The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Snowbird operates across 2,500 acres in Little Cottonwood Canyon with a vertical drop of 988 metres from the 3,353-metre Hidden Peak summit to the 2,365-metre base. The resort receives an average of 12.7 metres of annual snowfall and features 171 named runs, making it one of Utah's most snow-reliable destinations. The iconic Aerial Tram climbs 884 metres in seven minutes, providing direct summit access, whilst the unique 183-metre Peruvian Tunnel connects the front side to Mineral Basin through the mountain's interior.
Terrain splits decisively towards advanced riders, with 43 per cent advanced and 24 per cent expert runs, whilst intermediate trails account for 25 per cent and beginner terrain just 8 per cent. The mountain divides into three distinct zones: Peruvian Gulch with the resort's longest runs, Gad Valley offering tree skiing and upper bowls, and Mineral Basin's 500-acre backside bowl accessed via tunnel or tram. Signature advanced runs include Great Scott, Silver Fox, and the Cirque Traverse, whilst intermediates favour Mark Malu and Mineral Basin's forgiving blue terrain.
The compact base village centres on the Snowbird Center and four slopeside lodges including the Cliff Lodge, with concentrated facilities that include The Summit restaurant atop Hidden Peak at 3,353 metres. The resort attracts skilled locals and destination skiers pursuing steep terrain and deep powder, creating a no-nonsense atmosphere focused on serious skiing rather than village life. Weekends draw crowds from metropolitan Salt Lake City, whilst midweek operations remain quieter and powder stashes last longer.
Snowbird appears on both the Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective, with the Alta-Bird joint pass providing access to 5,114 combined acres across both Little Cottonwood Canyon resorts. The 2025-26 season ran from 28 November to 26 May, reflecting Utah's longest operating schedule. The mountain suits confident intermediates through experts who prioritise snow quality and challenging terrain over extensive beginner infrastructure, with the caveat that Baby Thunder lift often closes midweek, limiting novice options.
3,241ft
Vertical
171
Runs
2,500 acres
Skiable
42ft
Annual snow
Ikon / Mountain Collective
Pass
The Terrain
171 runs across 2,500 acres skiable
Snowbird spreads 171 runs across 2,500 acres skiable of terrain. It leans advanced at 43%, with 14 beginner runs to find your feet and 115 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
171
runs
171 runs across 4 grades
Beginner14 runs · 8%
Intermediate43 runs · 25%
Advanced74 runs · 43%
Expert41 runs · 24%
Time it right
When to visit Snowbird
The 2025-26 season operated from 28 November 2025 through 26 May 2026, transitioning to weekends-only operations in the final weeks before closing. Snowbird typically opens by early December and extends Utah's longest ski season into late May, occasionally reaching Memorial Day weekend in high-snow years. The resort opened just before Thanksgiving in 2025 but closed earlier than the previous season due to below-average snowfall totals.
Snowbird averages 12.7 metres of annual snowfall, receiving over 500 inches most seasons due to lake-effect enhancement from the Great Salt Lake. The base elevation of 2,365 metres and summit reaching 3,353 metres provide consistent cold temperatures that preserve Utah's famously dry powder. The 2025-26 season recorded approximately 305 inches by closing, well below the typical 500-inch average, demonstrating the resort's vulnerability to warm winters despite its elevation advantage.
January through March delivers peak powder conditions with the highest frequency of storms, whilst December focuses on base-building and terrain opening. April offers exceptional spring skiing on Snowbird's north-facing slopes, where cold preservation extends powder quality beyond most Utah resorts. The resort typically achieves 84 per cent terrain open by Christmas, though steep pitches require substantial base depths of 1.5 metres or more to safely operate.
Snowbird does not offer night skiing but operates from 8 AM until 2 PM during late-season weekends. The resort hosts the Wasatch Wildflower Festival in summer, Cirque series trail running races, and Speedgoat by UTMB mountain running events. Free daily mountain tours depart from the Plaza Deck at 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM, whilst the resort's six webcams monitor conditions from Hidden Peak, Mineral Basin, Gad Valley, the tram bull pen, Peruvian Gulch, and the official snowstake.
Season 2025 - 2026
28 Nov 2025
Opens
26 May 2026
Closes
179
Days open
42 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Snowbird, and where to stay
Snowbird sits in Little Cottonwood Canyon within the Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains, 10 kilometres up Highway 210 from the canyon mouth. The unincorporated community lies within the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, with the base village at 2,365 metres elevation surrounded by steep canyon walls. Alta Ski Area sits 1.6 kilometres up-canyon to the east, accessible via the Baldy Express chairlift from Mineral Basin, whilst the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon lies 19 kilometres north.
Salt Lake City sits 39 kilometres northwest, with downtown approximately 45 minutes by road in good conditions. The suburb of Sandy lies 19 kilometres from the resort at the canyon entrance, whilst Cottonwood Heights sits 21 kilometres away. Little Cottonwood Canyon's mining history dates to 1869 when silver was discovered at the Emma Mine, which produced $3.8 million in ore before closure in 1941, and the resort opened in December 1971 under founders Ted Johnson and Dick Bass.
