Snowbird

About Snowbird

If the world’s best powder, epic terrain, magnificent views, family-friendly skiing zones, world-class lodging options and a handful of great restaurants sound like an experience you’re dying to have, then the decision to book a Snowbird ski vacation is a no-brainer. Everyone from hardcore, expert skiers to families with varying levels of ability will highly enjoy skiing at Snowbird. Additionally, Snowbird is located just one mile from skier's only Alta ski resort, which is also a world-class experience you don't want to miss. By car, skiers can get from the Salt Lake City International Airport to the Snowbird Tram Dock in just under 45 minutes.

The best thing to do in Snowbird is ski or snowboard, or other mountain-related outdoor activities. After that, party-goers and shoppers may be disappointed in Snowbird’s offerings. But again, Snowbird is a self-contained resort where the No. 1 focus is the ski area’s epic terrain. The Snowbird outdoor activities are just as good as its skiing. Guets have a nice array of options from backcountry snowcat tours and snowmobile tours to guided snowshoe tours in the breathtaking Wasatch mountains for all levels of experience.

How to get to Snowbird

Snowbird is easily accessible via Salt Lake City International Airport, located just 29 miles away. The scenic drive to the resort is straightforward, and Snowbird offers various transportation options, including rental cars, shuttles, and private transfers, ensuring convenient travel to and from the resort.

The resort provides a complimentary shuttle service that makes it easy for guests to navigate between the different areas of Snowbird. This service ensures that visitors can explore the resort's various attractions and activities without the hassle of driving, adding convenience to their stay.

Skiing in Snowbird

With the terrain type—beginner at 27 percent, intermediate at 39 percent and expert at 35 percent—divided almost equally into thirds, every skier will find trails perfect for them. Beginners have two designated “learn to ski” areas, one near the base area Snowbird Center, one off of the Baby Thunder Lift, and one just below Mid Gad Lift. 

Children will absolutely love the Mini Mining Camp located off of the Baby Thunder Lift. Here they’ll learn important balancing skills on the tree trails, and have a blast snaking around the mini camp. Beginner skiers can even enjoy the expansive beauty of Snowbird’s Mineral Basin via the Tram.

Beginner Skiing in Snowbird:

Snowbird, a world-class powder destination has equally perfect beginner terrain.  While Snowbird beginner skiing isn’t necessarily what the resort is known for, it’s actually quite impressive with 27-percent of the resort’s 2,500 acres designated as beginner. Plus, few beginners get to enjoy views of the rugged, epic mountains of the Wasatch and magnificent, wide-open bowls.

With three “slow skiing” beginner zones to choose from, novice skiers are sure to find a comfortable area to learn the basics or progress their skills. Most “first timers” prefer Chickadee, the beginner area and lift next to The Cliff Lodge. The short, gentle slope is perfect for beginners to practice wedge turns, stopping and proper chairlift technique. Kids and more experienced beginners will prefer the “ Baby Thunder Family Area” off of the Baby Thunder Lift. 

There are several novice runs, plus child-friendly “mini mining camp” tree trails for kids to practice their balance and looking ahead. The Mountain School Learning Area off of the Gadzooks Lift is another great place for beginners to practice their skills, as well as take in the mountain scenery.

Snowbird beginner skiing has one experience that no other resort can offer. More experienced beginners can enjoy the mountain to its full potential, and take the Snowbird’s famed Tram to the top and then jump on the magic carpet which travels through a tunnel and accesses Mineral Basin. 

Out of the tunnel, beginner skiers can meander down Lupine Loop and take Baldy Express lift to the top, for some more novice runs, like Claim Jumper, Luckey Boy and Bird’s Nest. To head back to Snowbird’s base area, beginners should head back up Hidden Peak lift and download on the Tram. Beginners cannot access novice terrain from the Hidden Valley summit.

Expert Skiing in Snowbird:

If leg-burning steeps, epic bowls, spine tingling chutes, every sized cliff you can imagine, oh, and some of the best powder skiing in North America, sounds like a ski vacation up your alley, then the Snowbird expert skiing offerings are sure to please. With expert skiing composing 35-percent of Snowbird’s 2,500 acres, the terrain options feel endless.

On powder days, most locals will avoid the long Tram lines, opting for the Peruvian Express lift, which gets them to the good much faster. Peruvian Gulch offers expert skiing world-class skiing, in fact the Freeride World Tour holds their championship event in this section of the mountain. From the lift you can cut into the High Baldy Traverse and access the Fields of Glory, and further down, the open powder fields around BlackJack Traverse. If you do opt for the Tram, be sure take advantage of the Cirque Traverese. From there you have your pick of which side of the resort you want to ski. Drop off the ridge skier’s right for Middle Cirque, which offers small, fun chutes and steep skiing. Drop in higher, on skier’s left for Regulator Johnson, where you’ll find open, powder fields, great for arching turns. If you stay on the traverse, further down you’ll find Wilbere Bowl, which offers well-spaced, small pines, steeps and interesting terrain nuggets.

Access Gad Valley and its smaller bowls, via the Little Cloud Lift or Gad 2 Lift. Little Cloud will drop you off at the Road to Provo on skiers right off the lift. From Road to Provo you can get into the short, narrow Rasta Chutes, or stay high and head into the wide, open space of Baldy Bowl. Gad 2 Lift accesses Red Lens Line and Thunder Bowl.

For expansive bowl skiing, drop into famed Mineral Basin, which you can access from the top of Little Cloud Lift, the Tram or Peruvian Express via the Tunnel.  Cliff jumpers have options in Hamilton Cliffs and Flora Cliffs, found on skier’s right side of the basin. Expert skiers looking to take it up a notch, have “extreme” options in the Bookends, which are accessed via a traverse, on skier’s right side of the bowl, and in Livin’ the Dream, which is a series of chutes on the backside of Alta’s Mount Baldy. If you’re just looking to pick your way down this gorgeous basin, then Chamonix Chutes and Lone Star are great options.

Family vacations in Snowbird

While Snowbird’s reputation precedes itself as powder haven and expert skiing destination; a lesser known fact is that Snowbird also has designated “family” and “learn to ski” zones. Snowbird’s mining camp-themed tree trails will have little ones ecstatic about learning to ski. This little known fact makes the resort an unassuming family destination; both powder hounds and newer skiers will truly enjoy a Snowbird family ski vacation.  Off the mountain, families will find dining options to meet every family member’s needs and preferences.

The vast majority of Snowbird accommodations are well-suited to families, offering kid-friendly pools, spacious condos with kitchen for cooking family meals. Below you’ll find Ski.com’s top pick for Snowbird family lodging. To learn more about this property, or book your stay, call, or chat with, one of our knowledgeable Mountain Vacation Specialists. Don’t forget, it’s a free service.

Families can also enjoy snowshoe tours, which provide a slower-paced way to explore Snowbird's beautiful terrain. The resort’s Winter Scenic Tram Rides offer breathtaking views from the 11,000-foot summit of Hidden Peak, perfect for those who want to take in the scenery without skiing.