Family Ski Resort Guide | Powder Mountain

After a trip through the bucolic, farm-filled Ogden valley, the grade of Highway 158 will abruptly lurch upward. The meandering road winds upward to reveal the mountain beauty and endless acreage of Powder Mountain.

The diversity of activities on offer at Powder Mountain are unrivaled and include guided backcountry tours, night skiing, inbounds hike-to terrain, inbounds guided tours, complementary shuttles from Woody's World and Powder Country, and Ski N' Skin Guided Tours. Powder Mountain also harbors an exclusive and private ski and snowboard experience for residents of the Powder Haven community.

The immense size of Powder Mountain spreads guests across the terrain for a mellow and uncrowded feel. The Powder Art Foundation further differentiates the resort with its commitment to the arts and culture. Discover many a sculpture, art installation or whimsical land art as you explore the mountain's expanding collection of interactive art.

POWDER MOUNTAIN's LOCATION
Powder Mountain is perched above Ogden Valley in Northern Utah. Approximate driving times (in favorable driving conditions) and distances are listed below:

Ogden: 25 miles – 45 minutes
Salt Lake City: 58 miles – 1 hour, 10 minutes
Logan: 62 miles – 1 hour, 20 minutes
Provo: 102 miles – 2 hours
St. George: 375 miles – 5 hours, 45 minutes

In a 5th Grader’s Words:
“I like secret jumps and snow stashes hidden through the trees and the wide runs to practice your turns. The lift lines are short and the views are beautiful for taking lots of photos. My family loves it!” - Emily, Age 10

Powder Mountain's Terrain & Mountain Stats

Skiable Acreage
3,125 Acres of Lift-served Terrain
4,832 Acres of Lift-accessible Terrain (hike-to)
507 Acres of Guided Terrain (Accessible by Guided Tours & Ski N' Skin Tours)
= 8,464 skiable acres in total

Vertical Drop: 2,519 Feet
Number of Runs: 141 Named Runs
Terrain: 25% Beginner, 40% Intermediate, 35% Advanced, 3 Terrain Parks
Chairlifts: 5 Public Chairlifts, 2 Surface Tows, 1 Platter Tow and 3 Private Lifts @ Powder Haven
Average Snowfall: 360+ inches
Night Skiing: Yes, Sundown Center from 4:00-9:00 PM daily

Powder Mountain's Terrain
Powder Mountain's terrain has something for just about everyone: rolling meadows, perfectly spaced glades of aspens, unique terrain parks, steeps, backcountry tech, the 9,422-foot James Peak to hike, guided skiing, sunny bowls and endless groomers. If you have a family with wildly different preferences or ability levels, Powder Mountain is the perfect place to foster toothy grins for everyone. This resort has a reputation for being low key and family-friendly. You can start your day at Powder Mountain three ways with its distinct base areas.

Sundown Base Area
Heading up Highway 158 you will first encounter the Sundown base area, a great starting point for younger children or beginners. The Sundown chairlift and Sun Tunnel covered surface lift service a variety of runs that all coalesce back at base. There are about 13 trails accessible from the Sundown base area ranging from green to single black diamond difficulty ratings. Kids will love the covered Sun Tunnel with its patchwork of colors. About 50 percent of these trails are groomed daily. If you want to try out night skiing at Powder Mountain, this is where the action happens.

Timberline
Head further up the mountain to encounter the Timberline Lodge, two restaurants, and the bulk of Pow Mow's parking. Timberline provides access to the largest number of chairlifts and features great views, a huge variety of trails and delicious food. Learners can bag green-rated Drifter to Rendezvous and catch the Timberline chairlift back up. Or you may opt to continue on down, wrapping around the ridgeline to the Paradise chairlift. More adventurous skiers or intermediates can warm up on the Powder Keg or Sidewinder blue-rated trails before launching off to explore the rest of the mountain. There are not many difficult trails accessible from Timberline Lodge so if you have expert skiers in your group it may be best to continue on up to Hidden Lake Lodge.

Pro Tip: There are green-rated trails off all of Powder Mountain’s chairlifts so groups of varying abilities have an easier time sticking together at Pow Mow.

Hidden Lake
Atop Pow Mow’s summit lies the Hidden Lake Lodge and spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. From Hidden Lake you can slay the terrain parks or enjoy a nice mix of green, blue and black rated trails for groups or families around the Hidden Lake Express chair. Beginners can cruise down the East 40 and Burntwood trails to gain confidence.

Expert skiers will want to spend time investigating Powder Country’s ungroomed terrain, catching the complimentary shuttle from the road back to the base area. Powder snow can often be found in this zone several days after a storm if the temperatures remain cold. The Paradise lift offers the greatest quantity of lift-accessed black diamond terrain off either side of the ridge.

