Featured Article
Brought to you by Ikon Pass
A Utah Winter Road Trip – 5 Days, 5 Destinations
Deer Valley Resort, Brighton, Solitude Mountain Resort, Snowbird, Alta Ski Area
With 10,000 acres of Utah terrain available on the Ikon Pass—the most terrain offered on any pass—skiing and riding the “Greatest Snow on Earth” this year shouldn’t be a matter of if but when. Come experience Utah’s iconic ski destinations.
Stop 1
Deer Valley Resort
- Closest Airport: SLC
- Drive from Airport: 38m
Morning
Luxury meets corduroy at Deer Valley Resort, Park City’s skiers-only oasis. Make some turns alongside Olympians like Heidi Voelker, Shannon Bahrke, Fuzz Feddersen, Kaylin Richardson, Jillian Vogtli, Chris Waddell, and Trace Worthington in Deer Valley’s Ski with a Champion program. Or fly solo down Stein’s Way, a cherished run named for Deer Valley’s former and legendary Director of Skiing, Stein Erikson. If the flakes are flying, head to Ontario Bowl for endless pillows of powder.
Afternoon
When you’re ready for a bite, sit down for a steaming-hot bowl of the famous, Southwestern-inspired Deer Valley Turkey Chili, and listen in on resort folklore—it may be a far cry today, but what is now Deer Valley once served as Park City’s red-light district during the town’s mining days.
Evening
Stroll along Park City’s Historic Main Street, lined with galleries, restaurants, boutique shops and bars galore. Discover the region’s mining past at the Park City Museum, housed in the old City Hall building, before grabbing dinner at No Name Saloon, serving up world-famous Buffalo Burgers topped with the establishment’s own no name saloon southwestern style salsa. Finish with a nightcap at High West Distillery & Saloon, dedicated to creating smooth, no-nonsense Utah whiskey.
Stop 2
Brighton
- Distance from stop 1: 12m
Morning
Utah’s Big Cottonwood Canyon gets some of the world’s coldest, driest snow. At Brighton, there’s no limit to the powder action—100% of the resort’s terrain is accessible by high speed quads. Expert athletes should head up Milly Express for open bowls and steep groomers, while families and beginners can snap a selfie at the top of Snake Creek before gliding down laidback trails like Sunshine, Deer Park and Pioneer. Freestylers can spend the morning hitting kickers and riding jibs in Brighton’s five terrain parks.
Afternoon
Don’t want to spend all your souvenir money on resort food? Brighton offers a brown-bag area for you to stow and snack. So pack up your coolers and plug in your crock pots—lunch will soon be served. Either that, or pop into Molly Green’s rustic ski chalet for a heaping stack of nachos. It’s a win-win either way.
Evening
Come back to the slopes at dusk for perfect night skiing conditions with bottomless powder refills. Twenty-two lighted runs are open in the evening, allowing diehards to squeeze in a little more mountain time.
Stop 3
Solitude Mountain Resort
- Distance from stop 2: 2m
Morning
With legendary powder and on-site daycare, Solitude is as gnarly as it is family friendly. Drop the kids off then hike up Fantasy Ridge, which takes you to Black Bess Chutes and Honeycomb Chutes, home to some of the Big Cottonwood Canyon’s best deep powder. For something more relaxed, stick to blue squares like Sunshine Bowl and Dynamite, or hang with the beginners on Main Street, Little Dollie and Home Run.
Afternoon
Munch on chef-selected appetizers and wood-oven baked flatbreads while taking in mountain views from the deck at Honeycomb Grill. After lunch, head back to the lifts or take a break from downhill with a glide around the Solitude Nordic Center, boasting over 12 miles of cross-country trails to explore.
Evening
Rest your legs and toast the day at the Thirsty Squirrel, where you can sip on craft beer, cocktails or wine while drumming your fingers to live music. Or head to Library Bar, where you can snuggle up with a post-ski cocktail in a cozy chair nestled amidst library-inspired décor.
Stop 4
Snowbird
- Distance from stop 3: 24m
Morning
All 2,500 acres at Snowbird make for epic skiing and riding conditions when fresh flakes are falling, but to really make the most of the snow, there’s no better place for powder laps than Mineral Basin. To get there, just take a four-minute ride on the Mineral Basin chairlift to access some of Utah’s best skiable acres.
Afternoon
Snag a selfie at Hidden Peak—providing 360-degree views of the Wasatch Mountains and bird’s eye view of Salt Lake City—before heading inside Tram Club for a spirited après scene. Enjoy live music, make some new friends and check out the inner workings of the Snowbird Aerial Tram, refreshments in hand.
Evening
No day at Snowbird is complete without a visit to The Cliff Spa’s rooftop pool and hot tub. Enjoy a long soak as you take in the grandeur of the glacially carved canyon walls that surround Snowbird. You can even opt for a crafted treatment designed specially to ease soreness.
Stop 5
Alta Ski Area
- Distance from stop 4: 4m
Morning
Right next door to Snowbird, Alta Ski Area is known plain and simply for its heaps of snow. With a 40-year average of 545 inches, this skier-exclusive destination delivers endless mountains of powder to enjoy all afternoon long. Steep and deep lovers blast through powder in Devil’s Castle Area or skirt through trees on Back Forty, So Long and Supreme Challenge. Those who prefer gentle groomers can find the perfect slope at the top of Collins Lift and Sugarloaf Lift.
Afternoon
Warm-up with a bowl of soup or chili at Alta Peruvian Lodge, before heading back out on the slopes for more powder action. Be sure to make a run down Alf’s High Rustler, offering top to bottom steep skiing that stare’s down at Alta’s base area.
Evening
Treat tired muscles to a Sports Massage at Mountainside Spa, preparing your body for the next iconic adventure. Before turning in for the night, stop by the Sitzmark and be sure to order the Boomerang—a hot toddy made with Twisky, known locally as a mixture of tequila and whiskey.
Great article. If I was driving to Utah from the SF bay area would you still recommend the same order?