The Canyons, Utah: Rank 20 West, 1998

This used to be known as Wolf Mountain¿the place you drove by on the way to get to Park City or Deer Valley. No more. With a new name, owner and attitude, The Canyons has become a new ski area and cracked the Top 20 rankings. The Canyons opened in 1997 with six new lifts (including a gondola), a new mid-mountain lodge and 500 acres of additional terrain. The Canyons may look small from the base, but ride the gondola and the area unfolds with a half-dozen peaks covering 2,700 acres. Choose from open bowls (Silverado), tight glades (Escapade Woods), buffed cruisers (Snow Canyon) or even a terrain park sculpted by groomer “Crazy Eddie.” There is a price, however, to overhauling a ski area. “It’s expensive for such a young resort,” one reader says. Look for The Canyons to only improve, thanks to easy access (32 miles from the Salt Lake airport), lots of terrain for expansion and a ski town just minutes away (Park City). Add in the 325 annual inches of Utah powder, and it’s a winning formula. As one reader says, “The future is bright. The Canyons could end up being my favorite ski area.”

What’s New Two high-speed quads; a triple chair; mid-mountain Sun Lodge; the first phase of the base village.
A Good Deal Early-season (until Dec. 31) and late-season (after April 1) prices start at $375 per person for five nights’ lodging and five-days’ skiing. Call (888) 226-9667.
Medals Gold Challenge, Weather, Access; Silver Snow, Terrain, Value, Lifts.
High/Low Rank Access (2); Scenery (60).
Don’t Miss If you are a strong skier, the 20-minute hike to the top of Murdock Peak for steep powder bashing.
Reader Remarks “Uncrowded, easy access, excellent attitude.” “Too much flat terrain between lifts.”