Family Ski Resort Guide | Beaver Mountain

Tucked away in the quiet Bear River Range, Beaver Mountain is a resort to get away from it all. The cell service is poor, the snow is deep, the slopes are empty and the food is delicious and affordable. The Beav’ is the perfect place for families looking to unwind, enjoy skiing and snowboarding together and reconnect. In fact, Beaver Mountain has been owned by the Seeholzer family since 1939 and it's the longest continuously-owned family resort in the US! Consider escaping to Beaver Mountain for the weekend with a stay in nearby Garden City or Logan.

Beaver Mountain is located along scenic Highway 89 in Logan Canyon in Northern Utah. Approximate driving times (in favorable driving conditions) and distances are listed below:
Logan: 30 miles - 35 minutes
Ogden: 77 miles – 1 hour, 30 minutes
Salt Lake City: 112 miles – 2 hours
Provo: 155 miles - 2 hours, 45 minutes
St. George: 412 miles – 6 hours


In a 5th Grader’s Words:
"Beaver Mountain is the most fun!" - Jonah, Age 10

TERRAIN & MOUNTAIN STATS

Skiable Acres: 828 Acres
Vertical Drop: 1,700 Feet
Number of Runs: 48
Terrain: 35% Beginner, 40% Intermediate, 25% Advanced, 2 Terrain Parks
Chairlifts: 4 Lifts and 2 Conveyors
Night Skiing: Yes, a few public nights offered throughout the season from 5:00-9:00 PM - more info here
Deals for Kids: Children 5 and under ski free

The wide variety of terrain makes Beaver a suitable destination for families with differing ability levels. Expect to find steep and deep powder runs swooping groomers, exciting backcountry access, terrain parks, and a sizable beginner’s area serviced with 2 magic carpets and gentle terrain. There is enough varied terrain at the ski area to keep everyone smiling.

The best zones for beginner and intermediate terrain are the Little Beaver Lift and the Littleeezy and Bigeezy conveyor lifts. The runs Cottontail, Little Beaver, and Tiny Tim are all gently sloping green runs that are perfect for exploring after a warm-up lap on the Magic Carpet surface lift. True beginners will want to check out Eezy-Peezy and Wee Beav off the conveyor lifts. 

The Beav’ is all about creating a fun and relaxing environment for young children to learn the art of skiing or snowboarding. You'll find friendly faces and a very approachable atmosphere to introduce children to winter sports. When the need for a snack or hot chocolate arises, head down the Little Beaver run to catch the Goat Trail cat track back down to the Beaver Mountain Grill or walk back up to the Main Lodge.

Note that Beaver Mountain is also home to a fantastic program with lessons for adaptive skiers with Common Ground Outdoor Adventures. Contact Common Ground for more information, scholarships, lesson availability, and volunteer opportunities. 

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

For transportation to Beaver Mountain and to better enjoy the beautiful scenery of Logan Canyon, consider ‘The Beaver Bus’. This daily shuttle service departs from the ‘First Dam’ parking area at the mouth of Logan Canyon at 8:00 AM sharp each morning. At 4:00 PM each day, the shuttle will depart Beaver Mountain at 4:00 PM to return to the mouth of Logan Canyon. A round trip fare is $15.00. Please note that shuttle service was suspended for the 2020-2021 season due to the pandemic. Please check for further information to verify if the shuttle is running for 2021-2022. 

BASE AREA & MAIN LODGE

The smaller size of Beaver Mountain makes it an ideal destination for families. Park as near to the Main Lodge as you can, which is a cinch on weekdays. If it does happen to be busy, there is short-term parking directly in front of the small ticketing office and the Main Lodge for gear drop off and unloading. On the rare days when Beaver Mountain is crowded, there is a lower lot available for overflow parking. It is commonly used by local snowmobilers.

The Main Lodge near the base area includes ski school, restrooms, the rental shop, the retail shop, and the grill. Note that the lockers on the lower floor are reserved for the season by locals and passholders. There are cubbies for guests to stash gear or bags both inside and outside of the Main Lodge. Up near the Harry’s Dream chairlift there is also a small lodge for Ski Patrol and the Common Ground Lodge where adaptive students gather for their lessons. All public amenities can be accessed in the Main Lodge adjacent to the parking lot and the small cabin where ski tickets are purchased.

Head to the main floor of the Main Lodge with its two roaring fireplaces and big windows to find plenty of room to don all your layers and equipment for the day’s adventure. If there are family members who don’t plan to ski or snowboard, this is a fantastic area to enjoy the scenery, relax, or read a book.

In the lodge, you will also find the Beaver Mountain Grill, offering huge portions at a great value. On weekends in the spring, Beaver will often serve grilled food outdoors and you'll occasionally find a food truck too. The Grill is open 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM and you won't want to miss their delicious french fries and fry sauce. Only the brave will attempt the infamous Big Beav Double Bypass Burger. Good luck! 

SNOWSPORTS SCHOOL

Beaver Mountain offers certified ski and snowboard instructors in addition to a variety of group lesson options or private lessons. Lessons are available for all ages, ability levels, and interests. Click Here for further information and lesson FAQs. What we like most about Beaver is how affordable the lessons are; this is a fantastic spot to learn! 

Private Lessons
Private lessons are available in hourly increments for all ability levels. Reservations are highly recommended. Telemark lessons are available upon request. 

Mountain Adventures Weekend Series (Skiers Age 6+ & Boarders Age 7+)
This group lesson series is held on Saturdays and Sundays from January through March in full-day or half-day formats with 5-7 students per group. Lessons can be booked in 2 or 4-week sessions. All levels of experience and ability are welcome and children are assigned to a class within levels 1-6. This intro to skiing and snowboarding focuses on basic techniques, safety and progression. 