Note that Mary's Lift, the Village Lift and the Raintree Lift are reserved for the exclusive use of the residents of Powder Haven. There is no public skiing available from these three chairlifts.

Public Transportation & Parking

Public Transit & Shuttles
Consider riding the UTA Ski Bus to avoid driving and help reduce highway and parking congestion. In the winter months, the Utah Transit Authority (UTA), runs daily service from December through March. UTA Ski Bus route 674 services stops in Ogden, the Park-N-Ride lot in Eden and the Moose Hollow Condos. Check the UTA website for a current schedule and read our Guide to Ride the Ski Bus.

Powder Mountain also offers supplemental transit for free. The Juniper and Bristlecone Routes are free bus routes for Eden residents. There is also a complimentary lodge shuttle for Powder Mountain guests and residents with established stops at Powder Country, Sundown Center, Hidden Lake Lodge and Timberline Lodge. Use Powder Mountain's Bus Tracker to utilize this free service.

Parking at Powder Mountain
Depending on which area you'd like to explore or the ability level of your group, there are three different areas where guests can park at Powder Mountain. The Sundown base area features the gentlest terrain for beginners. Further uphill lies the Timberline Lodge with the largest parking lot and two restaurants providing access to most chairlifts. At the top of Powder Mountain lies the Hidden Lake Lodge and lot. This zone offers the greatest number of accessible lifts and trails, though there are fewer parking spaces than the Timberline lot. It is also adjacent to Powder Country.

In an effort to manage crowding and better incentivize carpooling, Powder Mountain will be implementing paid parking on weekends and holidays. Parking Monday through Friday will be free. On Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays, parking will cost $12. Patrons should park and then pay according to signage distributed around the parking lot. It will only be possible to pay for parking with a credit card. On paid parking periods, it will be free to park after 1PM. Parking will be entirely free with a carpool of 3+ riders. Parking will be free for those with a valid ADA parking hang tag or plate.

Powder Mountain Ski & Snowboard School

Lessons at Powder Mountain can be booked online and reservations are highly recommended. If you need to rent gear, arrive 30 minutes before your lesson start time. The Ski & Snowboard School is based out of the lower Sundown base area. Lesson meeting location will be provided by the supervisor. It is HIGHLY recommended to purchase your lift ticket ahead of time as day tickets are limited to keep Powder Mountain uncrowded. Book well in advance to save a little money. Walk-in lessons are contingent upon instructor availability.

Private & Semi-Private Lessons
Powder Mountain Private Lessons or semi-private lessons are available for those who want individualized instruction or hope to learn in a small group. Up to five friends or family members with similar skill levels can join a lesson. A parent or family member may accompany a child and children under the age of 5 must be accompanied by a parent.

Child Youth Group Lessons
To maximize attention and instruction, youth groups at Powder Mountain are limited to 5 or fewer children. Full-day lessons are on offer and lunch is included. Children are divided into age groups of 7-12 or 5-6. A parent must be available to assist 5-year-olds.

Adult Group Lessons
Learn alongside no more than 5 students in a Powder Mountain Group lesson for ages 13 and up. First Timer Lessons run in 2 or 3 hour blocks and include instruction, use of the Sundown lift and gear rental. Beginner Lessons are for those who are perfecting their turns and working on linking turns together on blue or green terrain. Advance reservations are required.

Adaptive Lessons
Adaptive skiers can partner with Ogden Valley Adaptive Sports Program (OVAS) for adaptive lessons at Powder Mountain. Lessons build self-confidence and better self-esteem by overcoming perceived limitations with certified adaptive instructors on the latest equipment. To schedule an adaptive sports experience or to find out more information contact OVAS at 801-695-7074

Night Lessons
The most affordable lessons at Powder Mountain are the 2.5-hour Night Group Lessons. With a maximum group size of 8, instructors will focus on skill development and provide personalized attention in a fun group setting. Group Night Lessons are also offered for first-time skiers and snowboarders. Grab your friends and hit the slopes! Advance reservations are required.

Specialty Camps & Clinics
Powder Mountain has an exciting menu of specialty clinics and deals for locals. Visit Powder Mountain's website for current offerings. Some tempting options include a 5-week Locals Clinic for ages 13 and up, Women's Clinics and All Mountain Teams multi-week programming.

