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Snowbird is on every core skier's top 10. The
snow is so good here that Utah deems it "The Greatest Snow on
Earth." The proximity to Salt Lake City is a half hour - so flying
in and skiing in the same day is totally achievable. Read on to see
why our editors pick a Snowbird Alta trip... as often as possible.
- "Snowbird for snow
loving families" by Heather Burke
Every
skier deserves a week in the western sun, skiing deep powder, and
delighting in the joy of après ski and spa treatments.
Once you have kids in tow, this ski trip sounds more like a fluffy
fantasy. Seriously, how can you fly the family to a remote Rocky
Mountain resort, never mind get them all on skis, and stay within a
budget?
With direct flights to Salt Lake City, and lodging at Snowbird’s
self-contained ski resort just 29 miles on a ski area shuttle, you can
have your gang slopeside by noon.
To
sweeten the Snowbird deal, up to two children (12 and under) per adult
ski free on lift and lodging packages. The cost of “Camp Snowbird”
all-day kids ski instruction, is an additional expense – but it is
worth the smiles on little skiers’ faces and the freedom for parents
to make their own turns at this gorgeous Rocky resort.
Snowbird, Utah is soup to nuts for skiing families: convenience, no
rental car, all-inclusive packages, skiing for everyone in the clan,
sunshine, and 40 feet of snow annually with one of the longest seasons
in North America.
To double your downhill fun, Snowbird is now connected to neighboring ski area Alta, and with a reciprocal
lift ticket – you can ski nearly 5,000 combined acres.
Staying slopeside at The Cliff Lodge, you can store everyone’s skis in
the mezzanine level ski lockers, complete with glove and boot dryers,
or rent gear from the in-hotel outlet. This reduces lugging copious
amounts of equipment on ski mornings – and reduces clutter in your
hotel suite.
Camp Snowbird is conveniently located in the hotel – so you can stop,
drop and go if you are eager to ski without encumbrance. If you prefer
to make tracks with your tike, the beginner Chickadee lift is located
adjacent to the Hotel – ironically right next to the outdoor heated
pool and hot tub – so you have a visual relaxant during those first
anxious turns.
In
a few simple ski turns, or a short walk, you are at the Plaza, a fancy
name for Snowbird’s outdoor concrete courtyard, which encompasses
three stories of skier services, shops and restaurants.
This is also where you catch the Tram, the legendary base to summit
lift. The tram ride rivals any amusement park ride your kids have
encountered. The 125-passenger air-bus whisks you up 2,900’ vertical
feet in six minutes. Even if the upper mountain is too much for your
young skiers, you must bring them along for an exciting “tram ride”
(up and down) one day.
At the summit, you step out onto 11,000-foot Hidden Peak where the air
is thin, the view is fantastic, and the downhill options are
bounteous.
Snowbird’s
summit offers skiing in all directions. Chip’s Run is a pleasant
2.5-mile intermediate family cruiser. Of course, The “Bird,” as its
known to the vertically obsessed, also has several extreme bowls and
numerous steep chutes, including the captivating Cirque. If tackling
this vast vertical sounds overwhelming, daily intermediate-level
guided Mountain Tours are available.
Mineral Basin is a recently expanded 500-acre backside bowl, a
wide-open paradise in the sun most mornings, and serves as your
connection to your next ski area - Alta.
Crossing over this ski area border is reminiscent of skiing from
Zermatt, Switzerland (Snowbird’s sister resort) to Cervinia, Italy.
You are surrounded by glorious mountain peaks, and greeted by a
high-elevation ticket checker. Sorry, snowboarders are turned away at
this border; Alta remains one of four North American ski areas that
prohibits riders.
Alta has the flavor of a traditional skiers-only mountain from the
1960’s – it is retro from the chalet architecture to the earthy staff.
Alta is worth showing your kids, provided they are on two-planks, as
tribute to skiing the way it used to be when Mom and Dad were little.
Back
at The Bird, if you have snowboarders, or if your little skiers need
terrain parks to make their stay complete, the westernmost Baby
Thunder chair is brimming with hits, jumps and rolls.
Moms may want to splurge on the Cliff Spa, Dad too. A refreshing
splash in the rooftop pool is the perfect prelude to your therapy of
hot stones, salt scrub or traditional Swedish massage. All of the
Spa’s treatment rooms have superb views of the slopes, a rewarding
reminder of your big Bird day.
Pick up a copy of “Today at the Bird” so you know about special events
and kids programs. Snowbird is a ski area first and foremost –so don’t
expect a Disney-atmosphere, however the resort continues to add after
ski activities for kids including tubing and games, which coincide
nicely with libation specials and lively entertainment for adults.
For evening amusement, there is usually live music and sports on the
big screen at the Tram Bar, plus movies, and a lecture series on
topics like wolves or avalanche rescue that kids might enjoy.
The other option is early bedtime – right behind the kids, after a
huge snow day on Snowbird’s spacious slopes. All this high mountain
air and family fun tend to tire you out by 8pm.
More Snowbird Ski Reviews:
Snowbird, Alta,
Solitude, Brighton!
Snowbird - for snow-loving families
Be a Snowbird - fly to Utah for
powder
Plenty of Powder greets Skiers at
Utah resort - Snowbird
Canada
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Rockies
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Sun n'Sea Travel
All Stories by Heather Burke
All Photography by Greg Burke
