Family Ski Resort Guide | Snowbird

Piecing together old, forgotten mining claims, including a claim called Snowbird, Ted Johnson realized his dream to open a second ski area in Little Cottonwood Canyon in 1971. With a new-fangled Aerial Tramway, Snowbird brought a futuristic and entirely new vibe to the canyon where Alta had been spinning lifts since 1939. For more Bird history—click here.

These days, Snowbird remains famous for its incredible powder skiing, endless storm cycles, advanced terrain and the iconic tramway. Snowbird has recently expanded their Mountain School program, offering lessons out of both the Snowbird Center and the Creekside Day Lodge. With a huge amount of terrain, Snowbird is ideal for families of varied ability levels. Hair-raising steeps, breathtaking bootpacks and gently swooping blue and green runs along the Baby Thunder chairlift can all be discovered at Snowbird.

Snowbird's Location
Snowbird is located along Highway 210 in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Approximate driving times (in favorable driving conditions) and distances are listed below:

Salt Lake City: 27 miles – 40 minutes
Provo: 43 miles – 1 hour
Ogden: 63 miles – 1, 10 minutes
Logan: 108 miles – 2 hours, 10 minutes
St. George: 300 miles – 4 hours, 40 minutes

In a 5th Grader’s Words:
“Snowbird is the best place of all to learn. Regulator Johnson is really scary and if you are a good skier, you ride the tram. Make sure to get a window seat!” - Andi, Age 11

Snowbird's Terrain & Mountain Stats

Skiable Acres: 2,500 Acres
Vertical Drop: 3,240 Feet
Number of Runs: 140+
Average Snowfall: More than 500"
Terrain: 8% Beginner, 26% Intermediate, 66% Advanced
Chairlifts: 10 Chairlifts, 1 Aerial Tram, 3 Surface Lifts, 1 Conveyor Tunnel
Night Skiing: No

Pro Tip: On very cloudy or low visibility days, it's best to avoid Mineral Basin. Navigation in the back bowls is made more challenging by the treeless scenery and it's easy to become disoriented. Head for lower elevations and the forested areas of Gad II or Baby Thunder.

Public Transportation & Parking

Little Cottonwood Canyon can experience major road delays in the event of big storms, holiday or powder weekends, or necessary avalanche mitigation. You should always check road conditions in inclement weather and never attempt a drive up either of the Cottonwood Canyons without proper tires and 4WD, AWD or chains. Consider traveling during off-peak periods and use public transit or carpool. It is not permitted to camp overnight in a vehicle at Snowbird, Alta or anywhere in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

 

THE UDOT TRACTION LAW
In times of heavy snowfall, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) will implement a mandatory Traction Law. It is required by law to ensure you have appropriate traction devices or tires for winter driving. For current road status, you can check the UDOT Twitter Account.

Tickets are issued for drivers who defy the requirements. For this reason, it's a great choice to ride the UTA Ski Bus! 

Pro Tip: If driving down a 10% grade in a howling blizzard during a whiteout isn't your jam, consider public transport or one of the many shuttle services. It can snow more than an inch per hour in the Cottonwood Canyons and unprepared visitors often cause hours-long traffic jams by sliding off the road or causing dangerous accidents. 

 

THE UTA SKI BUS
The UTA Ski Bus service allows skiers to avoid driving and helps reduce canyon and parking congestion. In the winter months, the Utah Transit Authority (UTA), runs daily service from November or December through April. Route 994 services Little Cottonwood Canyon at 30-minute intervals during peak hours from the Historic Sandy Station. Check the UTA website for a current schedule and read our Guide to Ride the Ski Bus.

Snowbird has 4 different numbered parking zones. For easier logistics, families should park at Entry 1 or Entry 2. There is a complimentary parking lot shuttle to transport guests between the two base areas. Tickets, ski shops, rentals, repairs and mountain school are located at both base areas. The handy Snowbird Alerts Twitter account posts real-time updates on the parking lot inventory and will notify users when lots are full. 

ADA-accessible parking is available at the Snowbird Center, Creekside Lodge (free in the preferred parking lot), The Cliff Lodge, The Lodge at Snowbird, The Inn and Iron Blosam. Ask a parking attendant for help our guidance to locate spots. 

Snowbird's Base Areas 

There are two main base areas at Snowbird, the Snowbird Center and the Creekside Day Lodge. Creekside and Gad Valley are most easily accessed via Entry 1; the Snowbird Center and Tram can be reached via Entry 2 or Entry 4.

