UPDATED FEB 1, 2024
Parking at ski areas, especially on peak holidays or weekends, can be a real drag. Ditch the kerfuffle and reduce your emissions in one go with a ride on one of Utah's ski buses. Resorts in Park City and along the Wasatch Front are serviced by public transit that take the headache out of scary snow driving and hairy parking. Whether you are a visitor or a seasoned local, riding the bus is a cinch with the helpful info below.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Ski Bus schedule has changed for the 2023-24 season and fewer busses are available due to a nationwide shortage of bus drivers. Please pay careful attention to the details below. To mitigate traffic and access to the resorts, we also strongly suggest carpooling when taking the bus isn't possible. UTA will be actively monitoring ridership and deploying extra busses on holidays and times of heavy traffic.
PRO TIPS
- Before catching a ride be sure to download the UTA transit app. This helps riders plan their trip, check on crowds and canyon alerts, view road closures and more. Click Here to download the app.
- You can always visit the UTA website to find service changes, updates, and additional information.
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UDOT Cottonwoods on Twitter is also an awesome resource for weather and road conditions in Big or Little Cottonwood Canyons. Conditions can change and deteriorate rapidly and all road users are responsible for obeying law enforcement and the implementation of traction laws during adverse weather. If you're unsure or not confident driving in wild winter conditions, RIDE THE BUS!
- If you're seeking alternate transportation options, scroll to the bottom of this article or check out Ski Utah's recommended transit providers.
Use this guide to learn how to utilize the Utah Transit Authority’s Ski Bus system
By hopping aboard the bus, you too can be a critical player in helping to reduce emissions, traffic and parking struggles. There are plenty of opportunities to cut down on the number of single-driver vehicles traveling to our beloved resorts. I would bet we can all commit to devoting effort this season to keeping the air a little clearer and purging cars from the pavement.
2023-24 Ski Bus Launch Dates
UTA's Ski Bus service routes will begin Sunday, November 26, 2023 and will continue through Saturday, April 13, 2024. Note that dates may vary and the service in Weber, Davis, and Utah Counties will begin later and terminate earlier. Keep scrolling for complete info.
HOW TO PAY - FOUR WAYS
1. Season Pass Incentive
To incentivize responsible travel, a handful of Utah resorts actually incorporate UTA Ski Bus passes directly into their season pass pricing and the pass itself. This completely removes any hassle or excuse not to take advantage of public transit. The following season pass types include FREE use of the UTA Ski Bus and you'll simply scan your season pass to tap on and tap off when using the bus. This is also true for IKON passholders.
Employees of resorts are often provided with free transit access and their perks may differ from those associated with season passes. Season passholders should contact their resort rather than UTA for any transit-related questions.
3. Cash or Credit Card
Should you not possess a resort season pass or your pass does not include a Ski Bus benefit, a one-way fare on the Ski Bus costs $5. UTA requests that riders have exact change when paying with cash as drivers are not able to provide change. Riders should have their money ready prior to boarding and should board at the front of the bus. A contactless credit card may also be used to purchase the fare when boarding the bus. Fares purchased for TRAX, FrontRunner, or other bus routes will also count toward your $5 fare on the Ski Bus. Be sure to get a transfer slip from the driver to cover your fare when moving from a train to the bus.
Purchase a prepaid, reloadable FAREPAY Card to remove the need to carry exact change or purchase tickets beforehand. As an added bonus FAREPAY cardholders earn 20% off local bus, TRAX, S-Line, Front Runner and Express Bus Fares (but not the Ski Bus). FAREPAY cards can be loaded with money and tapped on the Ski Bus’s card reader when boarding. Don’t forget to tap off when unloading the bus so the correct fare is charged. Click here to learn more or purchase a FAREPAY Card.
HOW TO CATCH A RIDE ON THE UTA SKI BUS
Skip ahead to the section of your choice to learn about routes and updates for each service. For complete details and the most up-to-date schedule, please visit the UTA Ski Bus webpage - here.
Another great tip: the Ski Utah Snow Report app is fully loaded with every ski bus route in the state! Download the app and find your way to powder on the UTA Ski Bus in just four clicks. Otherwise, keep scrollin' for Ski Bus info organized by region. UTA is affiliated with the Transit app. This app provides current ride times, service updates, and relevant information like planned road closures, service interruptions and more. Downloading this app before you ride will ensure a smooth experience. Click here to download.
