When you come to Utah for a ski trip, it is easy to default to resorts like Snowbird, Alta, Solitude or Park City. These names are renowned in the world of snowsports, and you would be hard-pressed to find a skier or snowboarder who hasn’t heard of at least one of those resorts. They are usually the mountains that come to mind when people think of ski resorts in Utah.
Not as many are familiar with the ski resorts up north, though. But I’m not talking about Snowbasin or Powder Mountain, either; plenty of out-of-staters are familiar with these resorts as well since both recently ranked as the No. 1 ski resorts in the United States.
No, I’m referring to Beaver Mountain and Cherry Peak, the northernmost resorts in Utah. Both are only a few miles south of the Idaho border, and each offers the local family hill experience that is unique to the ski industry these days. Beaver Mountain and Cherry Peak are located less than an hour’s drive from Logan, with Beaver Mountain on the way to Bear Lake and Cherry Peak on the way north to Idaho.
I’m here with a trip report from a recent jaunt north a few weeks ago when I got to ski both Beaver Mountain and Cherry Peak in a day. You can hit both resorts in a day if you choose, but I wish I had stayed in Logan for the night and made time for a day at each. There is tons more to explore at Beaver Mountain, and with some additional snowfall, there is no shortage of fun areas around Cherry Peak to play on. So, how did I approach a day of skiing at Beaver Mountain and Cherry Peak?
Beaver Mountain
I started my day at Beaver Mountain. It is the larger resort of the two, with 828 skiable acres, 1,700 feet of vertical, 48 runs, 4 lifts and 2 magic carpets. I wanted to ensure I gave myself enough time to explore as much of the mountain as possible within a half day, so I was in the parking lot well before the lifts started spinning at 9AM. It was a cold morning at the Beav, with temps dipping as low as 5° on my drive up Logan Canyon. I added an extra layer as I geared up, then made my way to the lift ticket window.
A smile crossed my face as the girl handed me a sticker lift ticket and pointed to the stack of wickets hanging to my right. Nostalgia filled my heart; I hadn't used a wicket for a lift ticket in over a decade. I loved this small touch as it reinstills the family-owned atmosphere that Beaver is dedicated to preserving.
I figured the best way to familiarize myself with the resort was to start on looker's left and make my way across the mountain. Most of their beginner terrain exists off the Little Beaver lift, the southernmost lift at Beaver. It offers access to a handful of green runs that meander through the trees while offering beginners plenty of space to develop comfort and confidence in their turns, along with a couple of steeper blue pitches to test out once they feel ready.
From there, I moved to Beaver’s Face Lift and Harry’s Dream Lift, the two lifts out of the main base area. Beaver’s Face Lift hoists riders over a collection of black diamond runs that spread across the main face. Harry’s Dream Lift brings riders a few hundred feet higher, providing access to numerous other black diamond runs that twist and turn through the plentiful glades. Both lifts also offer groomed blue runs for intermediates to expand their options and practice their skills.
The fourth lift at the Beav, Marge’s Triple, places you in the northernmost portion of the resort. Here, I found a great mix of green, blue, and black runs with something for every rider at every level. You can choose from steep moguls, cruisey groomers, gentle pitches through the aspens and even a top-to-bottom terrain park when you unload from Marge’s Triple.
It took me a little over three hours to run a few laps off each of Beaver Mountain’s fixed-grip chairlifts. You won't find any high-speed quads or six-packs on this mountain, but the feeling of a fixed grip lift ride invites the same nostalgia as the wickets hanging from the ticket window wall. Beaver Mountain is determined to maintain its family-owned setting, and I’m happy to see them stay true to their roots with elements like these.
The frigid morning left me feeling chilly, so I stopped in the base lodge to grab a coffee from the Beaver Mountain Grill and spend a few more minutes soaking in the unique setting that makes Beaver Mountain as great as it is. I could easily have spent the rest of the afternoon lapping Harry’s Dream Lift and Marge’s Triple, darting off to explore the countless areas I didn’t get to check out. The mountain is undoubtedly a dream on a powder day, too, so I can’t wait to return.
