Though it's hard to imagine feeling bored while skiing or snowboarding, every single ski area in Utah offers a totally unique or unexpected experience to shake things up and keep the kids entertained.
While this isn't a comprehensive list of every weird or wacky thing you can try at ski resorts in Utah, here are some of our most favorite or memorable recommendations.
Alta Ski Area - Tour With a Ranger
Beginning each January, skiers at Alta can meet a volunteer Naturalist Ranger with the Cottonwood Canyons foundation for a fun and informal intro to the secrets of the Wasatch. These complementary tours run Saturday and Sunday where skiers will navigate easy terrain with a ranger to learn about the area's geology, history, winter ecology, wildlife and our amazing watershed. An ideal activity for families and intermediate skiers, this is a neat way to forge a deeper connection with Alta and the incredible scenery we call home.
Beginning each January, skiers at Alta can meet a volunteer Naturalist Ranger with the Cottonwood Canyons foundation for a fun and informal intro to the secrets of the Wasatch. These complementary tours run Saturday and Sunday where skiers will navigate easy terrain with a ranger to learn about the area's geology, history, winter ecology, wildlife and our amazing watershed. An ideal activity for families and intermediate skiers, this is a neat way to forge a deeper connection with Alta and the incredible scenery we call home.
Beaver Mountain - Bypass Burger
Think you're tough? This Beaver Mountain challenge doesn't actually involve any hair-raising steeps or death-defying cliff jumps. Oh no. We're challenging you to tackle the (in)famous Big Beav Double Bypass Burger from the Beaver Mountain Grill. This entails two patties, cheese, bacon, a big ole dollop of BBQ sauce and french fries (both on and off the burger). Escape from the crowds and enjoy the slower pace of life up Logan Canyon up at Beaver Mountain. Don't miss the chance to sample their incredible and iconic Beaver Sauce, a fry sauce with a secret recipe.
Brian Head - Visit a National Monument
Just five minutes down the road from Brian Head lies Cedar Breaks National Monument. Though closed in winter, you can still park and access the park by snowshoe, backcountry skiing or nordic skiing. Having used my backcountry setup to walk out to the Cedar Breaks Amphitheater to watch the sunset, I can confidently say this is one of my most special ski memories. Take note that the monument isn't technically open and there is a road closure, so this is more a do-it-yourself type of adventure. Snowshoe and nordic rentals are available at Brian Head.
Brian Head - Visit a National Monument
Just five minutes down the road from Brian Head lies Cedar Breaks National Monument. Though closed in winter, you can still park and access the park by snowshoe, backcountry skiing or nordic skiing. Having used my backcountry setup to walk out to the Cedar Breaks Amphitheater to watch the sunset, I can confidently say this is one of my most special ski memories. Take note that the monument isn't technically open and there is a road closure, so this is more a do-it-yourself type of adventure. Snowshoe and nordic rentals are available at Brian Head.
Brighton - Expanded Night Skiing in Snake Creek
This season, as detailed in our resort improvement blog, Brighton has added snowmaking equipment over in the Snake Creek area. In addition, more lighting has been added to this zone to expand the night skiing acreage at Brighton. Enjoy Utah's largest night skiing experience at Brighton this season and don't forget to grab a pint at Molly Greens.
This season, as detailed in our resort improvement blog, Brighton has added snowmaking equipment over in the Snake Creek area. In addition, more lighting has been added to this zone to expand the night skiing acreage at Brighton. Enjoy Utah's largest night skiing experience at Brighton this season and don't forget to grab a pint at Molly Greens.
Cherry Peak - LED Night Tubing
There's night tubing and then there is LAZER night tubing. Cherry Peak offers family-friendly tubing packages alongside night skiing options at affordable rates. Don't miss the action at Cheery Peak!
Deer Valley - Need for Speed
First stop, you'll want to visit Deer Valley's's very sleek Rossignol High-Performance Test Center located at the Empire Canyon base area. Here you can enjoy complementary demos on all the latest and greatest in Rossignol's ski technology. Snag yourself a pair of fast and skinny skis and head over to the Race Course on Bald Mountain near the Silver Lake Lodge.
NASTAR Races are held daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Dual GS venue (weather and conditions dependent). The NASTAR race course is a fun and approachable slope that allows racers of all ages and abilities to compete against each other. Racers are scored by earning a handicap that represents their ability level. The handicap gives participants a tangible number that represents the percentage they are behind the pace of the National Standard and you can race to win Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze medals. Visit Deer Valley to learn more.
