FRIDAY
1 p.m.Check into the swanky and creative-yet-tasteful Hotel Monaco located right in the heart of Salt Lake City (that hosts daily wine receptions in the hip, art deco lobby). Dump your bags and get onto a shuttle up to Brighton.
3 p.m.
Ski until your legs give out or your belly aches for food. Don’t worry about time: Brighton prides itself on 200 acres for night-skiing, open until 9 p.m.
7 p.m.
Downtown Salt Lake City boasts hundreds of eateries, from fast-casual to five-star. HSL is known for its inventive small plates, gorgeous cocktails and using locally sourced, creative ingredients. Afterward, catch a touring Broadway musical, an NBA game, live music, comedy club—the options are truly endless.
10 p.m.
Stop in for a nightcap on Salt Lake’s Main St., dubbed “Whiskey Street” for its proliferation of watering holes (one of which is actually called Whiskey Street). We like Alibi Bar & Place for its no-nonsense bartenders who put the craft in craft-cocktails.
SATURDAY
7 a.m.Rise early and head back up Big Cottonwood to Solitude Mountain Resort. Make time to stop along the way at Silver Fork, a cozy place for a hearty breakfast.
9 a.m.
Get the SolBright day ticket when you arrive at Solitude, which will allow you to explore all of Solitude and Brighton’s combined 142 runs.
4 p.m.
Sip a beer from the long list of drafts, bottles and cans at Solitude’s funky Thirsty Squirrel bar before heading back to Hotel Monaco for dinner at its stellar on-site eatery, Bambara.
SUNDAY
7 a.m.Get up sleepy head. Head towards Ogden via rental car or Uber to Snowbasin Resort.
9 a.m.
Snowbasin came into its own during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, hosting the men’s and women’s downhill events. If the sun is shining, glide out to Strawberry Express Gondola for a morning of sun-washed groomer skiing.
Noon
Lunch in the John Paul Lodge situated below the “beer can” lift that takes skiers to the top of the men’s Olympic downhill course with views down into the Ogden Valley. After lunch, take the short ride up to the top of the mountain. The view provides a fabulous endpoint to your weekend. (Don’t worry, you don’t have to drop into the steep Olympic-level course, you can ride down on the gondola.)
Time to head home and reminisce on your great city-meets-mountains weekend. What Utah resorts will you conquer next?
Interested in more Utah itineraries? We've thoughtfully crafted itineraries for the powderhound, the foodie and the explorer.
Originally written for Ski Utah magazine
