Winter Fly Fishing Snowbird
Fly fishing in the winter can be even more exciting, if you can bear the cold.
13. Snowbird Resort, Utah
13. Snowbird Resort, Utah
To put it simply, Snowbird is the place to push your skiing. Don’t believe us? Check out the highlights from the 2014 Freeride World Tour—yeah you can ski the competition venue. If you’re not quite ready for the double black diamonds, no worries, Snowbird has terrain that “offers something for everyone.” Soak up the sun in Mineral Basin, blast down Chip’s Run, burn your quads on a T-to-B Mach Schnell, and play in the powder glades of Tiger Tail.
Since joining Ikon, the mountain has gotten crowded, with long lift lines and congested canyon traffic. But with the tram and multiple high-speed quads, Snowbird’s matrix of lifts and 2,500 acres of skiable terrain offer plenty of space to arc your turns once you get out of the base area. With limited and dated amenities, Snowbird isn’t know for its off-slope niceties, but with Salt Lake City just 20 minutes away, the tired, hungry, and thirsty will find everything they need. In other words: If snow and terrain are at the top of your list, consider Snowbird for your next ski vacation. – Mali Noyes
No. 13 in the West: Snowbird, Utah
Snowbird Mountain Stats
| Average Snowfall | Acres | Lifts | Trails |
| 500″ | 2,500 | 11 | 169 |
Snowbird Pass Info
Snowbird is on the Ikon Pass. Pass holders get 7 days at the resort; Base Pass holders get 5 blackout-restricted days.
Trip Planning
From lodging and and dining to off-slope activities and local tips, here are the SKI editors’ picks for what to do in Snowbird, Utah.
What’s New
Snowbird debuts its Mountain Center this season, intended to be a one-stop-shop for skiers to do everything from booking lessons to making dinner reservations to securing a seat on a Snowbird Mountain Guides heli trip. It will be located on level 2 of the Snowbird Center.
A new Kids Freeloader Pass provides a free season pass to youth 18 and under when linked to an adult pass. The incredible deal is intended to break down the barrier of entry to skiing.
Local Tip
Beat canyon congestion by parking in Entry 1 for a faster exit.
On-Hill Restaurant
Take a break at the top of Hidden Peak in the new lodge. It’s a great place to warm up on a stormy day or take in the views on a bluebird one.
Bragging Rights
Show off for the tram on Silver Fox. Can you make it through the rock chute at the bottom? It is steep, committing, and sure to get your heart rate going!
Lunch Spot
A made-to-order sandwich from Gritts—it’s the locals’ go-to for lunch.
Bragging Rights
Great Scott: The entrance is tricky, but the sheltered snow is always rippable.
Dinner Pick
The Aerie’s menu is diverse—you can order anything from a fried-chicken sandwich to elk meatloaf. But do try the truffle parmesan fries.
On-Mountain Eats
Going into its third season, The Summit, located at the top of the tram, serves up artisan pizzas, microbrews, and 360-degree views of the Wasatch.
Off-the-Map Trail
Tiger Tail has glades and 40-degree steeps. And since it’s tougher to get to it sees less traffic, meaning powder stashes stay fresh longer.
To put it simply, Snowbird is the place to push your skiing. Don’t believe us? Check out the highlights from the 2014 Freeride World Tour—yeah you can ski the competition venue. If you’re not quite ready for the double black diamonds, no worries, Snowbird has terrain that “offers something for everyone.” Soak up the sun in Mineral Basin, blast down Chip’s Run, burn your quads on a T-to-B Mach Schnell, and play in the powder glades of Tiger Tail.
Since joining Ikon, the mountain has gotten crowded, with long lift lines and congested canyon traffic. But with the tram and multiple high-speed quads, Snowbird’s matrix of lifts and 2,500 acres of skiable terrain offer plenty of space to arc your turns once you get out of the base area. With limited and dated amenities, Snowbird isn’t know for its off-slope niceties, but with Salt Lake City just 20 minutes away, the tired, hungry, and thirsty will find everything they need. In other words: If snow and terrain are at the top of your list, consider Snowbird for your next ski vacation. – Mali Noyes
No. 13 in the West: Snowbird, Utah
Snowbird Mountain Stats
| Average Snowfall | Acres | Lifts | Trails |
| 500″ | 2,500 | 11 | 169 |
Snowbird Pass Info
Snowbird is on the Ikon Pass. Pass holders get 7 days at the resort; Base Pass holders get 5 blackout-restricted days.
