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Something Luxe, Something New: Explore Utah's Winter Ski Lodging

Something Luxe, Something New: Explore Utah's Winter Ski Lodging

Whether rustic, vintage, simple or luxurious, there's a place to stay that'll suit your tastes.

Written By Jill Robinson

A hotel nestled in the mountains, covered in snow.

The Cliff Lodge at Snowbird | Jay Dash

The primary reason for a ski vacation is the skiing, but it’s also the ability to get away from your daily routine and relax in the mountains. Everyone may have their own definition of what it means to chill out — whether it’s retreating to a remote resort or staying somewhere in the thick of the action — but that’s why there are plenty of varied lodging options near Utah ski resorts (Read: Top Ski Towns in Utah). Here are five spots from north to south that'll get you inspired.

Explore Utah's Winter Ski Lodging

Compass Rose Lodge

Near Snowbasin, Powder Mountain and Nordic Valley

Opened in Huntsville in January 2019, the Compass Rose Lodge’s upscale-farmhouse-meets-industrial style gives guests the feeling of being out in the country, but without having to sacrifice modern luxuries like free Wi-Fi, cozy beds and linens, complimentary breakfast and parking, and 4K television. Staying here is a boutique experience with only 15 beautifully appointed king and queen bedrooms, views of the Ogden Valley, easy access to the area’s three ski resorts and the convenience of onsite coffee shop First Lift Coffee. For more hearty meals, grab a burger at the Shooting Star Saloon or wander over to Huntsville Square for i.d.k. Barbecue.

One particularly special highlight of this property is its access to the Huntsville Astronomic and Lunar Observatory (HALO), with a 16-inch aperture Ritchey-Chretien style telescope designed with hyperbolic shaped mirrors like the Hubble Space Telescope. Nightly star tours here include the use of an 8-inch Meade LX200, which served for years as one of the telescopes at Weber State University. If you’re a guest at the Compass Rose Lodge, you get tours at half price (read: SLC + Ogden Ski Itinerary).

Compass Rose Lodge and it's Huntsville Astronomic and Lunar Observatory tucked up top.

Snowpine Lodge at Alta

Another hotel that opened in January 2019 is the Snowpine Lodge at Alta Ski Area. This refined mountain property transformed from its original 1941 self (there are still stone walls dating back to the 1800s, as the oldest building at Alta), following a $50-million renovation. The Snowpine has several firsts for Alta: first luxury property with ski-in/ski-out access, first full-service spa, first fully stocked game room, and first hotel at the resort that’s open all year long — so if you fall in love with it in the winter, come on back in the summer for access to great hiking and biking adventures.

The 68 accommodations include 54 rooms and suites, and 14 traditional dorm-style bunk rooms. All rooms have premium bedding, flat-screen TVs, complimentary Wi-Fi, slippers and robes, and more. Premium rooms include balconies with views of the surrounding canyon, and the bunk rooms may be the best dorm-style rooms you’ve ever occupied. Rounding out the reasons to stay here are complimentary ski lockers, slope-side heated pool, two outdoor hot tubs, 24-hour fitness center and yoga studio, oxygen bar, movie room, fire pits, and optimal mountain dining and beverages provided by Swen’s Restaurant and The Gulch Pub.

Explore additional elevated experiences in our guide to high culture and high elevation in the one and only Ski City: Salt Lake City.

The Snowpine Lodge has plenty of cozy places to kick up your feet after a powder day.

Photo: Courtesy of Snowpine Lodge

The Snowpine Lodge features a fully stocked game room, including a four-player Pac Man Battle Royale.

Photo: Courtesy of Snowpine Lodge

The Cliff Lodge at Snowbird

For families on vacation, ski lodging with a wealth of amenities are essential — not necessarily from a luxury standpoint, but to ensure that there’s enough variety to keep everyone happy. The Cliff Lodge is not only comfortable for the entire family, but also packs in plenty of dining and activity options, as well. Ski-in/ski-out convenience is coupled with walking distance to Snowbird’s pedestrian village, so you don’t feel out there with few options.

