Moving to Utah - where to ski??

Prolly alta or snowbird would be your best bet. I like brighton the most of the near slc resorts, but that's cause I mostly ski park. Brighton is pretty low vertical so not ideal for all mountain imo. Solitude seems like it is for casual skiers kinda, but I haven't skied there that much so I might have just not have found the good terrain there.

For empty, go solitude. For more consistent steeper terrain go with alta or snowbird.

chads

My limited experience was that solitude was very quiet even on saturdays and there’s plenty of tree skiing from the peak and on the backside (honeycomb canyon).

neonedgechads

Chad's is a nice resort

Ikon Pass.

You used to ski at brian head eh? How long ago?

The 411.

Best Terrain: Alta, Snowbird, Snowbasin (Arguments can be made for Brighton/Solitude)

If its a weekend I would go to Solitude or Snowbasin.

Alta/Snowbird: speaks for itself. Gnarly terrain to be found everywhere esp if you are willing to hike. (Baldy, Twin Peaks, Castle, Etc.. even an early morning lap on Superior)

Brighton/solitude: Quite mountains.. people generally go to Snowbird/Alta or head out to Park City. Pow days at Solitude cant be beat and Fantasy Ridge offers some great big mountain runs. (though not as big as Alta/Snowbird).

Snowbasin: It was the home of the Olympics mahnnnn. Plus the bathrooms are made of gold. Not to mention its got gnarly cliffs and trees up top and is almost always quiet.

Hope this helps/doesnt piss off too many people haha.

Every resort is going to be busy during holidays/peak weekends so just accept that now, you can't really ski at a resort that isn't crowded in Utah. SLC's population has doubled in the last 10 years, basically speaks for itself.

That being said, when its not a peak weekend most resorts will have small lift lines and great skiing. I would recommend alta and/or snowbird for OP, mostly because they are the best places to ski in Utah. Yes, they will be crowded on a pow day, yes there will be lift lines on weekends but its the same at every resort, you will have plenty of weekends where its not insanely crowded and you will have a great time.

eheathEvery resort is going to be busy during holidays/peak weekends so just accept that now, you can't really ski at a resort that isn't crowded in Utah. SLC's population has doubled in the last 10 years, basically speaks for itself.

That being said, when its not a peak weekend most resorts will have small lift lines and great skiing. I would recommend alta and/or snowbird for OP, mostly because they are the best places to ski in Utah. Yes, they will be crowded on a pow day, yes there will be lift lines on weekends but its the same at every resort, you will have plenty of weekends where its not insanely crowded and you will have a great time.

Alright, thanks for the advice. I guess crowds are everywhere lol. I’m guessing it’s similar to Tahoe where in the ending of Jamuary-February the crowds die down a little. Snowbird and Alta looks pretty damn appealing though

InfamouslyJonesThe 411.

Best Terrain: Alta, Snowbird, Snowbasin (Arguments can be made for Brighton/Solitude)

If its a weekend I would go to Solitude or Snowbasin.

Alta/Snowbird: speaks for itself. Gnarly terrain to be found everywhere esp if you are willing to hike. (Baldy, Twin Peaks, Castle, Etc.. even an early morning lap on Superior)

Brighton/solitude: Quite mountains.. people generally go to Snowbird/Alta or head out to Park City. Pow days at Solitude cant be beat and Fantasy Ridge offers some great big mountain runs. (though not as big as Alta/Snowbird).

Snowbasin: It was the home of the Olympics mahnnnn. Plus the bathrooms are made of gold. Not to mention its got gnarly cliffs and trees up top and is almost always quiet.

Hope this helps/doesnt piss off too many people haha.

Thanks, a lot of info here. I will definitely keep all of this in mind. And the part about the bathrooms made of gold, that’s a plus. Always need somewhere to take my 10oclock shit

ddemille1You used to ski at brian head eh? How long ago?

2014-2017 Tore my ACL last January so I missed last year

I second snowbasin, great terrain and def less crowded than the cottonwoods. You'll have a lift line during opening on a powder day if that falls on a weekend, but even then after an hour it usually clears and you won't wait for more than 5 minutes at any lift for the rest of the day (except maybe the tram but that's because it's so tiny).

