From Park City to Sundance, Utah’s world famous ski resorts are opening for the 2014-2015 season this week. That means it’s time to get ready for more of the Greatest Snow on Earth.
Here are 10 need-to-know facts about ski/snowboard season in Utah.
- The state receives an average of 500 annual inches of Utah dry, powder snow.
- Utah's 2013-14 ski/snowboard season was the third best on record with 4.16 million skier/snowboarder days counted.
- Utah has 14 incredible resorts, with 11 of them located within one hour of the Salt Lake City International Airport.
- Utah’s resorts regularly dominate in reader’s polls. In this year's Ski Magazine poll, Utah nabbed five of the top ten spots in the nation for snow.
- From December through March, more than a foot of snow falls every five days.
- The fun doesn’t stop in March, however: On average, 6.7 feet of snow falls each April, keeping the slopes packed with powder.
- On average, the state boasts 18 “Monster Dumps” (12 inches of snow or more within a 24-hour period) throughout the winter.
- Alta, Snowbird, Brighton and Solitude resorts are located perfectly in the path of Utah's "lake effect," which occurs when a combination of cold air moving across the Great Salt Lake and Utah's dry air causes an enormous amount of snow to fall in the canyons where these resorts are located.
- Park City, just 35 minutes from Salt Lake City, is named among the top 10 family resorts in North America every year.
- For obvious reasons, the headquarters for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association is in Park City, Utah.
Great Deals for the Greatest Snow On Earth
Some tips on getting the most powder for your buck.
- Santa Skis Free – There are a few resorts in Utah that each host a “Santa Skis Free” day for the first 50 people dressed as Santa – check websites for more info!
- Best Lift Ticket Deal – The best deal on lift tickets is at Eagle Point on Thursdays; $30 lift tickets instead of $48/$58 throughout the entire season
- Best Benefit in Wasatch – When you buy a season pass at Alta, Deer Valley, PCMR or Snowbird, you receive three complimentary tickets to each of the other resorts. The comp tickets have a higher value than some of the season passes!
- Canyons Resort cloud ticketing system – When you buy from Canyons Resort’s website, you pay a rate based on how many tickets have been sold that day (or some other complicated equation). If you buy early, and check often, you can find phenomenal rates.
- Snowbird “White Rooms” – Snowbird usually offers "white rooms," which is your best price for a room during or after a big snowstorm. Last year, it was $139 + per night, paid for by Jan. 1, but you don't pick your date until within 48 hours of arrival. When the weather forecast shows a big snowstorm, guests can book a trip and pay preseason prices during the best storms throughout the season – essentially a fresh powder guarantee and a great deal for a win-win situation.
- AltaSnowbird Boarding Pass – Travelers flying into the SLC airport can convert their boarding pass into savings as a half-price AltaSnowbird lift ticket, valid for use within 24 hours of landing Monday – Thursday.
- Quad Wednesdays at Brighton Resort – For three Wednesdays in December, Brighton offers $20 lift tickets to customers offering a donation to their charity of the day.
- Slopes to Symphony – This season, skiers can exchange their lift ticket for a $35 Utah Symphony ticket, with “beat seats in the house” at that.
- Ski Free at Snowbasin – Alaska Airlines, Snowbasin and Visit Ogden have partnered up on a “ski free” promotion where Alaska Airline travelers flying into SLC airport from select cities can redeem their boarding pass for a next day free single day lift ticket at Snowbasin valid Tuesday – Thursday.
What does the Greatest Snow on Earth mean to you? Share your Utah stories on Instagram – use the hashtag #findyourgreatest!
Tyler Wilcox
Tyler Wilcox : August 1, 2019