The 7 Best Ski Resorts in Utah

Utah is the place to be if you're after both quality and quantity on the slopes. The state receives an average of 500 inches of snow each year, and it's home to more than a dozen ski resorts. With plenty of challenging mountain terrain for experts and easy trails for beginners, Utah has rightly earned its spot as one of the top ski destinations in the country.

There are several factors to consider when choosing a Utah ski resort, from price and location to difficulty level. Among the most important is your preferred sport. Alta and Deer Valley don't allow snowboarding — two of just three resorts nationwide with such a policy. So, while skiing purists may love those mountains, they won't be a good fit for boarders.

If ease of access is your top priority, you're in luck. Every resort on this list is within an hour's drive of Salt Lake City International Airport in good conditions. These destinations offer plenty to do besides hitting the slopes, too, from snowshoeing to flying through the bracing winter air on a zip line.

Ready to plan a visit? Here are seven of the best ski resorts in Utah.

Park City Mountain Resort

With more than 340 trails and over 7,300 acres to ski and ride, Park City is a place where everyone can feel welcome and find their space. Schuss right to Main Street when you're ready to swap your ski boots for après-ski boots and stroll through the picturesque town filled with shops, bars, and restaurants. Later, learn about Park City's past with a free tour on skis, during which you'll explore the historic mining buildings around the resort.

Deer Valley Resort

This resort is a skiers-only paradise. Though it forbids snowboarding, it does have 103 runs spread across more than 2,000 acres of woodland terrain. Perfect your skills with a lesson from an Olympic athlete, or take a tour of the mountain and learn about its history. When you're done, drop off your skis at the resort's complimentary ski storage facility so you can go straight to dinner without having to worry about where to put your gear.

Sundance Mountain Resort

In 1969, Robert Redford purchased a plot of land south of Salt Lake City that would soon become the legendary Sundance Mountain Resort. The resort is smaller than some of its nearby counterparts, with just 44 runs and 450 acres, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for with quality. After a day on the slopes, enjoy dinner in the Tree Room, surrounded by Indigenous American art from Redford's private collection, or amplify your thrills with a winter ZipTour, which speeds you over Mount Timpanogos at 65 miles per hour. Sign up for a free mountain tour to learn the ins and outs of the slopes, or try some night skiing before hitting the hay.

Snowbird

Looking for a real challenge? Head to Snowbird and try a backcountry ski tour. Test your limits —and turning ability — as you bob and weave through the trees. After you've made it out of the woods, make your way to the top once again with a ride on the resort's 1.6-mile aerial tram to watch the sunset with a beer or hot chocolate in hand. Or, if you somehow still have some gas left in the tank, snap on a pair of snowshoes and traverse the mountain on foot for a unique perspective.

Brighton Resort

Perched halfway between Park City and Alta, Brighton has 66 trails across more than 1,000 skiable acres. While the resort may not have the plethora of activities (like tubing or snowmobiling) that some splashier mountains offer, it's one of Utah's best ski resorts for families, especially those looking to get their littlest kids started in the sport. Children age six and under can ski for free here with a pass-holding adult, and the varied terrain means you can find a run for any age or ability.

Alta Ski Area

This snowboard-free mountain calls itself a ski area, rather than a resort, because the ethos is all about the slopes themselves. Alta boasts 119 runs spread across 2,614 acres, and it's known for its impressive snowfall (like the record-setting 903 inches recorded here in the 2022/2023 season). If you're open to an epic adventure, explore the mountain's extensive backcountry opportunities, including snowcat skiing and heli-skiing.

Solitude Mountain Resort

Ski or snowboard across 1,200 acres and 82 different runs at this mountain resort, founded by a uranium mining tycoon in the 1950s. While there are some beginner trails, Solitude is geared primarily toward experienced riders, with 90 percent of the trails designated intermediate or advanced/expert level. Guests looking for a break from the mountain can explore more than 12 miles of Nordic trails, all of which offer seclusion and a chance to connect with nature.