Trip Planning
From lodging and and dining to off-slope activities and local tips, here are the SKI editors’ picks for what to do in Snowbird, Utah.
What’s New
Snowbird debuts its Mountain Center this season, intended to be a one-stop-shop for skiers to do everything from booking lessons to making dinner reservations to securing a seat on a Snowbird Mountain Guides heli trip. It will be located on level 2 of the Snowbird Center.
A new Kids Freeloader Pass provides a free season pass to youth 18 and under when linked to an adult pass. The incredible deal is intended to break down the barrier of entry to skiing.
Local Tip
Beat canyon congestion by parking in Entry 1 for a faster exit.
On-Hill Restaurant
Take a break at the top of Hidden Peak in the new lodge. It’s a great place to warm up on a stormy day or take in the views on a bluebird one.
Bragging Rights
Show off for the tram on Silver Fox. Can you make it through the rock chute at the bottom? It is steep, committing, and sure to get your heart rate going!
Lunch Spot
A made-to-order sandwich from Gritts—it’s the locals’ go-to for lunch.
Bragging Rights
Great Scott: The entrance is tricky, but the sheltered snow is always rippable.
Dinner Pick
The Aerie’s menu is diverse—you can order anything from a fried-chicken sandwich to elk meatloaf. But do try the truffle parmesan fries.
On-Mountain Eats
Going into its third season, The Summit, located at the top of the tram, serves up artisan pizzas, microbrews, and 360-degree views of the Wasatch.
Off-the-Map Trail
Tiger Tail has glades and 40-degree steeps. And since it’s tougher to get to it sees less traffic, meaning powder stashes stay fresh longer.
Snowmobiling at Snowbird
Get out of the ski area and in to the backcountry.
Snowshoeing at Snowbird
Explore Snowbird on foot.
Rendezvous
An veggie filled alternative to the traditional ski area cafeteria.
El Chanate
Margaritas and Mexican food.
The Wildflower, Snowbird
Classic, simple Italian food.
The Atrium
All you can eat breakfast buffet.
The Aerie
Huge windows and home-grown food.
The Steakpit
The best place to get a steak at Snowbird.
The Forklift
Breakfast before you hit the slopes.
The Rustler Lodge
The closest thing you’ll find at Alta to the mega-ski resort hotel.
Snowpine Lodge
Alta’s oldest lodge is quiet and secluded and the perfect place for somebody who wants to vanish and ski for a while.
The Goldminer's Daughter
Perhaps the most friendly and party-oriented lodge in Little Cottonwood Canyon
Alta Peruvian
The Peruvian is decidedly lowbrow, but it is this warmth and homeyness that brings families back year after year.
Alta Lodge
The Alta Lodge sits directly across from Alta’s marquee run, Alf’s High Rustler, and it’s within this context that the lodge operates. It’s about the skiing.
Collins Grill
Your best option for fine dining on the mountain at Alta.
Utah's Homestead Crater
Explore Homestead Crater in Midway, near Park City, the hot-spring pools inside a 55-foot-high beehive-shaped limestone dome formed from mineral deposits thousands of years ago.
Free Music in the Mountains
The mountain towns of Vail, Aspen, Steamboat, Snowbird, and Park City are all hosting free concert series this summer. By Ramsey Bernard.
Last Man Standing
The season's not over quite yet. Here's where you can get your late, late season ski fix.
Mach Schnell
Find untracked terrain at Snowbird.
A Chairlift Interview with Pro Skier Lars Chickering-Ayers
Lars Chickering-Ayers is a 22-year-old pro skier who won the 2010 Freeskiing World Championships at Snowbird, Utah, in mid March. We caught up with Lars about his upcoming summit-to-sea expedition in Alaska while riding the Pallavicini Chair at Colorado's A-Basin on a powder day in May.
Snowbird, Utah Gets 34 Inches in 48 Hours
Snowbird is the last open resort in Utah. And they're still getting dumped on. Here are the stats: 17 inches in the last 24 hours, 34 inches in the past 48 hours, bringing the season total up to 543 inches.