Monsieur_PatateI second snowbasin, great terrain and def less crowded than the cottonwoods. You'll have a lift line during opening on a powder day if that falls on a weekend, but even then after an hour it usually clears and you won't wait for more than 5 minutes at any lift for the rest of the day (except maybe the tram but that's because it's so tiny).

Only hesitation I ever have about snowbasin (directed at OP not you Monsieur) is that you'll likely meet a ton of people through school, obviously less than a freshman undergrad, but i'm sure there are grad students who ski. These people you meet will be skiing alta/snowbird or maybe brighton/solitude(ikon pass) and you'll have to find people at the mnt who want to ski, which might not be impossible, but could be challenging. Also, snowbasin like like an hour from slc, while alta/snowbird without traffic is 30 min. Maybe your powder day experience might be slightly better because less traffic, less people, and maybe that's what you're looking for though.

Hawaiianshredder2014-2017 Tore my ACL last January so I missed last year

I never see anybody from brianhead on here

HawaiianshredderThanks, a lot of info here. I will definitely keep all of this in mind. And the part about the bathrooms made of gold, that’s a plus. Always need somewhere to take my 10oclock shit

He's not kidding - legit made of gold. Snowbasin and Brighton are my favourites, Brightons a little closer though.

eheathOnly hesitation I ever have about snowbasin

is that it is 1500' lower in elevation than cottonwood resorts, averages 150" less snow per year and is due east of the salt lake. It is a fun resort though.

InfamouslyJonesThe 411.

Best Terrain: Alta, Snowbird, Snowbasin (Arguments can be made for Brighton/Solitude)

If its a weekend I would go to Solitude or Snowbasin.

Alta/Snowbird: speaks for itself. Gnarly terrain to be found everywhere esp if you are willing to hike. (Baldy, Twin Peaks, Castle, Etc.. even an early morning lap on Superior)

Brighton/solitude: Quite mountains.. people generally go to Snowbird/Alta or head out to Park City. Pow days at Solitude cant be beat and Fantasy Ridge offers some great big mountain runs. (though not as big as Alta/Snowbird).

Snowbasin: It was the home of the Olympics mahnnnn. Plus the bathrooms are made of gold. Not to mention its got gnarly cliffs and trees up top and is almost always quiet.

Hope this helps/doesnt piss off too many people haha.

This is the truth. When I lived in Utah I spent a couple of years at Snowbird then a couple at Solitude. Snowbird can defiantly have crowds and many of the crowds are really good skiers so even the harder to access terrain can get skied out really quick. I remember a number of days seeing a crowd of 30 people waiting for ski patrol to drop the rope then the bowl getting skied out in 2 runs. That being said, Snowbird is nuts and literally has more crazy terrain than all of Colorado. The lodge is also an Avalanche Fortress so you know they mean business as soon as you show up. Snowbird is actually about 5 mountains in one with a totally different feel to each area:

Peruvian Gulch: Awesome steep trees and really tight rock and cliff features. There are some really fun big mountain type runs if you hike the Baldy Traverse. Usually when all else is skied out, there are fresh lines here if you get creative.

Cirque Traverse "Tram Spine": There is literally a giant spine that runs under the Tram and its a trip to ski down. This has probably the steepest fall line of the mountain and reminds me of Aspen Highlands alot actually, especially if you follow the spine a while then dump down skiers left to Barry Barry Steep etc. It gets skied out quick but its a good way to start the day.

Gad Valley- One of my favorite areas, its a traverse over numerous rock knolls and as it gets tracked out you can typically keep pushing further and further out to grab some fresh snow. Not a lot of vertical but its some fun open bowls and cornice features.

Gad2 Trees- These are all the tree runs looking at the right side of the map. Pacific Northwest type forest tree skiing for days here. Not quite as steep and can be hard to get back to do laps but whenever things are tracked out you can always find stashes here. I grew up skiing Schweitzer mountain and this area reminds me of there a lot.

Mineral Basin- Snowbird doesnt really have a terrain park. That is because Mineral Basin is literally a big mountain huck fest terrain park. My personal favorite is the run right below the mineral basin express lift down the fall line. Its some rockstar hit after hit after hit to the lift bottom then lap it again. Some of my favorite days skiing in my life have been lapping Mineral Basin express. You can also traverse over Skiers right to the Flora Cliffs area but you lose a lot of elevation IMO but its good for when other areas are skied out. Its also fun to bomb the cat walk and throw yourself off the cornice into the open bowl.