We recommend arriving at your bust stop early. Due to the current limitations on bus capacity, UTA does expect some delays for passengers this season. All bus stops are marked by a blue sign with a Stop ID Number and a list of all the routes that use this location. The Stop ID Number can also be used for the Ride Time system, which can help you find out when the next bus is coming. Just look for the number to the right of the word “LOCATION,” then text the Stop ID number to UTA-UTA (882-882) and hit send. Ride Time will reply with the next three bus stop departure times from that STOP ID Number. If the scrolling banner at the top end of the front of the bus reads "FULL" the bus is unable to accomodate any additional passengers and you'll have to wait for the next vehicle.
Servicing: BRIGHTON, SOLITUDE, ALTA & SNOWBIRD
Best Days of the Week to Avoid Crowds:
Best Times of Day to Avoid Crowds:
Route 972: Midvale Fort Union Station to Solitude/Brighton
CLICK HERE for bus schedule
Service begins at 6:15 AM from the Midvale Fort Union Station and busses depart in 30 minute intervals. Note that the earliest stop at the Big Cottonwood Canyon Park and Ride does not begin until 8:10 AM. To accomodate night skiing at Brighton, the last bus down Big Cottonwood Canyon will depart at 8:22 PM with a stop at Solitude's Moonbeam Lodge.
CLICK HERE for bus Schedule
Note that some stops on this route have been eliminated to streamline service and make the Ski Bus more efficient. Service begins at 6:01 AM at Historic Sandy Station and busses will leave in 30 minute intervals. Stops include the 9400 South Park and Ride, Snowbird Gad Valley via Entry 1, the Snowbird Center, and Alta's Goldminer's Daughter. The last route down leaves the Goldminer's Daughter at 6:09 PM followed by the 2 Snowbird stops.
UTAH COUNTY SKI BUS SERVICE
Servicing: Sundance
Best Times of Day to Avoid Crowds:
WEBER COUNTY (OGDEN) SKI BUS SERVICE
Serving Snowbasin and Powder Mountain
Best Times of Day to Avoid Crowds:
Route 674: Ogden to Powder Mountain
CLICK HERE for bus schedule
This route services a number of stops in Ogden and three stops in Eden before terminating at Powder Mountain. Buses leave approx. hourly until noon with a small number of stops in the mid-afternoon. Buses leave Powder Mountain to return to Ogden hourly beginning at 12:45 PM. To service night skiing at Powder Mountain, there is a final bus route back to Ogden at 9:30 PM. Note that some trips will only run on peak service days. Click the bus schedule above for details.
Route 675: Ogden to Snowbasin
CLICK HERE for bus schedule
This route services a number of stops in Ogden and one stop in Huntsville before terminating at Snowbasin Ski Resort. Routes begin at Ogden Central Station at 7:36 AM and depart approx. every hour from 8:01 AM to 2:16 PM. The last bus leaves Snowbasin at 4:45 PM. Note that some trips will only run on peak service days. Click the bus schedule above for details.
DAVIS COUNTY SKI BUS SERVICE
Serving Snowbasin
Best Times of Day to Avoid Crowds:
Route 677: Layton to Snowbasin Resort
CLICK HERE for bus schedule
This route services a number of stops in Layton and one in Mountain Green before heading uphill to Snowbasin Ski Resort. The route begins at 7:40 AM from Layton Station and departs hourly through 12:40 PM. Service down from Snowbasin Resort begins at 12:10 PM and runs hourly until 4:40 PM.
PARK CITY
Serving Park City Mountain Resort Village, Deer Valley and Empire Canyon
PC to SLC CONNECT
CLICK HERE for bus schedule
High Valley Transit in Summit County is bridging a transit gap between Park City and Salt Lake City. The 107 Commuter line connects Salt Lake Central Station to the Kimball Junction Transit Center in Summit County. There are 5 buses servicing this route throughout peak commuter hours beginning at 6:10 AM with the final bus departing Kimball Junction for Salt Lake at 8:10 PM. From the Kimball Junction Transit Center, riders may utilize the fare free Park City & Summit County Transit system to reach the resort of their choice. A bus leaves the Kimball Junction Transit Center for Main Street, Park City every 15-30 minutes. From the Main Park City stop, several busses will service the PCMR Village and Deer Valley (more info below).
PARK CITY & SUMMIT COUNTY TRANSIT SYSTEM
The Park City & Summit County Transit System is an entirely fare free bus system that provides routes to Park City Mountain and Deer Valley Resort. There is a robust offering of routes and frequent busses. The majority of the bus routes in Park City do stop at either Park City Mountain Village or Deer Valley. You can view different routes and the bus schedules by CLICKING HERE.
HOW TO RIDE THE UTA SKI BUS - TIPS AND TRICKS
- Many UTA Ski Bus stops have covered shelters. Some are even heated such as Alta's Goldminer's Daughter stop.
