Snowbasin Resort050

Although Salt Lake City residents have skiing right in their own backyard, many SLC snow enthusiasts feel it's well worth it to make the 43 mile drive up to Snowbasin near Pineview Reservoir in Upstate Utah. The resort hosted six Olympic events in 2002, including the men's and women's downhill, Super G, and combined events. The resort gets high ratings for its dining, service, and lifts, and is ranked the #10 ski resort in North America.

Snowbasin's 2,959 vertical feet of ski trails, powder bowls, and glades cover over 2,500 acres and offer terrain to suit everyone's needs. One hundred thirteen designated runs include 11% novice terrain, 45% intermediate, and 44% expert. Twelve lifts, including two high-speed gondolas, two handle tows, one magic carpet, and a detachable quad, provide a lift capacity of over 14,500 skiers per hour, meaning less time in line. Wide runs ensure plenty of elbow room.

Nordic trails are available for Nordic skiers and snowshoers. The Superpipe and two terrain parks are perfect for winter sports enthusiasts of all levels.

A tubing hill features six tubing lanes of varying levels. Access to the lanes is provided by a handle tow lift.

Snowbasin's PSIA/AASI Certified Snowsports Learning Center, with over 100 instructors, caters to all skill levels, from beginner to advanced, ages four and older. Reservations are recommended for any of the lessons, and enrollment closes 30 minutes prior to class time.

The lodges provide dining opportunities. Prime rib dinners, rotisserie chicken, hot turkey and roast platters are prepared at the carving stations. California rolls, udon noodle bowls, potstickers, and a choice of stir-fry entrees, are features of the stir-fry stations. For a taste of Europe, the Needles Lodge offers Austrian specialties such as goulash soup, bratwurst with sauerkraut, wienerschnitzel with pommes frites, cabbage rolls with German potato salad, and apple strudel. The Huntington Room offers Sunday Brunch throughout the year. Visit the resort's website for each week's menus.

During the summer months, visitors to the mountain can take part in disc golf, gondola rides, mountain biking, hiking, Sunday brunch, mountain top dining, and Sunday afternoon concerts. The summer season at Snowbasin typically begins around mid-to-late June and ends in early October.