With the countdown to the 2015-16 ski season now on, Visit Utah runs down its top new developments across its 14 resorts this winter. Changes and additions to Utah’s ski resorts, which each year receive around 500 inches of The Greatest Snow on Earth®, include the first new resort in decades, new terrain and lifts, remodelled accommodations and eateries, and over $100 million invested in on-mountain enhancements. Plus, this ski season, several resorts will reach milestone anniversaries, and to honour these, holidaymakers will be able to enjoy a range of special celebrations scheduled to mark the occasion. All in all, the 2015-16 ski season is set to be a BIG one for Utah!
NEW RESORTS, INVESTMENTS, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENTS AND RESTAURANT OPENINGS
Utah opens first new ski resort in decades
Brand new for the 2015-16 season is Utah’s newest ski resort, Cherry Peak Resort. Located near Logan in northern Utah, the resort is two hours from Salt Lake City, and features three triple chairlifts, snowmaking infrastructure, a 1.25 mile-long-run, and a three-storey day lodge that will host events year-round. For more information on Cherry Peak Resort, visit www.skicherrypeak.us.
Park City mega-resort created to form America’s largest ski and snowboard resort
Park City Mountain Resort and Canyons Resort have been combined to create Park City, America’s largest ski and snowboard resort. This development is part of Vail Resorts’ $50 million transformational capital programme. Boasting 7,300 skiable acres and over 300 trails, Park City will be completed before the ski season begins and will offer a world-class mountain destination. Key on-mountain changes include a new eight-seat Quicksilver Gondola, upgrades to the King Con and Motherload lifts, and additional snowmaking on two Iron Mountain area trails, allowing for better handling of increased skier traffic using the new gondola. A new mountainside eatery, Miners Camp, will offer a top-of-the-line kitchen and culinary experience for up to 500 guests. Summit House and Red Pine Restaurant will also undergo upgrades to increase seating capacity. For more information on Park City, visit www.parkcitymountain.com.
$35 million in investments bring 360-degree views to Snowbird
Skiers heading to Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort can travel to 11,000 feet for 360-degree panoramic views from the new Summit Lodge. The new two-storey glass-enclosed mountain top structure will sit atop Hidden Peak and replace Ski Patrol and the warming hut which have operated for over 40 years. The new facility will feature a cafeteria, private dining room, coffee and pastry shop, and a 10,000 square foot deck. For more information on Snowbird, visit www.snowbird.com.
New high-speed quad Summit Express chairlift introduced at Solitude
As of May this year, the ski-only Deer Valley Resort has now taken over ownership and operations of Solitude Mountain Resort. Changes include the creation of a new ski run and the opening of a new high-speed quad Summit Express chairlift, which will give skiers quicker access to Honeycomb Canyon. Other developments include the remodeling of Solitude’s Moonbeam Lodge Resort and the complete revamp of menus at all resort restaurants. For more information on Deer Valley Resort, visit www.deervalley.com and for Solitude Mountain Resort, visit www.skisolitude.com.
MONEY-SAVING TOP TIPS
New Ski Pass launches for three resorts – saving skiers $20 on standard individual entry fees
To shake off its reputation as Utah’s ‘best kept secret’, Ogden has introduced a new ski pass, valid at three resorts. Priced at $159, the Ski3 Pass includes a full day lift ticket at Powder Mountain (normally $69) and Snowbasin Resort (normally $71), and a half day pass at Nordic Valley Resort (normally $39). For more information on the Ski3 Pass, visit www.visitogden.com/ski-ogden/ski3. For more information on Snowbasin Resort, visit www.snowbasin.com and for more on Nordic Valley Resort, visit www.nordicvalley.com.
Epic Pass now valid at Park City
From this ski season, the Epic Pass is now valid at Park City, and will cover all 7,300 skiable acres at the resort. It gives holders unlimited days at Park City in addition to 23 additional resorts around the world. To secure the best deal, order the pass early. For more information on the Epic Pass, visit www.snow.com/epic-pass.aspx
Ski free at Robert Redford’s Sundance Resort
Film fans heading to the Sundance Film Festival next January will receive two free lift passes per night when they book a stay in a luxurious cottage at Sundance Mountain Resort. This special ‘ski free’ package also includes night skiing on selected evenings throughout the week. For more information on Sundance Resort, visit www.sundanceresort.com.
For the best packages and deals from resort and industry partners, visit the ‘Hot Deals’ section of www.skiutah.com.
RESORT ANNIVERSARIES AND NEW FOR FAMILIES
Brighton reaches milestone 80th anniversary
Brighton Resort, one of Salt Lake City’s four resorts, celebrates 80 years in business this season. Just 35 minutes from the airport, Brighton is Utah’s only resort that serves all of its terrain via high-speed lifts, has multiple terrain parks together with annual snowfall of over 500 inches. Consistently ranked top for family affordability and terrain, this season Brighton has increased its ‘ski free’ age for children to those 10 years and under. For more information on Brighton Resort, visit www.brightonresort.com.
Snowbasin celebrates 75th birthday this November
One of America’s oldest ski areas, Snowbasin Resort, celebrates 75 years in operation in 2015. Open since 1940, the resort hosted the 2002 Olympic Games’ Downhill, Combined and Super G races. To mark its diamond anniversary, planned celebrations include a signature beer and whiskey launch on 16 December. For more information on Snowbasin Resort, visit www.snowbasin.com
HIDDEN GEMS
Party on the slopes
Discover North America’s only ski tunnel at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort by heading for the Peruvian Tunnel to hear dance music while on the slopes. For more information on Snowbird, visit www.snowbird.com.
Visit America’s only ski-in, ski-out distillery
Experience the world’s only ski-in-ski-out distillery, High West Distillery and Saloon, which dates back to the 1870s and is located 7,000 feet high in the Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains in Old Town Park City. For more on High West, visit www.highwest.com and for more on Park City, visit www.parkcitymountain.com.
TAKE ME SKIING IN UTAH
For Couples: Seven nights in Solitude, Utah from £1,375pp
Seven nights in Solitude, Utah with Ski Safari including United Airlines flights from London Heathrow to Salt Lake City via Chicago, three-star room only accommodation at the Inn at Solitude and shared transfers costs from £1,375. Price is per person based on 2 adults travelling, sharing accommodation, including all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Price is based on departures in January 2016. Book by 1 November 2015. To book, visit www.skisafari.com or call 01273 224060.
For Families: Seven nights in Park City, Utah from £1,469pp
Seven nights in Park City, Utah with Crystal Ski Holidays including British Airways flights from London Heathrow to Salt Lake City via Dallas, three-star B&B accommodation at the Best Western Landmark Inn and transfers costs from £1,469. Price is per person based on a family of four travelling (2 adults and 2 children), sharing accommodation, including all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Price is based on a departure on 23 December 2015. To book, visit www.crystalski.co.uk or call 0208 939 0726.
For more information on Ski Utah, visit www.skiutah.com
For more information on Utah, visit www.visitutah.com