- Ski Bus routes can be integrated with FrontRunner and TRAX or other UTA bus routes. Check the UTA website and utilize their Transit app to plot your day.
- Ski Bus timetables shift every season. Always double-check route information on the UTA website, the GoRide app, or the Ski Utah App to ensure your timetable is correct and that you have an updated schedule for the current season.
- If you are paying cash, bring exact change or purchase a UTA FAREPAY card. Bus drivers do not provide change, which means your ride could be more expensive if you only have bills.
- To ensure you're boarding the right bus, check the number displayed above the front windshield.
- If you need to transfer to another bus or a TRAX line, get a transfer slip from the driver. This is your only proof of fare when transferring. Transfer slips are valid for two hours after your initial ride. If using a FAREPAY card, your transfer will display in the app.
- As you exit, remember to tap off, if you used your season pass, paid with FAREPAY, or another electronic form of payment. Tap the card reader you used when boarding.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING
Along with riding the bus, it is helpful to use an electric car, if possible. To support these lower-emission vehicles, Brighton, Snowbird, Alta, Deer Valley, Woodward Park City and Park City Mountain all offer electric vehicle charging stations! Take advantage of this free perk if you or a close friend or family member has an electric vehicle.
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Alta Ski Area: Find 2 EV stations, one at the east end of the Albion Day Lodge building from the Albion Base Area, and another (with prime parking) just north of the Buckhorn Lodge at the Wildcat base. These Level 2 chargers offer universal SAE J1722 adapters.
- Snowbird: Accessible via Entry 4 in the Snowbird Cliff Lodge Parking Structure are 4 Level 2 EV charging stations, available for year-round use. The stations, along with an additional 110-volt outlet are available to all electric car users.
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Brighton: A 240-volt public EV station is located on the outer wall of the maintenance building (across the parking lot from the Brighton Center).
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Deer Valley: EV charging stations are offered at the St. Regis Deer Valley, the Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley, and the Montage Deer Valley for guests.
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Park City Mountain: In the underground parking garage located along Lowell Avenue, two EV stations are located on the second floor (green level) for the public to use near the elevators. Charging is free in the summer but there is a cost to use them in the winter months.
- Woodward Park City: supplements its MASSIVE solar energy installation with EV charging for guests. You'll find a number of charging stations at Woodward Park City on the northwest side of the lot near the Action Sports Hub building
ALTERNATE TRANSIT OPTIONS - SHUTTLE SERVICES
COTTONWOOD CONNECT
Back for a second season, the Cottonwood Connect ski shuttle service is meant to supplement the routes provided by the UTA Ski Bus. Running weekends and holidays from Dec 22 thru April 14, 2024. Reservations are required and a number of stops are available from Midvale, Cottonwood Heights, and Sandy at the local hotels and Park n Ride lots.
CLICK HERE for a current schedule, route info, and to make reservations.
- Reservations are required and offered on a first come, first served basis.
- Cost is $20 per rider for a round trip, or $10 one-way
- View the Cottonwood Connect website to check out routes, stops, and times
- Morning departure times are:
Little Cottonwood (Snowbird & Alta): 7:00 and 8:00 am
Big Cottonwood (Brighton & Solitude) 7:00, 8:00, 9:30 and 10:30 am - Return times are
Little Cottonwood (Snowbird & Alta): 2:30 and 4:30 pm
Big Cottonwood (Brighton & Solitude) 2:00, 2:30, 4:30 and 5:00 pm
WBA BACKCOUNTRY SHUTTLE
For those interested in accessing backcountry recreation on Saturdays, the UTA Ski Bus doesn't make many stops appropriate for backcountry users. We recommend the Wasatch Backcountry Alliance Backcountry Shuttle sponsored by Backcountry.com and the Central Wasatch Commission.
The Backcountry Shuttle returns in a reduced capacity for 2023-24 and provides free rides from Cottonwood Heights to either Little Cottonwood or Big Cottonwood Canyons. CLICK HERE to make a reservation and view schedule.
- Shuttle service offered Saturday
- Free to ride, though donations are appreciated
- Reservations are required and must be completed by 5:00 PM the evening prior - email confirmation confirms booking
- Parking and Pick-up Location: Butler Elementary School (7000 S 2700 E, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121) at 7:30 AM - shuttle will return riders at 2:30 PM
Now quit reading and go experience the joys of ride-sharing for yourself!
If you still have questions, visit rideuta.com or call UTA Customer Service at (801) RIDE-UTA (743-3882).
