Looking
for the coolest Utah
resorts? Utah has become synonymous with “The
Greatest Snow on Earth.” With more than its fair share
of first-class resorts, Utah’s resorts are well known
around the world. Whether you are a skier or snow boarder,
beginner, expert, or even a recreational fanatic, there
are a multitude of resorts for everyone.
Utah
Ski Resorts
If you’re
a skier, you’ll want to take a drive up Little Cottonwood
Canyon, which is in the southeast part of the Salt Lake
Valley. At the summit of the canyon lie Snowbird
and Alta
ski resorts. These two resorts were, as a pair, ranked as
the No. 1 resort in the United States by Skiing magazine
for the past two years.
Park
City, Utah boasts three world-class ski locations—each
offering its own unique experience. Park
City Mountain Resort, celebrating its 40th anniversary
this year, spreads over 3,300 acres and enjoys an annual
average snowfall of 350 inches. Park City Mountain Resort
was the venue for the giant slalom and snowboard events
at the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
Deer
Valley, often ranked among the top three North American
ski resorts by the ski-industry press, was the venue for
the slalom, mogul, and aerial events at the 2002 Games.
The
Canyons had another name and another history. For years
a sleepy resort, new ownership, which spent tens of millions
of dollars, transformed it into a world-class facility with
3,500 skiable acres stretching over seven mountains. It
is now one of the largest ski resorts in the country by
acreage. Average snowfall is 355 inches and the vertical
drop is 3,190 feet.
Another
great Utah resort is Snowbasin.
In preparation for the Olympics, Snowbasin underwent a major
makeover. Located above the Ogden Valley, a little over
an hour from Salt Lake City, Snowbasin was host to the 2002
Olympic downhill and super G events. It has 3,200 skiable
acres, which are covered on average by a robust 400 inches
of Utah’s powder a year.
Other
Utah Resorts
Homestead
Located about an hour from Salt Lake City, Utah and 20 minutes
from Park City, Utah is the classic Homestead Resort in
Midway, which is in the heart of the beautiful Heber Valley.
On its approximately 200 acres, The Homestead has a golf
course, hot springs, horseback riding, snowmobiling, volleyball,
tennis, plus 142 rooms.
The
Cliff Spa
In addition to its renowned skiing described above, Snowbird
also offers The Cliff Spa, a full-service day spa and salon
elevated atop the luminous 500-room Cliff Lodge Hotel. The
panoramic views and tranquil atmosphere alone are sure to
make you feel relaxed and revitalized. The Cliff Spa has
earned many accolades including Spa Magazine calling it
the “Best Ski & Spa.
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