Snowbird

Closed
Meimei Ma
SnowPak Local Insider
Meimei Ma
Pros
  • Great challenging terrain for intermediate and expert skiers
  • Connected to Alta (only good if you're a skier)
  • Efficient lift system and long ski seasons
Cons
  • Not suited for beginners along with limited dining, nightlife and lodging options

Snowbird Ski Packages

Lodging + Lift Tickets Discount Price
Park Inn by Radisson Salt Lake City Midvale
2 x Adult 2-day Lift Ticket
21% off $550
Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites Midvalley
2 x Adult 2-day Lift Ticket
20% off $697
The Snowpine Lodge
2 x Adult 2-day Lift Ticket
17% off $1,504

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Overall

4

Visit Snowbird, and you’ll quickly learn why so many professional freeriders and extreme skiers call it home. The terrain is as rugged as you’ll find anywhere so even the most experienced shredders will get a rush going down challenging lines. And let’s not forget about the snow! In a normal year, Snowbird and its neighbor, Alta, get 500 in of the “greatest snow on earth” dumped onto the highest resort terrain in Utah. The mountain gets the lion’s share of the magical stuff and can sometimes get twice as much snow as nearby resorts in a single storm! The trees, bowls and chutes will hide these powder stashes for days, just waiting for you to draw your lines.

Best month to go

Mid- February to early March

Snowbird’s season typically begins no later than early December. Even though Mother Nature delivers an almost unbelievable amount of snow, the ski resort still maintains some snowmaking equipment to make sure they’re able to get some groomers open before the blizzards come. You don’t need to be there that early though. January is when you’ll see a good coverage of snow on the advanced and expert runs at Snowbird. The season lasts as long as there is snow, so it’s common for the lifts to run through late May and beyond. We like to visit mid-February to early March, when there’s plenty of snow and sunshine. That said, if you’re lucky, you can catch a powder storm later in the season and skip the hustle and bustle of the holiday season which means cheaper lodgings. If you find yourself at Snowbird late into the season, follow the sun over the course of the day to find the best conditions.

FLY TO

Salt Lake International Airport

SHUTTLE TO

Snowbird (45 minutes)

Base of Snowbird (Walk)

  • Made up of four resort owned lodging including one ski-in/ski-out
  • Great for skiing at Alta
  • Small convenience store

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Base of Alta (1-2 mi)

  • Neighboring ski resort with five convenient lodges
  • Great for skiing at both mountains
  • Breakfast and dinner included

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Between Alta and Snowbird (1-2 mi)

  • Condos and vacation rentals
  • Lack the convenience of prepared meals at Alta
  • Easy access to the slopes

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Salt Lake City (25-30 mi)

  • Cheaper and wider selection of lodging options than Snowbird
  • Convenient base for skiing at other resorts
  • Small risk of road closure due to heavy snowfall

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For beginners

Although over a quarter of the Snowbird mountain is rated for beginners, the easy terrain isn't very accessible for the inexperienced and the progression to more advanced terrain is abrupt. If you're a never-ever, give Alta or Park City a shot instead!

More beginners tips

For intermediates

There's plenty on offer for intermediates across the resort but more adventurous skiers and snowboarders should check out the Mineral Basin. Our pick would be Lupine Loop into Bassanova then take the Path to Paradise to Junior's Powder Paradise. Snowbird has some intense yet wide blue runs, surrounded by black diamond terrain and stunning views of the Wasatch Range!

More intermediates tips

For experts

From steeps and chutes to trees and bowls, Snowbird is truly an expert's playground. Hoop's is our winner here; it's a black diamond off the Knucklehead Traverse that's also north facing on the upper mountain so the pow there stays fresh late into the season.

More experts tips

Find freshies

Few people head out to Little Cloud and Gad 2, making them perfect for finding the fresh stuff, even days after a storm. Be sure to also check out the powder bowls of Mineral Basin!

Ditch the crowds

Queues for the aerial tram begin at 8.30am, so either get there at 8:00am or take the Peruvian lift for some superb skiing at Peruvian Gulch or continue into the tunnel through to the Mineral Basin (backside) area.

