When you think of skiing in Utah, what ski resorts in Utah come to mind? Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, Canyons, Deer Valley? These are certainly the more popular ski resorts as they’re located in big ski areas like Park City and the Salt Lake Valley. There are many more ski resorts located in both Northern, Central, and South-Central Utah. Yes, South-Central Utah has ski resorts. They’re a bit more remote but remoteness means much smaller wait lines and better powder days.
Brian Head
Brian Head Ski Resort is a hidden gem in Brian Head, Utah in the mountain tops above Cedar City, Utah next to the Cedar Breaks National Monument. Brian Head is not well-known in Utah due to its location in the state. A south-central location is not a place you would imagine a ski resort to exist. To put this in perspective, Cedar City is only 45 minutes away from sunny St. George, Utah but sits at 9,600 ft in elevation. There’s a beautiful mix of snow covered red rocks and traditional snow-capped mountains. A lot of vacation traffic comes from Southern California and Las Vegas. There aren’t many locals in the area so there is a large tourism presence. Head down to Brian Head if you’re looking to ski terrain unlike anything else before.
Eagle Point
Eagle Point Ski Resort is located in the Tushar Mountain Range. The what mountain range? Where? Exactly, located east of Beaver, Utah which is central Utah, is probably the least known and least visited ski resort in Utah. It’s central location makes it about a 2 hour and 45 minute drive from Salt Lake City and 3 hours and 15 minutes from Las Vegas. A bit of a drive from both locations. There’s one restaurant at Eagle Point but most of the lodging options come with full kitchens so plan on bringing food to cook meals. This little slice of heaven has many easy groomers and several advanced runs that can’t be maintained. Sort of like backcountry skiing in resort boundaries.
Beaver Mountain
Beaver Mountain is located near the popular summer destination Bear Lake which splits real estate between Idaho and Utah. This is the main ski resort for college students located at Utah State University known as “The Beav”. It’s one of the last family-owned ski resorts in the United States and is welcoming the third generation of the Seeholzer family to management. Beaver Mountain has been operating since 1949. The resort offers some of the best views of Bear Lake in the winter time.
Powder Mountain
Powder Mountain is a great resort to visit after a snow storm. The resort is large in size and crowds are small. There’s lots of fresh tracks to be had at Powder Mountain. Located in Eden, Utah on the north end of Pineview Reservoir, Power Mountain is an untouched oasis. Eden is a short 25 minute drive from the next major town, Ogden, Utah. A rather short drive to shred the least crowded ski resort in the United States calculated by dividing acreage by ticket sales. The resort doesn’t offer any lodging but Eden Valley has many lodging options. Stop by for a post ski drink at the oldest bar in Utah, Shooting Star.
Snowbasin
Snowbasin is a short drive from Powder Mountain. Located in Huntsville, Utah, Snowbasin is a roughly 10 minute drive to Snowbasin on the south east side of Pineview Reservoir. Imagine hitting the slopes at two ski resorts in one day. Both are not crowded, offer different terrain types and even some Olympic runs from the 2002 Winter Olympics. The Beer Can lift will drop you above the downhill runs that Olympic athletes competed on. The views of the Ogden and Eden Valleys are unlike anything you’ll ever see, breathtaking really. There are on mountain lodging options if needed!
Nordic Valley
Nordic Valley is another ski resort in the Eden Valley area alongside Snowbasin and Powder Mountain. Another exceptional resort in a small hole-in-the-wall location has great terrain and a lower than average crowd. This is a great place to learn how to ski. More than half of the resort consists of intermediate runs making Nordic Valley a great resort to take your kids to learn to ski. Its unintimidating runs and affordable lessons are a great combination for new winter sports enthusiasts.
Exploring Ski Resorts in Utah
Utah has The Greatest Snow on Earth. Little is known about ski resorts in Utah outside of those nestled along the Wasatch Front and in Park City. Those are the big tourist attractions but Central, Central-Southern and Northern Utah host some great small town resorts. Big country and little crowds allow for great powder day runs and short lift lines. Take some time to plan a weekend trip to one of these exceptional results.
