With a host of new developments across its 14 ski resorts and some of the shortest plane-to-piste transfer times in the world, Utah – the home of The Greatest Snow on Earth® – is set to deliver another sensational winter in the mountains.
From absolute beginners to serious skiers and snowboarders there are plenty of reasons to hit the slopes in the Beehive State this season. Highlights include:
Alta Ski Area in Salt Lake City – Utah’s oldest lift-serving resort – is adding a fixed grip quad chairlift connecting the ski area to the newly expanded Snowpine Lodge. Built in 1938, the historical Snowpine Lodge was the first ski lodge in Little Cottonwood Canyon. The expansion includes new rooms, a full-service restaurant, après ski bar, outdoor pool and hot tub.
Deer Valley Resort in Park City is undergoing its largest improvement project in over a decade with $8.1 million in enhancements this season. Most notable is a new, detachable, high-speed quad chairlift, cutting ride-time in half and increasing uphill skier capacity. Additionally, the resort will be enhancing its snowmaking systems, adding a new snowcat to its fleet, updating rental shop equipment and upgrading various day lodge facilities across the mountain. The resort’s Stein Eriksen Lodge is completing a $14 million expansion that includes a new pool, outdoor deck and plaza, entertainment centre, movie theatre and slope-side coffee shop.
Debuting this season at Park City Mountain, the new High Meadow Park at Canyons Village will offer guests a dedicated learning area designed exclusively for beginner skiers. The existing High Meadow four-passenger lift will be replaced with a high-speed, four-passenger lift, increasing uphill capacity by 50 percent and shortening overall ride time by 70 percent. New snowmaking at High Meadow will help maintain an ideal snow surface for beginner skiers and snowboarders.
Sundance Mountain Resort is celebrating its 50th anniversary this winter. Acquired by Robert Redford in 1968 and renamed to Sundance Mountain Resort in 1969, the year-round resort was the starting point for the popular Sundance Film Festival and boasts 450 skiable acres.
Meanwhile avid winter sport spectators are in for a treat when Utah plays host to the 2019 FIS World Championships from 1-10 February 2019 across Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain and Solitude Mountain Resort. The Championships will include more than 25 medal events over 10 days, including the newest Olympic sports of men’s and women’s big air skiing, team aerials and team snowboardcross. Over 700 athletes are expected to compete, making this the largest international ski and snowboard event Utah has hosted since the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
Utah is renowned for producing The Greatest Snow on Earth®, a meteorological anomaly caused by the Great Salt Lake’s impact on precipitation. This so-called ‘Lake Effect’ creates consistently light, fluffy snow and superb skiing conditions.
Ski Safaris (01273 224060/ www.skisafari.com) offers a 10-night ski trip to Utah from £1,145 per person. The price include accommodation at The Yarrow – Doubletree by Hilton in Park City, return flights (Heathrow to Salt Lake City with one stopover) and car hire. Price is based on selected departures in January and March 2019, saving up to 30%. Book by 29 September 2018.
For more information on Utah, or to plan a family holiday, see www.visitutah.com/uk
For ski resort opening dates, visit www.skiutah.com
Photo credit: Lee Cohen and Drew P.