Movie Magic on Utah's Slopes

• Snowbird
• Alta Ski Area
• La Caille

After flying into Salt Lake City International Airport, start your film-inspired ski trip at Snowbird Resort. Here the thrilling steeps and advanced terrain have doubled as high-stakes mountain environments in several movie scenes.

Mystery and crime drama fans may enjoy taking the Aerial Tram to the highest point at Snowbird’s Hidden Peak, which was used as a stand-in for an alternate peak in Taylor Sheridan’s “Wind River,” starring Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen. The true story of former Olympian Eric LeMarque’s survival when stranded in a winter storm in the Sierras Nevadas was exemplified in the 2017 drama “6 Below: Miracle on the Mountain,” also shot on the slopes at Snowbird.

On the lighter side, the classic 80s comedy “Better Off Dead” starring John Cusack was filmed at Snowbird, as well as at neighboring Alta Ski Area and nearby Brighton Resort. In the film, lead character Lane Meyer (Cusack) has two loves of his life — skiing and his girlfriend of six months, Beth. Two of the film’s pivotal scenes – when Lane is rejected at ski team tryouts and when he attempts to win back Beth in a downhill ski race – are both shot at resorts along the Wasatch Front.

If you choose to stay down in Salt Lake City before your next ski day, consider making a dinner reservation at La Caille. This elegant restaurant and three-acre winery in Sandy is the filming location for a few “Dumb and Dumber” scenes when Lloyd dreams of bringing Mary’s briefcase to her house and entertaining friends in the living room — both of which were shot on location at the restaurant.

Where to Stay: Salt Lake City

• Brighton
• Solitude

On day two, continue your movie-inspired ski trip with a day in Big Cottonwood Canyon, home to Brighton and Solitude. Yes, they are technically two separate resorts, but they are connected by the Solbright ski run which opens when conditions allow, allowing skiers to traverse between the two resorts in the same day (although passes to both resorts are required).

The 2007 sci-fi horror film “Ice Spiders” was shot at both resorts. Don’t be alarmed, there are no spiders the size of small cars roaming the slopes of Solitude and Brighton, but the movie does beautifully showcase the variety of terrain at both resorts.

On a lighter side, several children’s movies have been shot at Solitude and Brighton as well, which is no surprise given the family-friendly nature at both resorts. The 1999 Disney Channel Original Movie “Johnny Tsunami” tells the story of a young Hawaiian surfer who adapts to his new life in the mountains by learning to snowboard.

Jim Carrey fans will be pleased to learn that the snowy mountain scenes in the live-action “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” were shot at Solitude. While Whoville doesn’t exist at the resort, the Solitude Village offers similar mountain village charm and various amenities such as Bavarian-inspired lodging, shops and restaurants.

Where to Stay: Salt Lake City

• Deer Valley Resort
• Park City's Historic Main Street

Deer Valley's ambience is nothing short of a holiday movie scene — from the mountainside chalets scattered around the resort, cozy dining lodges and a stunning array of luxury hotels. It only makes sense that Lindsay Lohan’s acting comeback in the Netflix Christmas movie “Falling for Christmas” was shot at Deer Valley, including in the Stein Eriksen Lodge and the Goldener Hirsch Inn and Residences. The entire movie is set at a ski resort, and Deer Valley’s breathtaking slopes and charming atmosphere fit the bill perfectly.

Although the slapstick comedy “Dumb and Dumber” has many scenes supposedly set in Aspen, Colorado, the Jim Carrey flick shot across Northern Utah, including at the former SLC International Airport, Deer Valley, Sandy and around Park City.

For your après ski meal, choose a restaurant along Park City’s Main Street — the same street in “Dumb and Dumber” where Lloyd takes his love interest Mary Swanson on an evening scooter ride.

Where to Stay: Deer Valley or Park City

• Sundance Mountain Resort

A film-focused ski itinerary would be remiss not to include Sundance Mountain Resort. The resort was founded by actor Robert Redford, who purchased the land in 1969 and renamed it for his seminal role in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." Spend your third day at this elegant and historic resort tucked away in Provo Canyon.

Redford also starred in the 1972 Western flick “Jeremiah Johnson,” which was shot on location at Sundance Mountain Resort, as well as at a multitude of other Utah locations including Leeds, Snow Canyon State Park, St. George and Zion National Park.

A fully-developed resort with over 450 skiable acres and five chairlifts, Sundance Mountain offers a charming skier experience that feels undiscovered, as the slopes are hardly crowded and skier access isn’t offered on a major multipass. Stop by Bearclaw Cabin, one of the scene locations from “Jeremiah Johnson” for a warm lunch on your ski day and spend time exploring the resort grounds to learn more about its deep roots in film, arts and culture. (Read: Robert Redford’s Sundance Scenes)

Where to Stay: Sundance Mountain Resort