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
Superb!5 / 5Oct 08, 2017
PPPaul P.
When I've been skiing well lately and am looking for a challenging day on the slopes, I head to Snowbird. It's get's the same awesome snow that it's neighbor Alta gets as far as quality and quantity but seems to offer access to some of the more challenging terrain right off the tram and lifts that you might have to hike for elsewhere saving you... More
Very Good!4 / 5Oct 08, 2017
JJason
Snowbird is a good choice if you wanted to go to Alta but you snowboard. The runs are almost as steep and challenging as Alta, and you are right next door.
Very Good!4 / 5Jun 28, 2013
MMelodi
i enjoyed my time at snowbird immensely. the snow conditions were great, the employees at the resort were extremely helpful and I loved the Gondola!
Superb!5 / 5Mar 07, 2013
KKaren
Besides the fabulous dry snow, I like Snowbird because skiers of different levels (blue and black runs) can share the same chair. Plus,most runs end at the chair lift, so there are no get back trails!! Snow basin is our second favorite.
Superb!5 / 5Feb 11, 2013
MMiroslaw
Guaranteed snow, great slopes. Alta nearby. Apre Ski and restaurants could be better. Needs few slope side restaurans or bars.
Average!3 / 5Nov 15, 2012
CCharles
Flight time from Hawaii was not bad.
Very Good!4 / 5Aug 09, 2012
CCyd
cost is good in Utah, snow is usually pretty good, easy to get there
Very Good!4 / 5Dec 04, 2011
AAudrey
love the mountain and the ability to ski alta next door. and, very good dining; easy to get to;
Very Good!4 / 5Sep 18, 2011
DDavid
unbeatable expert terrain, but terrible beginner and intermediate slopes (but Alta has great beg/int. terrain)
Superb!5 / 5Apr 13, 2011
PPamela
Great snow conditions. Good variety of skiing. Can get to the top in short amount of time by Tram. Everything is within walking distance (food and shopping).