Utah Ski Vacation Packages

The first snow storm of the year is on it's way and it's just the beginning of October. A few more like this and resorts will be opening by Halloween.

AN UNSEASONABLY COLD PACIFIC STORM WILL BRING SIGNIFICANT SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS TO THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINS OF UTAH INCLUDING THE
WASATCH MOUNTAINS AND THE WESTERN UINTA MOUNTAINS ABOVE 8000 FEET.
ACCUMULATING SNOW WILL BEGIN LATE THIS EVENING AND WILL CONTINUE
THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL GENERALLY
BE BETWEEN 6 AND 12 INCHES...WITH UP TO 20 INCHES LOCALLY IN
NORTHWEST FLOW FAVORED AREAS.

When debating about places to stay for your upcoming ski trip to Utah, one of the most important questions is “Where is it located?” Imagine being 20 minutes from Salt Lake International airport, 15 minutes from the nightlife and restaurants of downtown, and within 25 minutes from 4 world class ski resorts. The location is Cottonwood Heights, UT.

Nestled between Big Cottonwood Canyon and Little Cottonwood Canyon, Cottonwood Heights offers skiers easy access to the freeway, ski areas, restaurants and alternate activities, often at a meaningful discount from the prices in Park City. Skiers can find everything they need close by, including public transportation to Brighton, Solitude, Snowbird and Alta, ski rentals at the Lifthouse and AJ Motion Sports, grocery shopping at Smiths, Dan’s and Whole Foods, as well as restaurants like Porcupine Pub and Grill, Market Street Grill and Café Trio.

Snowbasin offers a variety of terrain for skiers of all ability levels. The resort has fantastic Nordic ski trails, a ripping terrain park, and tubing hill open on the weekends and on Holidays. Snowbasin Resort is set just on the Eastern slopes of the Wasatch Range. This offers some breath-taking scenery. You ski at the base of jagged peaks on the upper part of the mountain, then gently roll into the pines and scrub oaks lower down the hill.

When you look at the Trail Map, you'll see very few green runs. There are a few runs for beginners, but you'll have more fun on this mountain if you're an intermediate skier and above. The Middle Bowl lift is a great area to ski if you're group has skiers with different tastes in terrain and/or ability levels. Your group can go separate ways at the top of the lift, and then meet up at the bottom to swap stories and ride the lift.

Additional Images: 

Nothing puts a smile on your face like a powder day at Alta. Hopefully this video bring back some memories for you, or a least lets you see what you're missing if you've never skied at Alta. Enjoy!

When riding up the Cabriolet at The Canyons Resort, you get a view of the proverbial tip of the iceberg. The open air gondola ride from the parking lot to the main base area offers a unique experience for seeing the village that has developed at Utah’s largest skiing and snowboarding resort. You may only be able to see a few runs on the face, but behind it lies an enormous amount of terrain.

The day of skiing or riding doesn’t really begin until you arrive at the Red Pine Lodge off of the Flight of the Canyons Gondola. From here you can go any direction to find terrain for any level of skier. You can also stop by the on the mountain demo center to try out the latest skis or snowboards. If you are looking to warm up on rolling groomers, catch a ride on the Saddleback Express lift to check out Kokopelli and Snow Dancer. If green is your thing, jump on the High Meadow chair to check out Alley Cat and Meadow Way.

Santa was handing out vouchers for $15 lift tickets at Brighton on Wednesday. If you brought a sizeable bag of food to donate to the Utah Food Bank, you were able to buy an all day lift ticket for $15. It's great deal, on such a great day, for a great cause. The snow was soft, and the crowds had a blast.

If you're a local or visiting Utah, remember Brighton's quad Wednesday deals. They offer discounted tickets during the first 3 Wednesdays in December, if you participate in their food and clothing drives. Visit Brighton's website for more details.

Additional Images: 

Powder Mountain will extend night skiing hours on December 31st to 12:15 a.m. so that New Year’s revelers can count down the beginning of 2009 on the slopes. Night skiing will open at its regular time of 3:00 p.m. and the schedule for the free shuttle service will be adjusted to accommodate New Year’s Eve guests. Children are invited to participate in a glow stick parade at 9:00 p.m.

A special New Year’s Celebration package will be offered for only $20.09 per person to the first 300 guests that purchase on line at ww.powdermountain.com/registration. The package includes a pasta dinner, a lift pass and party favors. Powder Mountain season pass holders may purchase the dinner package for $10.00.

A truck rolls up on the side of the parking lot, pulling a trailer with seats for guests at Deer Valley Resort. Save your legs for skiing, and jump on for the short ride to the base of Snow Park Lodge. This is just the beginning of the customer service that you will come across at Deer Valley. Staff members are there to help you unload your skis and point you in the right direction to lockers, lift tickets, and lounges. Where else will you find bathroom stalls made from granite? How about water that is heated to the perfect temperature for hand washing? This level of service and amenities is very welcoming and comfortable, making it effortless to get on to the slopes.

The Snowbird Tram. Is there a better way to start your day skiing at this legendary resort located in Little Cottonwood Canyon? In 10 minutes, you are hauled up 2900 vertical feet to the top of Hidden Peak, elevation 11,000 feet. The buzz on the standing room only, tightly packed tram builds the excitement for the first run. Those with a window view scope out the runs below and decide where to find the best powder. Before the tram docks at the top, the operator quiets the crowd to fill in the skiers and riders on the snow conditions, trail openings, easier routes, and après ski specials. Once off the tram, you are greeted with 360 degree views that are arguably the best at any ski resort in the area. Step into your skis or board and get ready to ride the greatest snow on earth.

Nothing beats a utah powder ski day. Here's a video of a cruiser run at snowbird called "Election". You can reach this run off the Gad II lift. This is a great run for intermediate skiers or if you just want to take a break from the steeps and take in the scenery at Snowbird.