The 5 Best Ski Resorts Near Salt Lake City, 2024/25

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Jack Lee
Written by Jack Lee
Last updated January 2, 2025

Salt Lake City is the main gateway to some of the best (and some of the gnarliest) Utah ski resorts! With a quick 45-minute drive from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), you’ll find yourself at a range of ski resorts offering everything from family-friendly slopes to challenging terrain for advanced skiers.. Check out our pick of the top 5 best ski resorts near Salt Lake City.

Known for

Park City is the largest ski resort in the U.S., known for its vast terrain and lively ski town vibe

Highlights

  • Closest ski resort to Salt Lake City that combines vast terrain with excellent dining, shopping, and entertainment options

  • Sheer volume of runs makes it great for intermediate skiers, offering 7,300 acres of varied terrain

  • Endless entertainment and dining options in the historic town center

  • Crowds can be an issue during peak times, especially weekends

24/25 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: 22 Nov 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
  • Closing Date: 16 Apr 2025* (Estimated close date based on historical data)

Closest airports

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) - 36 miles (45-minute drive)

Provo Municipal Airport (PVU) - 55 miles (1-hour-15 minute drive)

Ogden-Hinckley Airport (OGD) - 75 miles (1-hour-30 minute drive)

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Plenty of trails to ski and things to do! (Photo credit: Park City)

Why Ski Park City

While Park City’s sheer size is a major draw, the resort offers much more than extensive terrain. Known for consistent snowfall, it’s the holy grail of excellent quality dry powder and minimal wind that generally keeps the white stuff fresh, dry, and floaty. The nearby historic town has an authentic Old West mining vibe, featuring award-winning restaurants, cozy cafes, and boutique shops. This combination makes Park City a popular choice for families and large groups. However, keep in mind that the resort can get crowded, particularly on weekends.

2. Alta

Known for

Old school skiers-only mountain with access to Snowbird on the AltaBird pass

Highlights

  • Legendary terrain that offers world-class powder and extreme slopes for advanced skiers

  • Compact base area that’s easy to navigate, ideal for skiers looking for quick access to the slopes

  • Excellent beginner terrain with gentle, forgiving slopes for newcomers

  • Limited nightlife and shopping options but convenient access to Salt Lake City’s amenities

24/25 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: 22 Nov 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
  • Closing Date: 24 Apr 2025* (Estimated close date based on historical data)

Closest airports

Salt Lake City Intl. Airport - 32 miles (40-minute drive)

Distance from Salt Lake City - 32 miles (40-minute drive)

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One of the intermediate trails at Mission Ridge (Photo credit: Alta Lodge)

Why Ski Alta

If you want a vacation where you can focus on a full day shredding the slopes, Alta is definitely worth checking out as long as you're on two planks, since Alta is a skiers only mountain. The terrain at Alta ranges from forgiving beginner slopes to thrilling chutes, bowls and tree runs for experts. It borders Snowbird, so you can buy a ticket to ski both, but you'll find Alta a bit less crowded, either because it's another mile up the canyon, or because snowboarders aren't allowed on the lifts. There are a handful of lodges at the base but no nightclubs or stores. Although Alta has limited dining and shopping options at the base, Salt Lake City is only a short drive or bus ride away,, which opens the doors to an array of dining, drinking options and après-ski entertainment!

Known for

Snowbird offers some of the best advanced and expert terrain in Utah and is directly connected to Alta for those with the AltaBird pass

Highlights

  • Incredible terrain for intermediate and advanced skiers, with a mix of trees, cliffs and challenging chutes

  • Efficient lift system and a long ski season, typically stretching into late spring

  • Limited amenities for nightlife, dining and shopping, but proximity to Salt Lake City compensates

  • Beginner terrain is limited, with fewer progression options compared to other resorts

24/25 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: 28 Nov 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
  • Closing Date: 22 May 2025* (Estimated close date based on historical data)

Closest airports

Salt Lake City Intl. Airport - 32 miles (40-minute drive)

Distance from Salt Lake City - 32 miles (40-minute drive)

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Snowbird Tram taking us to the top!

Why Ski Snowbird

Snowbird is where you’ll find incredible and challenging terrain with world class snow in both volume and quality. The terrain here is known for its adventurous double black diamond runs, including tree runs, chutes and cliffs for the most skilled skiers. Snowbird’s consistent snowfall and renowned powder attract serious skiers from around the world. Yes, there's beginner terrain but it is very limited and does not have the best progression from beginner terrain to intermediate. There's not much of a town at Snowbird with only a handful of restaurants and bars in the small village. Nightlife and shopping is also limited here but luckily Salt Lake City is only a short drive or public bus ride away! This place is perfect if your focus is on the snow.

Known for

This skiers-only mountain is known for its upscale, five-star experience, top-notch ski-in ski-out lodging and a limited daily lift ticket policy to reduce crowds

Highlights

  • Outstanding customer service and luxury facilities

  • Well-maintained grooming and minimal lift lines due to capped ticket sales

  • Higher prices and limited nightlife options, reduces crowds

  • No snowboarders allowed, which keeps it less crowded and family-friendly

24/25 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: 7 Dec 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
  • Closing Date: 14 Apr 2025* (Estimated close date based on historical data)

Closest airports

Salt Lake City Intl. Airport - 38 miles (45-minute drive)

Distance from Salt Lake City - 38 miles (45-minute drive)

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Incredible views here!

Why Ski Crystal Mountain

Deer Valley is an upscale, skiers only resort with one of the best ski schools in the country, but in general, Deer Valley’s focus on premium skiing experiences, immaculate grooming and lift efficiency makes it one of the best family ski resorts in Utah. The limited ticket sales provide a calmer, more exclusive environment, and the luxurious accommodations and dining options set it apart from other resorts. At Deer Valley, you can enjoy the convenience of ski-in ski-out lodging and top-notch dining with outstanding customer service. There is a vast range of terrain, especially for intermediates and quite popular for families. Although Deer Valley doesn’t have much nightlife, it is within close proximity to the vibrant town of Park City. Deer Valley can get quite pricey but if you’re looking for exclusivity in a refined, crowd-controlled resort, it is definitely worth checking out!

Known for

Brighton is a relaxed, family-friendly resort known for its affordability, making it especially popular among locals. Conveniently, it also offers easy access to the neighboring Solitude resort.

Highlights

  • Affordable, with free skiing for kids under 10

  • Connected to Solitude via the Solbright pass

  • Typically less crowded than larger resorts like Park City

  • Limited food and lodging options

24/25 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: 14 Nov 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
  • Closing Date: 28 Apr 2025* (Estimated close date based on historical data)

Closest airports

Salt Lake City Intl. Airport - 35 miles (45-minute drive)

Distance from Salt Lake City - 35 miles (45-minute drive)

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No shortage of powder at Mount Baker! (Photo credit: Mount Baker)

Why Ski Brighton

Brighton has four distinct parts of the mountain which offer a wide variety of terrain, making it a great choice for families, with everything from smooth groomers to tree runs and narrow chutes. Compared to some of the other resorts in the area, Brighton is on the smallish side but less crowded than Park City or Snowbird, and is seen as among the best for families with kids to ski in Utah. Being less than an hour from Salt Lake, the smaller number of visitors includes devoted locals who give it a friendly vibe. Although the accommodation and dining options are mediocre, the prices are also family friendly: kids under 10 always ski or ride for free!