Access follows Interstate 80 east from Salt Lake City, then Interstate 215 south to the 6200 South exit, which becomes Wasatch Boulevard before transitioning to Highway 210 up Little Cottonwood Canyon. The 10-kilometre canyon road frequently closes for avalanche control, sometimes for hours during active storm cycles. Parking reservations are recommended on weekends, with free lots filling by 7:45 AM on peak days, and the narrow canyon's avalanche terrain makes it one of North America's most hazardous ski access roads.
Salt Lake City International Airport sits 47 kilometres away via a 45-minute drive in clear conditions, offering over 600 daily flights with direct service to major US cities. The Utah Transit Authority operates the route 994 ski bus from multiple Salt Lake City locations to the Snowbird tram, costing $5 per ride with 30-minute frequency. Private shuttle services including Canyon Transportation provide door-to-door resort transfers, whilst many visitors stay at one of four slopeside lodges to avoid daily canyon driving.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Snowbird, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Aspen Snowmass Marks 80th Anniversary With $3.75 Throwback Lift Tickets
Aspen Snowmass turns 80 this December, and it's marking the milestone with $3.75 lift tickets on the anniversary itself - the original 1946 price. A discounted long weekend, $19.46 dining specials, lodging deals up to 46 percent off, and a season of anniversary programming round out the celebration across all four mountains.
17 Sept 2026
Doppelmayr Group Posts 9.1% Revenue Growth in 2025/26, Passing 1.3 Billion Euros
Doppelmayr closed its 2025/26 business year with revenue up 9.1 percent to 1.3 billion euros, driven by projects including the Big Sky Explorer Gondola, Deer Valley's Mayflower East Village Gondola, and the first TRI-Line installation at Hoch-Ybrig. Headcount grew too, with the ropeway manufacturer now employing almost 4,000 people worldwide.
16 Sept 2026
Hintertux Glacier Replaces 40-Year-Old Gondola to Tuxer Fernerhaus
Hintertux Glacier is retiring its 40-year-old gondola to the Tuxer Fernerhaus. The replacement carries 10 people per cabin instead of four, with seat heating and nearly 40 percent more hourly capacity. Doppelmayr's new line opens at the end of October 2026, right as the glacier's high-altitude terrain becomes accessible again for the new season.
16 Sept 2026
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation is looking at a major shake-up to its title events calendar. From 2032, World Championships could run not just in odd-numbered years but in every non-Olympic winter too, effectively putting a global title event on the calendar almost every season. The FIS Council has approved the concept following a feasibility study, though an accelerated rollout as early as 2028 is also under consideration.
4 Sept 2026
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.
4 Sept 2026
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.
2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.
31 Aug 2026
Snowbird Lift Tickets
Snowbird lift tickets & passes
The 2025 - 2026 season at Snowbird closed on May 26, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.
Day passes start from US$119, with peak rates up to US$229.
Ikon / Mountain Collective5 pass options
Single-day passes
Adult 18–64
Adult Daily Ticket
US$149up to US$229 peak
Experience Snowbird's legendary 149 trails with the iconic Aerial Tram and 500+ inches of annual snowfall. Located in Little Cottonwood Canyon with 2,500 acres of expert terrain and world-class powder skiing.
Buy passYouth 13–17
Youth Daily Ticket
US$139up to US$219 peak
Youth lift tickets at Snowbird provide access to legendary terrain with the famous Aerial Tram. Perfect for young skiers and riders experiencing world-class powder and steep terrain in Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Buy passChild 6–12
Child Daily Ticket
US$129up to US$209 peak
Children's lift tickets at Snowbird offer access to legendary powder skiing with excellent ski school programs. Experience the famous Aerial Tram and 500+ inches of annual snowfall in Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Buy passHalf-day passes
Adult 13–99
Half-Day Afternoon Ticket
US$119up to US$179 peak
Snowbird half-day tickets provide afternoon access to legendary terrain starting at 12:30 PM. Experience the famous Aerial Tram and world-class powder skiing at a reduced rate for shorter mountain sessions.
Buy passSeason passes
Adult 13–99
Snowbird Summit Pass
US$1,399up to US$1,599 peak
Snowbird Summit Pass provides unlimited access to legendary Little Cottonwood Canyon skiing with no blackout dates. Experience 149 trails, the iconic Aerial Tram, and 500+ inches of world-class powder annually.
Buy passLift tickets FAQ
How much does a Snowbird day pass cost?
Snowbird day passes range from US$119 to US$229 depending on the date and advance booking.
Can I buy Snowbird lift tickets online?
Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
Are there discounts for multi-day passes?
Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
What is included with a Snowbird lift ticket?
Full access to all lifts and trails at Snowbird, including mountain safety and patrol services.
What is the difference between Snowbird lift tickets and ski passes?
"Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Snowbird - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
When should I buy Snowbird lift tickets for the best price?
Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
Does Snowbird offer group discounts on lift tickets?
Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Snowbird directly for group booking information and rates.
How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?
Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Snowbird.
More Snowbird intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.