Kid’s Holiday Lessons (Ski Age 3+, Board Age 4+)
This drop-in group lesson is available during holiday periods. All levels are available and you can decide how many classes you’d like to attend. Lessons are offered daily over the Christmas holiday, Civil Rights Day, and President’s day.

Kid's Learn to Turn Beginner's Package
This all-inclusive package is ideal for the first-timer or someone who can’t remember the last time they picked up skis or a snowboard. Lesson includes equipment rental, lift access, and a 2-hour group lesson on holidays and Friday-Sundays in the morning and afternoon. Progressive lessons are offered for levels 1, 2, and 3 for students who wish to return and continue honing their skills. Students who complete all 3 levels are awarded a certificate and a pass to use the Little Beaver chairlift for the remainder of the season.

Wild Women (Ages 16+)
These classes for ladies are designed to welcome women to the mountain in an inclusive learning environment free from pressure and anxiety. Top instructors lead students in effectively managing risk, facing fear, and confidently exploring the mountain in a small and supportive group setting. This half-day clinic is available for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels.

USU Ski & Snowboard Class (Ages 18+)
Join this series of adult lessons supported by Utah State University (USU). Adults are welcome to join the 7-week series with USU at the cost of $100. You do not need to be a USU student participate but you can still enjoy this affordable student rate. Classes run Tuesday-Friday afternoons and do not include the price of passes. Rentals and passes can be purchased directly from Beaver Mountain. 

Adult Beginner Package (18+)
Similar to their beginner package for kids, the Adult Beginner Package offers single group lessons or a series of group lessons for true beginners or those who cannot remember the last time they tried skiing or snowboarding. If a student completes all 3 lessons in the series, they will earn a pass to the Little Beaver lift for the remainder of the season. The price for a lesson or series will also include equipment rentals and a ski pass for the Little Beaver lift. 

SKI SHOP & EQUIPMENT RENTALS

Beaver Mountain offers a full-service ski and snowboard shop, equipment rentals, and repairs in the Main Lodge. The knowledgeable staff at Beaver Mountain Rental and Repair can help you find the perfect rental gear for a memorable day at The Beav. Skiers and snowboarders of every age may select gear from a number of different brands of high-quality equipment. Try several different models during the day at no added charge. The shop offers rental packages by the day or the season. The rental shop offers the following accessories in addition to skis, poles, boots, and snowboards:

• Goggles
• Helmets
• Gloves
• Socks
• Cold-Weather Gear
• Teaching Harness 
• Tip Clip for Young Children

The ski shop at Beaver Mountain offers tons of fun and unique logo gear including tees, hoodies, beanies, stickers, souvenirs, and more. A visit to The Beav’ wouldn’t be complete without grabbing a fun sticker or some logo gear.

More info on layering and dressing your kids for skiing here. 

LODGING AND DINING

In the Main Lodge, the hearty Beaver Mountain Grill offers hamburgers, grilled food, salads, and sandwiches without the sticker shock you’ll see at most ski resorts. During weekends with events, warm afternoons, or spring weekends, there will also be BBQ options available outdoors on the patio. Families often gather on the patio and enjoy the sunshine or circle up chairs in the parking lot for an informal BBQ or camp meal. Tailgating in the Beaver Mountain parking lot is a popular pastime among locals and regulars.

There is only one, small lodging option directly on the slopes of Beaver Mountain. Book the Beaver Mountain Yurt for first tracks with its convenient slopeside location. The entire yurt is available to rent for a reasonable fee and is big enough to host family reunions, company parties, meetings, retreats, etc.

The closest town is Garden City, Utah (13 miles to the east) where a handful of lodging options can be found. Additional options and budget motels can be found 27 miles to the west in Logan. Click HERE for current options. 

CHILDCARE

There are no childcare services at Beaver Mountain, however, children as young as 6 may enroll in lessons with the Snowsports School. Book a lesson and watch a youngster’s confidence and love for the mountains grow at The Beav’. 

POINTS OF INTEREST

For a memorable visit, consider these unique points of interest when planning a trip to Beaver Mountain.

Bear Lake
A 15-minute drive up Highway 89 leads deposits you atop the stunning Bear Lake Overlook. Bear Lake is often fondly dubbed “The Caribbean of the Rockies” due to its striking turquoise blue color. The unlikely hues result from the refraction of limestone particles suspended in the lake water, though it may be iced over in the winter. 

The American West Heritage Center
Southwest of Logan lies a 160-acre center for families to experience living history. The preserve celebrates the lifestyle and history of the Old West from 1820 to 1920. Hands-on workshops, festivals, and exhibits offer non-stop diversion for children, families and history buffs.

Antelope Island State Park
If traveling north to Beaver Mountain, this exciting state park is an easy side trip to view bison and antelope in their natural habitat. There are several hiking trails, a scenic drive, campgrounds and a marina. Views of the lake at sunrise or sunset are unparalleled. Winter is the perfect time to pay Antelope Island a visit while avoiding the notorious bugs that plague the island in warmer months. Expect to pay a daily fee to access the park as well as a $2.00 charge to use the causeway.

VISIT BEAVER MOUNTAIN'S WEBSITE & LEARN MORE - CLICK HERE


RELATED ARTICLES
The Seeholzers: A Family Story of Beaver Mountain - Click Here
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Exploring Utah's Small Resorts With a 5th or 6th Grade Passport - Click Here
Utah's Hidden Gems: Beaver Mountain - Click Here