Nordic Valley is the Utah Resort That Will Get You on the Slopes

Authentic, Accessible, Affordable

“Skiing and snowboarding is expensive, too hard to get to and is, frankly, intimidating and hard to learn,” complain many aspirational—and even avid—carvers and shredders. Not going to lie; it can be…but not everywhere, even in Utah.

If you discovered a place just an hour from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) that offered lift tickets for as little as $9 and terrain to capture the hearts of newbies and powderhounds, would you consider it?

Would you even believe it? 

“Isn’t that the place for cross-country skiers?”

Even Utah locals know little about Nordic Valley! Tucked in the north fork of Ogden Valley, the bucolic alpine meadow on the backside of towering Ben Lomond in the Wasatch Mountains, Nordic Valley shares the same epic powder found at its renowned neighbors Snowbasin and Powder Mountain. But most locals and visitors don’t realize that this smaller resort has been growing — a lot — and modernizing — just enough — to keep up with the Joneses without sacrificing its culture or commitment to accessibility for every outdoor enthusiast. For Nordic Valley, this means getting more people on more of the mountain by keeping costs low and the stoke levels high.

Nordic Valley is, in some ways, a throwback to earlier eras of skiing in Utah. Purchased in 2018 by the same group that operates Brian Head Ski Resort in Southern Utah, it wishes to capitalize on the things that have mattered most to skiers and snowboarders for generations — simply enjoying The Greatest Snow on Earth®. 

Big Mountain Runs with Gladed Trees

Despite running lifts for over 50 years, Nordic Valley is still largely unknown or underestimated. It’s often regarded as a bunny or sledding hill or incorrectly described – likely because of its name – as a place for cross-country skiing (it doesn’t offer Nordic skiing, but nearby North Fork State Park grooms trails). So, new ownership wanted to reintroduce a new generation to the resort while keeping its culture intact and devoted base happy. 

First, it doubled Nordic Valley’s skiable acreage reaching higher altitudes and pitches. To serve this terrain, in 2021, it debuted the Nordic Express, a high-speed six-person lift, something not even found at some of Utah’s largest and most popular destinations. It, then, went in like a sculptor and expertly gladed over two acres of aspen, spruce and pine trees providing advanced skiers and boarders a thrilling off-piste experience. 

But Nordic Valley doesn't aspire to be an “extreme” resort. So, for those tipping their skis into the trees for the first time, it created south-facing meanders providing softer, more forgiving turns through the maples and oaks. This expansion exquisitely complements its primarily green and blue, predominantly groomed runs lower on the mountain with a resort now boasting 20 black and double black diamond trails. 

Tying the sections together and staying true to its goal of getting more people on more of the mountain, Nordic Valley included Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, one of the longest and most-scenic green runs at any Utah resort. Starting from the top of Nordic Express, it gently wends its way down and around, providing views up, down and across Ogden Valley, linking to an eventual termination at the base.

No Spa But One-Heckuva-Unique New Bar

There, guests will find Nordic Valley’s iconic Barn that serves not just as a meeting hub for friends and families but also houses the resort’s mountain school, restaurant (with a new menu) and, opening this season, its Beer Bar, featuring a snow gun transformed into a high top table serving many local and popular brews on tap. This is the only 21+ area at Nordic Valley and is a great place to enjoy après ski or launch an excellent night skiing session.

Where Else Can Adults Ski for $9?

However, kids and families have ample reasons to head to Nordic Valley this winter. Foremost, kids 12 and under ski free, and lift tickets for parents and everyone else are among the lowest in Utah. Nordic Valley offers online ticketing with flexible pricing — buy early and save, buy for non-peak days and save. 

How much? You can buy a lift ticket at Nordic Valley for as little as $9. This is not a typo! In November, the most expensive advance purchase lift ticket listed during the Christmas-New Year’s holiday is $56 per day. Booking a week in advance secures the best rates, but same-day tickets are still the lowest in the Salt Lake area. Even better, if your plans change, you can reschedule your ticket as late as midnight the day before for a different day. So, for less than a single movie ticket or a month of Netflix, you can be skiing, yes, The Greatest Snow on Earth®.

Nordic Valley is unapologetic about its low prices. It isn’t a measure of ski quality. It simply doesn’t want people to be priced out before setting out. 

Accessibility Means Making Lessons Affordable, Too

Nordic Valley’s Ski and Snowboard School has worked to bring lessons within reach in several ways. Foremost, with price! A four-hour group lesson for kids ages 8-17 is $67 per child. For adults, a two-hour lesson (which is great for a refresher) is $80 per person. If four of you (any age) want to form a group, you can laugh and learn together for $425. Need more individual attention? Private lessons are available for as little as $129 for one hour, $329 for three hours or $495 for a full six-hour day of coaching.

Nordic Valley also provides packages to accommodate different schedules. It offers low prices on eight-week instruction programs for youths (ages 8-16). Running parallel with its four-week After School Program (ages 8-18, for as low as $280 with rental gear or $332 with rentals for ages 5-7), the resort has introduced an After Work Program, both from 5-7 pm, for adults — not just parents — that want to learn to ski or snowboard for as little as $280 with rental equipment. You can save more by bringing your own gear. 

The World’s Best Spring Break

Ski bums are cooler than beach bums! From March 1–31, 2023, "The World’s Best Spring Break" will be at Nordic Valley, with lift tickets starting as low as $19. All tickets include the option to add on beginner lessons starting at $40 or rentals starting at $25. Each adult online advance purchase WBSB lift ticket comes with a $10 resort credit per day. The credit can be used for food, beverage or retail. Lift tickets, lessons and rentals for this event are limited. So, whether you’re a college student or a student of life, grab your powder pals and book today.

Nordic Valley is the authentic, accessible and affordable resort you’ve been seeking. It’s for accomplished or aspiring skiers and snowboarders looking for Utah’s famed snow at an affordable price. It’s Powder for the People! 

See you on the slopes!