SNOWBASIN RESORT GUIDE
Images courtesy of Snowbasin Resort
Snowbasin Resort Overview
Snowbasin is the best kept "secret in Utah." (Shsssh!). Within an hour drive from Salt Lake City or Park City, it would easily be a global destination, save for a base village and easily accessible lodging. It's as large as Breckenridge with ~3,000 skiable acres and 2,900 vertical feet. Privately owned by the Holding Family and similar to its sister resort, Sun Valley, no expense has been spared. Snowbasin is one of the most historic resorts in the U.S., dating back to 1940, though it feels quite modern after a $100 million refresh ahead of the 2002 Winter Olympics.
The mountain’s six peaks are easy to navigate with 12 lifts and peak to summit gondolas serving two of the three major areas. The John Paul area is the site of the men’s and women's downhill courses. Take the Allen Peak Tram to access the Olympic starting gates and you will be rewarded with mind blowing views across 5 states.
While Snowbasin is better known for its advanced and expert terrain, the resort has added slow zones and family areas in recent years. The ski school program is outstanding and reasonably priced compared to other Utah destination resorts. Snowbasin participates in the Ikon Pass and the Mountain Collective.
Snow Reliability
Snow-Making & Grooming
Ski School
Travel Convenience
Accommodations
Terrain Variety
On Mountain Dining
Extreme / Off-Piste Terrain
Quick Take
Let's Go
Amazing expert terrain; with minmal hiking you are almost assured to find fresh tracks. Experience two of the steepest Olympic downhill runs, anywhere, off of John Paul
From the top of Strawberry and Allen Peaks, you can see across the great Salt Lake and into 4 states
Outstanding ski school with thoughtful instructors; use the wagons at the base to easily tote smaller children
Plush lodges with chandeliers, marble clad restrooms, huge windows with striking mountain views and excellent food and drinks
Weekends tend to be less crowded than Park City/Deer Valley and Alta/Snowbird while not not compromising quality
Hesitations
There is no lodging on the mountain or in the base village
Beginner terrain is limited
The Snowbasin weather is impacted by the resort’s lower elevation; Snowbasin averages ~300 inches of annual snowfall, which is below that of other Utah resorts and the season may be slow to start
Strawberry is an open bowl and visibility can be low. There is no shame in following the neon snow guns to traverse across Main Street to Dan's Run to return to the frontside if it gets really bad
Insider Tips
The gondolas offer incredible top to bottom runs, but lines can be long. When it is crowded, head to Middle Bowl, to make fast laps with a good pitch
Advanced skiers can park at the Maples lot, especially when it is crowded. Though it is a farther walk to get to the mountain, you can conveniently ski to your car from Grizzly Finish or the Lower Pyramids off of John Paul
After a storm, head to Strawberry and be ready to take some laps in anticipation of the rope drop for Sister's Bowl
Consider staying at the modern and chic Compass Rose hotel only 15 minutes away in Huntsville. Mountain Luxury Lodging has high end homes also about 15 minutes away. Ogden has additional AirBNB options and several mid-priced, larger hotels
Don’t miss the chicken fingers at the Sinclair gas station just before Huntsville on Route 39 — you’ll thank us later!
Trail Map
For an in-depth breakdown of Snowbasin's terrain, head to our Mountain Guide. Top trails and mountain stats included.
Getting To & Around
Snowbasin is a 45 minute drive North from Salt Lake City and just over an hour drive from Park City. We recommend having a car to explore the surrounding area. There's not much at the base. Parking at the base is free, though on weekends its best to arrive early. The lot at the Old Day Lodge along UT-167 is convenient if you don't need to access the Main Base, but tends to fill up first.
Getting To
Closest Major City: Salt Lake City, UT
Distance: ~45 miles South West, Travel Time: ~ 45 minutes drive
Closest City: Ogden, UT
Distance: ~20 miles, ~30 mins drive
Closest Major Destination Resorts: Park City & Deer Valley
Distance: ~65 miles, ~1 hour 10 minutes drive
Neighboring Resorts
Snowbasin is on the backside of the Wasatch Mountains and its easy to visit neighboring resorts.
Closest Neighbors
Nordic Valley Ski Resort (~19 miles, ~30 mins)
Powder Mountain (~23 miles, ~35 mins)
Closet Neighbor on the Epic Pass
Park City (64 miles, ~1 hr 10 mins)
Other Neighbors
Deer Valley (65 miles, ~1 hr 10 mins) (on the Ikon Pass)
Little Cottonwood Canyon Neighbors (on Ikon Pass & Mountain Collective passes)
Big Cottonwood Canyon Neighbors (on the Ikon Pass)
Travel by Plane
Closest major commercial airport: SLC (Salt Lake City International Airport)
~32 miles South East, ~45 minutes
Closest regional airport: OGD (Ogden-Hinckley Airport)
~23 miles, ~30 minutes
Limited commericial service to Phoenix
Private plane accessible
Travel By Bus
UTA provides buses from Ogden and Layton, UT; season pass holders receive discounted bus passes
Airport shuttle services are available between Snowbasin, SLC Airport, Ogden and Park City
Canyon Hop; shuttle service to/from Salt Lake City or Park City to Snowbasin
Travel by Car
We prefer to have a car here, its an easy drive from Salt Lake City and Park City and parking is free
Pros: Free parking; easier access to sourroundng area, nearby resorts, lodging and more
Cons: None (though a car wash will be needed)
Ride shares: (e.g., Uber, Lyft) are not reliable here
