The Skiers' Guide to Snowbird

Nestled in Utah's Little Cottonwood Canyon, Snowbird is a mecca for powder hounds with its legendary Utah snow. This resort stands out for its challenging terrain and jaw-dropping vertical drops, earning it a reputation as one of North America's premier destinations for advanced skiers and riders.

Spanning from a bottom elevation of 2,365m to a top height of 3,352m, Snowbird delivers impressive altitude and reliable snow conditions throughout its extensive terrain. The resort features 140 runs served by 11 chairlifts and 1 tram, creating an efficient lift network across the mountain.

Our Snomad community rates Snowbird with an overall rating of 4.47/5, with particularly high marks for Powder zones 4.77/5 and off-piste 4.77/5. As one user puts it: "Snowbird is epic beyond words... Nothing compares and I fall asleep often dreaming about hitting a powder day at snowbird."

Snowbird's terrain distribution caters primarily to the advanced and expert skier, with 60 advanced runs, 35 intermediate trails, and just 11 beginner options. This imbalance is frequently mentioned by our users, with one expert skier noting, "Snowbird is not for the faint of heart. There are some easier areas to ski, but it is mostly steep and deep."

The resort's crown jewel is its tram, whisking skiers from base to summit for maximum vertical. A Snomad user named Monica recommends: "Make sure to take the Peruvian tunnel at least once. The scenic tram ride to the top is pretty efficient." The lift system earns praise with 4.41/5 for lift efficiency, though some users mention occasional queues during peak periods.

For powder seekers, Snowbird is paradise. "If you love expert runs, steep trees and cliff drops, snowbird is your mountain," writes Conner, an expert snowboarder. Mineral Basin, accessible via the famous tunnel, offers expansive bowl skiing with spectacular views. The resort scores an impressive 4.13/5 for tree runs, with Tanner, an advanced skier, noting "Tree areas are beautiful."

Off-piste terrain is Snowbird's claim to fame, with gates accessing extreme terrain throughout the mountain. "The Cirque Traverse has enough drop-in points to keep you busy for a week and still find fresh tracks," shares Remy, an expert skier.

Snowbird receives 3.44/5 for eating out, reflecting limited but decent options. Several users mention that dining choices within the resort area are somewhat restricted, with Jeremy noting: "The few lodging options at the resort are nice but expensive. And there's nothing up there at the resort once the lifts close."

Monica highlights that the "food court at the top is newly renovated and nice place to eat with great views," while others recommend venturing into Salt Lake City for more diverse dining options. Nicole, an advanced skier, offers a contrary view: "even the on-slope dining is the best I've had."

The recently renovated mid-mountain restaurant gets mentioned by Richard: "They have an incredible variety of food options and we are eager to see the new mid gad restaurant. The old one was our favorite place there." For après options, Deb recommends the "great bar and microbrewery at the bottom of the lift stations."

Snowbird scores 3.49/5 for après-ski, reflecting a more subdued after-ski scene compared to some European resorts. Luke, an advanced skier, is particularly critical: "No apres at all. Not in the city either. Much better to stick to Deer Valley and Park City."

Jeremy notes that "there's nothing up there at the resort once the lifts close," suggesting that Snowbird prioritizes the skiing experience over nightlife. However, Deb mentions a "great bar and microbrewery at the bottom of the lift stations" that provides some post-skiing entertainment.

Several users reference the resort's focused approach to skiing rather than social activities. As one expert skier puts it, "This resort is perfect for people who want to ski hard, and focus on getting runs in early and efficiently." For those seeking vibrant nightlife, venturing into Salt Lake City might be necessary, though the canyon drive can be challenging after a day on the slopes.

Snowbird receives 3.70/5 for family friendliness, reflecting its challenging terrain that may not suit all family groups. Many users caution that beginners might struggle here, with Maddy, an expert skier, noting: "It's a difficult place to ski with a group of skiers of different ability levels."

However, the ski school receives high marks with 4.33/5 for ski school quality. Sierra shares: "Mom sent me to ski school here when I was little, and it was top notch! I owe everything I am as a skier to them!" Riley, an advanced skier, concurs: "Ski schools are excellent with a great staff, however the prices have gotten steep."

Jayden, who's been visiting since childhood, offers: "As a 9-year-old, it was easy to feel crowded. However, I NEVER felt that way at Snowbird. The resort has a very classy vibe to it and the slopes reflect that." Several users mention the resort's cleanliness and organization, with Sahar noting: "Clean, organized and beautiful. Runs were perfect. Staff were super friendly and helpful."

For mixed-ability families, Hadden suggests: "Fun for every level besides first timers. Plenty of terrain and groomers spread through the entire mountain for lower level skiers."

Accommodation at Snowbird receives 4.02/5 for accommodation options, reflecting a relatively limited but high-quality selection. Several users mention that while lodging options are restricted, they offer convenient ski-in/ski-out access.

Michael, an intermediate skier, notes that "Hotel & restaurant provision in the area still needs to be improved greatly," while Jeremy observes that "The few lodging options at the resort are nice but expensive." Monica points out that "There is ski-in ski-out accommodations available," highlighting the convenience for those willing to pay a premium.

Bob, an expert skier, praises the main lodge: "The lodge is a great place to stay for the design/art savvy and the pools are amazing; how many ski resorts have a rooftop pool in an alpine valley?" Joe similarly mentions: "The Cliff is one of my favorite hotels."

Several users recommend staying in Salt Lake City for more affordable options, with Aaron noting: "We stayed in Salt Lake City, which gave us plenty of options to find a house, lots of dining options, etc. It also made the trip a bit cheaper than staying at a resort."

Snowbird has made strides in environmental stewardship while operating in the ecologically sensitive Little Cottonwood Canyon. The resort implements water conservation measures and utilizes energy-efficient snowmaking technology to minimize environmental impact.

Public transportation is encouraged, with Bob mentioning "The free bus service that is included with season passes is a huge bonus!" This helps reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions in the canyon.

KATRINA notes environmental restrictions in the canyon: "Biggest concern was the inability to have our dog with us at the resort, even in the car, due to environmental restrictions in that canyon," highlighting the strict protection measures for the watershed area.

The resort continues to balance its popularity with preservation efforts, though increasing visitor numbers present ongoing challenges for sustainability.