Back in the 1960s, the residents of Ogden Valley, Utah often indulged in sledding and tobogganing along the foothills of the scenic Silver Bell Ranch. In 1968, Arthur Christiansen installed a tow rope with the help of enthusiastic locals to be followed by a double chairlift a number of years later and Nordic Valley was born. In a nod to his Norwegian roots, a number of the ski runs still bear Nordic names while the iconic Old Barn, once a functioning hay barn on the ranch, now serves up ski rentals, comfort food and lift tickets.
Nordic Valley is snuggled up among the east-facing foothills of the Wasatch Mountain Range near the pastoral town of Eden, Utah. With a vibrant night skiing scene and a commitment to affordability, the welcoming vibe at Nordic Valley is apparent the moment you boot up in the parking lot in the shadow of the Old Barn. Wooded trails offer gorgeous views of Ogden Valley and guests can tackle ideal beginner slopes, terrain parks, glades and powder stashes.
We began our weekend to explore Nordic Valley and learn more about this anchor in the Ogden Valley ski scene with a comfortable stay at the Compass Rose Lodge. There's no better spot to crash after night skiing or secure a great night's sleep so close to three diverse ski resorts. We woke up early in the AM with coffee at the attached cafe, First Lift Coffee and drove the 15 minutes through beautiful farmland to Nordic Valley. With barns, fields, horses and cows in every direction, the drive to Nordic is not the commute you'd typically experience when driving to a ski mountain. The rural character of this place and its community becomes clear the moment you approach Nordic Valley.
Since its conception, Nordic has existed to serve the local community and provide affordable access to the joy that snow sports can bring. From farmers to professional photographers to students at nearby Weber State, people of all types call Nordic home. Ski Utah wanted to settle in and hear some of the stories about what makes Nordic tick and why people dedicate their lives to this humble hometown hill.
On the outside, Nordic Valley hasn't changed much in over 50 years but the recent installation of the Nordic Valley Express 6-pack chairlift and a massive terrain expansion added lots more to love about this local hill. The prices remain affordable alongside the employee's commitment to providing recreation and family fun. Catch our Fixed Grip episode to learn about life at Nordic and what makes this mountain unlike any other...
"It's gone from being a sleepy little area to a very vibrant center of the community and it's so exciting to be a part of."
- Gayle Mariani
Human Resources/Office Manager and Longtime Nordic Valley Employee
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT NORDIC VALLEY
- Nordic Valley is one of the best places to enjoy night skiing! With some of the largest night skiing acreage in Utah since 1970, night skiing at Nordic is a way of life. With reduced prices (buy in advance online) and extended holiday hours, Nordic is a fabulous option to explore for those enrolled in school or working the 9-5 grind. Be sure to check their hours and pricing in advance!
- When compared to all 15 ski resorts within the state of Utah, Nordic offers some of the best value and most affordable options for lift tickets, lessons, food, and gear rental.
- Nordic Valley is ideal for children and families looking to learn the art of skiing or snowboarding. Be sure not to miss our Family Ski Resort Guide.
- With flexible after-school and after-work programming, Nordic is the easiest and most affordable option to learn how to ski or snowboard in Utah. Pick the weekday that works best for you and enjoy the progression that four consecutive lessons with fun and experienced instructors can provide. In addition, 8-week programs are on offer alongside affordable private, group and family lessons.
- Are you a powder hound who also sucks at being an early bird?! You're in luck. The lifts at Nordic Valley don't begin spinning until 10 AM. Hit snooze and you can still score fresh tracks. There are many stashes to be found off the Nordic Valley Express 6-person chairlift.
- The Compass Rose Lodge is the ideal basecamp for Ogden Valley adventures. Book a stay and be sure to catch one of their observatory tours in the impressive telescope tower (after a beer at the legendary Shooting Star Saloon, of course).
- For the first time in a long time, there's now an aprés scene at Nordic! With the recent opening of the First Aid Room in the old ski patrol locker room, you can mingle with the locals and enjoy Nordic's friendly vibes in a fun and funky atmosphere.
