Snowbasin Resort
Ski resort · Weber County
Utah
Highlights
Olympic site with expansive terrain, bowls, and year-round events
Olympic site with expansive terrain, bowls, and year-round events
"An Olympic-caliber mountain with a stacked resume — it hosted the Super-G, Downhill, and combined races during the 2002 Winter Olympics and is slated to welcome back the world’s best for all alpine skiing events in 2034. Recently named SKI magazine’s no. 1 ski resort in the West and even recognized in a “Best Restroom” contest (complete with crystal and bronze chandeliers), the resort is set beneath a jagged peak called the Needle that “begs comparison to the Matterhorn”; a fondue lunch at the base (served in the Cinnabar) only enhances the Swiss-Alps vibe. First established in 1940 and purchased by the Holding family (owners of Sun Valley Resort) in 1984, it’s one of the oldest continually operated ski areas in the country and averages 325 inches of snow annually; it’s also conveniently only a 45-minute drive from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), making it a strong option for short weekend trips. The mountain’s lodges are constructed of spruce logs and accented by stone fireplaces, glittering chandeliers, and sweeping views of the Wasatch Range. Krista Clayton, director of the resort’s Ski and Ride School, recommends February for “great coverage”; the author’s mid-December visit noted that much of the snow was machine-made and that some terrain was icy and bumpy, which nonetheless improved carving confidence. For lodging off-mountain, Compass Rose Lodge in Huntsville (about a 15-minute drive) is a boutique option with an on-site coffee shop and a complimentary breakfast of juice, a breakfast bar, and Greek yogurt, plus a ski-themed lobby; staying overnight in Salt Lake City is also possible, with the sibling Grand America Hotel offering traditionally decorated rooms, an indoor pool, and 24-hour room service. Dining on-mountain includes Earl’s Lodge — notable for handcrafted logwork and dramatic Italian chandeliers — where the Cinnabar serves fondue; Needles Lodge (accessed via the Needles Gondola) offers nachos, burgers, pizza, and hearty soups with 360-degree views and a patio and cocktails at The Overlook bar; and John Paul Lodge is sky-high with Bavarian-style entrees (including bratwurst and a chicken schnitzel melt) and Christopher Clayton’s pick of the chicken and waffles, plus panoramic views across the mountain. Après options on-mountain are limited but include the Cinnabar, which hosts live music from 3 to 6 p.m. on weekends with local artists and fondue; off-mountain in Huntsville, the Shooting Star Saloon — a cash-only landmark in a building from the 1850s and “purportedly the oldest continually operated saloon west of the Mississippi” — is Clayton’s pick for burgers, pool, and late-night drinks. Lift tickets start at $169 for an adult full-day during the week and rise to $219 on holidays/weekends (book at least seven days in advance for the best price); the resort offers a season pass called the Premier Pass, accepts the Mountain Collective (two free days plus unlimited half-price single-day tickets thereafter) and is on the Ikon Pass (seven days of unrestricted access with a few blackout dates and a “friends and family” discount on window tickets up to 10 times). Rentals are at the base near the Needles Gondola and John Paul Express lift (reserve in advance; you can pick gear up between 3 and 5 p.m. the day before a reservation). The mountain has 13 lifts — including a high-speed quad, two gondolas, and a tram — serving 115 runs across the Needles, Strawberry, and John Paul zones; base elevation is 6,450 feet, top elevation is 9,465 feet, and vertical is just over 3,000 feet. Terrain skews toward intermediate and advanced (only 10 green runs, all in the Needles area), so beginners are better served elsewhere, though Clayton recommends sticking to Little Cat for warmups with its “wide and very gentle slopes… [and] great views,” and suggests Main Street (a blue in Strawberry) for its “rolling and wide daily grooming.” There are more than 30 blue runs but a majority of black runs; Clayton adds that “No Name is one of the greatest runs,” describing it as starting wide like a bowl and funneling down through trees, and expert skiers can access Olympic-level, incredibly steep courses such as Grizzly Downhill and Wildflower Downhill via the John Paul Express lift. Instruction and programming include a three-year Learn & Earn program for adults and children over 4 who have never skied or snowboarded — prioritizing affordability and inclusivity by bundling rental gear for the season, a season pass (no blackout dates), and group lessons — priced at $699 for Year 1, $799 for Year 2, and $899 for Year 3 (amounting to roughly $2,000 in total savings for adults and $1,300 for children). The Ski and Ride School also offers private and group lessons for all ages and works with Ogden Valley Adaptive Sports (OVAS) to provide adaptive lessons." - Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"With upscale touches and less crowded slopes, Snowbasin offers a luxurious skiing experience with new lift upgrades and expanded terrain for spring 2025."
"A former Olympic site with wide terrain and top-tier amenities, known for its rock faces and family-friendly zones. It's a short drive from Salt Lake City."
"Reached late in the day as one of the final cluster of stops, the team skied only a short access run here and noted that the area had closed by the time they arrived, making it a brief but necessary tick on the list." - Tim Neville
"Snowbasin is the place for uncrowded, expansive terrain, wide-open bowls, and beautiful off-piste jaunts."