April Storms Bury Snowbird
Snowbird Resort has reported four and a half feet of powder within the last week and says 30-40 more are predicted to fall in the next few days. Ski-and-stay deals start at $99. What are you waiting for?
Testing Powder Skis at Snowbird
On Friday, Snowbird, Utah, reported 19 inches in the past 24 hours. Skiing magazine was there for our annual ski test—to collect reviews for our fall Gear Guide—and used the conditions to test next year's powder skis. Here's a sneak peek.
Scott Markewitz Photo Workshop at Snowbird Feb. 4-7
Ever dreamed of making a living as a ski photographer? Scott Markewitz made that dream come true for himself, and now he's willing to share the techniques that have gained him more than 350 US and International magazine covers.
Scott Markewitz Gallery
Scott Markewitz is one of the best ski photographers in the business. And from February 4-7, he's teaching the inaugural Scott Markewitz Photography Workshop at Snowbird, Utah. It's a three-day instructional workshop for all levels of photographers who want to learn to take better action and scenic shots. Here is a gallery of Markewitz's work and more info on the workshop.
Powderchaser: Storms Are Coming
After two weeks of dismal snowfall in the West, the Powderchaser blog is calling for light and heavy snow in the seven-day forecast for Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, and California.
Snowbird Freeride Avalanche Summit
Cold temperatures and heavy snowfall have created unstable backcountry conditions throughout the Western U.S. Which means it was a perfect time for Snowbird to hosted their first annual Freeride Avalanche Summit.
Recent Utah Snow
A few images from the recent storm that pummeled Utah ski resorts. Some resorts claimed as much as 48 inches from the weekend system, a necessary addition to the base before holiday skier traffic.
Get Drunk in Utah
Sure, Utah's 13 resorts are known for their unbelievable snow. But the drinking scene has remained, well, questionable. Not anymore: Utah's changed their liquor laws. And that's only one of many improvements the state boasts for the 2009-10 ski season.
Seventeen Days and Counting…
Snowbird locals sent us a YouTube video this week tracking the above average seasons of the past two years and this one liner: “Snowing hard in Little Cottonwood right now.” It’s official, winter is here, but when will Utah resorts open?
More Than an Early Season Dusting
Forget aiming for 100 ski days a year. With snowfall this early in the season, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado’s most dedicated can get 200-plus days.
Best Snow: Alta/Snowbird, Utah
The heavens really open up in Utah. These neighboring resorts at the end of Little Cottonwood Canyon typically get more than 600 inches a year.
Resort Awards-Best Backcountry Access: Jackson Hole, Wyoming
With the exception of Whistler Blackcomb, no other resort comes close to matching Jackson for easy access to back- and sidecountry lines.
Best Overall Resort: Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
Like the Olympics it’s about to host, Whistler Blackcomb is big, hyped, and full of underage Asian women on drugs.
Best Powder 2009: Alta/Snowbird
Alta and Snowbird usually receive between 400 and 500 inches of snow, depending on the season and where it’s measured. In 2008, Alta got 702 inches. That's nuts.
Utah's 13 Resorts
A behind-the-scenes look at a group of skiers' attempt to ski Utah's 13 resorts in 24 hours.
Mission: Ski Utah's 13 Resorts In a Single Day
Can it be done? Is it stupid? The answers, respectively are maybe and yes. But a group attempted to do this for the first time last winter. Here's what happened.
Musings from the Pontiff of Powder: Vol. 14
It's About Nothing
Lopez & Wright Win US Freeskiing Nationals at Snowbird
MSI Ninja Dex Mills wins Backcountry.com Sickbird Award
Ski Utah Interconnect Tour
Why settle for one resort when you can ski six in one day? A backcountry jaunt through the Wasatch’s best, and least-skied, terrain.
Alta vs. Snowbird
Check out The Editors's author page.
Best Resorts for Steeps: 2008-09
Ranked by the readers of Skiing Magazine.
Best Resorts for Backcountry Access: 2008-09
Check out The Editors's author page.
Best Overall Resorts: 2008-09
Ranked by the readers of Skiing Magazine.
Stretch Your Season
Check out The Editors's author page.
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