It’s the famed copious powder that draws skiers from around the globe to Utah like moths towards a light, but the ideal ski vacation involves a lot more than just a good time on the slopes. If we’re being honest, the majority of those off-snow hours are spent in the lodge after you've aprèd and experienced an off-slope activity or two. Utah is home to wonderfully unique boutique hotels with characters as diverse as the resorts dotting the mountain ranges from the Tushars to the Wasatch to the Bear River Mountains.
These boutique hotels represent the full spectrum from luxurious to quirky and most things in between. Looking to carve some corduroy before relaxing in style? Searching for rustic ski-in/ski-out steps from the deepest powder around? Seeking an utterly singular home away from home within striking distance of your favorite mountain? There’s a perfect boutique ski hotel in Utah for you. Read on to learn more about our favorites.
Silver Fork Lodge
The Skinny: Rustic Lodge and Restaurant in Big Cottonwood Canyon
Where to Ski and Ride: Brighton and Solitude Mountain Resort
The Silver Fork Lodge is a roadside treasure just downcanyon from Solitude and Brighton. Views from the lodge of the surrounding Wasatch wilderness are stunning, and the on-site restaurant serves up frankly phenomenal food you wouldn't expect to find in a log building built during the area’s mining era. It ain’t fancy. It’s just perfect.
Alta Peruvian Lodge
The Skinny: No frills powder palace a snowball’s throw from the Wildcat Chairlift
Where to Ski and Ride: Alta Ski Area and Snowbird
The Peruvian is a skier’s lodge through and through. Just steps from the lift at the top of the powder corridor that is Little Cottonwood Canyon, the Peruvian has everything you need—comfortable rooms, a hot tub, including restaurant meals and a legendary and lively après bar—and nothing you don’t. Hardcore skiers and riders looking for the steep and deep at Alta and Snowbird, look no further.
Washington School House Hotel
The Skinny: Quaint luxury lodge in the heart of downtown Park City
Where to Ski and Ride: Park City Mountain and Deer Valley Resort
Park City is known as a haven for luxurious lifestyles, but the Washington School House Hotel might just outdo every other joint in town. There’s nothing ostentatious about this 12-room hotel just off Main Street, but it’s plenty elegant and welcoming for visitors looking to slip into some of the finer things in life after taking off the ski boots at the end of the day.
Sundance Lodging
The Skinny: Classic on-mountain lodging with options sized to your needs
Where to Ski and Ride: Sundance Mountain Resort
Skiing at Sundance you’ll feel lifetimes away from the hustle and bustle of the Salt Lake Valley, so why not enjoy the solitude in the evening too? Traditionally mountain-styled rooms from economical studios to sprawling lofts have you covered no matter the size of your party, all just steps from slopes.
Alaskan Inn
The Skinny: Secluded mountain lodge nestled in scenic Ogden Canyon
Where to Ski and Ride: Powder Mountain
The quiet lodge tucked into the gorgeous wilds of Ogden Canyon is styled after the aesthetics of The Last Frontier. The lodge and cabins sit beneath looming limestone towers just minutes from Snowbasin, Powder Mountain and Nordic Valley. Complimentary shuttle service to all three resorts is included, but something about the vibes mesh with Pow Mow really well.
Compass Rose Lodge
The Skinny: Farmhouse lodge with an observatory in Huntsville
Where to Ski and Ride: Snowbasin Resort
The Compass Rose Lodge has 15 wonderfully-appointed rooms tucked into the Ogden Valley landscape near great skiing. But let’s not bury the lede, because they also have an on-site observatory! Yes, guests can look at Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s Moons at the Huntsville Astronomic and Lunar Observatory (HALO) right where they’re staying. That’s not something you’ll find anywhere else.
Big Yellow Inn
The Skinny: Unique B&B lodge in Cedar City
Where to Ski and Ride: Brian Head Ski Resort
The Big Yellow Inn is a Georgian Revival Bed and Breakfast in Cedar City just a short drive away from Brian Head Resort. The 12 rooms are all uniquely styled, in a building with three separate sitting rooms, eight fireplaces, a great room and a guest library. Don’t sleep on the full breakfast served each morning before you head to the hill.
Anniversary Inn
The Skinny: One-of-a-kind quirky, themed hotel in Logan
Where to Ski and Ride: Beaver Mountain and Cherry Peak
This place is positively quirktacular. Every suite at the Anniversary Inn has an individual theme—Lost in Space, Caribbean Sea Cove, European Honeymoon, Swiss Family Robinson, The Tipi (with an indoor tipi, of course), King Arthur’s castle, Pirate’s Paradise, and more—that will provide endless conversation fodder on chairlift rides. The uncrowded slopes at nearby Beaver Mountain and Cherry Peak Resort are the cherry on top.