Solitude is a really fun mountain in its own right and its by far more quiet than Snowbird with barely any lift lines. The terrain is not even close to Snowbird but there is enough to be enjoyable. The lifts are kind of wonky at Solitude for Mineral basin so you really cant throw down laps. That being said, if you find a good rhythm you can have a good time. IE, Traverse over and find a good line at Mineral Basin, grab the Honeycomb return then traverse over to PowderHorn lift, bomb the steep narrows of Milk Run then grab Summit back up to hit Mineral again. The runs down the Summit trail are pretty fun with some cool little cliff lines and chutes you can hike to as well. Honestly though, if you are putting in 40 days a year you will probably get bored here.

Just my .02

Get an Alta/Bird pass ... only $1500 for both Mountains and then ski Snowbasin a few times a year using your Mtn Collective benefits.

As E Heath said, every place is going to be a gong show during the holidays/pow days and getting up and down the canyon can be a real son of a bitch (see last weekend). However, even though it was the biggest storm of the year, I was skiing DEEP untracked pow off the Cirque all day. Some days its like that, some others it isn't. This is my 3rd season here and I haven't been let down after skiing the Wasatch as a tourist my whole life.

Pow Mow is also a great spot for any storm and will have the fewest crowds, although the mountain is very disjointed and management is kind of a clusterfuck.

I have pretty much the same question (U of U and all), but I spend most of my time in the parks.

Any different recommendations for me guys?

NarcopusI have pretty much the same question (U of U and all), but I spend most of my time in the parks.

Any different recommendations for me guys?

Park City for sure for you. Brighton is alright but its easier to head up I-80 from campus.

crazy thing about alta is it will be totally mobbed but then there will be no line for wildcat, same kinda goes for milly at brighton the jerries literally don't know how to get to it I think lol

I did one season alta/bird and one season at btown and the biggest difference for me was the type of terrain. LCC is steep as fuck and skiing alta/bird is a never ending extreme adrenaline rush, whereas brighton is a playful side booter rock/log jibbing paradise.

SuspiciousFishThis is the truth. When I lived in Utah I spent a couple of years at Snowbird then a couple at Solitude. Snowbird can defiantly have crowds and many of the crowds are really good skiers so even the harder to access terrain can get skied out really quick. I remember a number of days seeing a crowd of 30 people waiting for ski patrol to drop the rope then the bowl getting skied out in 2 runs. That being said, Snowbird is nuts and literally has more crazy terrain than all of Colorado. The lodge is also an Avalanche Fortress so you know they mean business as soon as you show up. Snowbird is actually about 5 mountains in one with a totally different feel to each area:

Peruvian Gulch: Awesome steep trees and really tight rock and cliff features. There are some really fun big mountain type runs if you hike the Baldy Traverse. Usually when all else is skied out, there are fresh lines here if you get creative.

Cirque Traverse "Tram Spine": There is literally a giant spine that runs under the Tram and its a trip to ski down. This has probably the steepest fall line of the mountain and reminds me of Aspen Highlands alot actually, especially if you follow the spine a while then dump down skiers left to Barry Barry Steep etc. It gets skied out quick but its a good way to start the day.

Gad Valley- One of my favorite areas, its a traverse over numerous rock knolls and as it gets tracked out you can typically keep pushing further and further out to grab some fresh snow. Not a lot of vertical but its some fun open bowls and cornice features.

Gad2 Trees- These are all the tree runs looking at the right side of the map. Pacific Northwest type forest tree skiing for days here. Not quite as steep and can be hard to get back to do laps but whenever things are tracked out you can always find stashes here. I grew up skiing Schweitzer mountain and this area reminds me of there a lot.

Mineral Basin- Snowbird doesnt really have a terrain park. That is because Mineral Basin is literally a big mountain huck fest terrain park. My personal favorite is the run right below the mineral basin express lift down the fall line. Its some rockstar hit after hit after hit to the lift bottom then lap it again. Some of my favorite days skiing in my life have been lapping Mineral Basin express. You can also traverse over Skiers right to the Flora Cliffs area but you lose a lot of elevation IMO but its good for when other areas are skied out. Its also fun to bomb the cat walk and throw yourself off the cornice into the open bowl.

