The countdown to opening day is on! Whether you’re looking for steep and deep or a great family day without a lot of hassle, Utah’s 15 ski resorts have you covered all winter long.
Here at Chin|MacQuoid|Fleming|Harris, we’re partial to the resort playgrounds in our “backyard,” several of which offer early-season pricing that ends this week. So read on to see what’s new at Deer Valley, Park City Mountain, Sundance Resort and Woodward Park City this winter, as well as info on season passes and all the upcoming Utah ski swaps.
Deer Valley guests will enjoy new offerings at Snow Park Restaurant this winter, with an updated lunch and après experience featuring build-your-own salads and bowls, soups and chilis, burgers and an après ski menu with small bites and creative cocktails. Resort investments include new Helly Hansen uniforms for all on-mountain staff, the purchase of new state-of-the-art snow cats and upgrades to snowmaking systems and transportation fleets.
Deer Valley also has its eye on the future as it plans for a radically reimagined Snow Park base area, designed to provide additional accommodations and skier services, new contemporary food and beverage choices, expanded après-ski options and an expansive “ski beach.” The updated base area will cover the stretch of ground where Deer Valley’s five surface parking lots currently sit, and among the project’s highlights is an integrated transportation and mobility hub that will include multiple access points from the new parking facilities, dramatically improving guests’ arrival and mountain-access experience. Pending local government review and approval, the Snow Park project is expected to break ground in 2022.
Pass pricing increases this Friday, Oct. 15, so check out your options here.
Opening date: Saturday, Dec. 4
Park City Mountain and Vail Resorts’ “Commitment to Zero” initiative takes its next step this fall when they break ground on its partnership in the Elektron Solar Project, an 80-megawatt solar project that will provide renewable energy for 100 percent of Park City Mountain’s electric usage by 2023.
Looking ahead to next season, however, Vail Resorts recently announced their plans for improvements for the 2022-23 season at Park City Mountain as part of their “Epic Lift Upgrade.” Upgrades includes two news lifts: The existing Eagle Lift will be replaced with high-speed six-person chair with a new mid-station, significantly reducing crowding and wait times, and improving the guest experience, especially for beginner skiers and ski and ride school guests. Also coming to PCMR is Vail Resorts’ first-ever, high-speed, eight-person chair at Silverlode Express. The new lift will replace the existing six-person chair, increasing uphill capacity by 20 percent and reducing wait times at a critical spot to circulate guests on mountain.
Pass pricing was reduced by 20 percent ahead of the season, but pricing increases this Thursday, Oct. 14, so don’t delay in checking options here.
Opening date: Friday, Nov. 19
Two new lifts including a high-speed detachable quad is among the long list of improvements and additions to Sundance Mountain Resort this winter, which also will feature a new beginner area with three magic carpets. The new quad will restore access to the mid-mountain summit, which has not had lift access in more than 25 years, and will dramatically improve the guest experience by offering easier loading and offloading from the lift as well as a mid-station unloading area for beginner-level skiers. All riders will benefit from a seven-minute ride to the mid-mountain summit accessing an additional 35 acres of beginner, intermediate and advanced terrain making the front mountain an incredible repeat ski experience both day and night.
The resort also is boasting extensive mountain grading and brushing for improved terrain, snowmaking upgrades including a snowmaking reservoir, expanded mountain dining featuring “modern BBQ” at The Lookout, RFID ticketing technology and a new pass product called the “S-Card,” which will provide discounted direct-to-lift access for guests. Parking changes and upgrades include 160 newly paved parking spaces, with complimentary parking lots available on weekdays and in two parking areas on weekends and holidays. In keeping with Sundance’s commitment to conservation, the resort is introducing paid parking on holidays and weekends for select lots to encourage carpooling.
Pass pricing increases Oct. 31; check pass and ticketing options here.
Opening date: Friday, Dec. 10
Woodward Park City‘s 60,000-square-foot Action Sports Hub will offer even more adventure this winter thanks to several capital improvements. Enhancements include new features in the 10,000-sq.-ft. indoor concrete park; the development of a stage within the parkour zone providing a space to host events including film premieres, athlete speakers and live music performances. Additionally, a new micro clubhouse will serve Woodward’s smallest action-sports athletes, ages 1-6, and will include a small trampoline, foam pit, bouldering wall and more activities.
Also this winter, Woodward Park City introduces its “Ride with Woodward” lesson programming featuring group and private lessons for first-timers through advanced park riders. RWW lessons take advantage of Woodward’s more than 60 acres of terrain, designed for progression from the Start Park through the resort’s network of Progression Parks. For more on memberships, ticketing, lessons and more, click here.
Ski swaps are a great way to gear up the whole family for winter at an affordable price. Most ski swaps feature of a variety of gear, from brand new to used skis, snowboards, poles, boots, helmets, bindings, clothes and more. Ski Utah has compiled a complete list of ski swaps around Utah, but we’ve listed some notable upcoming swaps here:
Snowbird Sports Education Foundation Ski and Snowboard Sale & Swap
Oct. 15-17 at Churchill Junior High (3450 E. Oakview Dr., Millcreek)
- Friday, Oct. 15: Gear check-in, 4-7 p.m. ($1/item tag fee)
- Saturday, Oct.16: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 17: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; gear pick-up 3-5 p.m.
- FREE admission. Proceeds benefit the Snowbird Sports Education Foundation. Gear older than 10 years is NOT accepted.
National Ability Center Gear Sale
Oct. 23 at National Ability Center (1000 Ability Way)
Saturday, Oct. 23: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
- FREE admission. Proceeds benefit the National Ability Center adaptive ski and snowboard programs and athletes.
49th Annual Park City Ski Swap*
Nov. 5-7 at Basin Recreation Fieldhouse (1388 Center Dr., Park City)
- Friday, Nov. 5: 8 p.m.-1 a.m., $15 admission
- Saturday, Nov. 6: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., $10 admission
- Sunday, Nov. 7: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., $5 admission
- Equipment drop-off: Nov. 1-4, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Jans and Cole Sport on Park Avenue.
- *NOTE: Tickets will be sold online, and capacity will be limited by half. All guests will be required to wear masks indoors.
2021-22 ANTICIPATED UTAH RESORT OPENING DATES:
(Check Ski Utah for the latest updates)
Alta: Nov. 20, 2021
Beaver: TBA
Brian Head: TBA
Brighton: TBA
Cherry Peak: TBA
Deer Valley: Dec. 4, 2021
Eagle Point: Dec. 17, 2021
Nordic Valley: TBA
Park City Mountain: Nov. 19, 2021
Powder Mountain: TBA
Snowbasin: Nov. 24, 2021
Snowbird: Dec. 1, 2021
Solitude: Nov. 19, 2021
Sundance: Dec. 10, 2021
Woodward Park City: TBA
For a detailed list of Utah ski resorts’ season, collective and discount pass options, visit Ski Utah’s complete roundup here.
