You’re planning the perfect ski vacation. Better yet (so you think), you’ve asked the artificial intelligence generator of your choice to create an itinerary. Resorts, lodgings, restaurants, the works…a week of powder paradise awaits. You and your friends have booked your flights and are ready to go.
And then, you look at the weather, and there are a few scenarios that AI didn’t consider.
First, it’s the depths of winter, and an atmospheric river is targeting your intended destination, bringing great snow if you could only see beyond your scarf before the wind blows you halfway home.
Second, it’s springtime, and an extended warming trend turns corn into mashed potatoes into slurpees or some other food group.
Finally, black swans incoming!
Mother Nature is a bbb…beautiful thing.
Fear not; in Utah, the weather varies greatly and can change on a dime. We all become weather geeks here, refreshing our mobile apps to find the best ski and snowboard conditions at one of the Beehive State’s 15 resorts spread across millions of acres and microclimates. To the north, Beaver Mountain and Cherry Peak share higher latitudes than any Colorado resort. To the south, Brian Head Ski Resort is closer to Las Vegas than Salt Lake City yet has the highest altitude base of any Utah resort, keeping the stoke going deep into springtime. The Wasatch Front, home to most of Utah’s famed resorts, sees weather patterns and snow depths with storms arriving from all directions.
This all means that the best-laid ski plans can and should be subject to change. However, unlike most other winter destinations, Utah resorts offer the MOST AND BEST OPTIONS when Mother Nature wants to change your plans for you.
First Scenario — Powder Chasing in the Wasatch
You’ve planned your Park City ski vacation, but learn there’s a storm rolling in that will dump FEET of fresh powder into the Cottonwood Canyons instead. This is common and due to ‘orographic precipitation,’ a term that describes how storms from the Pacific Northwest pick up additional moisture from The Great Salt Lake, hit the giant Wasatch Mountains flanking the east side of the city, flow up Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons and release heaps of snow onto Alta Ski Area, Snowbird, Brighton and Solitude Mountain Resort resorts. Under this scenario, Park City Mountain and Deer Valley Resort (on the back of the Wasatch) may see a fraction of the total amounts, which is fine until you scroll through the snorkel shots on Instagram. But, southern storms are also known to roll in and then “Pow!” You’ll be pairing Deer Valley powder runs on Daly Chutes with turkey chili.
If you’re chasing powder, watch the weather and be ready to go where the storm takes you. The Ski Utah Snow Report app is your best resource for the latest powder amounts with alerts pushed directly to your phone. For forecasts days and weeks out, check out the Open Snow app, featuring in-depth analyses from the region's best meterologists. If you have an Ikon Pass, you can seamlessly flow between the Cottonwood resorts, Deer Valley and Snowbasin Resort (less than an hour from Park City).
Second Scenario — Riders on the Storm
You and your family arrived last night from sunny Florida to your condo in Ogden Valley, home to three resorts: top-ranked Snowbasin, iconic Powder Mountain and family friendly Nordic Valley. The weather is…not Florida. A storm has passed, but a cloud has settled into the bucolic basin creating visibility of low-fat yogurt. The kids are sword fighting with their poles, and the spouse is already googling ‘nearby shopping.’
What to do?
Load them up and head to Nordic Valley. Tucked in the corner of the northern end of Ogden Valley, Nordic is a local gem. It’s the smallest of the three resorts in the area yet it offers a perfect experience for families, beginners and returning skiers alike. A variety of green, blue and black diamond runs to introduce or reacquaint your family (and their legs) with the mountain. It’s also one of Utah’s—heck, the country’s—best ski bargains, with lift tickets starting at $16 and kids 12 and under FREE. It also has some of the lowest prices for ski lessons.
Nordic Valley is an excellent choice for your first days on the snow regardless of the conditions. With numerous low-angle runs for skiers and snowboarders at the base, beginners and experienced carvers can gain confidence and even learn to surf through powder in shorter, less intimidating pockets. If the weather is “less optimal,” Nordic’s lower altitude tree-lined trails will transform a shopping day into a shredding one.
Third Scenario — Crying Mayday in April
It’s all gone to heck. You invite your girlfriends to ski in April, (Yeah, it was a dicey bet. Yeah, this really happened.) and Utah could offer up either the biggest storm of the season, or you could be breaking out your tank tops and hiking boots.
Why not roll with it and do both!?
After exploring Utah’s incredible ski resorts, shift gears and explore Utah's five National Parks and dozens of National Monuments and State Parks. It’s a giant playground!
Here’s a quick breakdown for an epic Utah vacation in the spring. First, spend a day or two skiing in the Wasatch. Burn up those Ikon or Epic Pass days before the season ends and enjoy milder temperatures, fewer crowds and lower lodging costs. If you’re looking for a romantic weekend, check out Sundance Mountain Resort near Provo, where you can enjoy lodge luxe linens, fine dining and rest and relaxation at The Springs.
After a few days of skiing, opt for a local hike or two! Spring hiking is a locals’ favorite. Rent some snowshoes or microspikes (those spikey things that slip onto your boots for better grip) and head to one of the hundreds of local trails. One of my favorites is a short, easy walk to Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Through early spring, the falls are covered in snow, making it possible to walk up to and into the ‘hole,’ where you can see the water spectacularly cascading from the top. Check out this blog for more of our favorite spring hikes!
Then, head South (or North from Brian Head or Eagle Point) to one of the Mighty Five. Everyone has a favorite national park in Utah; deciding will not be easy. Checking the weather may help because, like the ski resorts, the parks are located in an exceptionally vast area throughout Southern Utah. Also, download the Recreation.gov app to discover what attractions are open and offered.
Less than four hours from Salt Lake City, Moab is the gateway to two of the five national parks: Arches and Canyonlands. Visitors can spend weeks — years — in Moab and only scratch the surface (figuratively, only; the macrobiotic crust is alive here). From hiking, canyoneering, off-roading and its world-famous mountain biking, there is enough adventure here to satisfy everyone in your family or travel group. Yeah, it’s a bold but accurate claim. Note: Arches utilizes a timed entry permit system from April through October. Permits can be obtained through the Recreation.gov app and, aside from holidays, are generally available. If not, register for last-minute availability alerts.
If your trip is three or more months away, register for the lottery to snag a Fiery Furnace permit, one of the National Park Service’s—you read that correctly, the entire agency’s—most popular hikes. A labyrinth of sandstone walls takes travelers through a maze, no, a rock scramble, no, a geology lesson…yes, an incredible 2-4 hour journey. With no map and just a few camouflaged arrows throughout, your type-A friends will fidget, struggle and, finally, let go on this unforgettable trek. (From late April, Angels Landing in Zion National Park is another popular permitted hike.)
Skiing Spontaneity
As the weather patterns change, local and visiting skiers and snowboarders must be a bit adaptable or, in Utah, just a bit spontaneous. With 15 resorts spread across the state, Utah enjoys an array of options and great accessibility to get there…and beyond. Keep your mind and itinerary open. You’ll be amazed by what you discover during your next ski vacation in Utah!