Solitude is a really fun mountain in its own right and its by far more quiet than Snowbird with barely any lift lines. The terrain is not even close to Snowbird but there is enough to be enjoyable. The lifts are kind of wonky at Solitude for Mineral basin so you really cant throw down laps. That being said, if you find a good rhythm you can have a good time. IE, Traverse over and find a good line at Mineral Basin, grab the Honeycomb return then traverse over to PowderHorn lift, bomb the steep narrows of Milk Run then grab Summit back up to hit Mineral again. The runs down the Summit trail are pretty fun with some cool little cliff lines and chutes you can hike to as well. Honestly though, if you are putting in 40 days a year you will probably get bored here.

Just my .02

Wow, looks like I gotta go to Snowbird. Thanks for all that info, it laid out a pretty strong base of the areas I should ski. Getting me stoked!

DemillstaI never see anybody from brianhead on here

I went there last year, the mountain is pretty mellow, but the park was real fun.

PhreeKandiI went there last year, the mountain is pretty mellow, but the park was real fun.

Yea, they just built a bunch of super whack features because transworld and 32 are coming, so the parks a little tucked atm

Best snowbird summary I've ever read

SuspiciousFishThis is the truth. When I lived in Utah I spent a couple of years at Snowbird then a couple at Solitude. Snowbird can defiantly have crowds and many of the crowds are really good skiers so even the harder to access terrain can get skied out really quick. I remember a number of days seeing a crowd of 30 people waiting for ski patrol to drop the rope then the bowl getting skied out in 2 runs. That being said, Snowbird is nuts and literally has more crazy terrain than all of Colorado. The lodge is also an Avalanche Fortress so you know they mean business as soon as you show up. Snowbird is actually about 5 mountains in one with a totally different feel to each area:

Peruvian Gulch: Awesome steep trees and really tight rock and cliff features. There are some really fun big mountain type runs if you hike the Baldy Traverse. Usually when all else is skied out, there are fresh lines here if you get creative.

Cirque Traverse "Tram Spine": There is literally a giant spine that runs under the Tram and its a trip to ski down. This has probably the steepest fall line of the mountain and reminds me of Aspen Highlands alot actually, especially if you follow the spine a while then dump down skiers left to Barry Barry Steep etc. It gets skied out quick but its a good way to start the day.

Gad Valley- One of my favorite areas, its a traverse over numerous rock knolls and as it gets tracked out you can typically keep pushing further and further out to grab some fresh snow. Not a lot of vertical but its some fun open bowls and cornice features.

Gad2 Trees- These are all the tree runs looking at the right side of the map. Pacific Northwest type forest tree skiing for days here. Not quite as steep and can be hard to get back to do laps but whenever things are tracked out you can always find stashes here. I grew up skiing Schweitzer mountain and this area reminds me of there a lot.

Mineral Basin- Snowbird doesnt really have a terrain park. That is because Mineral Basin is literally a big mountain huck fest terrain park. My personal favorite is the run right below the mineral basin express lift down the fall line. Its some rockstar hit after hit after hit to the lift bottom then lap it again. Some of my favorite days skiing in my life have been lapping Mineral Basin express. You can also traverse over Skiers right to the Flora Cliffs area but you lose a lot of elevation IMO but its good for when other areas are skied out. Its also fun to bomb the cat walk and throw yourself off the cornice into the open bowl.

Solitude is a really fun mountain in its own right and its by far more quiet than Snowbird with barely any lift lines. The terrain is not even close to Snowbird but there is enough to be enjoyable. The lifts are kind of wonky at Solitude for Mineral basin so you really cant throw down laps. That being said, if you find a good rhythm you can have a good time. IE, Traverse over and find a good line at Mineral Basin, grab the Honeycomb return then traverse over to PowderHorn lift, bomb the steep narrows of Milk Run then grab Summit back up to hit Mineral again. The runs down the Summit trail are pretty fun with some cool little cliff lines and chutes you can hike to as well. Honestly though, if you are putting in 40 days a year you will probably get bored here.

Just my .02