The special experience of living in a place where I can visit not only one but two new resorts in a single day wasn’t lost on me; I loved the vibe at Beaver Mountain and couldn’t wait to see what awaited me at Cherry Peak. I still needed to make the hour-long drive, though, so I finished my coffee and made my way back to my car.
Cherry Peak
I saved Cherry Peak for the afternoon for two reasons. Firstly, it is the smaller of two resorts in the Logan area, with just over 400 skiable acres, 1,265 feet of vertical, 29 runs, 3 lifts and 1 magic carpet. Secondly, they operate for night skiing a few days a week so I knew I could ski into the late afternoon.
I knew I would have less ground to cover, so I pulled into the Cherry Peak parking lot just before 2PM. The drive up to the resort almost made me laugh. “How could there be a ski resort here?” I thought. I was still navigating through a combination of older and newer housing developments when my navigation insisted there were only a few minutes remaining before my arrival. I finally turned east and started my way up a steadily inclining road that meandered out of the neighborhoods and into a canyon. And my GPS wasn’t lying; only a few minutes later I found myself turning the corner to see Cherry Peak open up before me.
Cherry Peak is another family-owned resort with a heavy emphasis on ensuring the mountain remains that way. There is one base lodge where you can pick up your lift tickets, get rentals for the day, check out the retail shop or take a break and snag a bite to eat at the Peak Grill. This one-stop shop makes the base area easy to navigate, and the rest of the mountain is similar.
Beginners will find some great runs to get used to sliding on snow, starting with the Magic Carpet that services the beginner’s base camp area. When they move onto the Gateway chairlift, they’re treated to Long Mozy, a meandering cat track that makes its way top-to-bottom and offers stunning views of the resort and the valley along the way down. Gateway also gives more capable skiers some great blue and black runs to choose from, with both groomed and ungroomed options.
Two of Cherry Peak’s three lifts were open while I was there and they have done a fantastic job with their snowmaking and grooming to make the best of the conditions they have. I found plenty of joy carving down the groomed greens and blues off of Gateway and Vista. They were able to groom Sunscream, the main run down the Vista chairline, the night before, and I found a few fun kickers to play on as I made my way down the ungroomed blues to the skier’s left.
I easily spent the rest of my ski day lapping Gateway and Vista, enjoying the calm fixed grip lift rides up the mountain. I was almost lucky enough to get on one of the Gateway lift chairs painted like a cherry to match the resort’s namesake, but I was two chairs too slow. It was another excellent touch from a family resort looking to make their guests smile with the small things.
The friendly lift operators were always up for a quick chat between my runs, insisting I need to return when the next snow storm hits. I am definitely looking forward to skiing off Summit when I return for another visit! They also offer some backcountry access for confident and capable skiers looking to get into the untouched powder and steeper goods.
Cherry Peak is another excellent resort both for Logan locals and those interested in checking out a new resort. While they typically serve residents in the Logan and greater Cache Valley area, the resort welcomes those looking to expand the terrain they want to explore. Cherry Peak is a great place to take it easy and enjoy the family-owned skiing experience that lives on!
Making Your Way Up North
Beaver Mountain and Cherry Peak might not be the first names that come to mind when planning a Utah ski trip, but that’s precisely what makes them special. These mountains primarily cater to local residents yet warmly welcome anyone seeking the charm of a family-owned resort—a special find in today’s ski industry.
Families searching for an affordable, laid-back skiing experience will find plenty to love at both Beaver Mountain and Cherry Peak. Whether you’re a seasoned local or visiting Utah for the first time, these resorts are well worth exploring. Plus, with night skiing available at both locations, you can enjoy the slopes long after the sun sets.
My trip north left me eager for more. A half-day at Beaver Mountain was just enough to spark my curiosity about its hidden corners, and Cherry Peak’s untapped potential with has me excited for a return visit. Both resorts capture the heart of skiing’s roots—welcoming, laidback and family-focused—and they remind me of why I fell in love with the sport in the first place.