First stop, you'll want to visit Deer Valley's's very sleek Rossignol High-Performance Test Center located at the Empire Canyon base area. Here you can enjoy complementary demos on all the latest and greatest in Rossignol's ski technology. Snag yourself a pair of fast and skinny skis and head over to the Race Course on Bald Mountain near the Silver Lake Lodge.
NASTAR Races are held daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Dual GS venue (weather and conditions dependent). The NASTAR race course is a fun and approachable slope that allows racers of all ages and abilities to compete against each other. Racers are scored by earning a handicap that represents their ability level. The handicap gives participants a tangible number that represents the percentage they are behind the pace of the National Standard and you can race to win Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze medals. Visit Deer Valley to learn more.
Eagle Point - Hot Tub Garden
After a long day shredding powder during one of Eagle Point's legendary Powder Fridays, there is a secret you'll want to be aware of. But first, know that aside from peak holiday periods in December, Eagle Point is only open Friday-Monday. This means that while storms stack up during the week, nobody is skiing at Eagle Point and Friday a.m. represents the chance to enjoy the week's storm bounty.
Afterward, you can grab a beer or delicious food at the Canyonside Grill. Pack your suit to take advantage of Eagle Point's Hot Tub garden where you can order a beer directly from the servers to enjoy in the hot tub as you regale the glories of Powder Friday. More about planning a trip to Eagle Point here.
After a long day shredding powder during one of Eagle Point's legendary Powder Fridays, there is a secret you'll want to be aware of. But first, know that aside from peak holiday periods in December, Eagle Point is only open Friday-Monday. This means that while storms stack up during the week, nobody is skiing at Eagle Point and Friday a.m. represents the chance to enjoy the week's storm bounty.
Afterward, you can grab a beer or delicious food at the Canyonside Grill. Pack your suit to take advantage of Eagle Point's Hot Tub garden where you can order a beer directly from the servers to enjoy in the hot tub as you regale the glories of Powder Friday. More about planning a trip to Eagle Point here.
Nordic Valley - Go Pond Skimming
To pond skim each spring in celebration of a great season at Nordic Valley is to honor the long-standing traditions of this ski hill. You can learn more about Nordic Valley's heritage here and you may be surprised to learn that the hill played a role in the foundation of Freestyle Skiing. Back in the 70s, Bob Salerno "Bad Bob" dug a pond at the base of the main lift to be used as a practice jump. Bob went on to earn the Grand Prix Championship in 1974 and returned home to build the world's largest water ramp for athletes to practice at Nordic Valley. Every spring Nordic Valley hosts a lively pond skim with games and costume contests. Don't miss it!
Park City Mountain - Visit History
You can't help but notice all the mysterious old edifices lurking in the hollows and vales of Park City Mountain. In an ode to the area's mining history, guests can partake of the Slopes to Silver Historical Mining Tour when visiting the resort—more info here. This free guided tour is best for intermediate ability levels and a knowledge local will lead guests around the mountain to uncover hidden relics and historic buildings. Discover the history of Park City's evolution from a humble boom-to-bust silver town to a winter lover's paradise. Tours are offered daily.
Powder Mountain - Ride the White Lightning
It's the stunning variety of options at Powder Mountain that set it apart from any other ski area in the United States. From hiking terrain, guided backcountry tours, cat-skiing tours, the amazing Powder Country terrain to Lightning Ridge snow cat laps the number of ways to keep busy at Pow Mow are limitless. Guests can purchase one—or many—laps on the Lightning Ridge powder cat. A short ride bumps skiers and snowboarders up to Lightning Ridge where they can opt to hike up James Peak—conditions permitting and avalanche gear and education required—or simply use the ridge to access powder skiing and riding terrain above lift-accessed acreage.
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It's the stunning variety of options at Powder Mountain that set it apart from any other ski area in the United States. From hiking terrain, guided backcountry tours, cat-skiing tours, the amazing Powder Country terrain to Lightning Ridge snow cat laps the number of ways to keep busy at Pow Mow are limitless. Guests can purchase one—or many—laps on the Lightning Ridge powder cat. A short ride bumps skiers and snowboarders up to Lightning Ridge where they can opt to hike up James Peak—conditions permitting and avalanche gear and education required—or simply use the ridge to access powder skiing and riding terrain above lift-accessed acreage.
Snowbasin - Trace the Tracks of an Olympian
Snowbasin Resort's lauded history includes serving as the venue for the Downhill, the Combined (downhill and slalom) and Super-G events in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. You can trace the tracks of Olympians at Snowbasin and see if you stack up to their super-human feats.
