Some things just grow old and some things just grow better. For 40 years Utah’s Snowboard Ski and Summer Resort has not only grown bigger and better, but has perfected the art of never completely taming itself. While expanding terrain, adding lifts and cutting smoother trails, Snowbird still works hard to make the off-piste both more accessible and safer.
Last year was an epic year at Snowbird, one for the books, which ended up with almost 800 inches of the Greatest Snow on Earth that carried a 202 day season right through the 4th of July. You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy a little powder and when it gets too deep, there are some of the best instructors in the world at Snowbird to teach you how to fly in it.
Snowbird embodies everything you want skiing to be. Riding up that first tram after some fresh powder when the rope drops it’s like – you lead, you follow or you get out of the way. In fact, one powder morning I lost a ski and it was a lonesome hour looking for it until everything was tracked out – but, that darn ski hid itself for two days.
View at Snowbird
Now, don’t think that the ‘Bird is totally covered in black. In fact, if you are an intermediate skier you can take the tram to the top and, once you’ve torn yourself away from the incredible views, point your skis down Chip’s Run for about a half hour tour top to bottom – or stop and ride a magic carpet through the mountain into Mineral Basin where you can enjoy sun filled fun.
A couple of years ago Snowbird started polishing and grooming for its 40th anniversary. With a mission of “Making Memories to Match Our Mountain” a major renovation of the Cliff Lodge, the Cliff Spa and The Aerie restaurant was undertaken. Snowbird employees are now wearing new easily recognizable North Face jackets and pants, providing an extra measure of friendliness to make your time off the mountain as memorable as the skiing and riding on the mountain.
Already a four season resort, there are big plans for the next decade including expanded and easily accessible beginner terrain, night skiing on GadZoom and a renovation of the Mid Gad Restaurant. Looking further into the Snowbird crystal ball, with National Forest Service approval you’ll see a restaurant off the top of the tram.
Conveyor into Mineral Basin at Snowbird
Snowbird is joined at the hip with Alta and together they are the poster kids to the whole world for the Greatest Snow on Earth. This Little Cottonwood Canyon powder heaven draws skiers from all over the world and believe me – People leave the Alps in winter to ski here.
There’s plenty to ski for every level and plenty to do apres-ski. Come out for an affordable family vacation and don’t be surprised if everyone votes to return next year and the year after.
I skied there at Xmas and ruined my new skis on the off piste and the groomed slopes as one track round the mountain was all stones!~ Even now i bet there is not enough snow!!
It’s been a poor season just about anywhere in the U.S. this year. I went to Snowbird on Saturday 1/28/2012 after it snowed some a few days before—fortunate to find untracked powder runs, but there’s still there was that constant alert for rocks that might be showing in places.