What are the Best Salt Lake Skiing Resorts? A Guide to the Cottonwood Canyons

Deciding which Salt Lake skiing resort to visit? This guide details the four iconic resorts in Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons—Snowbird, Alta, Solitude, and Brighton—to help you choose the best mountain for your trip. We'll compare what makes each resort unique and how to plan your visit with actionable, local tips.

What Are the Main Salt Lake Skiing Resorts?

The core Salt Lake skiing experience is concentrated in two adjacent canyons: Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC) and Big Cottonwood Canyon (BCC). LCC is home to Snowbird and Alta Ski Area, while BCC hosts Solitude Mountain Resort and Brighton Resort. Each offers a distinct experience, from Snowbird's expert terrain to Brighton's family-friendly night skiing.

1. Snowbird: The Aerial Tram & Expert Terrain

Snowbird is renowned for its challenging expert terrain, 3,240-foot vertical drop, and iconic Aerial Tram that ascends to 11,000-foot Hidden Peak. It offers access to sprawling bowls and steep chutes, but also provides ample intermediate terrain and a dedicated beginner area, making it a versatile mountain. Its location in Little Cottonwood Canyon blesses it with over 500 inches of snow annually and one of Utah's longest ski seasons.

How to Plan Your Trip to Snowbird

To plan your trip, use Snowbird's website to purchase lift tickets, lessons, and rentals online. The resort uses a self-serve Pick-Up Box (PUB) system; you receive a QR code upon purchase, scan it at an onsite kiosk, and print your ticket to head straight for the lifts. Pricing is tiered for off-peak, peak, and holiday periods.

• Best For: Advanced skiers, long vertical runs.
• Location: Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC).
• Local Tip: On a powder day, LCC traffic is intense. Our live data shows travel times can triple. Use the UTA Ski Bus, which drops you at the Tram Deck, to bypass traffic.
• Plan Ahead: Always check the current weather conditions at Snowbird before you go.
• Website: https://www.snowbird.com/tickets/

2. Alta Ski Area: A Skier's Paradise

Alta Ski Area, also in Little Cottonwood Canyon, is a bucket-list destination for purists, as it is a skiers-only resort. It shares the same legendary 500+ inches of annual snowfall as Snowbird and is revered for its classic powder skiing and old-school charm. While famous for expert terrain, Alta dedicates significant space to gentle learning slopes, supported by one of the country's top ski schools.

How to Plan Your Trip to Alta

Alta's website is the hub for booking tickets and, crucially, mandatory weekend and holiday parking reservations. You can load lift access onto a reloadable Alta Card to go directly to the lifts. For beginners or those on a budget, the discounted "Sunnyside at 3" ticket provides access to the beginner-friendly Sunnyside lift from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM.

• Best For: Skiers-only, classic powder skiing, all ability levels.
• Location: Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC).
• Local Tip: Parking reservations at Alta open weekly on Sundays at 7 PM and often fill within minutes for popular weekends. If you miss out, the UTA Ski Bus is your best option.
• Plan Ahead: See what conditions are like right now with the latest snow report for Alta.
• Website: https://www.alta.com/

3. Solitude Mountain Resort: Uncrowded Slopes & Hidden Powder

Located in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Solitude Mountain Resort offers a serene, uncrowded alternative. It's celebrated for its diverse terrain, from perfectly groomed cruisers to the challenging steeps of Honeycomb Canyon. Solitude gets the same legendary powder but often without the long lift lines, making it a favorite for locals and families seeking a relaxed vibe.

How to Plan Your Trip to Solitude

Solitude's website rewards those who plan ahead with multi-day Ticket Paks and lodging bundles that offer significant savings over window prices. Purchasing online allows you to print your ticket at a pick-up kiosk and head directly to the lifts. The site also clearly integrates Ikon Pass benefits and Friends & Family discount options.

• Best For: Families, powder skiing without crowds.
• Location: Big Cottonwood Canyon (BCC).
• Local Tip: Parking at Solitude fills quickly on weekends or powder days when the canyon road requires traction devices. The UTA Ski Bus stops right at the resort and is an excellent way to avoid parking stress.
• Plan Ahead: Before you drive up BCC, check the latest Solitude weather forecast for on-mountain conditions.
• Website: https://www.solitudemountain.com/plan-your-trip/snowboarding-ski-lift-tickets-passes

4. Brighton Resort: Night Riding & Local Vibe

Brighton Resort, at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, is a beloved local's mountain with a laid-back atmosphere. It's famous for having one of Utah's most extensive night skiing operations and features terrain where 100% is accessible via high-speed quads. It's also a top choice for families, as kids 10 and under ski free with a paying adult.

How to Plan Your Trip to Brighton

Brighton's website offers a wide variety of passes to fit any schedule, from Unlimited Season Passes to Midweek or Twilight options. A unique offering is the transferable 10-Ticket Pack, which can be shared among family and friends. Purchasing online is straightforward and ensures you get the best price before heading up the canyon.

• Best For: Families, night skiing, terrain parks.
• Location: Big Cottonwood Canyon (BCC).
• Local Tip: Night skiing is a fantastic way to avoid morning canyon traffic. Our live data shows that heading up in the late afternoon, as downhill traffic flows, is much faster.
• Plan Ahead: Know when the lifts start spinning by checking ski resort opening dates in Utah.
• Website: https://www.brightonresort.com/

How to Get the Best Deal on Lift Tickets

For visitors who want to ski multiple Salt Lake skiing resorts, multi-resort passes offer the best value and flexibility.

The Salt Lake Ski Super Pass

Offered by Visit Salt Lake, this pass provides multi-day access to all four Cottonwood Canyon resorts (Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, and Brighton) with no blackout dates. It also includes free travel on the UTA Ski Bus and discounts on rental equipment, making it ideal for vacationers. You can purchase passes for 3 to 10 days, usable within a 14-day window.

• Local Tip: Activate your Super Pass on a weekday at Solitude or Brighton to avoid larger weekend crowds. Use our live data to compare travel times for Big Cottonwood Canyon and Little Cottonwood Canyon to choose the easiest route for your first day.
• Website: https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/skiing-snowboarding/super-pass/

Ski Utah Passes

Ski Utah is the official hub for skiing in the state and offers unique passes not available elsewhere. Its 5th & 6th Grade Passport allows students to ski multiple times at each of Utah’s resorts for a small application fee, offering incredible value for families.

• Local Tip: Before buying any lift tickets, check Ski Utah's "Deals" page. It often features limited-time offers and bundles that aren't advertised on individual resort sites.
• Website: https://www.skiutah.com/

Final Tips for Your Trip

A successful trip to the salt lake skiing resorts requires planning, especially for canyon travel.

1. Plan Ahead: Always book lift tickets, parking, and rentals in advance, particularly for weekends and holidays.
2. Check Live Data: Before you leave, use Wasatch Travel Helper to check real-time road conditions, traffic, traction law status, and parking availability.
3. Know Resort Policies: Each resort has unique rules. Review their official websites to avoid surprises.

By using the resources in this guide and checking live conditions, you can choose the perfect mountain and have an unforgettable Utah ski vacation.