Non skiers

The small town with limited options at Snowbird could leave non-skiers rather bored here. However, there are loads of attractions in Salt Lake City, just 30 to 45 minutes away.

Families

If you have inexperienced beginners in your family, Snowbird might not be the best resort as the beginner terrain is quite limited. Additionally, getting to and from lodging and parking isn't easy either. The town of Snowbird is also small with limited dining and shopping.

Save up to 33% when you book a Snowbird package!

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Snowbird Reviews

Fabulous 4.2 / 5
based on 84 reviews

How well the resort caters for beginner skiers / boarders

Beginners

How well the resort caters for intermediate skiers / boarders?

Intermediates

How well the resort caters for advanced skiers / boarders

Advanced

How accessible and convenient it is to get to this resort from a major destination

Accessibility

Quality of the off-piste terrain

Side/Backcountry

Overall value for money of the resort

Value for money

Quality of lifts, lift speed and lift layout in the resort

Lifts

Quantity and quality of the snow

Snow

How uncrowded is the resort

Uncrowded

Après ski and dining options

Town

Services and facilities e.g. child care, tubing, health care, equipment hire

Facilities

How family friendly is this resort?

Family Friendliness
Average!3.4 / 5Jan 22, 2020
Snowbird ReviewsZackary M.
intermediate skier
The terrain is amazed and there are plenty of great areas to explore. I love how steep the mountain is and how different each of the main areas are. Perfect for experts and those looking to get better!... More
Good!3.8 / 5Jan 15, 2020
Snowbird ReviewsJason T.
expert skier
The best. Loved it so much, I moved from the east coast to make The Bird my home mountain. The best terrain and features are not on trail maps. You have to hunt and find small orange plastic diamond-shaped signs with numbers on them. These mark the most serious and intense features such as cliffs, dropoffs, and crazy chutes. And for the best tips... More
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Jan 05, 2020
Snowbird ReviewsSolei S.
advanced skier
I had my season pass at Snowbird during the 17-18 season. If it is a POW day, Snowbird is where you want to be. They have a lot of advanced and steep terrain, and get the most snow. Overall a terrific resort.... More
Very Good!3.9 / 5Jan 05, 2020
Snowbird ReviewsJoey W.
advanced skier
Rad mountain! Snowbird is about gnarly terrian and deep light snow, and its no secret. I love snowbird with the crowds and all, the powder day vibes are strong and people are stoked. Part of the challange is beating the crowds.... More
Good!3.8 / 5Jan 05, 2020
Snowbird ReviewsDavid A.
advanced skier
Best snow in Utah by far. Lots of advanced terrain. Traffic up the canyon can be a pain. If you like to ski into late spring, the Bird is your place.... More
Average!3.5 / 5Dec 27, 2019
Snowbird ReviewsDylan M.
advanced skier
I learned to ski at Snowbird as an adult. I fell in live with the sport at that magical place. I have had the opportunity to ski other places in the world but nothing compares to Snowbird in a powder day!... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Dec 02, 2019
Snowbird ReviewsEddie L.
expert skier
Snowbird was my first taste of skiing a mountain with wide open bowls and areas without explicitly marked trails, and I was blown away. Along with neighboring Alta, this has to be the dream that everyone associates with skiing in Utah. Beautiful, flawless snow and seemingly infinite terrain, Snowbird should be on everyone's list for a trip to Utah.... More
Superb!4.7 / 5Nov 19, 2019
Snowbird ReviewsWill W.
expert skier
Amazing. Rough and wild. A great ski resort. Huge variety and many options for runs, it can feel like skiing on three to four different mountains. Great lift set up to maximize ski time.... More
Very Good!3.9 / 5Nov 19, 2019
Snowbird ReviewsSteve F.
advanced snowboarder
Went to snowbird for the first time this past March. By far the best 5 days I have ever spent on my board in the 20+ years I have been riding. The terrain is steep and totally insane.... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Oct 27, 2019
Snowbird ReviewsEric D.
expert skier
The license plates say best snow on Earth for a reason. The snow here cannot be beat. The resort has steep, tree skiing as well as all around decent groomed runs.... More