The Snowbird Center houses the Tram terminal, the greatest number of eateries, shops, a lounge and the emergency medical clinic. Most ski lessons will meet in Chickadee Bowl near the Snowbird Center though some do meet at the Creekside Center. On sunny weekends in the spring, live musical acts will often perform on the plaza and it’s a pleasant place to grab a snack or rest between runs. The Snowbird Center is nearest to the Tram and the Peruvian Express Chairlift (which can be used to access Mineral Basin via the Peruvian Tunnel). A great resource is the Mountain Center located on the tram plaza deck. Here you can get any questions answered, book lessons and more.

The Creekside Center offers a small rental shop, ski school meeting area, a sunny patio, the Creekside Cafe, ticketing and the headquarters of Wasatch Adaptive Sports. It is nearest to the Gad Zoom, Mid-Gad, Wilbere and Baby Thunder chairlifts. 

Besides Mountain School lessons, Snowbird offers backcountry clinics, avalanche education, women's camps, snowboard camps and adult workshops. Snowbird also cultivates a unique roster of activities that include helicopter skiing, cat skiing, guided backcountry tours, snowshoe tours and private resort tours; click here for a menu of options.

Pro Tip: It is highly recommended to make lesson, activity or rental reservations well in advance. During peak periods, rental reservations may be required.




Private Lessons
Fine tune your skills with Snowbird's private lessons for ages 3 and up. Private lessons can be booked for up to 5 individuals (with a maximum of 2 kids ages 6 & under) for full day, morning or afternoon blocks. More info here. 

Youth Lessons
The Snowbird Mountain School gives kids their wings whether they are first-timers or have spent a good amount of time on snow. Lesson curriculum is designed to foster progression in a supportive environment alongside their peers. The Mountain School offers a late pickup option at 4:30PM instead of 3PM with fun time in the game-filled Lesson Center. More info here.

• Chickadees | Ages 3-4 
  Introduce youngsters to skiing or snowboarding in a fun, exciting environment. Children must be fully potty trained and willing to participate. These lessons are designed for beginners to intermediates.
  
  
• Kinderbirds | Ages 5-6
  With a 3:1 student to instructor ratio, Kinderbirds ensures your child receives hands-on instruction. Children should have the stamina to ski for the entire day and these lessons are offered for all skill levels.
  
  
• Mountain Adventure | Ages 7-15
  Students in the Mountain Adventure category are grouped by age and ability level to optimize their time on the mountain. All skill levels are welcome.

Adult Beginner Special
Join an expert instructor to guide you in making your first turns on skis or a snowboard. Book a 2.5-hour morning or afternoon lesson and learn the art of skiing or snowboarding in Chickadee Bowl before you move on up to the steeper terrain underneath the adjacent Chickadee chairlift.

Lodging and Dining at Snowbird

LODGING
Snowbird operates four lodges located close to the Snowbird Center and the slopes. Diverse options range from suites to rooms, to condominiums with full kitchens and private hot tubs.

Cliff Lodge & Cliff Club
The largest of Snowbird’s lodging options, The Cliff Lodge & Cliff Club, offers true ski-in/ski-out access, newly remodeled rooms and an expansive outdoor swimming pool and hot tub deck. The views of the mountain or Little Cottonwood Canyon are stunning. Access the Snowbird Center via an aerial pedestrian walkway that soars above the Chickadee learner’s slope. Suites and bedrooms are available. The Cliff Club encompasses 54 luxury condominiums within The Cliff.

The Inn
The Inn is Snowbird’s coziest lodging option provides accommodations for groups of 1-10 and includes single bedrooms, studios and studio lofts. Most rentals include fireplaces and kitchens. Ski lockers, a fitness center, a steam room, a heated outdoor pool and a hot tub keep guests in vacation mode. Note that units in The Inn are individually owned and availability can vary. 

The Lodge at Snowbird
A variety of condominium floor plans are available at the The Lodge at Snowbird which is a short walk to the Snowbird Center. Accommodations range from standard hotel bedrooms, to studios or condominiums with a loft. Ski lockers, coffee and games are available to guests. A steam room, fitness center, dry sauna and heated outdoor pool are additional features of The Lodge.

The Iron Blosam
The The Iron Blosam, named after an old mining claim incorrectly spelled, is Snowbird’s shared-ownership condominium. Suited for a self-contained vacation, the Iron Blosam features 16 different floor plans that can comfortably lodge 1-8 guests. Some rooms can be connected to suit larger groups. A heated outdoor pool, indoor hot tub, steam room, fitness center and dry sauna are provided to guests. Most rooms come with a fireplace and kitchen.