Ski Shop & Equipment Rentals

There are two rental shops at Powder Mountain located at the Sundown and Timberline base areas. Rental Gear packages include skis or a snowboard, boots, poles and a helmet. You can save a little cash by booking your rental gear online, well in advance. Note that Powder Mountain does NOT rent boots separately. Boots may only be rented in a package format. Both shops open their doors at 8:30 AM. The Timberline shop closes at 5PM while the Sundown shop remains open until 9PM to service night skiing guests.

Ski brands available to rent include Atomic, Black Crows, Blizzard, DPS, Stokli, Rossignol and Zag. Snowboard brands available to rent include Arbor, Capita, Cardiff, GNU, LibTech, Never Summer, Roxy, Salomon and Spring Break.

The Timberline Ski Shop also sells gear from popular brands as well as Pow Mow logo gear, stickers and gifts. This shop offers full-service repairs, gear tuning, waxing and binding mounting.

Timberline Ski Shop-20jpg

Lodging at Powder Mountain

For lodging at Powder Mountain, you can peruse options from Mountain Luxury Lodging ranging from condos to townhomes to luxury ski-in/ski-out mountain homes. A few of the recommended options are included below or you can view our Ogden Valley Lodging Guide.

Moose Hollow Condominiums
These 1-4-bedroom properties can accommodate up to 12 guests. Rental will include access to the community barbeques, pool and hot tub. Conveniently located in Ogden Valley between Eden and Powder Mountain off Highway 158, the Moose Hollow Condos offer proximity to town and the mountain. The drive to Powder Mountain is approximately 12 minutes in fair driving conditions.

Cascade Townhomes
With larger floor plans offering 4-6 bedrooms, the Cascade Townhomes are ideal for big groups or families of 6-20 individuals. They feature added amenities such as garages, theatre rooms, game rooms, gathering spaces and private hot tubs. With elegance and mountain charm, these lodges will ensure a relaxing vacation. The Cascade Townhomes are located near the Moose Hollow Condominium complex between Eden and Powder Mountain in Ogden Valley. The drive to Powder Mountain is approximately 12 minutes in fair driving conditions.

Wolf Creek Resort
For community and family fun, the Wolf Creek Resort in neighboring Eden is ideal for a Powder Mountain getaway. Surrounded by beautiful, rural scenery, the resort harbors an 18-hole golf course, fitness center, restaurant and luxury lodging. Located under 6 miles from Powder Mountain, Wolf Creek is ideal for those looking to relax and unwind after a day on the slopes.

Dining at Powder Mountain

For hungry bellies, all three base areas offer dining options that will even appeal to the pickiest of eaters. You’ll find reasonably priced food and hearty servings anywhere your skis or snowboard takes you.

Timberline Lodge
The Timberline Lodge has the most options, serving breakfast and lunch out of the Timberline Cafeteria with additional outdoor seating on picnic tables out back. The favorite among locals is definitely the Powder Keg, located on the lower level of the Timberline Lodge. Here you will find flame-broiled burgers, bowls of fantastic steaming ramen and interesting beers on tap. There will be live music jamming in the Powder Keg 5 days a week!

Hidden Lake
Up top at the Hidden Lake Lodge lies the Hidden Lake Cantina. The cantina serves up fresh mountain Mexican cuisine, snacks, drinks and to-go food. It’s also a great launch point to spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Pow Mow because you can access most areas on the mountain from this lodge. The Cantina has limited indoor seating so additional outdoor seating is provided. Do try to avoid the lunch rush for faster service and a table. On a clear day, it's possible to identify four different states from the restaurant's windows!

Sundown Lodge
Back down at the Sundown Lodge you will find the Lucky Slice Pizzeria serving up a value menu in a cozy lodge. The Lucky Slice stays open late to fill the bellies of those who are out enjoying Powder Mountain's night skiing.

Childcare

Powder Mountain does not offer a dedicated childcare facility. They do recommend the High Altitude Kids center, located near Eden, Utah for childcare for toddlers 18-months through 12 years of age. This educational and recreational facility provides creative programming, developmental activities and exercises to foster social, cognitive and emotional growth in children. Check out their Ski Care options here.

Medical Facilities

Powder Mountain has a highly trained Ski Patrol that can respond to emergencies anywhere on the mountain.

Local Points of Interest

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

Ogden’s Dinosaur Park
Ogden’s George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park features a collection of prehistoric creatures ranging from crawlers to predators to flying reptiles. With over 100 dinosaur sculptures, kids can easily imagine themselves inhabiting prehistoric times as the dinos are brought to life with robotics and state-of-the-art soundscapes.
Hill Aerospace Museum
Located five miles south of Ogden on the Hill Air Force Base, the Hill Aerospace Museum exhibits nearly 100 aircraft and thousands of artifacts chronicling the history of aviation in the Air Force in Utah and across the United States.