All Resorts

Snowbird

Tram to 11,000 feet. Utah powder. Snowboarders are actually allowed.

Our Take

Snowbird sits at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon, 29 miles from Salt Lake City and something like 40 years ahead of most resorts in terms of terrain ambition. The aerial tram lifts 125 people at a time straight to 11,000 feet -- no warm-up, no intermediate ramp-up, just immediately being at the summit with the whole Wasatch and beyond laid out in every direction. The snow is Utah powder -- that legendary 8-10% water content that makes it feel like skiing on smoke. Snowbird averages around 500 inches per year, and shares a storm shadow with Alta directly above it in the same canyon. The terrain is legitimately challenging -- you can keep it mellow on the groomed runs off the tram but the mountain is built to reward people who go looking for the hard stuff. The Cirque traverses take you into off-piste zones that stay soft days after a storm. Combined with an Alta Ikon pass, you get access to basically all of Little Cottonwood Canyon for the price of one lift ticket -- which is as good as it gets in North American skiing.

Expert and advanced skiersPowder huntingTram line cultureCombining with AltaHigh-altitude terrain

Nerd Stats

Summit Elevation

11,000'

Avg Annual Snowfall

500"

Skiable Acres

3,240

Vertical Drop

3,240'

Fun Facts

  • Snowbird's aerial tram -- opened in 1971 -- hauls 125 passengers to 11,000 feet in about 8 minutes. On a powder morning it's the most anticipated 8 minutes in skiing.
  • The Mineral Basin bowl on the back side consistently holds powder for days after a storm. When you can't find snow anywhere else in Utah, check Mineral Basin.
  • Combined Snowbird + Alta Ikon access covers 8,000+ acres of terrain at 8,500-11,000 feet elevation. For a single-pass price. That's the deal of the Wasatch.
  • Snowbird averages about 500 inches of snow per year -- within striking distance of Alta's legendary 547" average, without the skiers-only restriction.

Why Snowbird?

Snowbird is what happens when you take Utah's world-class powder and put it at 11,000 feet with a tram to the top and 3,240 acres of terrain that doesn't condescend to you. It's Alta's next-door neighbor with the same snow and a more welcoming attitude toward snowboards.

The Lowdown

Best for: Expert skiers and snowboarders wanting maximum Utah powder
Vibe: Iconic Wasatch institution with a loyal, powder-obsessed local following
Snow quality: Utah's Greatest Snow on Earth -- 500" average, 8.5% water content
Town scene: Resort-centric -- no real town, but Salt Lake City is 40 minutes away
Value: Premium. Ikon pass makes it accessible. The combined Alta pass is the move.

Local's Tips

  • 1.The tram first thing in the morning is not optional. 7,760 feet to 11,000 feet in 8 minutes, powder at the top, tracks to be made. The tram line builds fast -- be there at opening.
  • 2.Mineral Basin on the back side holds powder days after the front face is tracked out. The traverse is worth every second.
  • 3.An Ikon pass covering Snowbird also gives you Alta access. Ski both in a single day using the Albion Base at Alta as your connection point.

Don't Miss

The aerial tram at opening bell

125 people, 8 minutes, 11,000 feet. The view from the top changes how you think about what skiing can actually be.

Peruvian Gulch on a powder day

The Gulch is Snowbird's classic powder venue -- a north-facing bowl that catches and holds the light, dry Utah snow. After a storm this is the only place that matters.

Where to Eat

Our picks -- not just the Google results

The Aerie Restaurant

$$$-$$$$

American/Mountain

At the top of the Cliff Lodge, the Aerie delivers elevated cuisine with views that match. This is Snowbird's destination dining experience -- the kind of meal that feels earned after a big powder day.

Make reservations before you arrive. Weekends book up.

Tram Club

$$

Bar Food/American

The après hub at the base of the tram. Reliably lively after last chair, reasonably priced for a resort, and the crowd is usually filled with people who had a genuinely great ski day.

Get there by 3:30 to get a seat before the post-tram rush arrives.

Things You Should Actually Do

Beyond the obvious -- our insider picks

Aerial tram to Hidden Peak

Sightseeing

Even if you're not skiing Hidden Peak's expert terrain, the tram ride to 11,000 feet is an experience on its own. The views of the Wasatch on a clear day are among the best in North American skiing.

Clear cold mornings in January give you visibility to Nevada and beyond. Check conditions before going up.

Ski Snowbird + Alta in one day

Snow Sport

The Albion Base connector between Snowbird and Alta lets you ski both resorts in a single day on Ikon. Combined terrain is 8,000+ acres and the variety of combining the two mountains is genuinely outstanding.

Cross into Alta territory from Snowbird's High Baldy traverse. Note that Alta is skiers-only -- snowboarders must stay on Snowbird terrain.

The Vibe at Snowbird

Snowbird is Utah's most serious ski resort -- 3,240 acres at 11,000 feet with an aerial tram that goes straight up and terrain that does not apologize. The snow is the same incredible Utah powder that falls on Alta next door. The difference is that Snowbird lets snowboards in.