Catch the Allen Peak jib-back tram—one of only two in the entire United States— to locate the top of the Grizzly men's course or the Wildflower women's course. Take note that the men's winner, Austrian Fritz Strobl, earned the fastest time of 1:39:13. See how you stack up! Learn about Snowbasin's Winter Olympic legacy and history here.
Snowbasin Resort's lauded history includes serving as the venue for the Downhill, the Combined (downhill and slalom) and Super-G events in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. You can trace the tracks of Olympians at Snowbasin and see if you stack up to their super-human feats.
Catch the Allen Peak jib-back tram—one of only two in the entire United States— to locate the top of the Grizzly men's course or the Wildflower women's course. Take note that the men's winner, Austrian Fritz Strobl, earned the fastest time of 1:39:13. See how you stack up! Learn about Snowbasin's Winter Olympic legacy and history here.
Snowbird - Ski Tunnel at Snowbird
Snowbird is home to North America's only "ski tunnel." Even better, it provides a direct route to plunder powder in the famed back bowl of Mineral Basin. The gaping halls of the tunnel provide an informative and historical tour of the area's former mining glory days. Enjoy unexpected relics, historical photographs, crumbling mining machinery and a peek at what life was once like in the Canyon. The Peruvian Tunnel will dump riders out on the flanks of Mineral Basin and offers a way to the backside without riding the tram. Just catch the Peruvian Express chairlift and you'll find the tunnel entrance near the top terminal.
Snowbird is home to North America's only "ski tunnel." Even better, it provides a direct route to plunder powder in the famed back bowl of Mineral Basin. The gaping halls of the tunnel provide an informative and historical tour of the area's former mining glory days. Enjoy unexpected relics, historical photographs, crumbling mining machinery and a peek at what life was once like in the Canyon. The Peruvian Tunnel will dump riders out on the flanks of Mineral Basin and offers a way to the backside without riding the tram. Just catch the Peruvian Express chairlift and you'll find the tunnel entrance near the top terminal.
Solitude - Avalanche Dog Demo
On select days in the spring, the ski patrol of Solitude Mountain Resort will offer avalanche dog demos at Solitude's base area. Learn what it takes to train one of these highly talented pooches. See the dogs in action as they perform a mock rescue and locate a buried victim. If you're lucky you may even get to meet one of their new puppies. Visit Solitude's website for more information and times.
On select days in the spring, the ski patrol of Solitude Mountain Resort will offer avalanche dog demos at Solitude's base area. Learn what it takes to train one of these highly talented pooches. See the dogs in action as they perform a mock rescue and locate a buried victim. If you're lucky you may even get to meet one of their new puppies. Visit Solitude's website for more information and times.
Sundance - Zip All the Way Down
For an eagle-eyed view of Sundance Mountain Resort, book one of their Winter ZipTour experiences! Observe snow-shrouded Mount Timpanogos from the sky and plunge headlong into one of the longest zip tours in America. With two tracks, guests can ride side-by-side down 3,870 feet of cable across breathtaking spans of the zipline.
Guests can control their speed, stop or slow and it's possible to clock over 65 mph while zipping down! The heights range from a comfortable 14 feet off the ground up to 180 feet above the snow; guests will be zooming through and above the treetop canopy and over the ski slopes. The Winter ZipTour typically opens mid-December. Once finished, be sure to head to the Owl Bar for a hot toddy!
For an eagle-eyed view of Sundance Mountain Resort, book one of their Winter ZipTour experiences! Observe snow-shrouded Mount Timpanogos from the sky and plunge headlong into one of the longest zip tours in America. With two tracks, guests can ride side-by-side down 3,870 feet of cable across breathtaking spans of the zipline.
Guests can control their speed, stop or slow and it's possible to clock over 65 mph while zipping down! The heights range from a comfortable 14 feet off the ground up to 180 feet above the snow; guests will be zooming through and above the treetop canopy and over the ski slopes. The Winter ZipTour typically opens mid-December. Once finished, be sure to head to the Owl Bar for a hot toddy!
Woodward - Train with the Pros
It's possible to dip in and book a premium Legendary Experience at Woodward Park City. Fashion your own private or group lesson with catered food and a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Woodward. Your own coach will guide you in skiing or snowboarding or through all things awesome inside the Action Sports Hub be it indoor trampolines, skateparks, tubing, skiing, snowboarding, BMX biking, parkour and more! Legendary Experiences are offered in 3-hour blocks for up to four guests but can be customized or tailored to fit your biggest or wildest dreams.
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