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

View all ski packages for Snowbird

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
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Oct 09, 2019
Snowbird ReviewsTom B.
expert skier
Less than half of the terrain really is for the beginner or intermediate that isn’t willing to stretch a little, but Snowbird has some of the best advanced terrain that you can access off a lift anywhere. The tram will let you do top to bottom if that’s your thing, but there are more than enough other options to keep you busy if you don’t want to... More
Superb!4.8 / 5Oct 09, 2019
Snowbird ReviewsJustin Z.
beginner skier
Was a great day. The kids think that the bunny slopes where rad. I want to try out the great snowboarding on the back side next time out. One love... More
Superb!5 / 5Sep 04, 2019
Snowbird ReviewsParker J.
expert skier
snowbird is heaven on earth i would go there any day of the week it is so fun and so steep the snow is amazing the community and everything about it is amazing.... More
Good!3.6 / 5Aug 08, 2019
Snowbird ReviewsSeymour B.
expert snowboarder
Snowbird is great for all abilities of skiers and riders, but it's advanced terrain is what makes it stand out. It has some of the best steeps, powder days, and tree skiing you can find. The tram makes all the terrain easily accessible and the resort offers a huge amount of area to ski. Having had a Snowbird season pass for years, the biggest... More
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Aug 08, 2019
Snowbird ReviewsThomas H.
expert skier
So close to the feeling of a European resort. The terrain is so accessible and easily enjoyed even weeks after a storm. It occupies the front and back of the mountain, which makes it so easy to find good snow all season long.... More
Superb!4.9 / 5Aug 08, 2019
Snowbird ReviewsKeith B.
expert skier
Five minutes to the top on a tram and 30 minutes to get down. Not to mention steep and deep. Awesome people, good food, and close to the valley. Short drive up the canyon. Beautiful views....... More
Very Good!3.9 / 5Jul 01, 2019
PKPatrick K.
expert snowboarder
One of my favorites in spite of the crowds! The terrain is steep and fast and not for the faint of heart. If you’re not ready this mountain will own you. The cirque is among my favorite locations. The runs are long and the amenities are fantastic!... More
Very Good!3.9 / 5Mar 22, 2019
Snowbird ReviewsMarc H.
advanced snowboarder
Awesome resort from top of the lifts to the base stores and restaurants. There are so many Great runs and so many sweet lines. Had one of my best days ever with my son when he finished finals and said let’s go hit the mountain. It was late April and forecast called for a foot of fresh powder. Snow never stopped and we ended up with 42 inches and... More
Very Good!4.1 / 5Mar 22, 2019
Snowbird ReviewsPeter S.
intermediate skier
Snowbird is a great all-around resort. From deep powder snow, too long advanced runs, north slope and south slope runs, world class instructors, excellent service, world class hotels, located not far from an international airport and more. Snowbird was the first place in my life where I've had a ski season pass. The skiers and boarders there seem... More
Very Good!4 / 5Dec 04, 2018
Snowbird ReviewsDanny M.
expert skier
Snowbird is by far the best resort I've ever skied. First of all, the tram takes you and 124 other people from the bottom at 8,000 feet to the top at 11,000 feet. From the peak you can access about 80% of the resort(everything but the top of the Gad 2 lift). Their terrain is absolutely stellar, they get more snow than almost all ski resorts in... More