DINING
For families exploring the Baby Thunder chairlift or Gad Valley, the easiest places to grab a bite include the Creekside Café and Grill and a food-truck style eatery called GadZooks. The Creekside Café serves salads, sandwiches, burgers, burritos, soups, breakfast and baked goods for diners to enjoy indoors or outside on the patio.

Pro Tip: Jumbo Rice Krispie treats at Creekside Café are always a hit with kids!

For families with kiddos using the Chickadee learner’s area or the Wilbere chairlift, the Snowbird Center is the best place to grab a snack or bite. Amazing soups and sandwiches (and enormous breakfast burritos) are made to order at the General Gritts grocery store (also home to a state-owned liquor store).

A quick slice of pizza can be found at Snowbird Tram Car Pizza and warm drinks or smoothies can be ordered at Baked & Brewed Café. The Rendezvous, a full-service cafeteria where families can enjoy a sit-down meal, is located on Level 2. If the weather is nice, consider a quick burger or grilled food from The Birdfeeder or Forklift. The Subie Shack parked out on the Tram Plaza offers food-truck style BBQ and quick grab-and-go options.

One of the most kid-friendly menus can be found at SeventyOne, located in the bottom level of the Cliff Lodge. Infused with a retro ski vibe, SeventyOne celebrates the age of skiing around the year of Snowbird’s birth: 1971. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will feature a menu of contemporary mountain cuisine. The newly expanded patio, amazing mountain views and games are enough to keep the entire family delighted. Kids will enjoy the interesting decor and the fun arcade room behind the restaurant. This is the best place to grab food later in the evening as Little Cottonwood Canyon tends to shut down early.

Worth it for the views alone, ride the Tram on up to the 11,000-foot Hidden Peak. Situated at the peak is The Summit which serves up food and jaw-dropping views of Mineral Basin, neighboring Alta, the American Fork Twin Peaks and Salt Lake City. For a quieter dining experience, head upstairs to the top level. This is also a fantastic spot for a hot cocoa break or a quick treat.

Childcare

Operating out of Level 1 of the Cliff Lodge, Superior Childcare is a state-licensed childcare facility that welcomes children from ages 6 weeks to 12 years. The childcare center is open daily and in-room babysitting services are also available in the evenings for lodge guests. Reservations are required and the center is open 365 days per year.

Medical Facilities

Snowbird's Ski Patrol has access to the University of Utah Health Emergency Medical clinic located in the lower level of the Snowbird Center. This full-service clinic has doctors, nurses, and an x-ray technician on call. If needed, transport by ambulance can be provided down the canyon to a regional hospital. The clinic is open 7 days per week from 9:30AM to 5PM throughout the bulk of the winter operating season. Click here for more info.

A Note About Interlodge

Specifically because snowfall rates in Little Cottonwood Canyon can reach extreme levels, Snowbird Village does occasionally impose Interlodge Restrictions. When in place, Interlodge requires all guests to remain indoors while crews mitigate the avalanche danger. This means it is illegal to leave the building, travel between buildings or drive on Highway 210.

Points of Interest

For a memorable visit, consider these unique points of interest when planning a trip to Snowbird.

• Spy the Mountain Goats
  In the spring months (March-May), pull over into the Park-N-Ride at the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon and play a game of iSpy to spot the elusive mountain goats that often dot the southern slopes. Look for groups of white dots and use the viewfinders near the UTA bus stop to view these amazing creatures.
  
  
• Temple Quarry
  If the base of the canyon is clear of snow, consider checking out the Temple Quarry nature walk. This short interpretive trail provides a bit of history and insight about how the Mormon pioneers chiseled huge blocks of granite and transported them with oxen to downtown Salt Lake City to construct the Salt Lake Temple.
  
  
• Aerial Tram Ride
  Even if you don’t have strong skiers or shredders in your family, a scenic ride on Snowbird’s iconic Aerial Tram provides the quintessential Snowbird experience. Foot passengers are provided with priority loading, so snag a space near a window and prepare to be amazed by the jaw-dropping scenery, granite spires and gnarly terrain off the Cirque. Offload up top, admire the 360-degree views and grab a snack in The Summit restaurant. You can catch a tram ride down approximately every 10 minutes.
  
  

VISIT SNOWBIRD'S WEBSITE & LEARN MORE
Click Here