Utah is definitely one of the best ski destinations in the world. The Rocky Mountains provide exciting terrain. The winters provide more than 500 inches of the greatest snow on earth annually. And, 10 world class ski resorts make for endless possibilities in this winter paradise. There are plenty of incredible places to try if you’re looking for an adrenaline packed adventure. However, in this blog we want to answer the question of what are the best places to ski in Utah for children.
For any child or beginner, we always recommend starting off in the resort. There are endless possibilities to learn on local hills or in the calmer backcountry; however, the resorts will always be better to start. The resorts provide access to lifts so that your kids can focus on learning the basics without exhausting all their energy hiking to the top. They also allow them to learn side by side with other kids which can boost their confidence. There are a number of other benefits to learning at the resort, but the biggest ones are the lessons. In this blog we will be talking about some of our top picks for ski resorts for kids based on terrain, pricing, and the quality of the lessons provided.
1. Brighton Resort
Brighton Resort is located at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon right outside of Salt Lake City Utah. This is not the largest resort in Utah, but it provides a variety of different terrain that makes it perfect for new skiers. They offer a great beginner hill (bunny hill) that isn’t too steep or too flat that even has a slow lift to the top. This helps to alleviate the fear that comes with getting on and off the lift that can be prevalent with smaller children.
As an added bonus, This canyon is known for getting a lot of the best snow on the planet. Brighton also makes skiing with kids much cheaper by allowing kids 10 and under to ski free with paying adults. Best of all Brighton offers some of the best riding lessons in the west! That’s why it is well known as the place Utah learns to ski and ride. This is by far our number one choice on the list for best places to ski in Utah for children.
PS. There are also a number of family friendly lodges in the area for your next family ski vacation!
2. Snowbasin Resort
Snowbasin Resort provides a unique Learn and Earn program that allows students access to three lessons, a season pass, and all of your rental gear for the season. Students that complete all three years of the program can even keep their gear at the end! In addition to this amazing program, snowbasin provides access to an enjoyable bunny hill with easy lift access. The biggest downside to this resort is the price. Pricing in Snowbasin is much more expensive than some of the similar options in the state. Overall this is a great place to learn if you’re willing to spend a little extra.
3. Solitude Mountain Resort
Another one of the great places to ski in Utah for children is the Solitude Mountain Resort. This resort is also located near the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon. This resort offers a stress free environment for kids to learn the basics of skiing and snowboarding. They offer private lessons as well as a lot of easy terrain for kids to practice. One of the best things about this resort is that they offer a variety of youth programs. These programs allow youth to better their racing, freeride, and big mountain riding skills while connecting with peers.
Their team of professionals helps strengthen the abilities of young riders while providing them a strong support system as they pursue the sport. It is a great lifelong program which is why we often recommend starting your kids off in this resort.
Many of the same lodging options offered at the Brighton Resort provide easy access to the Solitude Mountain resort as well. For help booking in the canyon contact us!
4. Park City Resort
One of the most well known resorts in Utah, Park City Resort is another great place for kids. This resort offers a wide range of terrain for everyone in the family to enjoy. Although this resort tends to receive less snow throughout the year, it is still a great spot to ride. Like Solitude, This resort offers a variety of youth programs that are focused on helping your children improve their abilities on the slopes.
Whether they are interested in speeding down groomers or landing big tricks off the kickers, Park City is a great place to learn. Park City offers discounted passes for young children; however it is on the more expensive side for adults and other riders. There are also a variety of housing and food options in the area if you are looking to stay in the area.
5. Snowbird Resort
Snowbird is one of two resorts at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon. It is a beautiful canyon just outside of Salt Lake City that often receives the most snow in the area. Unlike its neighbor resort Alta, Snowbird allows access to skiers and snowboarders alike. We love this resort for young children because the resort provides a variety of activities and other benefits for families. They also provide a number of options for skiing and snowboarding lessons for all abilities.
The terrain at Snowbird is a little more difficult than some of the other resorts, so it is important to keep that in mind while registering for lessons. Although pricing is slightly steeper at this resort, it is a great place to improve your abilities.
These are our top 5 places to Ski in Utah for Children. There are an additional 5 other ski resorts in Utah that all provide different pros and cons for your family ski vacation. For any winter planning, start early because lodging and passes sell out quickly. For more information about the ski resorts in Utah or lodging options in the canyon, contact us!