The Best Lift, Run, Bar, & Restaurant at Snowbird, UT

SnowBrains |
Miles Clark slashing in Mineral Basin at Snowbird, UT on December 19th, 2016. photo: court leve
Miles Clark slashing in Mineral Basin at Snowbird, UT on December 19th, 2016. photo: court leve

Snowbird ski resort near Salt Lake City, UT is the crown jewel of Utah ski resorts.

This place is famous for its badass tram, its big mountain skiing, its hosting of the Freeride World Tour, its famous athletes, and its 3,000-vertical-foot tram.

Snowbird plans to expand into the America Fork Canyon in 2019 which will add 500-acres of new terrain, a new gondola, a new chairlift, and more.

When you visit Snowbird, you’ll want to hit all its best features.

We’ve compiled a list of Snowbird’s best lift, run, bar, and restaurant to keep you on track.

Sunrise from deck of the Snowbird Tram on December 19th, 2016. photo: snowbrains
Sunrise from the deck of the Snowbird Tram on December 19th, 2016. photo: snowbrains

THE BEST OF SNOWBIRD, UTAH:

***

Best Lift:

The Tram

IMG_1046-min
Snowbird tram rising into the sunrise on December 19th, 2017. photo: snowbrains

This one is really simple:  the Snowbird tram is legendary.  

Get on it, stay on it.

3,000-vertical-feet of steep, continuous, fall line terrain.

The tram accesses everything that is great about Snowbird:

  • Baldy
  • The Cirque
  • Twin Peaks & Pipeline (not open often, but super sick lines)
  • More…

Runs off the tram are long, leg-burning, thrilling, and seemingly never-ending when your legs are tired.  You’ll appreciate the rest on the ride back up.  The tram will make any skier or rider better and stronger.

***

Best Run: 

Mach Schnell

Map pointing out Mach Schnell run.
Map pointing out Mach Schnell run.

Mach Schnell (‘carry speed’ in German) 1,400-vertical-feet and a half mile long.

It’s a bit of traverse to get out to Mach Schnell, but it’s certainly worth the effort.  

The traverse weeds out the crowd and keeps the snow fresh.

This run is top to bottom, 1,400-vertical-feet sustained, fun, fall-line skiing.

The top part often holds prime conditions.  

Make sure you ski Mach Schnell.

***

Best Bar:

Tram Club

The Tram Club. image: grindTV
The Tram Club. image: grindTV
Locals ski and ride the tram hard then roll into the Tram Club for the “$5 shot & a beer” deal and cheesy fries.
Obviously, you should do the same.
The Cheesy Fries are meticulously made.  Beautifully layered cheese with Franks Red Sauce on top.  Imagine your most perfect set of nachos but in cheesy fry form.  The coconut shrimp here also gets the nod.
When you’re loading the tram in the afternoon and you’re tantalized by the emanating smells of deliciously fried food, you’re smelling the lingering delights of the Tram Club.
Tram Club is a great place to catch the game as the walls of the place are slathered with big screen TVs and every game you can imagine.
The raucous crowd in here has a ferociously good vibe that’ll keep you stoked and drinking way later than planned.   

***

Best Restaurant:

General Gritts

General Gritts. photo: tripadvisor.com
General Gritts. photo: tripadvisor.com

Yeah, we know this isn’t a restaurant, but this is the spot.

This where locals go to feed the stoke.

Rock in here and satiate your breakfast needs with a breakfast burrito, breakfast bowl (a breaky burrito in bowl form) then grab something for your pockets for lunch because your not gonna wanna stop ripping tram laps.  The Rueben, Pulled Pork, and Club sandwiches are highly recommended.

General Gritts also has you covered for aprés & pendant ski with $3.25 PBR tall boys.

There’s almost always a witty, funny named sando special that will inevitably grab your attention.  Don’t be afraid to go for it.

Custom sandwiches are solid here.  Just write down what you want and the crew will make it happen.

Good people in here.

Katie Van Riper ripping Mineral Basin at Snowbird, UT on December 19th, 2016. photo: court leve
Katie Van Riper ripping Mineral Basin at Snowbird, UT on December 19th, 2016. photo: court leve

No matter where you end up at Snowbird, you’re gonna have a ball.

Snowbird is home to copious amounts of powder (500″ per year on average), the best ski resort in Utah, the legendary 3,000-vertical-foot tram, a killer local scene, and obnoxiously good times.

Brian Brown cruising into Mineral Basin at Snowbird, UT in the early morning light on December 19th, 2016. photo: snowbrains
Brian Brown cruising into Mineral Basin at Snowbird, UT in the early morning light on December 19th, 2016. photo: snowbrains

Related Articles

Got an opinion? Let us know...