ongoing renovation of the Salt Lake Temple, access to Temple Square is limited through 2026.)
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir also dishes up world-class performances on Temple Square. Guided tours and presentations are available in 40 languages throughout the day.
Après Ski & Spa
A tradition rooted and refined in many a European resort chateaux, this is the “after ski” enjoyment of good food and drink. Explore après ski spots ranging from slopeside mountain lodges to downtown hotels, or top resort spa experiences found only in Utah.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is one of the best winter activities in Salt Lake City if you want to get the family out into the snow. It's a relatively easy and inexpensive way to have a great day — just keep the kids warm with layers, carry snacks and practice a few basic moves before setting out. Oh, and be prepared for the excitement of walking on snow for the first time. No snowshoes? No problem! There are plenty of winter rental shops in Salt Lake City where you can gear up. Better yet, bring along a tour guide to show you their favorite spots.
Winter Inspiration
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5 Reasons Utah's Weather Guy Loves Spring Skiing
Here’s some of the scientific evidence to support the assertion that spring could be the best time to ski or snowboard in Utah.
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A Cauldron of Continuing Olympic Fervor
Since hosting the 2002 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, in many ways the Olympic spirit and world-class athletes that seized Utah have never left.
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A Mom’s Take On Sharing Skiing With the Next Generation
For many families in Utah, skiing is a way of life that is passed down from generation to generation. A woman expecting her first child reflects on her family’s multi-generational skiing connection to Utah’s mountains and how she will pass down the tradition while living out of state.
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A Utah Ski Vacation (or Two) for Less
Shop for ski gear like a local. Get discounts on lift tickets. Learn everything you need to know for a cheap luxury ski trip.
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A Winter Retreat
Although it is located only a few miles from the urban hustle and bustle of Salt Lake City, the Big Water Yurt feels light years away. Located at the top of Millcreek Canyon, the yurt is open only in winter and the only way to get to it is by ski, snowshoe or fat bike.
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Best Après Ski Bars in Park City and Beyond
Want to master the art of après? Here’s your guide to the best après-ski bars in Park City and the Wasatch Front.
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Best Spots to Get Olympic Spirit
Just because the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games are in the past doesn’t mean that the Utah Olympic spirit is has been snuffed out. Athletes still train here, and ski schools in Utah resorts might be the start of a future Olympian’s career.
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Brian Head to Zion: Your Best Spring Break Ever
Just a few hours south of Salt Lake City, your family can experience two seasons in one trip. From skiing at Brian Head to biking in the desert, this giant playground offers canyoneering, glamping and hiking, all in one unforgettable adventure.
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Family and Budget Guide to the One and Only Ski City: Salt Lake
With 11 family-friendly resorts nearby, Salt Lake City skiing, dining and entertainment options make Utah one of the best ski destinations in the western U.S.
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In the Key of Ski
A video tribute to the Utah Symphony musicians finding inspiration and rich notes in the mountains.
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Powder Pups to the Rescue
Four furry friends help the Solitude Ski Patrol do their duties.
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Salt Lake City: A Place to Play
Utah Symphony musicians say the state's one-two punch of arts and recreation is hard to beat.
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Top Ski Towns in Utah
The best ski towns in Utah tout easy access to The Greatest Snow on Earth®, along with lively culture, fine dining and off-mountain activities.
Ski City Hot Chocolate
Here are two fairly universal truths: Kids love hot chocolate and Utahns love hot chocolate. There is nothing like a frothy cup to warm the family up after a day in the snow. Almost anywhere you go in Utah, you'll find hot chocolate prominently featured on the menu. Even the widely distributed Stephen's Gourmet brand calls Utah home.
If you're ready to elevate your drinking chocolate experience, head over to Hatch Family Chocolates. Located in Salt Lake's historic Avenues, solid milk or dark chocolates form the base of their decadent drink, which can be prepared vegan or with dairy, or with espresso. And don't just take our word for it — Yelp has even named the shop one of the "Top 20 Places for Hot Chocolate in the U.S."
Behind Utah's love for hot chocolate you'll find a passion for the raw material of hot chocolate: cacao. Utah chocolate makers have not only put Utah on the map, they're establishing the state as the nation's epicenter for artisan chocolate production. In addition to the companies mentioned above, Solstice, Ritual Chocolate, Millcreek Cacao Roasters and the highly decorated Amano Chocolates are just a few of the Utah entrepreneurs leading the way. Each has a unique product worth exploring. You can even "try before you buy" at Caputo's Market.
World-Class Arts and Culture
When the sun goes down, head downtown and soak up the metropolitan culture and nightlife of this world-class city. Arts lovers will enjoy catching a performance at the Utah Symphony or watching an opera singer belt out the tunes at the Utah Opera. For a theatrical show, catch a family-friendly performance at the Hale Center Theatre or the Pioneer Theatre Company (the professional theater in residence at University of Utah). Salt Lake Acting Company is another local favorite for their irreverence and parody.
Dance aficionados can watch ballerinas perform at Ballet West or take in a contemporary dance performance by the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company. Art lovers will also enjoy taking in the variety of galleries in the city as well as its many history and culture museums.
Winter Activities
Winters in Utah may be known for having The Greatest Snow on Earth®, but there is so much more to explore off the slopes.
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Your Ikon Ski Trip Made Easy
Your Salt Lake City plane ticket is booked. Here’s a 6-day itinerary for making the most of your multi-pass.
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Traveling Fandom
It's no secret Salt Lake City is a basketball town, but the game is just the beginning. Ski like a local at renowned ski areas Alta, Snowbird, Brighton and Solitude by day, and make the easy game night run back down the mountain for award-winning dining, gold medal breweries and world-class arts, culture and nightlife.
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Your Utah Family Winter Adventure
Salt Lake City is the ultimate "Ski City" for families.
