Ogden, Utah (September 2017)- As the temperatures begin to drop and students make their way back to school, we are reminded that winter is only a few months away. Resorts have been working tirelessly all summer on building new lifts, maintaining their land, and getting ready for winter wanderers who will make their way to the slopes this winter. Here are the ins and outs of what’s new and how to make the most of your Ogden vacation.
Getting Here
We know that time is of the essence when traveling. If you’ve got limited time, fly into the Ogden-Hinkley Airport. This small airport, serviced by Allegiant Air, is located 5 minutes from downtown Ogden and currently offers two flights per week between Ogden and Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona, and will be adding two flights each from both Los Angeles and Las Vegas this fall. Perfect for the weekend warrior, flights from Los Angeles will be scheduled on Thursdays and Sundays with prices starting at $35 each way, while flights from Las Vegas will be scheduled for Fridays and Mondays with prices starting at $45 each way.
If you don’t reside in Los Angeles, Las Vegas or the Phoenix/Mesa area, another viable option is to fly into the Salt Lake International Airport. Located about 35 minutes south of Ogden, the Salt Lake International Airport is a Delta hub that also has services from most major airlines. Once there, pick up your rental car, catch an uberSKI or hop on the FrontRunner and know that you’re less than an hour away from some incredible skiing.
Staying Here
Unlike most ski towns, our hotel prices are less on the weekend, making 3-day weekends a lot more affordable, giving you the flexibility to spend that extra cash on more important things. In Ogden, you will find name brand hotels, hip and urban VRBO’s, and quaint bed and breakfasts.
Newly renovated and celebrating its 126th year, The Bigelow Hotel, formally known as The Historic Ben Lomond Hotel, has returned to its roots. Located in the heart of downtown, this hotel will take you back in time with its grandiose lobby and 1920’s art-deco look and feel. Registered as a Utah Historic Site, the hotel’s features include historic photos of Ogden from the early 1900’s, maroon velvet couches, and a baby grand piano.
See the full list of accommodations at www.visitogden.com/places-to-stay
Mountain News
Powder Mountain is a one of a kind resort that is hanging its hat on skier experience, adventure and preserving the pow. With the addition of 2 new lifts last year, this throwback, mom-and-pop-style resort boasts the most skiable acres in North America with 8,464 acres. Powder Mountain is preserving the pow and the skier experience by being the first resort to cap day passes (1,500 total) and adult season passes (1,000 total). These skier caps make Powder Mountain not only the largest ski area in the United States but also the most spacious. Powder Mountain offers a unique opportunity for skiers and riders of all levels to experience their personal adventure within expansive boundaries.
Skiers heading to Snowbasin Resort this winter will discover some impressive on-mountain upgrades. This fall, the resort is installing a new detachable six-pack chairlift that will replace the current Wildcat Triple Chairlift for the 2017-2018 Winter Season. Built in 1946, the Wildcat Chairlift was the first chairlift at Snowbasin Resort and the center of the ski area for several years. In addition to the chair, Snowbasin Resort is increasing their snowmaking so that guests can utilize the terrain off Wildcat more frequently and earlier in the season.
Those looking to enjoy midweek skiing and snowboarding can do so for free at Snowbasin Resort when you fly Alaska Airlines into Salt Lake International Airport. From December to April, snow enthusiasts can “Fly Alaska, Ski Free” or simply take a scenic gondola ride at Snowbasin Resort for free within 24 hours of landing at the Salt Lake International Airport Tuesday through Thursday.
Nordic Valley is celebrating their 50th anniversary this winter. Built in 1968, Nordic Valley is known for their family friendly atmosphere and small-resort feel. Situated between Snowbasin Resort and Powder Mountain, Nordic Valley offers a variety of skill levels to accommodate each skier and snowboarder. Approximately, 20% of the mountain is appropriate for beginners, 50% for intermediate skiers and 20% for advanced skill levels. Nordic Valley also offers night skiing, with 100% of the mountain under the lights.
Après
Après-ski is a staple in this mid-size mountain town. This is a time to keep the party going with a beer in hand while listening to live music. While the resorts all have live music on the weekends, and bars that you can easily retreat to, here are some alternative ways you can enjoy the après life downtown.
Find your inner mountain man at Ogden’s newest attraction Social Axe. This is a place where you and your friends and family can get together and socialize after a day on the mountain while throwing axes and hatchets at wood targets. Think darts on steroids. Don’t be intimidated, there are coaches on site to get you started and it only takes a few throws to become an axe master.
New World Distillery, located in the Ogden Valley, is Utah’s newest craft distillery, producing naturalistic and gmo-free agave spirits, gin and vodka. They believe in being as sustainable as possible and have invested in a state-of-the-art still, cutting-edge fermenters, and a recirculating water chiller that recycles 100 percent of all cooling water. New World Distillery offers educational tours of their facility, tastings and sales of their spirits to those wanting to learn more about their cutting-edge technology and how the distilling process works.
Downtown Ogden is expanding with new restaurants, bars, and shops, some of which are in unexpected places. There’s no sign on the door to access Underground 225, a “speakeasy” that rests beneath Ogden’s Historic 25th Street. The correct door is easy to miss – like any speakeasy should be. Inside you will find an intimate bar with feather light fixtures, velvet and leather chairs, and granite tables. It’s an experience that shouldn’t be overly exposed, but what we will say is that the bartender makes a mean cocktail and the charcuterie is a must.
Local Favorites
An Ogden tradition since 1962, just at the snow is sticking to the ground and the resorts start to fully open, Ogden wraps up its year with the Holiday Electric Light Parade on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. At the conclusion of the parade, Santa and Mrs. Clause conduct the ceremonial lighting of Ogden’s Christmas Village, where more than 700,000 lights turn on and bedazzle the Municipal Park on Historic 25th Street. Dozens of intricately decorated cottages and lit trees light up the park and the village remains lit until the start of the new year.
New this winter, Farmers Market Ogden will be extending its summer and fall market by introducing a Winter Market. The Winter Market will take place every Saturday morning 9 am to noon from January 20th-Febrary 24th at Ogden’s Union Station. In addition to fresh winter produce, visitors will also have the opportunity to explore artisan good and preserves, enjoy live entertainment and family activities. Follow @farmersmarketogden on Facebook and Instagram for details.
For more information on what to look forward to this winter at our resorts and beyond visit:
Visit Ogden: www.visitogden.com
Allegiant Air: www.allegiantair.com
The Bigelow Hotel: www.choicehotels.com
Nordic Valley: www.nordicvalley.com
Powder Mountain: www.powdermountain.com
Snowbasin Resort: www.snowbasin.com
New World Distillery: www.newworlddistillery.com
Social Axe: www.socialaxethrowing.com/
Zucca Trattoria: www.myzucca.com/
Christmas Village: www.visitogden.com/events/christmas-village
Farmers Market Ogden: www.farmersmarketogden.com
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About Visit Ogden
The greater Ogden area has been continually marked as one of Utah’s leading destinations for travel and recreation. Forbes and USA Today both declared Ogden as “one of the top ten best places to live.”
Ogden, the crossroads of the west, located in Weber County is 35 minutes north of the Salt Lake International Airport. The area inspires visitors with more than 170,000 acres of National Forest, three ski resorts, more than 210 miles of single-track trail for hiking and mountain biking and 13,000 acres of lakes connected by pristine rivers for paddle sports and fishing. For additional information visit www.visitogden.com