But The Cliff Lodge has more than a few options itself. All rooms and suites have views, whether of the canyon or Snowbird’s ski slopes. The on-site ski rental and repair shop, and complimentary ski lockers help families get ready for the day, and the rooftop pool, hot tubs, yoga studio, fitness center, steam room, and The Cliff Spa help boost après hours. Grab lunch at The Atrium, have a modern-American gastropub dinner together at The Aerie Restaurant and Lounge, or even get room service and celebrate a grand ski vacation together.

The Cliff Lodge features a yoga studio and a variety of other wellness amenities.

Photo: Jay Dash

The Cliff Lodge offers ski-in/ski-out convenience to Snowbird.

Photo: Jay Dash

The Blue Boar Inn, Heber Valley

Near Deer Valley, Park City Mountain, Sundance Resort and Woodward

Imagine a chateau with stone turret entry and carved walnut paneling throughout, located at the foot of a snow capped mountain with only a dozen rooms, each named for a classic author. Shakespeare, Browning, Carrol...you might, indeed, have fallen through the looking glass into a world of fine linens and fine dining. This is The Blue Boar Inn. You can smell the delights from its Austrian kachelofen stove. This bed and breakfast has it all, including Best of Utah Award in multiple categories.

Start off your day with a European breakfast before hitting the slopes in nearby Deer Valley, Park City Mountain and Woodward to the north, or Sundance to the south. You choose. They’re all less than 30 minutes away from the picturesque Heber Valley town of Midway. “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.” Return from the slopes to enjoy aprés ski in Truffle Hollow, its pub before enjoying a soak in the Homestead Crater, a natural enclosed hot spring, and then retiring to your grand bed waking to even more possibilities declaring, “Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

The Blue Boar Inn's restaurant has the highest possible Zagat rating of 26 and has also received Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence.

Photo: Courtesy of the Blue Boar Inn

The Blue Boar Inn is just down the street from Homestead Crater, a natural enclosed hot spring.

Photo: Andy Jenkins

Eagle Point Vacation Homes and Village Condos

At Eagle Point Resort

Skiers love Eagle Point for its remote, away-from-it-all feeling in the Tushar Mountains of Central Utah (3.5 hours from Salt Lake City). It’s also a great getaway from the more popular resorts, because you have plenty of space to ski. If you yearn for those old-school ski vacations where you get to focus on the people you’re with and the fun you can have, this is the place for your ski retreat.

The Canyonside Collection, with its luxury appointments and spacious designs, panoramic views and private hot tubs, is the perfect choice for those who want to immerse themselves in the modern mountain lifestyle. If you’re traveling with a bunch of friends or a large family, Vacation Homes at Eagle Point give you multiple bedrooms, a fireplace and the space to spread out, almost like you get to do on the slopes. Each cabin is different, so it helps to plan in advance to find the one that serves your needs the best — whether with a fully stocked kitchen or easy access to nearby lodges. Another consideration is the collection of Village Condos at Eagle Point that range from 1–2 bedrooms. Some are ski-in/ski-out, some have fireplaces and they’re configured to sleep between 4–11 guests. It’s about 3.5 hours to Eagle Point from Salt Lake City. It’s worth the drive for the seclusion and terrain, but with a little extra planning you can extend your winter in Southern Utah experience.

Of course, Utah’s winter ski lodging options are endless with the proximity of the metropolitan Wasatch Front to its world-class ski resorts. Before you visit, make sure to review these tips for responsible and sustainable travel.

Enjoy ski-in/ski-out access in Eagle Point's condominiums that can sleep between four and six people.

Fans of Eagle Point Resort say it feels like having your own private resort.

Photo: Jay Dash

About the Author – Jill Robinson

Jill K. Robinson writes about travel, adventure, food, and drink for the San Francisco Chronicle, AFAR, National Geographic Traveler, Outside, Robb Report, Private Clubs, Saturday Evening Post, Sunset, Coastal Living, American Way, Delta Sky, Celebrated Living, Rhapsody, Beyond, Sierra and more. Her essays have been published in Travelers’ Tales books: “The Best Travel Writing” and “The Best Women’s Travel Writing.” Her only requirement in skiing is to have fun. Twitter | Instagram | Facebook