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[sponsored by Ikon Pass]
With 10,000-acres of prime 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 the convenience and sheer proximity of Utah’s Deer Valley Resort, Solitude Mountain Resort, Alta Ski Area, Snowbird, and Brighton, plus insider tips on where to find the most legendary runs, best powder, top après options, and more.
The Ikon Pass offers unparalleled Utah access. Fly into Salt Lake City airport, shred 5 of the world’s best resorts in 5 days, and return to the airport with not much more than 100-miles driven. The problem is, 5 days won’t be enough, you’re definitely going to want to ski them all again. And again. Here’s what the Ikon Pass can offer you in Utah:
- over 12,000-feet vertical
- 10,000-acres of some of the best skiing in the world
- 529 runs for all abilities
- 55 chairlifts
- over 2,000″ of combined annual snowfall
- 5 iconic resorts within minutes of each other
Deer Valley Resort
Luxury meets corduroy at Deer Valley Resort, Park City’s skiers-only oasis. Here you can 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.
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.
Solitude Mountain Resort
Incredible off-piste terrain meets intimate resort at Utah’s Solitude Mountain Resort—co-host to the 2019 FIS World Championships. This February, come witness history as the planet’s best snowsports athletes compete in iconic alpine events, including team snowboardcross’s first international competitive outing.
With legendary powder and on-site daycare, Solitude is as gnarly as it is family friendly. Drop the kids off for some fun, 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.
Alta Ski Area
In the heart of Utah ski country—just 40 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport—Alta Ski Area is known plain and simply for its heaps of snow. Along with neighbor Snowbird, they are the ‘Powder Capitals of the World’. With a 30-year average of 545-inches, this skier-exclusive destination delivers endless mountains of powder.
Warm up for après at the Sitzmark, and be sure to order the Boomerang—a hot toddy made with Twisky, known locally as a mixture of tequila and whiskey. Need a place to be this NYE? Ring in 2019 at Alta’s New Year’s Eve Torch Light Parade, the long-standing tradition where hundreds ski down the mountain at nightfall, illuminating the snow with headlamps and flashlights.
Snowbird
Located just a mile from Alta Ski Resort, Snowbird is known for its legendary “steep and deep” terrain, thanks to an impressive annual average snowfall of more than 500 inches. And because of this intense snowpack, they also boast the longest ski season of any resort in Utah.
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.
Brighton
Utah’s Big Cottonwood Canyon gets some of the world’s coldest, driest snow—home to Brighton and its pre-season terrain park called the Bone Zone. On powder days, hit the slopes in the morning, and then come back at dusk for perfect night skiing conditions with bottomless powder refills.
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.
Explore the complete Ikon Pass destination list at ikonpass.com.
